Here, you will find a vast multitude of materials useful for the art and science

of Biblical textual criticism. Material is added regularly so be sure to visit often.

And yes, I often add some instrumental music to some of the pages;

tunes which I enjoy and which bring memories to mind of

peoples and places of the 70s and 80s. A crucial period of my life. I may not agree with the lyrics,

but then, they are not included! :-)

To view some portions of this area of the website properly, you will need

to download and install the following fonts:

Greek44.ttf

Garys.ttf

Goudy100.ttf

These are quality crafted, hinted and embeddable fonts, and are free to use in

any other way! Right click on each (above) to download, then copy each into

your fonts folder - [C:\windows\fonts], restart your computer, and they are installed!

A Trilogy SIZE: 478,028 bytes --- CONTAINS 44 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes All three essays collected into one pdf file with a new preface. These essays cover my views on Translation Ethics and the practice of Biblical Textual Criticism today. I hold no punches. A good reality check for those who make translations or who examine MS variants. A good handout for students as well! (Should generate valuable discussions!) See also, BUBBLES, below!!!		A List of PRINTED Greek New Testament editions up to 1887. From Isaac Hall, as published in Philip Schaff's work. A scanned copy. a HTML file, contains several images of actual Greek New Testaments of by-gone days.
On the Nature of Biblical Textual Criticism SIZE: 152,836 bytes --- CONTAINS 12 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes A short explosive essay which proposes a corrected paradigm, a true and edifying purpose for the craft of Biblical textual criticism. An indictment against the current state of Biblical textual criticism. A must read!! Written by a man who has practiced and observed Biblical textual criticism for over 20 years, and one who is also a man of faith. This file is also contained in the "Trilogy" pdf file, above. In response to a request, I provide some samples of "bubbles" (mentioned in the above essay). And yes, I have my helmet on! BUBBLES ---- 61,958 bytes, 8 pages PDF		The Dissolution in Egypt, A.D. 100-639 SIZE: 536,471 bytes --- CONTAINS 14 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes Blindly accepting Greek readings from ancient papyri from Egypt, is not always sane. This penetrating essay cautions textual critics and translators! It is an appendix from Mr. Dykes' work on First Corinthians. Contains several high resolution black/white images.
Borland's Collation of the Robinson/Pierpont and the Farstad/Hodges Majority Texts author: Jonathan Borland HTML file, circa 2003. Used via permission of Mr. Borland.		Dating the Apostle John's Writings SIZE: 66,705 bytes ---- CONTAINS 2 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes A brief introduction to a larger work of mine (The Primary Audience of the Apostle John), this file has 15 reasons why John wrote in the A.D. 90-98 range. Again brief, but pointed.
More Tips on Dating Minuscule Mansucripts   TIPS ON DATING and EVALUATING MINUSCULE SCRIPTS		Ligatures and Tachygraphy   Manuscript Provenances and Locales   SCRIPT MENSURATION (script analyses), NEW cutting-edge RESEARCH
Paleographical Dating of P-46 SIZE: 99,551 bytes ---- CONTAINS 11 pages (PDF) author: Dr. Bruce Griffin This is the paper delivered to the 1996 SBL meeting in New Orleans, which strongly opposes Kim's early dating of papyrus P46. Griffin shines herein! Dr. Griffin's email address is: bgriffin@avemaria.edu.ni		Using the "Umlauts" of Codex Vaticanus to Dig Deeper SIZE: 164,676 bytes ---- CONTAINS 10 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes The implications of this simple essay are profound!
Notes Upon the Byzantine Text-Type as Concerns the Pauline Epistles SIZE: 176,069 bytes ---- CONTAINS 15 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes Another appendix from my work on First Corinthians. A basic argument for the priority of the ancient Byzantine text-type. As simple as its perspicuity. Clear step-by-step logic mingled with my oftentimes pristine suppositions, and not nearly as verbose as is this introduction!		IMPORTANT Textual Criticism TERMS defined a HTML file: by Mr. Gary S. Dykes Also a handy (printable) PDF file is available. Download it and print it, it is also handy for teaching situations as a handout. [Printed version has been greatly improved.] Click on the PDF FILE icon below. PDF file, 20pages, size: 93,354 bytes PDF file of the above HTML file - name ---TERMS_defined.pdf
The INTRODUCTION from Alexander Souter's "The Earliest Latin Commentaries on the Epistles of Saint Paul" - 1927 SIZE: 2.5 MB ---- CONTAINS 6 pages (PDF) author: Alexander Souter A short but informative intro. Should whet one's appetite for the full work by this master of the Latin commentaries on Paul's epistles! Shows table of contents as well.		The Doctrine of Inerrancy and the Manuscript Variants SIZE: 75,747 bytes ---- CONTAINS 10 pages (PDF) author: Mr. Gary S. Dykes An appendix from Mr. Dykes' upcoming production on First Corinthians. Instead of avoiding the reality of variants, I suggest believers USE them. Good reading, IMPORTANT. A very important document, especially for genuine saints!! Is one of the three files collected into the "Trilogy" PDF file, above.
H. von Soden's MSS citation keys manuscript number conversion charts for Acts - Revelation. Enables CORRECT reading of Von Soden's actual apparatuses. Contains two charts - Praxapostolos and Revelation.
click to return to homepage

