Giovanni Battista Jona

Giovanni Battista Jona was a linguist of Hebrew origin, born as Judah Jonah of Safed. His life took a significant turn when he converted to a different faith, ultimately leading him to work at the Vatican. There, he utilized his proficiency in Hebrew to contribute to the institution's literary endeavors. Jona's work at the Vatican was notable for its focus on scriptural translations, demonstrating his expertise in the field of linguistics.

As a prominent figure at the Vatican, Jona collaborated with Domenico Gerosolimitano, a censor, on projects related to scriptural translations. Together, they formed a unique duo of converted Jewish scholars who produced translations of the New Testament into Hebrew. Jona's work in this area was a significant achievement, reflecting his mastery of the Hebrew language and his ability to navigate complex theological texts. He passed away in 1678, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly contributions to the field of linguistics, particularly in the realm of Hebrew scriptural translations.