Minuscule 640 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), Οπρ 262 (von Soden),[1] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically to the 11th century. The manuscript is very fragmentary.[2] Scrivener labeled it by 230a, Gregory by 203a.[3]
The codex contains the text of the Epistle of James 1:1-23 on 2 parchment leaves (size). The text is written in one column per page, 17 lines per page for biblical text, and 37-45 lines per page for a commentary.[2] The manuscript is of wonderful beauty.[3]
It contains the illuminated head-pieces, the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια at the top of the pages, with a commentary on three sides of the text in a very minute hand.[3] [4]
The Greek text of the codex is a representative of the Byzantine text-type. Kurt Aland placed it in Category V.[5]
The manuscript is dated by the INTF to the 11th century.[6]
The manuscript was presented by Harris from Alexandria to the British Museum.[3] The manuscript was added to the list of New Testament manuscripts by Scrivener (230a) and Gregory (203a). Gregory saw the manuscript in 1883.[4] In 1908 Gregory gave the number 640 to it.[1]
The manuscript currently is housed at the British Library (Add MS 19392A).[2] [6]