British Library, Add MS 14459, Syriac

manuscript A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand – or, once practical typewriters became available, typewritten – as opposed to mechanically printed or reproduced ...

of the

New Testament The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...

, on a parchment. It is dated by a colophon to the year 528-529 or 537-538 (partially illegible colophon). It is one of the oldest manuscript of

Peshitta The Peshitta ( syc, ܦܫܺܝܛܬܳܐ ''or'' ') is the standard version of the Bible for churches in the Syriac tradition, including the Maronite Church, the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Syriac Catholic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, the ...

and the earliest dated manuscript containing two of the Gospels in Syriac (folios 67-169). Bruce M. Metzger, ''The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission and Limitations'' (Oxford University Press 1977), p. 51. The manuscript is bound with another (folios 1-66) dated to the 5th century. Bruce M. Metzger, ''The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission and Limitations'' (Oxford University Press 1977), p. 50.

Folios 1-66

It contains the text of the

Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Matthew), or simply Matthew. It is most commonly abbreviated as "Matt." is the first book of the New Testament of the Bible and one of the three synoptic Gospels. It tells how Israel's Messiah, Jesus, comes to his people and ...

(beginning with 6:20) and

Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Mark), or simply Mark (which is also its most common form of abbreviation). is the second of the four canonical gospels and of the three synoptic Gospels. It tells of the ministry of Jesus from his baptism by John the Baptist to ...

on folios 1-66. It is written in a beautiful, Edesene Estrangela hand. The manuscript was described by

Wright Wright is an occupational surname originating in England. The term 'Wright' comes from the circa 700 AD Old English word 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta', meaning worker or shaper of wood. Later it became any occupational worker (for example, a shipwright is ...

and Gwilliam.G. H. Gwilliam, ''Studia Biblica et eccles'', Vol. 1, Oxford 1855, pp. 151-171 It is dated to the 5th century. The manuscript is housed at the

British Library The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is estimated to contain between 170 and 200 million items from many countries. As a legal deposit library, the Briti ...

(Add MS 14459, folios 1-66) in London.

Folios 67-169

It contains the text of the

Gospel of Luke The Gospel of Luke), or simply Luke (which is also its most common form of abbreviation). tells of the origins, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Together with the Acts of the Apostles, it makes up a two ...

and

Gospel of John The Gospel of John ( grc, Εὐαγγέλιον κατὰ Ἰωάννην, translit=Euangélion katà Iōánnēn) is the fourth of the four canonical gospels. It contains a highly schematic account of the ministry of Jesus, with seven "sig ...

, on folios 67-169 (20.3 by 12.7 cm). Written in one column per page, in 25-27 lines per page.William Wright, ''Catalogue of the Syriac manuscripts in the British Museum'' (2002), p. 67. It was written in a small, elegant Estrangela hand. Folio 74 is a palimpsest leaf from the 9th or the 10th century. Probably it was added by the same hand who retouched folios 162 and 163. The more ancient text of the folio is of Matthew 3:6-9.11-13; 3:16-4:1; 4:4-6, according to Peshitta version. Many lessons have been noted on the margin by later hand, sometimes in barbarous Greek. The manuscript was described by Wright. The manuscript is housed at the

(Add MS 14459, folios 67-169) in London.

References

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External links

William Wright, ''Catalogue of the Syriac manuscripts in the British Museum''
Peshitta manuscripts 5th-century biblical manuscripts 6th-century biblical manuscripts Add. 14459

Folios 1-66

Folios 67-169

See also

References

Further reading

External links