To: "b-hebrew mailing list" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Is there an exactly specific number of witnesses?
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:32:26 -0400
Jeremy,
This is probably a question that should be asked on the TC-List
(textualcriticim AT yahoogroups.com). But, the short answer is: there is no
comprehensive database, because not all the manuscripts have been
collated. The number is in flux also. For example, this summer a team
under Wallace discovered several new Greek mss.
The number I hear bounced around for Greek mss. is about 5,000. I am not
sure about the Hebrew.
HTH,
James
________________________________
James Spinti
Marketing Director, Book Sales Division
Eisenbrauns, Good books for more than 30 years
Specializing in Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Studies
jspinti at eisenbrauns dot com
Web: http://www.eisenbrauns.com
Phone: 574-269-2011 ext 226
Fax: 574-269-6788
-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy Bickel
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:54 PM
To: b-hebrew mailing list; b-greek mailing list
Subject: [b-hebrew] Is there an exactly specific number of witnesses?
If I asked 5 random biblical scholars how many Greek and how many Hebrew
witnesses - how many ancient witnesses in total - are currently known
for the Bible, what is the chance that they would all tell me the same
number; if 100%, then what is that total number? The number of Hebrew?
The number of Greek?
And a related question: Is there a single comprehensive database or
listing of every variant among "all" the witnesses?