H.F. van Rooy, «The Headings of the Psalms in the East Syriac Tradition Reconsidered» biblica, Vol. 89 (2008) 505-525 page 524

Vol 89 (2008)

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.

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524 H.F. van Rooy 6t1 .)Yrwt) oM ycPt) dK )YQzx pLx )twLc Prayer for Hezekiah when he was delivered from the Assyrians. 18>8dt1, 12t1, 12t4, 13t1, 13t2, 13t4, 16t2, 17t1, 17t2, 17t3, M25, M428, U, UP, M .)Yrwt) oM cL)t) dK )YQzx pLxd )M(d )twLc * Prayer of the people for Hezekiah when he was oppressed by the Assyrians. In this instance 6t1 has no support from any manuscript. The same is true of the variant in Psalm 46. In this instance the commentary of Theodore had no reference to Hezekiah, as discussed above. In Psalm 41, 6t1 has a reading occurring in other manuscripts as well, but not in 18>8dt1 and 12t4. In these instances 6t1 probably reflects an early revision of the heading as well. In a number of instances 6t1 has a shorter heading. Some of these instances are related to a single word, such as in Psalm 20 and 41. In Psalm 44 it omits the final phrase of the heading (with M). As the reference to Antiochus compelling the people was part of the summary of Theodore (62) and the heading makes more sense with the addition, the heading of 6t1 is probably secondary. Compare Psalm 128, where 6t1 omits the last two words. More important are examples such as Psalm 82, where 6t1 is substantially shorter. In this instance the reading of 6t1 has substantial support, and the shorter heading was probably the original one. The same is true of the headings of Psalm 108 and 110. Psalm 126 is an interesting example. Some younger witnesses have a much longer heading. A somewhat shorter heading occurs in the majority of manuscripts. 6t1 has a shortened heading, omitting the phrase â€œfrom building the templeâ€. This phrase occurs in 12t4, 13t1, 13t2, 13t3, 13t4, 17t1, 17t3, 18>8dt1. In this instance 18>8dt1 and 12t4 probably have the original heading, with 6t1 having an early revision, and the younger witnesses a much later revision, as discussed above. The same is true of Psalm 146. As far as other variants in 12t4 and 18>8dt1 is concerned, 18>8dt1 has only one unique reading (Psalm 86), while 12t4 has (62) HILL, Theodore, 538-539.