Description
The text of Robert Stephanus’ third Greek NT edition (1550) has been taken as the standard text for centuries. Even Hoskier used it for his collations of Revelation. It is also the first Greek NT that contains a critical apparatus: Stephanus recorded variant readings from the Complutensian Polyglot and fifteen manuscripts in its margins. However, this apparatus is notorious for lack of accuracy, as Scrivener comments: “Stephens’ is as far as possible from being a complete and formal collation.” Yet, on what grounds shall we evaluate this pioneering attempt?This paper aims to revisit Stephanus’ apparatus in the light of the current “historical turn” in NT textual scholarship. First, historical and ideological contexts in mid-sixteenth century France will be sketched, which will not only provide a crucial background but also elucidate why did Stephanus publish this “royal” edition with an apparatus. Second, the apparatus itself will be analysed by enquiring the usage of one of its witnesses—Codex Regius (L019; Stephanus’ η)—as a test case. By comparing marginal readings in Stephanus’ apparatus with the readings this uncial actually contains, both the accuracy of his collation and patterns of how he selected variants can be observed. Third, an important part of the reception history of this apparatus will be offered, especially the subsequent editions of Beza, Walton, Mill, Wettstein, as well as the Geneva Bible. Lastly, some conclusions will demonstrate that in the digital age much more stories about the history of our field could be discovered, analysed, and told.
| Period | 29 Aug 2017 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Herman Hoskier and the Future of Textual Scholarship on the Bible |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Dublin, IrelandShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |