BLEEK, bl5k, FRIEDRICH (1793-1859). A German biblical scholar, lie was born at Ahrens b6k, Holstein, July 4, 1793; educated at the University of Kiel (1812-14), and in Berlin, under de Wette. Neander, and Schleiermacher (1814-17). In ISIS he became tutor in theology in the University of Berlin. Soon afterwards he published essays on the Origin and Composition of the Sibylline Oracles, and on the Authorship and Design of the Book of Daniel, in which lie at tracted attention by solid learning, thorough investigation, and candor of judgment. In 1823 he became professor extraordinary; and in 1829 he accepted the chair of theology in the Univer sity of Bonn. where for thirty years he labored with constantly increasing success, due to the thoroughness of his investigations, the impartial ity of his judgments, and the clearness of his methods of presentation. Ile (lied suddenly of apoplexy, Sunday, Fehruary 27, 18.59, having given his regular lecture on the previous day.
Ms defense of the genuineness of the Gospel of Saint John is regarded as one of the strong est that have yet appeared, and his critical labors on the New Testament are among the most important contributions to the maintenance of the evangelical faith that our time has produced. Translated are his Introduction to the Old Testa ment (London, 1869, 2 vole., reprinted 1875, 1 vol.), and his Introduction to the New Testa ment (Edinburgh, 1869, 2 vols.), and Lectures on the apocalypse (London, 1875). His great work on the Epistle to the Hebrews (1828-40, 3 vols.) is untranslated. The Introductions just men tioned were published by his son from his notes (Berlin, ]S60 and 1862, respectively) ; later so edited by Wellhausen (last ed. 1893) and Man gold (latest ed. 1886) as to make him the chan nel of views he certainly did not stand for while he lived.