Codex Sangermanensis, designated as 0319 in the Gregory-Aland numbering and α 1027 by Soden, is a significant diglot manuscript of the New Testament from the tenth century. Named after its former home, the library of St. Germain des Prés in Paris, this manuscript is a valuable resource for both Greek and Latin biblical studies. It is currently preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale, Number 11105 Fonds Latin, and the National Library of Russia (Gr. 20) collection in Saint Petersburg.

Date of 0319 (Codex Sangermanensis) [c. 900 C.E.]

Codex Sangermanensis was written around 900 C.E., during the early medieval period. This dating is based on paleographic analysis, which examines the script and stylistic features of the manuscript. The tenth century was a time of significant manuscript production in the Byzantine world, contributing to the preservation and transmission of biblical texts.

Content of 0319 (Codex Sangermanensis) [c. 900 C.E.]

The content of Codex Sangermanensis includes the Pauline Epistles, although it is not complete. The manuscript lacks most of 1 Timothy and parts of Romans and Hebrews. Despite these gaps, it remains a crucial witness to the text of the Pauline Epistles. Its diglot nature, containing both Greek and Latin texts, makes it particularly valuable for studying the transmission and variations of these epistles in different linguistic traditions.

Physical Features of 0319 (Codex Sangermanensis) [c. 900 C.E.]

Codex Sangermanensis consists of 177 parchment leaves, each measuring approximately 36 × 27.5 cm (14.2 × 10.8 inches). The text is written in two columns per page, with 31 lines per column. The script is characterized by a coarse, large, and thick hand, indicative of the scribe’s unfamiliarity with Greek, which suggests that a Latin scribe produced it. The manuscript’s substantial size and dual-column format reflect its intended use for reading and reference.

Textual Character of 0319 (Codex Sangermanensis) [c. 900 C.E.]

The Greek text of Codex Sangermanensis is a representative of the Western text-type, known for its paraphrastic nature and textual variations. Kurt Aland placed this manuscript in Category II, indicating that it contains a text that is important for establishing the history of the text but not considered to be of the highest quality.

Several notable textual variants highlight its unique character:

• Romans 13:1: The manuscript reads “ἐξουσίαι” instead of the standard “ἐξουσία.”
• Romans 15:14: It includes the phrase “ἀδελφοί μου” (my brothers).

The Scribal Habits of Codex Sangermanensis in Greek and Latin in Light of its Exemplar

James R. Royse, in his work on scribal habits, calls for a re-examination of New Testament witnesses using the ‘Colwell method.’ This method involves analyzing singular readings—those found only in one manuscript—to identify scribal tendencies and errors. Royse emphasizes the importance of studying all major witnesses to the New Testament text, including continuous-text Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, versional manuscripts, and patristic citations, to gather empirical evidence about scribal habits.

In the case of Codex Sangermanensis, the scribe’s unfamiliarity with Greek is evident in the manuscript’s coarse script and frequent errors. The manuscript shows a pattern of conflating readings and harmonizing parallel passages, typical of Western text-type manuscripts. The Latin text accompanying the Greek provides additional insights into the translation and transmission practices of the period.

Examining Codex Sangermanensis Using the ‘Colwell Method’

The ‘Colwell method’ involves analyzing singular readings in a manuscript—those readings unique to a particular manuscript. This method helps identify the scribal habits that might have contributed to these unique readings. Applying this method to Codex Sangermanensis (0319), we aim to understand the manuscript’s textual character more accurately.

Singular Readings in Codex Sangermanensis

Codex Sangermanensis is a 10th-century Greek-Latin diglot manuscript containing the Pauline Epistles, although it is missing parts of 1 Timothy and sections of Romans and Hebrews. Singular readings are those unique to Codex Sangermanensis and not found in other manuscripts.