Before I display some useful "stuff" concerning H. von Soden's apparatus, I would like

to explain why I do not follow the traditional methods of apparatus construction. I do not enjoy

using severely condensed apparatuses, I believe they should be expanded! I also

see no reason to use an excessive amount of sigla, nor the abundant use of

Latin abbreviations. Hence, users of my work,

(a good sample can be seen above in "A Sample of Mr. Dykes' Work...") will note that the apparatuses

require a minimum of deciphering, they are very simple and straightforward. This is done for

several reasons.

(1) As a bridge between scholars and laymen, I attempt to appease both

(2) A clear, literal English apparatus, can reduce the incidence of errors

(3) Ambiguity is reduced and flexibility is enhanced

A KEY TO VON SODEN'S APPARATUS FOR THE

PRAXAPOSTOLOS AND REVELATION

["Praxapostolos" generally means the books of Acts, the Catholic Epistles, and the Pauline Epistles]

This key provides referrers to von Soden's apparatus with a means by which they

can accurately note which manuscripts he is referring to when he shows

witnesses as:

Ia3.....d180ff

The ...ff indicates that he is referring ALSO to two additional manuscripts which

follow d180. What are these two manuscripts? I have actually seen

people use Merk's Greek New Testament (in his introduction) to discover the

identity, this gives an error. Merk does NOT follow von Soden's manuscript

order. In the chart below, for the Praxapostolos, the next two manuscripts

below d180 are MSS 2127, 808. Thus, here, von Soden's apparatus shows

three witnesses, MSS 1319, 2127 and 808 ( = d180ff). Not all of von Soden's MSS are listed

below, but as many as could be are, each order matches his citations.

The columns with no title, are of course the equivalent modern Gregory numbers.

I have no such list for the gospel manuscripts.

PRAXAPOSTOLOS

H		Ia1		Ia3		Ib1		Ic1		K
d1	B (03)	d5	D (05)	d156	226	d206	242	a114	1852	a3	P (025)
d2	¢ (01)	d268	431	d157	547	d264	536	a116	2138	a5	L (020)
d3	C (04)	a7	1874	d180	1319	d369	941	a158	1245	a6	H (014)
d4	A (02)	a65	1836	d202	2127	d600	296	a208	1611
d6	y (044)	a70	1875	d203	808	d602	522	a370	1108
d48	33	a101	181	d254	1	a62	1891	a551	1518
d356	6	a200	88	d259	330	a161	635	a1436	2005		© GSD
a3	P (025)	a264	917	d300	218	a253	2815
a74	1175	a382	915	d353	999	a365	206
a78	1739	a1001	E (08)	d354	2093	a396	1758	Ic2
a103	104	a1026	D (06)	d355	38	a398	429	d101	506
a114	1852	a1027	D (06a)*	d372	263	a472	1831	d299	2147
a162	81	a1028	G (012)	d454	794	a1005	0120	a69	221
a257	326	a1029	F (010)	d457	209			a154	1867
a1018	0173	a1066	1912	d505	69	Ib2		a169	639
a1019	<20	a1100	1829	d507	241	d152	491	a174	255
a1022	H (015)	pr 11	307	a55	920	d260	440	a203	203
a1031	0121	- 20	36	a56	1835-2004	d309	35	a258	378
a1034	<13	- 21	610	a64	1845	d361	935	a353	383
a1042	0172	- 40	453	a106	177	d368	823	a356	876
a1044	<15			a113	919	d370	1149	a364	614
a1045	<16	Ia2		a164	1738	a78	1739	a466	257
O 12	424	d251	927	a170	1311	a157	323	a468	1610
		d453	5	a172	436	a171	2298	a470	913
		d459	489	a174	255	a209	1872	a486	1765
		a173	623	a192	1837	a469	216	a506	385
		a175	1838	a205	337
		a184	2143	a216	256
		a252	1873	a359	462
		a367	1827	a361	1525
		a502	467	a394	2180
				a397	460
				a464	1522
				a552	642

