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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Explore Minuscule 346, a pivotal 12th-century Greek New Testament manuscript. This article provides insights into its textual characteristics, historical journey, and contribution to Biblical studies. Learn about its place in textual criticism and its impact on understanding the New Testament’s transmission.

Understanding Minuscule 346

Classification and Age

Minuscule 346, recognized in the Gregory-Aland and Soden cataloging systems, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament. Written on parchment, paleographical analysis has dated it to the 12th century. This manuscript is known for its marginal notes, or marginalia.

Physical Description and Contents

As a codex, an early form of the book, Minuscule 346 consists of 168 parchment leaves, measuring 22.3 cm by 16.5 cm. It contains the full text of the four Gospels with a notable gap in the Gospel of John (John 3:26–7:52). The manuscript includes two significant liturgical texts: the Synaxarion, a compilation of saints’ days, and the Menologion, a collection of monthly readings.

Textual Layout and Writing Quality

The text is arranged in a single column on each page, with 31 to 32 lines per page. F. H. A. Scrivener, a biblical scholar, noted that the manuscript was written somewhat carelessly.

Chapter and Section Divisions

Minuscule 346 is organized into chapters, known as κεφαλαια (kephalaia), marked in the margins and titled (τιτλοι / titloi) at the top of the pages. Additionally, it employs the Ammonian Sections, with 234 sections in Mark, ending at Mark 16:9. These sections are noted in the margins, but there are no references to the Eusebian Canons, an earlier system for dividing the Gospels.

Additional Features

Before each Gospel, the manuscript presents tables of contents (κεφαλαια). It also includes lectionary markings for liturgical use, subscriptions at the end of each Gospel, numbers of “remata” (phrases), and the total count of στιχοι / stichoi (lines) in each Gospel. These features contribute to its utility in liturgical contexts and provide insights into its usage and significance in religious practices.

Exploring the Textual Character of Minuscule 346

Representation of the Caesarean Text-Type

Minuscule 346 is considered a representative of the Caesarean text-type, a categorization of New Testament manuscripts based on shared readings that distinguish them from other groups. Text-types, such as the Alexandrian, Western, and Byzantine, are essential in textual criticism for grouping manuscripts that exhibit similar textual characteristics. These groups help scholars trace the evolution of the New Testament text and ascertain the most likely original readings.

Debate Over the Caesarean Text-Type

The existence of the Caesarean text-type, initially proposed by biblical scholar Burnett Hillman Streeter, has been a subject of debate among text critics. Kurt and Barbara Aland, for instance, have expressed skepticism about the distinctiveness of this text-type. Despite this, Minuscule 346’s classification within this group indicates it contains readings that are somewhat distinct from the predominant text-types.

Classification in Aland’s System

In Kurt Aland’s classification system for New Testament manuscripts, Minuscule 346 is placed in Category III. This category describes manuscripts that blend a small but significant proportion of early readings with a considerable number of Byzantine readings, along with significant readings from other unidentified sources.

Family ƒ13 Membership

Minuscule 346 is identified as a core member of the textual family ƒ13, according to the Claremont Profile Method. This family is a group of manuscripts that share specific textual features, further distinguishing Minuscule 346’s unique place in New Testament textual criticism.

Unusual Readings

Minuscule 346 is noted for its unusual readings. For example, in Matthew 1:16, it has a unique phrasing: “ω μνηστευθεισα παρθενος Μαριαμ εγεννησεν Ιησουν τον λεγομενον χριστον” (to whom the virgin Mary had been betrothed, begat Jesus, the one called Christ). Such readings offer valuable insights into the textual variations and the transmission history of the New Testament.

Historical Journey of Minuscule 346

Dating and Origin

Minuscule 346 has been consistently dated to the 12th century, a conclusion reached by both earlier scholars like Gregory and confirmed by the more recent assessments of the Institute for New Testament Textual Research (INTF).

Acquisition and Initial Examination

The manuscript’s known history begins with its purchase in 1606 in “Callipoli in Salentinis,” which is located in Calabria, a region in Southern Italy. This acquisition marks the beginning of its journey into the hands of various scholars and institutions.

Scholarly Study and Cataloging

Minuscule 346 has been examined by several notable biblical scholars. It was first added to the list of New Testament manuscripts by Johann Martin Augustin Scholz (1794–1852), a significant figure in textual criticism. Scholz’s work laid the foundation for its subsequent study and analysis.

Collation and Editing

The text of the codex was collated by T. K. Abbott and edited by William Hugh Ferrar, both of whom contributed to understanding its textual characteristics and place within the New Testament manuscript tradition.

C. R. Gregory’s Examination

C. R. Gregory, another important figure in New Testament textual criticism, saw the manuscript in 1886. His examination provided further insights into its significance and helped to contextualize it within the broader corpus of New Testament manuscripts.

Current Location

Today, Minuscule 346 is housed at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana (S. 23 sup.) in Milan. This library is renowned for its collection of historical manuscripts and texts, and Minuscule 346 forms an important part of its New Testament manuscript collection.

Contribution to Textual Criticism

The journey and scholarly attention given to Minuscule 346 highlight its value in the field of New Testament textual criticism. Its study has contributed to the understanding of the textual variations and transmission history of the New Testament, particularly in providing insights into the Byzantine text-type and the textual family ƒ13. The manuscript remains an important witness to the New Testament text as it was transmitted and used in the 12th century.

Unique or Significant Features of Minuscule 346

Beyond the previously mentioned features of Minuscule 346, there are additional unique or significant aspects that distinguish it from other New Testament manuscripts. Here are some general areas where such unique features might be found:

Scribal Annotations: Minuscule 346 might contain unique scribal notes or annotations that provide insights into the scribe’s thoughts, interpretations, or context during the time of its creation. These annotations can sometimes offer clues about the historical or theological understanding prevalent at the time of the manuscript’s production.

Artistic Elements: The manuscript could exhibit unique artistic elements such as illustrations, ornamental letters, or specific styles of script. These artistic features can be significant for understanding the aesthetic and cultural contexts in which the manuscript was produced.
Textual Variants in Less Studied Passages: While major textual variants like those in Matthew 1:16 have been noted, Minuscule 346 may also contain unique readings in less frequently studied passages. These variants can be crucial for understanding the transmission and evolution of the New Testament text.
Material and Craftsmanship: The quality and type of parchment, ink, and binding used in Minuscule 346 might offer additional insights. Variations in these materials can indicate the geographical origin of the manuscript or the economic circumstances under which it was produced.
Corrections and Alterations: The presence and nature of corrections or alterations made by the scribe or later editors can provide information about the manuscript’s history. The way corrections are made can also reveal attitudes towards textual accuracy and reverence for the scriptural text.
Comparison with Contemporary Manuscripts: Any unique features of Minuscule 346 might be more clearly understood when compared with other manuscripts produced around the same time. Such comparisons can highlight distinctive or uncommon aspects of Minuscule 346.
Liturgical Markings and Usage: If the manuscript was used liturgically, as indicated by the presence of the Synaxarion and Menologion, the specific ways it was used can be significant. These might include particular markings for reading or notes on how passages were used in worship.

To fully explore these potential unique features, a detailed examination of Minuscule 346 by a textual scholar or paleographer would be necessary. This would allow for a more comprehensive understanding of its individual characteristics and how it contributes to the broader corpus of New Testament manuscripts.

The study of Minuscule 346, with its unique textual characteristics and placement within the Caesarean text-type and Family ƒ13, contributes significantly to the field of New Testament textual criticism. Its unusual readings and the scholarly debate surrounding its text-type classification underscore the complexity and richness of the manuscript tradition of the New Testament.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).