ana translation

xvi
INTRODUCTION
the rest of its contents being three passages (Hexaplar also),
from
Joshua, Proverbs, and Sirach severally.* As there is a gap in the
only extant MS of Genesis, from xx. 12 to xxxi. 53, this recovered
passage has some value as a contribution towards supplying the matter
that is lacking. The text is notable, as exhibiting a variant not otherwise
attested, in verse 28 (see p. 3, p. 33 n., infr.).
2. The next, Leviticus xxvi. 42 46, comes from a Lectionary (Brit.
Mus., Add. 12139) of somewhat later date than any of the MSS above
cited, A.Gr. 1311 (A.D. 1000).| As above noted, the Book Leviticus
was not in Masius' MS, the earlier part of which was lacking, nor is
any copy of it, or (except in this MS) any part of it, now known to be
extant. This Lection is the only evidence we possess to show that
Leviticus was included in Paul's Version.
B. Series of Passages from Later Historical Books.
Of the Books of Chronicles and of Esdras [Ezra], our Remains
are more considerable in extent. Another Nitrian MS (Brit. Mus.,
Add. 12168) supplies these, a welcome addition, for from these
Books, Masius, though (as we have seen) he names them among the
contents of his MS, has left us no citation. The MS whence I take
them is a Catena of extracts, most of them from Scripture, with
illustrative matter, chiefly selected from Commentaries. It is the
work of an early compiler who (probably not later than the middle of
the seventh century) selected and arranged the materials with care and
judgment. The Scriptural passages he draws mostly from the Peshitta,
with the exception of those taken from 1 and 2 Chronicles, from 1
and 2 Ezra, and from Daniel, which are headed, "according to the
version of the Seventy." His " First of Ezra " is the Book usually
distinguished as " Greek Esdras," and reckoned with the Apocrypha^ ;
* The extract from Joshua (xxii. 1-6) has a certain similarity to that from
Genesis; whence it seems probable that these passages are combined not at
random, but with some definite purpose.
t See facsimile in Wright's Catal., Plate x.
J The Council of Florence, and after it the Council of Trent, followed Jerome's
authority in rejecting this Book (along with 4 Esdras, with which it has nothing in
common). As " 3 Esdras " it is appended with " 4 Esdras " to the Vulgate Latin,
as non-canonical. In the Anglican Article VI it is placed outside the Canon as
" Third of Esdras," but in the authorized Version it heads the Apocrypha as
" 1 Esdras." It is often, and conveniently, designated as " Greek Esdras."