Sinaitic Palimpsest - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Syriac Sinaitic known also as the Sinaitic Palimpsest, of Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

Saint Catherine's Monastery lies on the Sinai Peninsula, at the mouth of a gorge at the foot of Mount Sinai in the city of Saint Catherine in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. The monastery is Orthodox and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site...

is a late 4th century manuscript

Manuscript

A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...

of 358 pages, containing a translation of the four canonical gospel

Gospel

A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...

s of the New Testament

New Testament

The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....

into Syriac

Syriac language

Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...

, which have been overwritten by a vita (biography) of female saint

Saint

A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...

s and martyr

Martyr

A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...

s with a date corresponding to AD 778. This palimpsest

Palimpsest

A palimpsest is a manuscript page from a scroll or book from which the text has been scraped off and which can be used again. The word "palimpsest" comes through Latin palimpsēstus from Ancient Greek παλίμψηστος originally compounded from πάλιν and ψάω literally meaning “scraped...

is the oldest copy of the gospels in Syriac, one of two surviving manuscripts (the other being the Curetonian Gospels

Curetonian Gospels

The Curetonian Gospels, designated by the siglum syrcur, are contained in a manuscript of the four gospels of the New Testament in Old Syriac, a translation from the Aramaic originals, according to William Cureton differing considerably from the canonical Greek texts, with which they had been...

) that possibly predate the Peshitta

Peshitta

The Peshitta is the standard version of the Bible for churches in the Syriac tradition.The Old Testament of the Peshitta was translated into Syriac from the Hebrew, probably in the 2nd century AD...

(although this is debated), the standard Syriac translation of the Bible.

Text

Both syr^s and syr^cur contain similar renderings of the gospel text, exhibiting conformity with the Greek. Even so, syr^s retains some readings from even earlier lost Syriac gospels and from the 2nd century Greek

Greek language

Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...

manuscripts, which brought the four gospels into harmony with one another through selective readings and emendations.

The importance of such early, least conforming texts is emphasized by the revision of the Peshitta that was made about 508, ordered by bishop Philoxenus of Mabbog

Philoxenus of Mabbog

Philoxenus of Mabbug was one of the most notable Syriac prose writers and a vehement champion of Miaphysitism.- Early life :...

. His revision, it is said, skilfully moved the Peshitta nearer to the Greek text; "it is very remarkable that his own frequent gospel quotations preserved in his writings show that he used an Old Syriac set of the four gospels".

History

The palimpsest was identified in the library at St. Catherine's in February 1892 by Agnes Smith Lewis and her sister Margaret Dunlop Gibson, who returned with a team of scholars that included J. Rendel Harris

J. Rendel Harris

James Rendel Harris was an English biblical scholar and curator of manuscripts, who was instrumental in bringing back to light many Syriac Scriptures and other early documents...

, to photograph and transcribe the work in its entirety.

The German theologian Adalbert Merx

Adalbert Merx

Adalbert Merx was a German Protestant theologian and orientalist.-Biography:He studied at the University of Jena, where he became extraordinary professor in 1869. Subsequently he was ordinary professor of philosophy at the University of Tübingen, and in 1873 professor of theology at the University...

devoted much of his later research to the elucidation of the Sinaitic Palimpsest, the results being embodied in Die vier kanonischen Evangelien nach dem ältesten bekannten Texte (1897-1905).

The Sinaitic Palimpsest immediately became a central document in tracing the history of the New Testament. The palimpsest's importance lies especially in making the Greek New Testament manuscripts understandable to Aramaic

Aramaic language

Aramaic is a group of languages belonging to the Afroasiatic language phylum. The name of the language is based on the name of Aram, an ancient region in central Syria. Within this family, Aramaic belongs to the Semitic family, and more specifically, is a part of the Northwest Semitic subfamily,...

speaking communities during that period.

Notable readings

The palimpsest lacks the last 12 verses of Mark

Mark 16

Mark 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome — there they encounter a man dressed in white who announces the Resurrection of Jesus.Verse 8 ends...

