Minuscule 687 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), also known as f687 (for "Family 687"), is a Greek New Testament [[manuscript]] written in [[minuscule script]]. Dated by [[paleography]] to the 11th century, it is a significant manuscript for [[textual criticism]] due to its unique textual character.
Description The codex contains the entire New Testament except for the [[Book of Revelation]]. It is written on [[parchment]] and consists of 249 [[folio]]s. The script is in one column per page, with 25 lines per page. Its textual character, particularly in the [[Acts of the Apostles]] and the [[Pauline epistles]], has drawn considerable scholarly attention.
Contents Minuscule 687 contains the text of the [[Gospels]], the Acts of the Apostles, and the Pauline Epistles. It omits the Book of Revelation, which is not uncommon for Greek New Testament manuscripts of this period.
Location The manuscript is currently housed at the [[National Library of Greece]] (MS 146) in [[Athens]], [[Greece]].
Textual Character The text of Minuscule 687 generally represents the [[Byzantine text-type]], which is the predominant text-type in the vast majority of Greek New Testament manuscripts. However, in the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles, it exhibits a significant number of readings characteristic of the [[Western text-type]]. These Western readings are particularly pronounced and distinct, leading some scholars to classify it, along with a few other related manuscripts, into a unique textual family often referred to as Family 687 (f687). This mixed textual character makes it valuable for understanding the history and transmission of the New Testament text.
Significance Minuscule 687 is important for textual critics studying the transmission of the New Testament, especially the books of Acts and the Pauline Epistles. Its unique blend of Byzantine and Western readings provides evidence for the fluidity of the New Testament text in certain regions and periods, and it contributes to a broader understanding of manuscript families and their interrelationships. Scholars consult it for insights into alternative readings and the complex development of the Greek New Testament tradition.