Minuscule 551 Explained

Minuscule 551 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε 251 (in the Soden numbering),^[1] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.^[2] Scrivener labeled it by number 538.

Description

The codex contains a complete text of the four Gospels on 233 parchment leaves (size). The writing is in one column per page, 22-23 lines per page.^[2]

The text is divided according to the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (chapters), whose numerals are given at the margin, and the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: τιτλοι (titles of chapters) at the top of the pages. There is a division according to the Ammonian Sections, and some references to the Eusebian Canons. The number of Ammonian Sections and Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια are varies from what is usual.^[3]

It contains the Epistula ad Carpianum, Prolegomena (added by a later hand), tables of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (tables of contents) are placed before every Gospel. There are barbarous headpieces to the Gospels.^[3]

It contains lectionary markings at the margin, incipits, (Synaxarion and Menologion added by a later hand), subscriptions at the end of each Gospel, with numbers of Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: [[Stichometry|στιχοι]], and pictures of the four Evangelist.^[4]

Text

The Greek text of the codex is a representative of the Byzantine text-type. Aland placed it in Category V.^[5] According to the Claremont Profile Method it represents the textual family K^x in Luke 1, Luke 10, and Luke 20.^[6]

History

The manuscript was held in the Karakalou monastery at Athos peninsula. In 1837 Robert Curzon, Lord Zouche, brought this manuscript to England (along with the codices 547-550).^{[3] [4]} The entire collection of Curzon was bequeathed by his daughter in 1917 to the British Museum, where it had been deposited, by his son, since 1876.^[7]

The manuscripts was added to the list of the New Testament minuscule manuscripts by F. H. A. Scrivener (538) and C. R. Gregory (551).^[3] Gregory saw it in 1883.^[4]

The manuscript was examined by Scrivener, Dean Burgon, and Gregory.^[4]

It is currently housed at the British Library (Add MS 39594) in London.^[2]

See also

• List of New Testament minuscules
• Biblical manuscript
• Textual criticism

Further reading

• S. Emmel, Catalogue of Materials for Writing, Early Writings on Tablets and Stones, rolled and other Manuscripts and Oriental Manuscript Books, in the Library of the Honourable Robert Curzon (London 1849).

Notes and References

1. Book: Gregory, Caspar René. Caspar René Gregory. Die griechischen Handschriften des Neuen Testament. 1908. J. C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung. Leipzig. 67.
2. Book: Aland , K. . Kurt Aland . M. Welte . B. Köster . K. Junack . Kurzgefasste Liste der griechischen Handschriften des Neues Testaments . . 1994 . Berlin, New York . 79 . 3-11-011986-2 .
3. Book: Scrivener , Frederick Henry Ambrose . Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener . Edward Miller . . . 1894 . London . 4 . 1 . 253 .
4. Book: Gregory , Caspar René . Caspar René Gregory . Textkritik des Neuen Testaments . J.C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung . 1900 . Leipzig . 1 . 202 .
5. Book: Aland , Kurt . Kurt Aland . Aland . Barbara . Barbara Aland . Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.) . The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism . . 1995 . Grand Rapids . 139 . limited . 978-0-8028-4098-1.
6. Book: Wisse , Frederik . The Profile Method for the Classification and Evaluation of Manuscript Evidence, as Applied to the Continuous Greek Text of the Gospel of Luke . . 1982 . Grand Rapids . 63 . 0-8028-1918-4 . registration .
7. Heike Behlmer, ... `As Safe as in the British Museum`: Paul de Lagarde and His Borrowing of Manuscripts from the Collection of Robert Curzon The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Vol. 89, (2003), pp. 231-238.