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Document Details : Title: The Odyssey of Luke's Pater in Coptic Subtitle: A Study of Sahidic and Bohairic Manuscripts, their Texts and History Author(s): PINCHARD, Laurent Journal: Journal of Coptic Studies Volume: 27 Date: 2025 Pages: 141-168 DOI: 10.2143/JCS.27.0.3294756 Abstract : The variety of textual forms (short, intermediate, and long) evident in Greek manuscripts attesting to the Lord’s Prayer in Luke finds its most plausible explanation in Marcion’s mid-2nd century revision of an original longer form of the prayer, rather than in sporadic scribal interventions aimed at harmonising with the Matthean parallel stemming from a shorter form. The Sahidic and Bohairic translations of the Lukan Pater diverge from their typical Alexandrian character, manifesting a discernible influence from both pre- and post-Marcionite states of the Greek text, although unevenly throughout the prayer. Remarkably, the Bohairic texts, traditionally deemed more Alexandrian and stable than Sahidic texts, exhibit significantly more variant readings than Sahidic and show influences from diverse sources, including various Greek textual states, Bohairic Matthew, and Sahidic Luke. These findings suggest a complex interplay of textual influences or a resurgence of earlier textual forms, indicating that scribes were likely confronted with — and undoubtedly puzzled by — the existence of multiple Greek or other Coptic traditions. This study aims to collate and present all extant Sahidic and Bohairic manuscripts of the Lukan Pater, along with a comprehensive list of variant readings, thereby offering insights into the evolution of the translation. |
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