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T (Codex Borgianus)
The Codex Borgianus, known within scholarly circles by the designation “T” or “029” according to the Gregory-Aland numbering system, and as “ε 5” in the von Soden classification, is a remarkable manuscript that contains the Gospels in both Greek and Sahidic Coptic. This dual-language feature makes it a unique witness to the early textual transmission of the Christian New Testament.
This manuscript is categorized as an uncial, which refers to the style of writing used in its composition. Uncial script is characterized by its large, uppercase letters, which were common in Greek and Latin manuscripts from the 4th to the 8th centuries. The use of uncial script in this manuscript helps to date it palaeographically to the 5th century, situating it within a critical period of early Christian history and textual tradition.
The name “Codex Borgianus” is derived from one of its former owners, reflecting the manuscript’s journey through time and its stewardship by various scholars and collectors before finding its place in the academic study of biblical texts. The passage of such manuscripts from one caretaker to another often adds layers to their history, contributing to our understanding of their significance and the esteem in which they were held by those who possessed them.
Codex Borgianus – Page of the codex with text of John 3:10-17
As a Greek and Sahidic uncial manuscript of the Gospels from the 5th century, the Codex Borgianus stands as an important witness to the textual variants and the early dissemination of the Gospel texts. Its dual-language content provides valuable insights into the linguistic and cultural contexts of early Christian communities, especially those that engaged with both the Greek and Coptic-speaking worlds. This aspect of the Codex Borgianus underscores the diversity within early Christian traditions and the broad geographic spread of Christianity by the 5th century.
Content
The Codex Borgianus, recognized in scholarly circles by its Gregory-Aland designation “T” or “029,” presents an invaluable resource in the field of New Testament textual criticism. This manuscript, dating back to the 5th century, is distinguished by its bilingual text, comprising both Greek and Sahidic Coptic translations of the Gospels. Specifically, it includes portions of the Gospels according to Luke and John, making it a crucial witness to the textual variations and transmission history of these New Testament books.
The Greek sections of the Codex Borgianus encompass various passages from Luke and John:
In Luke, the Greek text includes segments from chapters 6, 18 through 24. This selection offers a glimpse into Jesus’ teachings and parables, as well as the events leading up to and including his crucifixion and resurrection narratives.
The excerpts from John feature portions of chapters 1, 3, 4 through 8, covering a range of Jesus’ interactions and discourses, from the testimony of John the Baptist to the early signs and teachings of Jesus.
The Sahidic Coptic portions of the manuscript provide a parallel textual tradition, covering similar passages from Luke and John but with slight variations in the extent of the text. This Sahidic Coptic translation is particularly significant, as it represents one of the earliest vernacular translations of the New Testament, offering insights into how these texts were received and understood within early Coptic-speaking Christian communities.
By preserving these texts in both Greek and Sahidic Coptic, the Codex Borgianus serves as a bridge between different linguistic and cultural Christian traditions of the 5th century. Its diglot nature facilitates a comparative study of textual variants and helps in understanding the nuances of language translation in the early Christian era. The manuscript not only contributes to the critical task of reconstructing the original wording of the New Testament texts but also illuminates the broader historical and ecclesiastical context in which these texts were disseminated and read.
In the pursuit of establishing the original words of the New Testament, the Codex Borgianus stands out for its dual-language content, offering a direct link to the early Christian textual heritage and providing a tangible connection to the diverse linguistic landscape of early Christianity. This manuscript, therefore, is not merely an artifact of religious history but a pivotal tool in the ongoing scholarly endeavor to trace the textual development of the New Testament.
Date
Fifth-century C.E.
Physical Features
The Codex Borgianus, an ancient manuscript designated as “T” or “029” in the Gregory-Aland numbering system, is a significant artifact in the study of the New Testament’s textual history. This document is composed of 17 parchment leaves, each measuring 26 by 21 centimeters, and contains fragments from the Gospels of Luke and John. Its physical characteristics offer insight into the manuscript’s origins and the context in which it was produced.
The manuscript’s text is arranged in two columns on each page, with the Greek and Sahidic Coptic texts presented on facing pages. This layout facilitates a comparative study of the texts, highlighting the manuscript’s role as a bilingual document. The number of lines per page varies between 26 and 33, which is somewhat typical for manuscripts of this period. However, the Codex Borgianus features unusually short lines, containing only between 6 and 9 letters. This brevity in line length may reflect stylistic or practical considerations of the scribe.
The script used in the Codex Borgianus is characterized by large, square letters that are compressed at the edges. This compression at the margins is a notable feature, suggesting a careful management of space on the parchment. The script’s form, particularly the shapes of the alpha and iota letters, along with the overall squareness of the letters, points to a Coptic influence. Constantin von Tischendorf, a renowned biblical scholar, even suggested that the scribe might have been Coptic, based on the presence of letter forms common to Coptic writing.
