The Textual Background of the Gospel of Matthew in Ge‘ez

The Gospel of Matthew in Ge‘ez has been handed down in two ancient Versions: A-text and B-text. The A-text is the earlier one, translated from the Greek and completed not later than the 6th century. It is a very ‘free’ translation, adapting the text not only to a Semitic vernacular but also to a ne...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rochus Zuurmond
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Universität Hamburg Hiob Ludolf Centre for Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies Asien-Afrika-Institut Alsterterrasse 1 D-20354 Hamburg Germany 2013-06-01
Series:Aethiopica
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Online Access:https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/aethiopica/article/view/489
Description
Summary:The Gospel of Matthew in Ge‘ez has been handed down in two ancient Versions: A-text and B-text. The A-text is the earlier one, translated from the Greek and completed not later than the 6th century. It is a very ‘free’ translation, adapting the text not only to a Semitic vernacular but also to a new cultural background. The Vorlage of the A-text was rather close to the Byzantine type of text, but it has more readings in common with Greek manuscripts such as ﬡ, W and B, than those commonly understood as ‘Byzantine.’ The B-text, although strongly influenced by the A-text, removes practically all translational liberties of the A-text. It contains readings that seem to have originated from Syriac or Coptic Gospels and therefore is probably a medieval revision of the A-text on the basis of Arabic Gospels. Existing European editions of the Gospel of Matthew by and large exhibit a B-text.
ISSN:1430-1938
2194-4024