Paul Eber

Paul Eber
Eber, portrayed by Lucas Cranach the Younger
Born (1511-11-08)8 November 1511
Kitzingen
Died 10 December 1569(1569-12-10) (aged 58)
Wittenberg
Education University of Wittenberg
Occupation
  • Lutheran theologian
  • Hymnwriter
  • Academic teacher
Organization University of Wittenberg

Paul Eber (8 November 1511 – 10 December 1569) was a German Lutheran theologian, reformer and hymnwriter, known for the hymn for the dying, "Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott".

Biography

He was born at Kitzingen in Franconia, and was educated at Nuremberg and Wittenberg, where he became the close friend of Philipp Melanchthon. In 1541 he was appointed professor of Latin grammar at Wittenberg, and in 1557 professor of the Old Testament. His range of learning was wide, and he published a handbook of Jewish history, a historical calendar intended to supersede the Roman Saints' Calendar, and a revision of the Latin Old Testament.[1]

In the theological conflict of the time he played a large part, doing what he could to mediate between the extremists. From 1559 to the close of his life he was superintendent general of the electorate of Saxony. He attained some fame as a hymn writer, his best-known composition being Wenn wir in höchsten Nothen sein. He died at Wittenberg on 10 December 1569.[1]

Johann Sebastian Bach composed in 1725 a chorale cantata on his hymn in eight stanzas, Herr Jesu Christ, wahr' Mensch und Gott, BWV 127. Bach also composed a church cantata "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir" BWV 130, based on the eponymous hymn in twelve stanzas by Paul Eber (1554).

References

  1. 1 2 Chisholm 1911.

Bibliography

  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Eber, Paul". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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