Another distinctive feature of this manuscript is its lack of accents and breathings, a characteristic that is not uncommon in texts from this era but still of interest to scholars. Moreover, the manuscript does not include notation for sections or other divisions, which could indicate either an early date of composition or a specific stylistic choice by the scribe.
The physical attributes of the Codex Borgianus, from its parchment leaves to the distinctive style of its script, contribute to our understanding of the manuscript as a product of its time and cultural context. Its bilingual nature, with Greek and Sahidic Coptic texts side by side, underscores the diverse linguistic landscape of early Christianity and the efforts to make the Gospel accessible to different communities. The meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation, from the careful allocation of space to the distinct Coptic influences in its script, reveals the dedication of its scribe to preserving these texts for future generations.
Textual Character
Luke 18.37-42a in codex Borgianus (facsimile)
The Codex Borgianus holds a notable place in the study of New Testament texts due to its textual character. This manuscript, containing Greek text, is recognized for its alignment with the Alexandrian text-type, albeit with an incorporation of Byzantine text readings. This blend marks it as a secondary representative of the Alexandrian family, which is known for its early and often considered more accurate versions of New Testament texts.
Kurt Aland, a pivotal figure in biblical scholarship, classified the Codex Borgianus within Category II of his rating system. This categorization is reserved for manuscripts that, while containing a substantial portion of the early text, also exhibit later textual modifications or influences. This dual character of the Codex Borgianus makes it a rich resource for textual critics, offering insights into the transmission and evolution of the New Testament text over time.
In terms of specific textual relationships, the version of the Gospel of John found in the Codex Borgianus shows a close connection to that of the Codex Vaticanus and Papyrus 75 (P75), especially in the handling of the Alexandrian text. This affinity is significant, as both Codex Vaticanus and P75 are highly regarded for their textual integrity and their role in shaping the understanding of the Alexandrian tradition.
The manuscript exhibits certain notable textual omissions and variations:
Similarly, John 5:4, detailing an angel stirring the waters of Bethesda, is not found in the Codex Borgianus, consistent with its absence in some other early manuscripts.
The Pericope Adulterae (John 7:53-8:11), the story of the woman caught in adultery, is another notable omission, underscoring the manuscript’s alignment with texts that scholars believe to be closer to the original writings.
Additionally, the Codex Borgianus offers unique readings in specific passages:
It presents the name βηθαβαρα (Bethabara) in John 1:28, as opposed to the more commonly found βηθανια (Bethany).
Similarly, it reads βηθσαιδα (Bethsaida) in John 5:2, contributing to discussions on the geographical details in the Gospel accounts.
These textual characteristics of the Codex Borgianus underscore its importance in the field of textual criticism, providing a window into the variegated nature of New Testament manuscript traditions. Through its mix of textual traditions and specific variants, the Codex Borgianus contributes to the ongoing scholarly endeavor to reconstruct the most accurate text of the New Testament.
History of Codex Borgianus
The Codex Borgianus, an ancient manuscript of the New Testament, has a rich history that traces back to the White Monastery in Egypt. It gained its name from one of its later owners, Cardinal Stefano Borgia, reflecting the journey and the various hands it has passed through over the centuries.
The story of the Codex Borgianus is marked by a series of discoveries and reunions of its fragmented parts. These fragments, identified in scholarly circles by the numbers 029, 0113, 0125, and 0139, were found at different times and places, together comprising 23 leaves of the manuscript. A noteworthy account suggests that the monk who initially brought the manuscript from Egypt to Europe might not have recognized its significant value, leading to the loss of many of its parts.
In 1789, A. A. Giorgi undertook the careful task of editing the text of Codex 029, marking an early effort to preserve and study this manuscript. Additional scholarly work was carried out by Birch, who not only collated the Greek text of 029 but also provided a detailed description of the codex, emphasizing its uncial script on parchment, the accompanying Coptic translation, and lamenting the limited portion of the manuscript that has survived through time.
The manuscript’s journey through history continued into the 20th century when Henri Hyvernat acquired two pages in 1912 in Cairo for John Pierpont Morgan, further adding to the manuscript’s storied past.
Today, the Codex Borgianus is housed in several prestigious locations around the world, evidencing its dispersed nature due to historical circumstances. Parts of the codex are found in the Vatican Library, designated as Borgia Coptic 109, reflecting its connection to Cardinal Stefano Borgia. Additional leaves are preserved in the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City (Pierpont Morgan M 664A) and in the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris (BnF Copt. 129). There was a brief confusion in the past where some leaves from another manuscript, Uncial 070, were mistakenly associated with the Codex Borgianus, but this was later clarified.
The history of the Codex Borgianus, from its origins in the White Monastery to its current locations across the globe, underscores the complex journey of ancient manuscripts and the challenges involved in preserving and studying these invaluable links to early Christian history and biblical scholarship.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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