Hermann Witsius
Hermann Witsius (Herman Wits or in Latin Hermannus Witsius; 12 February 1636 – 22 October 1708, aged 72) was a Dutch theologian.
Also recorded as H. Wits · H. Witsius · Hermannus Witsius
Hermann Witsius

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- Name
- Hermann Witsius
- Born
- 12 February 1636
- Birthplace
- Enkhuizen, Netherlands
- Died
- 22 October 1708
- Place of death
- Leiden, Netherlands
- Occupation
- Theologian · Author · Professor · Minister
- Spouse
- Aletta van Borchorn
- Education
- Utrecht University (1651-1654, 1655), University of Groningen (1654-1655), Leiden University
- Nationality
- Dutch Republic.
- Languages
- Latin.
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Hermann Witsius (Herman Wits or in Latin Hermannus Witsius; 12 February 1636 – 22 October 1708, aged 72) was a Dutch theologian.
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wikidata · Q339211 · wikipedia · Hermann Witsius
In this article
Biography
Biography
Hermann Witsius studied at Leiden University, Utrecht University and University of Groningen. The recorded working language is Latin. Employment is recorded with Utrecht University, University of Franeker and Leiden University. Positions recorded include rector of Utrecht University. Work by Hermann Witsius is recorded in the collections of Geldersch Landschap en Kasteelen.

Identificatie Titel(s): Portret van de predikant Herman Witsius
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Hermann Witsius • Born — 12 February 1636 • Birthplace — Enkhuizen, Netherlands • Died — 22 October 1708 • Place of death — Leiden, Netherlands • Occupation — Theologian · Author · Professor · Minister • Notable Works — The Economy of the Covenants between God and Man (1677) • Spouse — Aletta van Borchorn • Tradition Movement — Dutch Reformed • Education — Utrecht University (1651-1654, 1655), University of Groningen (1654-1655), Leiden University • Parents — Nicholas Witsius
Life
Life
He was born at Enkhuizen. He studied at the University of Groningen, Leiden, and Utrecht. He was ordained in the ministry, becoming the pastor of Westwoud in 1656 and afterwards at Wormer, Goes, and Leeuwarden. He became professor of divinity successively at the University of Franeker in 1675 and at the University of Utrecht in 1680. Witsius became Chancellor of the University of Utrecht in 1686. In 1698 he was appointed to the University of Leiden as the successor of the younger Friedrich Spanheim. He died in Leiden on 22 October 1708.
Views
Views
While in his theology Witsius aimed at a reconciliation between the reigning orthodoxy and Covenant Theology (also known as federalism), he was first of all a Biblical theologian, his principal field being systematic theology. His chief work is entitled The Economy of the Covenants between God and Man (originally published in Latin: De oeconomia foederum Dei cum hominibus, Leeuwarden, 1677). He was induced to publish this work by his grief at the controversies between Voetians and Cocceians. Although himself a member of the federalistic school, he was in no way blind to the value of the scholastically established dogmatic system of the Church. In the end, he did not succeed in pleasing either party.
Works
Works
• (originally published as). •. Besides his principal work he published: •. •. •. * •, 2 vols. * •. •. •. Of his minor works, there have appeared in English • A Treatise on Christian Faith (London, 1761); • An Essay on the Use and Abuse of Reason in Matters of Religion, Trans. John Carter, Norwich, 1795 (New Edition, CrossReach Publications, 2016) • On the Character of a True Theologian (Edinburgh, 1877); and •. •; Translation of • Sacred Dissertations: On what is Commonly Called the Apostles' Creed (Volume 1) (1823) • https: archive.org/details/sacreddissertat02witsgoog • https: archive.org/details/sacreddissertat00witsgoog • Sacred Dissertations: On what is Commonly Called the Apostles' Creed (Volume 2) (1823) • https: archive.org/details/sacreddissertat01witsgoog • https: archive.org/details/sacreddissertat03witsgoog • Conciliatory or irenical animadversions on the controversies agitated in Britain: under the unhappy names of antinomians and neonomians (1807) •. *
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the headings H. Witsius and Hermannus Witsius. His recorded language was Latin. His recorded confession was Protestantism. He was the child of Claes Jacobsz.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1636
Hermann Witsius born at Enkhuizen.
1708
Hermann Witsius died at Leiden.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Enkhuizen.
Birth place
Leiden.
Death place
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
38,960 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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