Examples of Singular Readings

1. Romans 13:1: In Romans 13:1, Codex Sangermanensis reads “ἐξουσίαι” (authorities) instead of the more common “ἐξουσία” (authority). This plural form is unique to this manuscript and indicates a possible scribal attempt to emphasize the plurality of governing authorities. This alteration might reflect the scribe’s understanding of the passage as addressing multiple authorities rather than a singular concept of authority.
2. Romans 15:14: The inclusion of “ἀδελφοί μου” (my brothers) in Romans 15:14 is another singular reading found in Codex Sangermanensis. This addition personalizes the text and could suggest that the scribe wanted to enhance the communal and familial tone of Paul’s message. It reflects the scribe’s tendency to add relational elements to the text, possibly influenced by his own interpretive framework.

Analysis of Scribal Habits

Based on the singular readings and other characteristics of Codex Sangermanensis, several scribal habits can be identified:

Harmonization

The scribe shows a tendency to harmonize passages, aiming for consistency and coherence within the text. This is evident in the conflation of different readings into one expanded text, a characteristic feature of the Western text-type. By harmonizing parallel passages, the scribe attempted to create a more uniform narrative, which could be more easily understood and used in a liturgical context.

Paraphrase and Expansion

Consistent with other Western text-type manuscripts, Codex Sangermanensis displays a propensity for paraphrase and expansion. The scribe frequently changes, omits, or inserts words and clauses to clarify or enhance the text. These alterations may have been motivated by a desire to make the text more understandable or to reflect theological interpretations.

Latin Influence on the Greek Text

Given the diglot nature of Codex Sangermanensis and the scribe’s familiarity with Latin, the Greek text often shows Latin influences. This influence can manifest in the form of Latinized spellings of Greek words and textual alignments with the Latin Vulgate. Such bilingual manuscripts are valuable for studying the interaction between Greek and Latin textual traditions.

Interaction with the Text

According to the theories of Iser and Jauss, the actual reader’s interaction with the text depends on the horizon of expectations brought to the text. This interaction can result in creative responses to gaps or ambiguities in the text. In the case of Codex Sangermanensis, the scribe’s singular readings can be seen as a reflection of his engagement with the text as a reader.

Hans Robert Jauss

Hans Robert Jauss (1921-1997) was a German literary theorist and a founding figure in the field of Reception Theory. Jauss’s work emphasized the role of the reader in interpreting texts. He proposed that the meaning of a text is not fixed but is created through the interaction between the text and the reader. Jauss introduced the concept of the “horizon of expectations,” which refers to the cultural and historical background that readers bring to their interpretation of a text. This concept highlights how readers’ interpretations are influenced by their own experiences and the cultural context in which they live.

Wolfgang Iser

Wolfgang Iser (1926-2007) was another prominent German literary scholar associated with Reception Theory, but his approach was somewhat distinct from Jauss’s. Iser focused on the active role of the reader in creating meaning through the process of reading. He introduced the concept of the “implied reader,” which refers to the hypothetical reader that a text seems to be addressing. Iser’s theory revolves around the idea that texts contain “gaps” or “blanks” that readers must fill in, thus engaging them in the construction of the text’s meaning.

Application to Textual Criticism

In the context of New Testament textual criticism, the theories of Jauss and Iser can be applied to understand how scribes, as readers, interacted with the text. Scribes brought their own “horizons of expectations” to the text, influenced by their cultural and historical contexts. This interaction could lead to the creation of singular readings—unique variants that reveal how the scribe interpreted and engaged with the text.

By examining these singular readings, scholars can gain insights into the scribal habits and the ways in which scribes responded to the text as readers. This approach helps to illuminate the dynamic process of textual transmission and the active role of scribes in shaping the New Testament manuscripts.

Relevance to Codex Sangermanensis

Applying the concepts of Jauss and Iser to Codex Sangermanensis involves recognizing that the scribe was not just a passive copier but an active reader who engaged with the text. The scribe’s singular readings can be seen as responses to the gaps or ambiguities in the text, influenced by their own horizon of expectations. This perspective enriches our understanding of the manuscript and the complex process of its transmission.

