Open AccessThe Textual Background of the Gospel of Matthew in Ge‘ez
Author(s) -
Rochus Zuurmond
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
aethiopica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2194-4024
pISSN - 1430-1938
DOI - 10.15460/aethiopica.4.1.489
Subject(s) - gospel , byzantine architecture , semitic languages , vernacular , literature , arabic , philosophy , art , classics , history , linguistics
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 , 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.