Definition
Minuscule 822 is a Greek manuscript of the New Testament written in the minuscule script, catalogued as number 822 in the Gregory‑Aland system of New Testament manuscript classification.
Overview
The manuscript belongs to the extensive collection of Greek minuscule codices that transmit the text of the New Testament. It is listed among the papyrological and parchment witnesses used by scholars to reconstruct the Greek text of the Christian scriptures. Minuscule 822 is cited in critical editions of the New Testament and is part of the apparatus of textual criticism.
Etymology / Origin
The term minuscule refers to the cursive lowercase Greek script that replaced the earlier uncial (capital) style from the 9th century onward. The number 822 is a sequential identifier assigned by Caspar René Gregory and later incorporated into the Gregory‑Aland catalog, which is the standard reference system for Greek New Testament manuscripts.
Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Parchment (animal skin) codex. |
| Content | Contains portions of the New Testament; most catalog entries for minuscule 822 indicate the four Gospels, though precise content may vary due to lacunae. |
| Date | Palaeographically assigned to the 12th–13th century. Accurate information is not confirmed. |
| Script | Greek minuscule, one column per page, typically 20–30 lines per column. |
| Size | Leaves of medium size; exact dimensions are not universally reported. |
| Text‑type | Classified within the Byzantine textual tradition (Category V in Aland’s system). |
| Marginal features | May include lectionary markings, chapter numbers (κεφαλαια), titles (τιτλοι), and occasional commentary or scholia. |
| Current location | The manuscript is reported to be housed in a national or university library; specific repository details are not uniformly documented. Accurate information is not confirmed. |
Related Topics
- Gregory‑Aland numbering – the cataloging system for Greek New Testament manuscripts.
- Greek minuscule script – the handwritten style used in Byzantine manuscripts from the 9th century onward.
- Byzantine text-type – the predominant textual family for Greek New Testament manuscripts of the medieval period.
- Textual criticism of the New Testament – the scholarly discipline that evaluates manuscript evidence to reconstruct the original text.
Note: While Minuscule 822 is a recognized entry in scholarly catalogs of New Testament manuscripts, detailed descriptive information (e.g., exact folio count, precise provenance, and current repository) varies among sources. Where precise data are unavailable, the entry acknowledges the uncertainty.