David de Pomis

David ben Isaac de Pomis (David de' Pomi) (1524–1594) was an Italian-Jewish physician, rabbi, linguist, philosopher, a significant figure in the intellectual exchange between Jews and Christians, and publisher of a 1587 trilingual Hebrew-Aramaic, Latin, and Italian dictionary known as Semah David, and De Medico Hebræo Enarratio Apologica, an apologetic work which deals with Jewish medicine. His family claimed descent from King David. According to ancient Italian-Jewish tradition, his aristocratic family, called "Min HaTapuchim", or of the apples (pomis or pomeria), was relocated from Jerusalem to Rome by Titus. He studied at the University of Perugia and graduated with his medical degree in 1551, before settling in Magliano Sabino, but was compelled to migrate from town to town for a lengthy period due to the Church's anti-Jewish legislation.

Pope Paul IV's bull prevented Jewish physicians from treating Christians. However, Pope Pius IV granted Pomis the right to treat Christian patients in 1565, but died five days later, and his successor Pope Pius V rescinded the grant. He is notable for his call for equality and religious liberty for Jewish people. His Zemah David was dedicated to Pope Sextus V, who had reversed the earlier anti-Jewish physicians bull. He cites David Kimhi's Shorashim, Nathan ben Yehiel's Arukh, and Elia Levita's Tishbi. His Medico Hebræo earned praise from Aldus Manutius the Younger.