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Scribal Habits in Selected New Testament Manuscripts, Including Those with Surviving Exemplars

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Scribal Habits in Selected New Testament Manuscripts, Including Those with Surviving Exemplars SCRIBAL HABITS IN SELECTED NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH SURVIVING EXEMPLARS by ALAN TAYLOR FARNES A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Institute for Textual Scholarship and Electronic Editing Department of Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham April 2017 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract In the first chapter of this work, I provide an introduction to the current discussion of scribal habits. In Chapter Two, I discuss Abschriften—or manuscripts with extant known exemplars—, their history in textual criticism, and how they can be used to elucidate the discussion of scribal habits. I also present a methodology for determining if a manuscript is an Abschrift. In Chapter Three, I analyze P127, which is not an Abschrift, in order that we may become familiar with determining scribal habits by singular readings. Chapters Four through Six present the scribal habits of selected proposed manuscript pairs: 0319 and 0320 as direct copies of 06 (with their Latin counterparts VL76 and VL83 as direct copies of VL75), 205 as a direct copy of 2886, and 821 as a direct copy of 0141. I discuss in Chapter Four the need to better understand the scribal habits of manuscripts written by scribes who wrote in their non- native language. Additionally, I conclude that 205 and 2886 are, in fact, not copies of one another. In the conclusion, I argue that there is no common scribal habit shared by all scribes except that this study has not found a scribe who adds more words than they lose. Additionally, textual critics should place greater emphasis on the roles played by patrons and readers of the text rather than on scribes alone. ii To my Sons of Thunder, John and James, and their loving mother, Erin, my wife. iii This dissertation would not have been possible without the valuable contribution, assistance, and support from many people. I not only stand on the shoulders of giants but I am constantly being lifted and supported by many who enable me to stand on said shoulders. I most prominently must thank my wife, Erin Farnes, for providing me the space and the time and the peace of mind in order to research and write this dissertation. She not only protected my time and shielded me from distraction but also served as an invaluable conversation partner with which to discuss my ideas. Her perceptive insights and discussions helped clear my head, organize my thoughts, and propel the work forward. Additionally, I must thank my two sons, John and James, my sons of thunder, who provided much needed distraction and upliftment when I needed a break. They were never a hindrance and helpfully served to brighten my spirits with their giggles and smiles. I also thank my parents whose support and assistance will never be fully known nor seen. I am grateful to have such loving parents who care for me and support me. I greatly appreciate the tutelage, advice, and example I have received from Professor David C. Parker, OBE. I truly stand on his shoulders and rely extensively on his work. His advice has been invaluable and I will treasure my time learning from him. The Institute for Textual Scholarship and Electronic Editing (ITSEE) housed at the University of Birmingham and its staff has also provided me a place to study, think, and write. I am grateful for the other members of ITSEE who have all contributed in various degrees to this project. Hugh Houghton has provided expert insight and advice. Catherine Smith likewise has been a dear friend and helpful ear. Dora Panella has been my co-passenger in this journey and has provided insight and many conversations about research and life. I am also grateful for the Dissertation Grant at Brigham Young University Religious Education for funding a portion of this project. iv Lastly, I would like to thank my cycling brothers: Martin Ward, Joe McMorn, and the Sette Dodici cycling club for providing an outlet for exercise, rejuvenation, and camaraderie. It is hoped that this dissertation can advance the quest for scribal habits in some small way and provide ideas for future research opportunities. v Table of Contents Chapter One: The Quest for Scribal Habits ................................................................................ 1 Lectio Brevior Potior .................................................................................................. 9 Royse’s Criticism of Griesbach’s First Canon ......................................................... 10 Royse’s Reception .................................................................................................... 21 Other Methods for Determining Scribal Habits ....................................................... 25 Barbara Aland ................................................................................................... 25 Peter Malik ....................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 27 On English Pronouns ................................................................................................ 27 Chapter Two: Scribal Habits of Greek New Testament Abschriften ....................................... 29 Limitations of the Abschrift Method ........................................................................ 34 Recent Work on Abschriften..................................................................................... 35 Greek New Testament Abschriften ................................................................... 36 Abschriften of Texts other than the Greek New Testament.............................. 43 The Prevailing Attitude Toward Abschriften............................................................ 50 Methods for Identifying an Abschrift ....................................................................... 52 Methodology of the Present Project ......................................................................... 61 Chapter Three: Scribal Habits in P127 (P.Oxy. LXXIV 4968) .................................................. 63 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 64 The Manuscript ......................................................................................................... 65 Scribal Habits of P127 ................................................................................................ 66 Insignificant Singulars ...................................................................................... 70 Accuracy and Copying Technique ................................................................... 73 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 78 vi Chapter Four: Codex Claromontanus and the Scribal Habits of its Abschriften ...................... 80 Order of Pauline Epistles .......................................................................................... 82 Codex Claromontanus and its Relatives ................................................................... 83 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 84 Codex Claromontanus (06) and Codex Sangermanensis (0319) .............................. 86 Peculiar Dual Agreements between 06 and 0319A/B .............................................. 97 Scribal Habits of Codex Sangermanensis (Greek) Scribe A .................................... 97 Insignificant Variant Readings ....................................................................... 102 Accuracy and Copying Technique ................................................................. 111 Scribal Habits of Codex Sangermanensis (Greek) Scribe B .................................. 114 Insignificant Variant Readings ....................................................................... 114 Accuracy and Copying Technique ................................................................. 118 Codex Claromontanus (VL75) and Codex Sangermanensis (VL76) ..................... 125 Scribal Habits of VL76A .................................................................................... 127 Insignificant Variant Readings ....................................................................... 131 Accuracy and Copying Technique ................................................................. 131 Scribal Habits of VL76B .................................................................................... 132 Insignificant Variant Readings ....................................................................... 132 Accuracy and Copying Technique ................................................................. 133 Conclusions concerning the Latin Text of Codex Sangermanensis ................... 134 Conclusions concerning
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