Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Other Greek writings of the New Testament era, including papyri and inscriptions
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Rob Campanaro
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Joined: August 10th, 2013, 5:03 pm

Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Rob Campanaro »

I understand Codex Sinaiticus (א) is recognized as belonging to the Alexandrian text type. But I also hear it referred to as Western. For instance, in an article by David Kim in regards to John 1:18, Kim states:

"The combination of primary Alexandrian witnesses and a Western text-type (א) can establish (R4) as a superior reading over (R3)."

If I had to guess, what Kim seems to be saying is that Sinaiticus, although Alexandrian, contains a Western reading at John 1:18. If I'm right, then could א be cited as a Western witness to the reading θεος in John 1:18? If I'm wrong, can someone please correct me?

Thanks so much!

-Rob Campanaro
Robert Campanaro
Coatesville, PA
Stirling Bartholomew
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Stirling Bartholomew »

Codex Sinaiticus is considered to be Western in the first eight chapters of John.
I found this in wikopedia. A dubious source.
C. Stirling Bartholomew
Rob Campanaro
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Rob Campanaro »

Stirling Bartholomew wrote: March 9th, 2020, 3:22 pm
Codex Sinaiticus is considered to be Western in the first eight chapters of John.
I found this in wikopedia. A dubious source.
Although dubious, it does appear to be corroborated by more credible sources. That's why I'm trying to confirm my current understanding.

Much appreciated!
Robert Campanaro
Coatesville, PA
Stirling Bartholomew
Posts: 1141
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Stirling Bartholomew »

I have given away my copy of Metzger.
Here is blog post that you might find useful.

The puzzling case of Codex Sinaiticus in John 1-8
https://peterlorenz.me/2016/06/10/sinaiticus-in-john/
C. Stirling Bartholomew
Stephen Carlson
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Stephen Carlson »

Yeah, Sinaiticus is block-mixed Western and Alexandrian in John. Text-types are on the way out in textual criticism, however, so this is a bit like asking about the properties of phlogiston.
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
Rob Campanaro
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Joined: August 10th, 2013, 5:03 pm

Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Rob Campanaro »

Thanks for all the help, guys. It's all clear to me now!

Regards,
-Rob Campanaro
Robert Campanaro
Coatesville, PA
Rob Campanaro
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Joined: August 10th, 2013, 5:03 pm

Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Rob Campanaro »

I actually had one additional question; until Text-types are finally disregarded, would it be proper to cite א as a Western reading for John 1:18?
Robert Campanaro
Coatesville, PA
Barry Hofstetter
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

Rob Campanaro wrote: March 10th, 2020, 2:05 pm I actually had one additional question; until Text-types are finally disregarded, would it be proper to cite א as a Western reading for John 1:18?
I'll let somebody answer this if they are of a mind to do so, but just a reminder that text criticism per se is not the purpose of B-Greek discussions, but only so far as a particular text critical issue might affect our understanding of the Greek of a particular text.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.
Ph.D. Student U of FL
Instructor of Latin
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
καὶ σὺ τὸ σὸν ποιήσεις κἀγὼ τὸ ἐμόν. ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε.
Rob Campanaro
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Joined: August 10th, 2013, 5:03 pm

Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Rob Campanaro »

My apologies. I'll retract the question. Would the "other" section of the forum be appropriate or is that outside scope of B-Greek as well?
Robert Campanaro
Coatesville, PA
Stephen Carlson
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Re: Confused about Text Types. Please Help

Post by Stephen Carlson »

Rob Campanaro wrote: March 10th, 2020, 2:05 pm I actually had one additional question; until Text-types are finally disregarded, would it be proper to cite א as a Western reading for John 1:18?
"Proper to cite" is a weird question: you should be asking your teacher.
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
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