* a copy of 06, a1120 is another copy of 06 (per von Soden's terminology)

REVELATION

H		Ia2		Ia5		Ib1		K
d2	¢ (01)	d600	296	a54	2028	Oa41	1778	a1070	046
d3	C (04)	a10	2059	a59	2069	a406	2080
d4	A (02)	a20	1	a60	2033			Kc
a3	P (025)	a63	2066	a65	2068	Ib2		a13	2040
a1074	<18	a1578	181	a500	2054	d200	922	a55	920
a1075	0169	a1670	1894			a103	104	a209	1872
						a104	459	a402	1859
I		Ia3		Ia6		a400	628	a1374	2027
d505	69	d309	35	a43	743
a3	P (025)	a41	2031	a52	2067	Io1		Ko
a1072	2351	a49	2056	a53	2055	O 10	250	d95	175
a1073	2329	a1581	209	a62	2664	O 12	424	d206	242
a1573	2020					O 21	1862	O 11	314
a1576	2057	Ia4		Ia7		a202	1828	O 12	617
a1579	2016	a40	2036	a56	2023	a404	172	O 14	91
		a51	2014	a501	432			O 15	1934
Ia1		a57	2043	a1588	2061	Io2		a216	256
a21	2081	a504	1876	a1594	60	O 30	468	a1579	2016
a22	2286	a1580	2015			a107	42	a1582	2017
a31	598	© GSD				a111	325
a42	2060					a214	517
a501	2026
a503	2065

H. von Soden further categorized many of his Byzantine text-type witnesses

into several sub-groups, denoted by variations of his K symbol. Some are

shown above in the key for Revelation - Ko and Kc.

A recent investigation of von Soden's Kr group, has greatly expanded the

number of MSS falling within this group which von Soden first discovered.

It is seen in the gosepl manuscripts, and according to von Soden it is not known

("unverkennbar" - page 1918, volume 3, Die Schriften des Neuen Testaments) or as yet studied

in the Pauline corpus. Via research done on the gospel of Luke (via the IGNTP) and

noted by Frederik Wisse, The Profile Method for the Classification and Evaluation of

Manuscript Evidence as applied to the continuous Greek text of The Gospel of Luke,

pages 92ff.; more than 200 MSS fit into this group. Bascially it is a group of Greek minuscule MSS

written in (or distinctive in) the 12th century. It is identifiable by its text, its use of various

liturgical apparatuses, and by certain similarities which von Soden was able to

quickly note when categorizing his witnesses (such as the inclusion, or placement

of John 7:53 - 8:11, -- the woman caught in adultery).

This large group clearly indicates that the Byzantine scholars were (and apparently had

been for some time) bringing the text of the Greek New Testament into a single standard form.

I refer to this as the Byzantine Ecclesiastical Standard, and it began being formed

probably in the late 9th century.

This Kr group reflects the standard, especially for scribes loyal to Constantinople and its orthodoxy.

For copyists and scribes in the outlying areas (such as North Africa, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Calabria,

Sicily, et cetera), some departure may be noted from the "standard" text-type. These minuscule manuscripts

are usually referred to as "provincial" {i.e. outlying regions}. Recognizing a MS as provincial is a fine

evaluation factor -- the provinciality of a witness-- for within these basic Byzantine text-type

manuscripts will be found other readings from various sources. Some of which

may be very early, some due to intentional changes, some due to dialectical alterations,

some from the influence of the Latin liturgy, and some from exemplars of ancient antiquity,

perhaps even the proto-Byzantine text-type!

There is room for much research in each of these areas, especially in the Pauline corpus.