Immediate Context and Scribal Reception

Many singular readings in Codex Sangermanensis can be attributed to the immediate context, a traditional focus in textual criticism. The scribe’s additions and alterations often make sense within the specific context of the passage, indicating an effort to clarify or emphasize certain aspects of the text. For instance, the plural “ἐξουσίαι” in Romans 13:1 may have been influenced by the surrounding discussion of multiple forms of governance.

Textual Character of Codex Sangermanensis

Western Text-Type Affiliation

Codex Sangermanensis is representative of the Western text-type, characterized by its paraphrastic nature and textual variations. Kurt Aland placed this manuscript in Category II, indicating it contains significant textual variants important for understanding the history of the New Testament text.

Textual Variants

Several notable textual variants in Codex Sangermanensis illustrate its unique character:

• Romans 13:1: The reading “ἐξουσίαι” instead of “ἐξουσία” highlights the manuscript’s tendency towards textual variation.
• Romans 15:14: The inclusion of “ἀδελφοί μου” reflects a scribal addition aimed at enhancing the relational tone of the text.

Scribal Habits and Exemplar Influence

James R. Royse’s work on scribal habits encourages a detailed analysis of New Testament manuscripts to understand scribal tendencies. Codex Sangermanensis, examined through the ‘Colwell method,’ reveals several key scribal habits:

• Tendency to Harmonize: The scribe often harmonized parallel passages, creating a more consistent narrative.
• Propensity for Paraphrase and Expansion: The manuscript exhibits frequent paraphrasing and expansions, indicative of Western text-type characteristics.
• Latin Influence: The Greek text shows significant Latin influence, reflecting the bilingual nature of the manuscript and the scribe’s familiarity with Latin.

Historical Context

Codex Sangermanensis was written by a Latin scribe around 900 C.E. and was originally held at St. Germain des Prés in Paris. During the French Revolution, the manuscript was acquired by Peter Dubrovsky, Secretary to the Russian Embassy in Paris, and taken to Russia. It is now preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris and the National Library of Russia in Saint Petersburg.

Reexamining Codex Sangermanensis using the ‘Colwell method’ provides valuable insights into the manuscript’s scribal habits and textual character. The scribe’s tendencies towards harmonization, paraphrase, expansion, and Latin influence are evident in the singular readings and other textual features. This detailed analysis underscores the importance of Codex Sangermanensis as a critical witness to the New Testament text and its transmission history.

History of 0319 (Codex Sangermanensis) [c. 900 C.E.]

The manuscript was likely written by a Latin scribe who was unfamiliar with Greek, as evidenced by the script’s characteristics. Bernard de Montfaucon, Johann Jakob Wettstein, Giuseppe Bianchini, and Johann Jakob Griesbach, who designated it by the siglum E, examined and described it. In 1805, Matthaei collated the manuscript.

Initially held in the St. Germain des Prés library in Paris, the manuscript’s history took a dramatic turn during the French Revolution. The library suffered severely, and Peter Dubrovsky, Secretary to the Russian Embassy in Paris, acquired Codex Sangermanensis along with many other manuscripts. These manuscripts were subsequently taken to Russia, where Codex Sangermanensis is now part of the National Library of Russia’s collection in Saint Petersburg.

Throughout its history, Codex Sangermanensis has been a subject of scholarly interest and examination. The manuscript’s textual variants and unique characteristics have provided valuable data for understanding the transmission and development of the New Testament text. By studying Codex Sangermanensis, scholars gain insights into the scribal practices and textual traditions of the early medieval period, contributing to a fuller understanding of the New Testament’s textual history.

Conclusion

The comprehensive history and analysis of Codex Sangermanensis (0319) reveal its significance in New Testament textual studies. Its diglot nature, textual variants, and historical journey from France to Russia make it a valuable witness to the Pauline Epistles and the broader New Testament textual tradition. The manuscript’s study continues to inform our understanding of early medieval scribal practices and the transmission of biblical texts.

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).