Minuscule 544 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), 557 (in the Scrivener's numbering), ε 337 (in Soden's numbering),[1] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. The manuscript has complex contents. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 13th century.[2] It was not adapted for liturgical use.
It came from Epeiros and is currently housed at the University of Michigan. It was digitised and is available online.
The codex contains the text of the four Gospels, on 256 parchment leaves (size). The text is written in one column per page, 22 lines per page.[2] It is neatly written in minute hand. The style of writing resembles codex 542 (Scrivener's 555).[3]
The text is divided according to the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (chapters), whose numerals are given at the margin in red, Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: τιτλοι (titles of chapters) at the top and bottom of the several pages. There is also a division according to the smaller Ammonian Sections (in Mark 235 Sections, the last section in 16:12) in red, (no references to the Eusebian Canons).[4] The Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια and the Ammonian Sections are often put in wrong places. There are no lectionary markings at the margin for liturgical use.[3]
It contains lists of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (tables of contents) to the last three Gospels, and pictures of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, and John.[4] [5] The decorated head-pieces stand at the beginning of each Gospel.[3] It does not have lectionary markings at the margin (for liturgical use).[4] The nomina sacra are contracted in usual way.
Errors of iotacism (especially ει or ι for η, ο for ω, and vice versa) are rare in the first two Gospels, but more frequent afterwards.[3]
The omissions by "homoioteleuton" (the same endings) are frequent (e.g. Matthew 10:37; Mark 9:43-46; 10:27.42; 12:39; 14:19; 15:14; Luke 10:27; John 3:31; 4:5; 5:32; 6:11.32.42; 8:14; 9:7; 12:34; 13:34; 14:17; 17:21).[3]
N εφελκυστικον is very common, and though the punctuation is accurate, the sign of interrogation never occurs.[3]
This copy was transcribed from an older copy which was defective in Luke.[3] It has an unusual number of variations from the ordinary text, though none of the first rate of importance.[6]
Hermann von Soden classified the Greek text of the codex to the group Ia. Aland did not place it in any Category.[7] According to the Claremont Profile Method it has an eclectic text. In Luke 1 it represents Πa, in Luke 10 mixed Byzantine text, and in Luke 20 - Kx.[8]
— εν Αιγυπτω ] omitted
— καρδια ] κοιλια
— απο ] παρα
— ανθρωπων ] ανθρωπων αμαρτωλων
— ακρασιας ] αδικιας
— ανομιας ] αδικιας
Mark 1:2 — εν τω ησαια τω προφητη ] εν βιβλω λογων ησαιου του προφητου
Mark 8:14 — οπου ου δει ] εν τοπω αγνω
Mark 14:3 — πιστικης ] μυστικης
Mark 15:8 — καθως αει εποιει αυτοις ] τον βαραββαν (similar to Θ 565, and 700)
Luke 1:48 — της δουλης ] του δουλου
Luke 1:48 — κατα το ρημα σου ] omitted
Luke 3:25 — του Μααθ του Ματταθιου ] omitted
John 16:13 — το
πνα της αληθειας ] omittedJohn 19:38 — του
ιυ ] του κυThe manuscript was presented by Burdett-Coutts to Sir Roger Cholmely's School, and was housed at the Highgate (Burdett-Coutts III. 9), in London.[11] In 1922 it was acquired for the University of Michigan.[12] It is currently housed at the University of Michigan (Ms. 25) in Ann Arbor.[2]
Scrivener examined, described and collated its text. His collation was edited posthumous in Adversaria critica sacra in 1893.[13] It is rarely cited in the critical editions of the Greek New Testament.[14]