LIGATURES AND TACHYGRAPHY

Hopefully each reader has had the opportunity to examine various minuscule manuscripts

of the Greek New Testament. It is not long before odd appearing characters hinder your

reading of the text. What you are seeing is ligatures and abbreviations and various other types of tachygraphy.

Tachy- (from the Greek for "quick") and -graphy (from the Greek for "write") is speed-writing.

It is parallel to our modern stenography. Ligatures are the fusion of several letters into one new

form, I have seen as many as eight letters so joined.

In Greek manuscripts, tachygraphical writing has been around since the early papyri days

(pre A.D.). Some of its earliest uses were for keeping accounts. From the fourth century

A.D. onwards it was used in the Byzantine empire, at first for the "taking of dictation.

recording sermons and the minutes of church councils". (per The Oxford

Dictionary of Byzantium, volume 3, s.v. "tachygraphy").

MS 927. I Corinthians 9:8-12. date A.D. 1133.

...sqiei? mh kata anqrwpon tauta lalw h ouci kai o nomoj tauta legei.

en gar tw Mwusewj nomw gegraptai ou fimwseij boun alownta.

mh twn bown mellei tw Qew? h di hmaj pantwj legei. di hmeij gar

Egrafh oti ep elpi di ofeilei o arotriwn arotrian. kai o a

lown thj elpidoj autou metecein ep elpidi. ei hmeij umin

ta pneumatika espeiramen; mega ei hmeij umwn ta sarkika qeri

somen? ei alloi thj exousiaj hmwn metecouisin; ou mallon hmeij

The film of the above manuscript is available from the Library of Congress. It is

currently lodged in the J. Paul Getty Museum in southern California, where for

all intents and purposes it is inaccessible.

Just below the image is a transcription (with the ligatures "resolved")

of the numerous tachygraphical forms seen in the seven lines as shown of this minuscule:

Much can be discerned from just this small sample. Note that this scribe

used a low dot for a comma, he occasionally spells phonetically mellei for melei, it is also

apparent that he is an expert scribe. In fact we have several of his works surviving.

Certain ligatures can signal much information. An expert palaeographer can determine which

school of writing the scribe was trained in, and can often determine where the scribe was

trained. Several scriptoriums were famous for their styles, this present writer finds

the scriptorium at the Grottaferrata (north of Calabria, in Italy proper), to be of

great importance, it had a wide influence on the writing styles seen in numerous

minuscule manuscripts of the New Testament.

One interesting, and fairly common mark is the double "slashes" seen above

the mh in line #1. No one knows for sure its exact meaning, but the late

Professor John Chadwick of Cambridge, suggested to me that it may just indicate

a pause before the word, or that it affected the pronunciation. Whatever its

precise use, it does not affect the semantics.

Other scriptoriums which leave marks and clues

via their scripts and styles are (in or at): the Stoudios, Sicily, Laconia, Rome,

Calabria, Capuae (and Grottaferrata), Athos, Crete, Cyprus, Chalce and others.

Below are a few samples of ligatures, as seen in MSS (in particular in the text of I Corinthians)

of the NT. Other such charts can be found in the standard works on Greek palaeography.*

It is suggested that you make your own charts as you study each MS. To accurately read or collate

Greek MSS which contain numerous tachygraphical conventions, the critic MUST be familiar

with this type of writing.

In the above, several numbers after some forms are seen, these are the

Gregory numbers of the MSS which display that form.

* perhaps still one of the best (though dated) resources for ligatures and abbreviations in the Greek

manuscripts would be:

Abbreviations in Greek Inscriptions: Papyri, Manuscripts, and Early Printed Books.

compiled by, Al. N. Oikonomides. Reprinted by Ares Publishers, Chicago, 1974

ESTIMATING THE DATE OF A MINUSCULE

NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPT

This is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment, but just a collection of tips which can assist with

the estimation of the date of various minuscule manuscripts of the New Testament.

