Textual Criticism and the New Testament

Flashcards related to key concepts in textual criticism, manuscript analysis, and exegesis as noted in the lecture.

Textual Criticism

The method of evaluating and understanding the textual variations among manuscripts to locate the oldest or best version of a text.

Urtext

The original or earliest version of a text from which later versions are derived.

Manuscripts

Handwritten documents that provide evidence of historical texts.

Vellum

A fine parchment made from calf skin used for writing manuscripts.

Papyri

Ancient writing material made from the papyrus plant, often used in manuscripts.

Uncial

A style of writing characterized by uppercase letters with no gaps between words.

Minuscule

A style of writing using lowercase letters and often cursive.

Codex

A book made of separate pages bound together, a significant form of manuscript.

Codices

Plural of codex; refers to multiple bound manuscripts.

Text Families

Groups of manuscripts that show clear relationships or similarities in content.

Alexandrian Text Family

A category of manuscripts that includes Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, known for its high quality.

Western Text Family

A group of manuscripts that incorporates the Old Latin texts.

Byzantine Text Family

A group of New Testament manuscripts that were prevalent in the Byzantine Empire.

External Attestation

The process of determining the reliability of a manuscript based on its historical context and its relationship to other manuscripts.

Internal Evidence

The evidence derived from analyzing the text itself, including scribal errors and intentional modifications.

The Lord's Prayer

A prayer that appears in different versions in the New Testament, significant for text criticism.

Exegesis

The critical interpretation of a text, often involving translation and extensive analysis.