, Christ's agony

Christ's agony at Gethsemane

Christ's agony at Gethsemane is a passage in the Gospel of Luke , describing a prayer of Jesus, after which he receives strength from an angel, on the Mount of Olives prior to his betrayal and arrest...

(Luke 22:43-44), the Pericope Adulteræ (John 7:53-8:11), and the reconciliation of Pilate with Herod (Luke 23:10-12).

In Matthew 4:10, it contains a singular reading reflecting the Greek ὕπαγε ὀπίσω σου (get you behind or get behind you).

Matthew 12:47 is omitted, as in א*, B, L

Codex Regius (New Testament)

Codex Regius designated by siglum Le or 019 , ε 56 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated paleographically to the 8th century. The manuscript is lacunose. It has marginalia....

, Γ

Codex Tischendorfianus IV

Codex Tischendorfianus IV – designated by Γ or 036 , ε 70 – is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 10th century...

, 1009, ℓ 12

Lectionary 12

Lectionary 12, designated by siglum ℓ 12 . It is a Greek manuscript of the New Testament, on vellum leaves...

, ff¹, k, syr^c, cop^sa.

In Matthew 14:12, it reflects πτωμα (corpse) with א B C D L Θ f¹ f¹³ 33

Minuscule 33

Minuscule 33 , δ 48 , formerly it was called Codex Colbertinus 2844, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment, dated palaeographically to the 9th century. The manuscript is lacunose. It has marginalia...

565 700 892 1241 1424 e k ℓ 844 ℓ 2211 syr^{c, p} cop^bo

In Matthew 16:12, it reflects της ζυμης (leaven) with D, Θ, f¹³, 565, a, b, ff²

Matthew 21:44 is omitted, as in

¹⁰⁴, D, 33, it^a.b.d.e, ff¹, ff², r¹, Irenaeus

Irenaeus

Saint Irenaeus , was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire . He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology...

^lat, Origen

Origen

Origen , or Origen Adamantius, 184/5–253/4, was an early Christian Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. As early as the fourth century, his orthodoxy was suspect, in part because he believed in the pre-existence of souls...

, Eusebius

Eusebius of Caesarea

Eusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon...

In Matthew 27:9, text reflecting Ιερεμιου (Jeremiah) is omitted, as in Φ

Codex Beratinus

Codex Purpureus Beratinus designated by Φ or 043 , ε 17 , is an uncial illuminated manuscript Gospel book written in Greek. Dated palaeographically to the 6th century, the manuscript is written in an uncial hand on purple vellum with silver ink. The codex is preserved at the Albanian National...

33 it^{aCodex Vercellensis
The title Codex Vercellensis refers to two manuscript codices preserved in the cathedral library of Vercelli, in the Piedmont Region, Italy.- Old Latin Codex Vercellensis :...} it^{bCodex Veronensis
The Codex Veronensis, designated by siglum b or 4 , is a 4th or 5th century Latin Gospel Book. The text, written on purple dyed vellum in silver and occasionally gold ink, is a version of the old Latin. The Gospels follow in the Western order.- Description :The manuscript contains the Latin text of...} syr^p cop^bo

In Matthew 27:16, it reflects Ἰησοῦν τὸν Βαραββᾶν (Jesus the Barabbas) with Θ

Codex Koridethi

The Codex Koridethi, also named Codex Coridethianus, designated by Θ, 038, or Theta , ε 050 , is a 9th century manuscript of the four Gospels. It is written in Greek with uncial script in two columns per page, in 25 lines per page...

f¹ 700* arm geo²

In Mark 2:26, the phrase when Abiatar was high priest is omitted, as in D, W, 1009, 1546, it^{a.b.d.e.ff².i.r¹.t}

In Mark 10:2, the phrase the Pharisees came is omitted, as in D, it^a.b.d.k.r¹, (syr^cur)

In Mark 10:7, the phrase and be joined to his wife is omitted, as in א

Codex Sinaiticus

Codex Sinaiticus is one of the four great uncial codices, an ancient, handwritten copy of the Greek Bible. It is an Alexandrian text-type manuscript written in the 4th century in uncial letters on parchment. Current scholarship considers the Codex Sinaiticus to be one of the best Greek texts of...

, B, Ψ, 892

Minuscule 892

Minuscule 892 , ε 1016 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on 353 parchment leaves . It is dated palaeografically to the 9th century.- Description :...

*, 2427, ℓ 48

Lectionary 48

Lectionary 48, designated by siglum ℓ 48 . It is a Greek manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment leaves. Dated by a colophon it has been assigned to the year 1055.- Description :...

, goth.

In Luke 4:17, it reflects ἀνοίξας (opened) with A, B, L, W, Ξ, 33, 579, 892, 1195, 1241, ℓ 547, syr^{h, pal}, cop^{sa, bo}

In Luke 9:35, it reflects ἐκλελεγμένος (Elect One) with

⁴⁵

Papyrus 45

Papyrus 45 is an early New Testament manuscript which is a part of the Chester Beatty Papyri. It was probably created around 250 in Egypt. It contains the texts of Matthew 20-21 and 25-26; Mark 4-9 and 11-12; Luke 6-7 and 9-14; John 4-5 and 10-11; and Acts 4-17...

⁷⁵

Papyrus 75

Papyrus 75 is an early Greek New Testament papyrus.- Description :Originally '[it] contained about 144 pages ... of which 102 have survived, either in whole or in part.' It 'contains about half the text of ... two Gospels' – Luke and John in Greek...

א B L Ξ 892 1241 it^a.aur.ff².l vg^st cop^mss

In Luke 10:41b-42a, the phrase you are worried and being troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed is omitted, as in it^{a.b.d.e.ff².i.l.r¹} Ambrose

Ambrose

Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose , was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church.-Political career:Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family between about...

In Luke 23:34, the phrase And Jesus said: Father forgive them, they know not what they do is omitted, agreeing with

⁷⁵

Papyrus 75

, א¹

Codex Sinaiticus

, B, D*

Codex Bezae

The Codex Bezae Cantabrigensis, designated by siglum Dea or 05 , δ 5 , is a codex of the New Testament dating from the 5th century written in an uncial hand on vellum. It contains, in both Greek and Latin, most of the four Gospels and Acts, with a small fragment of the 3 John...

, W

Codex Washingtonianus

The Codex Washingtonianus or Codex Washingtonensis, designated by W or 032 , ε 014 , also called the Washington Manuscript of the Gospels, and The Freer Gospel, contains the four biblical gospels and was written in Greek on vellum in the fourth or fifth century...

, Θ

Codex Koridethi

, 0124

Uncial 070

Uncial 070 , ε 6 , is a Greek-Coptic diglot uncial manuscript of the New Testament. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 6th century....

, 1241, a

Codex Vercellensis

The title Codex Vercellensis refers to two manuscript codices preserved in the cathedral library of Vercelli, in the Piedmont Region, Italy.- Old Latin Codex Vercellensis :...

, Bezae^lat, cop^sa, cop^bo.

Luke 24:40 is omitted, as in D it^{a.b.d.e.ff².l.r¹}, syr^cur

In Luke 24:52, the phrase after worshiping him is omitted, as in D it^{a.b.d.e.ff².geo².l} (syr^cur)

In Luke 24:53, it reflects εὐλογοῦντες (blessing) with

⁷⁵ א B C* L

In John 1:34, it reflects ὁ ἐκλεκτός (the Elect One) with

⁵

¹⁰⁶^vid א* it^{b.e.ff^2*} syr^cur

In John 6:23, the phrase the Lord having given thanks is omitted, as in D 091

Uncial 091

Uncial 091 in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε 30 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated paleographically to the 6th century.- Description :...

it^a.e syr^cur

In John 6:42, the phrase and his mother is omitted, as in א* W it^b syr^cur

In John 6:46, it contains a singular reading reflecting the Greek θεον πατερα (God the Father).

In John 6:47, it reflects ὁ πιστεύων εις θεον ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον (he who is believing in God has life everlasting) in agreement only with syr^cur.

In John 6:51, it reflects του εμου ἄρτου (my bread) with א it^a.e.r¹

In John 6:64, the text who they are who are not believing, and is omitted, as in

^66*

Papyrus 66

Papyrus 66 is a near complete codex of the Gospel of John, and part of the collection known as the Bodmer Papyri.-Description:...

it^e syr^cur

In John 7:32, the phrase the chief priests and the Pharisees is omitted, as in 118

Minuscule 118

Minuscule 118 , ε 346 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment leaves. Paleographically it has been assigned to the 13th century...

it^b.e

In John 8:16, text reflecting πατήρ (father) is omitted, as in א* D 1655* it^d syr^cur

In John 8:53, the phrase our father is omitted, as in D W it^{a.b.c.d.e.ff².j.l} cop^pbo

In John 9:18, the phrase had been blind and had received sight is omitted, as in

^66* f¹ 565 it^mss cop^bo

In John 9:35, it reflects υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (Son of Man) with

⁶⁶

⁷⁵ א B D W cop^mss

In John 11:25, the phrase and the life is omitted, as in

⁴⁵ it^l Diatessaron

Diatessaron

The Diatessaron is the most prominent Gospel harmony created by Tatian, an early Christian apologist and ascetic. The term "diatessaron" is from Middle English by way of Latin, diatessarōn , and ultimately Greek, διὰ τεσσάρων The Diatessaron (c 160 - 175) is the most prominent Gospel harmony...

^syr Cyprian

Cyprian

Cyprian was bishop of Carthage and an important Early Christian writer, many of whose Latin works are extant. He was born around the beginning of the 3rd century in North Africa, perhaps at Carthage, where he received a classical education...

In John 11:39, the phrase the sister of the deceased is omitted, as in Θ

Codex Koridethi

it^{aur.b.c.e.ff².l} ac²

In John 11:51, the phrase of that year is omitted, as in

⁴⁵ it^e.l

John 12:8 is omitted, as in D it^d

In John 13:32, the phrase If God has been glorified in him is omitted, as in

⁶⁶ א* B C* D L W 579 it vg^mss syr^h ac² mf co^{bo^mss}

In John 14:1, the phrase And he said to his disciples starts the passage, as in D it^a.aur.c

John 14:14 in omitted, as in X Λ

Codex Tischendorfianus III

Codex Tischendorfianus III – designated by siglum Λ or 039 , ε 77 – is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels on parchment...

* 0141

Uncial 0141

Uncial 0141 , CL13 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated palaeographically to the 10th century.- Description :...

f¹ 565

Minuscule 565

Minuscule 565 , ε 93 , also known as the Empress Theodora's Codex. It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on purple parchment, dated palaeographically to the 9th century...

it^b vg^ms arm

John 16:3 is omitted.

In John 16:28, the phrase I came forth from the Father is omitted, as in D W it^b.d.ff² ac² cop^pbo

In John 17:14, the phrase just as I am not of the world is omitted, as in

^66* D f¹³ it

In John 18:5, the phrase the one betraying him is omitted, as in

^{66*^vid}

In John 18:13-24, the verse order is 13, 24, 14-15, 19–23, 16–18

In John 20:1, the text reads from the opening of the tomb with א W f¹ 22 565 579 it^d.f.r¹ vg^ms cop^bo cop^pbo

John 20:13 contains an interpolation (in bold): Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking? This reading is supported by A* D 579 1424

John 20:26 contains a singular reading (in bold): And after eight days, on the first day of the Sabbath (week?)

In John 21:4, the passage concludes with yet, they knew not as with

⁶⁶ א L Ψ 33 844 lat

In John 21:13, it reflects ευχαριστησας εδωκεν αὐτοῖς (upon giving thanks, he gave it to them) as with D it^f.r¹ vg^mss

External links

Agnes Smith Lewis, Catalogue of the Syriac mss. in the Convent of S. Catharine on Mount Sinai (1894)
"Ancient Syriac New Testament Versions": summary of how these ancient Syriac versions of the gospel are related and the context of their creation
Dr Francis Crawford Burkitt and the Sinaitic Palimpsest

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