It is probably best to divide the minuscule manuscripts into several time periods, each with some basic

identifiers. One common division (W.H.P. Hatch) is to break up the mass of surviving

minuscule witnesses into four periods, based solely upon the scripts:

HATCH'S PERIODS	SAMPLE	SAMPLE
(1) FIRST PERIOD: From beginning of ninth to the middle of the tenth century (A.D. 800 - A.D. 950). Writing usually on the line, nicely formed and legible letters. The "iota adscript" is not rare. Uncial forms of - E; G; H; N; S are common. Somewhat common too are these uncials, D; L; P; ä Some ligatures seen. Breathings are always square.	MS 1900-circa 875	Homily-dated 1004
(2) SECOND PERIOD: From the middle of the tenth, to A.D. 1200. Many varieties of scripts, some not so legible. The letters are usually pendant from the line. Sometimes "iota adscript" is seen (i.e. the final iota, or those in the so-called improper diphthongs, written on the same line as is the rest of the word(s)). Gradually the iota is placed "iota subscript" (written below the line of text) especially as one enters into the twelfth century. Uncial forms for E; T; Q are common and include those listed in First Period above. Round breathings begin to appear in the latter part of the tenth century, but in this period both [rounded and square] are seen, often in the same passage. The use of ligatures is on the increase in this period.	MS 1270-circa 1050	MS 1734-dated 1015
(3) THIRD PERIOD: From A.D. 1200 to the middle of the fifteenth century. (A.D. 1450). After the Latin conquest of Constantinople (A.D. 1204) the minuscule script began a decline in quality. Depending upon the scribe, it may be neat or very difficult to read. The script is usually pendant. Iota adscript is very rare. The above listed uncials (in the First and Second Periods) are seen much more often as uncials. The minuscule hand became more cursive, and often with wild flourishes. Many abbreviations and ligatures are used. Some really "odd" scripts are seen in this period, a few are of outstanding quality.	MS 945-circa 1250 [note rare iota adscript for this period]	Aland's date for this MS (945) is an error: it is not 11th century. There is seen, in another later hand, a brief note dated at A.D. 1591 on folio 344v.
(4) FOURTH PERIOD: From A.D. 1450 to A.D. 1600. The script declined further in quality. I rarely use such late manuscripts from this period, though there are several good ones (MSS 5 and 69). Some of these scripts served as models for early printed texts.	L 1029-dated 1594	A lectionary MS, now in Walters Art Gallery, MS #535.

Several of the dates extend beyond Hatch's as the styles are known

to linger. William Henry Paine Hatch's entire comments can be

found in his: Facsimiles and Descriptions of Minuscule Manuscripts

of the New Testament. Harvard University Press, 1951.

Besides the above few tips, the style of the ornamentations and of the illuminations (if present)

can also add dating data, which is the subject of the next page - (below, which is being created).

The liturgical apparatuses also add hints: some calendars mention various

"saints days" which can play a factor in

dating a text, especially if the liturgical apparatus

is current with the production of the primary Biblical text.

 

Certain ligatures and letter forms, themselves, can also serve to validate a dating estimate.

A certain style (or, ductus) as shown in the above samples, also suggest a date.

It should be borne in mind, that we are attempting to estimate the date, so we are

looking to be within 100 years of the actual date. Such estimates are often easy to make.

However, some scripts are so singular

and devoid of hints, that an estimate based upon the script

is a total conjecture, of course in such cases other factors are considered.

 

---

OTHER DATING FACTORS: illuminations,

and ornamentations.

We begin with viewing an image. An image taken from a Greek manuscript,

Sinai 339, dated to about 1136-1155. It consists of 16 Liturgial Homilies of

Gregory of Nazianzus. The monk who created the beautiful manuscript was

Joseph Hagioglykerites, and it was made apparently at the Pantocrator in

Constantinople. In 1550, it was brought to the Monastery at Mt. Sinai. It is

featured in: The Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai; The

Illuminated Greek Manuscripts. Volume One: From the Ninth to the

Twelfth Century. Kurt Weitzmann and George Galavaris. Princeton

University Press, 1990. In this work it is MS # 56.

I reproduced a portion of this image from the above publication, (hopefully

under fair use). I selected this color image for one primary reason. It is a fine

sample of the artwork seen in typical Constantinopolitan ateliers. Thus, it

is presented so that the viewer can see the rich colors and the detailed

art work. These colors and their fine craftsmanship are important features of manuscripts

produced in Constantinople, or by an artist trained in Constantinople.

The bright blue, and bright gold colors are seen in the best of the

manuscripts produced in Constantinople. Their quality provides a clue as to

the origin of any manuscripts with such illuminations!

CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL TO VIEW THIS GLORIOUS SAMPLE: