H.F. van Rooy, «The Headings of the Psalms in the East Syriac Tradition Reconsidered», Vol. 89 (2008) 505-525
In the first half of the previous century the headings of the Psalms in the East Syriac tradition received a lot of attention, with important contributions by scholars such as Devreesse and Vosté. In 1960 Bloemendaal published an edition of these headings. Since 1960 a number of important new manuscripts became available, as well as a translation of the commentary of Theodore and a translation of the commentary of Diodore on the first fifty Psalms. This paper deals with the light shed on the history of the East Syrian headings particularly by two manuscripts not available to Bloemendaal. The examples discussed lead one to the conclusion that 6t1, used by Bloemendaal, must not be regarded as the paradigmatic witness in all instances.
510 H.F. van Rooy
Psalms, inspired by the Spirit, to instruct and teach the people of
God(30). David thus had a prophetic task, but his prophetic vision had
not extended past the time of the Maccabees, with the exception of
the four Psalms which Theodore regarded as messianic (31).
In 1942 Vosté published an article, dealing especially with
Theodore’s work on the Psalms (32). After listing important studies on
and editions of the work of Theodore, he mentioned the publication
of Devreesse of Theodore’s commentary on Psalm 1-80 (33). He then
discussed this publication, and the sources used, in more detail (34).
In another article published in 1944, Vosté discussed the
headings of the Psalms in the Peshitta according to the eastern
recension (35). He distinguished two traditions, the western or
Jacobite and the eastern or Nestorian. The latter were derived from
Theodore (36). The western tradition was not as fixed as the eastern.
In the eastern headings synonyms did appear, but rarely, while
abbreviation is more common. The tradition was, however, quite
fixed and related to the exegesis of Theodore (37). Taking everything
in consideration, Vosté concluded that the origin of the East Syrian
headings may be dated in the sixth, or even the fifth, century (38).
In 1960 Bloemendaal published his edition of the headings of the
East Syrian Church, the most important and extensive work on the
East Syrian headings to date (39). Bloemendaal accepted the view
expressed by Vosté, viz., that the East Syriac headings did not really
show many differences. Differences are restricted to the use of
synonyms (rarely) and abbreviations. The latter did not, however,
affect the sense of the headings (40).
(30) DEVREESSE, Essai, 70-71.
(31) Cf. DEVREESSE, Essai, 72-77, for a discussion of the way in which the
Psalms were used in the New Testament.
(32) J.M. VOSTÉ, “Théodore de Mopsuestia sur les Psaumesâ€, Angelicum 29
(1942) 179-198.
(33) VOSTÉ, “Théodore de Mopsuestiaâ€, 179-180.
(34) VOSTÉ, “Théodore de Mopsuestiaâ€, 181-188. He concludes this
discussion with a list of corrections to the edition, on pages 186-188.
(35) J.M. VOSTÉ, “Sur les titres des psaumes dans le Peπitta, surtout d’aprés
la recension orientaleâ€, Bib 25 (1944) 210-235.
(36) VOSTÉ, “Sur les titres des Psaumesâ€, 211.
(37) Cf. VOSTÉ, “Sur les titres des Psaumesâ€, 212-216, especially 214.
(38) VOSTÉ, “Sur les titres des Psaumesâ€, 234-235.
(39) BLOEMENDAAL, Headings.
(40) BLOEMENDAAL, Headings, 12.
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