MORE SYRIAC MANUSCRIPTS DISCOVERED

Until the 19th century, almost all the known Greek copies of the Christian Greek Scriptures were from the fifth century or much later. For this reason, Bible scholars were especially interested in such versions as the Latin Vulgate and Syriac Peshitta. At the time, some believed that the Peshitta was the result of a revision of an older Syriac version. But no such text was known. Since the roots of the Syriac Bible go back to the second century, such a version would provide a window on the Bible text at an early stage, and it would be invaluable to Bible scholars! Was there really an old Syriac version? Would it be found? 

Yes, indeed! In fact, two such precious Syriac manuscripts were found. The first is a manuscript dating from the fifth century. It was among a large number of Syriac manuscripts acquired by the British museum in 1842 from a monastery in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt. It was called the Curetonian Syriac because it was discovered and published by William Cureton, the museum's assistant keeper of manuscripts. This precious document contains the four Gospels in the order of Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke. 

Next time: MORE SYRIAC MANUSCRIPTS DISCOVERED - Conclusion

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