Minuscule 709 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε154 (von Soden),[1] [2] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 11th century. The manuscript is lacunose.[3] [4] Scrivener labelled it as 737e.[5]
The codex contains the text of the four Gospels on 140 parchment leaves (size),[3] [6] with some lacunae in text (Matthew 1:1-20; Luke 15:5-24:53; John 1:1-9:11; 13:3-15:10; 16:21-20:25). The texts of Luke 3:25-4:11; 6:25-42 were supplied by a later hand.[6]
The leaf 133 is a palimpsest with the older text of Luke 6:25-42 (Minuscule 2601),[3] overwriting not much earlier than itself.[5]
The text is written in two columns per page, 30 lines per page.[3] The ornamental headpieces and decorated initials.[7]
The lists of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (lists of contents) are placed before each Gospel.[6]
The text is divided according to the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (chapters), which numbers are given the left margin, and their Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: τιτλοι (titles) at the top (with the harmony); there is also a division according to the Ammonian Sections (in Mark 237, the last section in 16:15), with references to the Eusebian Canons, and with the harmony in the bottom margin. It contains lectionary markings, incipits, subscriptions, Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ρηματα, and numbered Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: στιχοι.[6] [5]
The Greek text of the codex is a representative of the Byzantine text-type. Kurt Aland did not place it in any Category.[8]
According to the Claremont Profile Method it represents textual group Λ in Luke 1 and Luke 10. In Luke 20 the text of the manuscript is defective.[9]
Scrivener and Gregory dated the manuscript to the 11th century.[6] Currently the manuscript is dated by the INTF to the 11th century.[4]
It was probably written in South Italy. It was also suggested that the scribe was Armenian (F. Madan).[5] It was bought in Rhodes, in 1882.[6]
It was added to the list of New Testament manuscripts by Scrivener (737) and Gregory (709). Gregory saw the manuscript in 1883.[6]
At present the manuscript is housed at the Bodleian Library (MS. Auct. T. inf. 1. 4) in Oxford.[3] [4]