Slide 11 of 22
Notes:
Study of ancient manuscripts and the practice of copying has contributed to knowledge about the habits of scribes and the various kinds of errors that arose through copying which were identified above.
Thus the following general principles may be applied in consideration of transcriptional matters comparison of alternative readings:
- The more difficult reading is preferred because it is more likely that a scribe would clarify, simplify, or correct grammar;
- The shorter reading is preferred because a scribe is more likely to add or expand in clarification or even conflate readings from two different manuscripts;
- Harmonies are suspect through intentional or unintentional tendencies to merge readings (particularly in the gospels);
- A reading that makes better or easier sense is suspect because of the tendency to clarify or simplify (as noted above).
These principles need to be applied in context and in relationship to the extent that they may contradict or offset one another if used absolutely.
