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I thought to myself what would be a good way to get into identifying or translating an ancient text. How could one that has little to no scholary background find accessiblity in making decisions regarding ancient texts. It occurs to me that it would be beneficial to have a catalog of ancient texts that are written in different scripts from any such topic that can be organized to authentic dates and regions, tongues, dialects.

With that capability one could use the source of those other writings to know phrases, puns, slangs, etc from the period based on the other writings and get a much better understanding of the writings from the period and how the language is used and how word are interpreted.

I would have to assume such a library exists already. Any ideas where?
And if its online?

Paul
Hi Paul trettep!

Are you familiar with the science of textual criticism? My quest for the original text of the New Testament started when I was in my early 20s that is about 16 years ago. I started with New Testament Greek. I still remember that on my first pay day I bought myself DF Hudson's "Teach Yourself New Testament Greek" and "The New Greek-English New Testament Interlinear New Testament" by Robert K. Brown & Philip W. Comfort. There was no World Wide Web or Amazon back then. So, I have to buy many books on biblical studies through post and out of print bookshops. From Greek to Hebrew to textual criticism to Latin to Syriac. My journey brought me to Peshitta.

trettep Wrote:With that capability one could use the source of those other writings to know phrases, puns, slangs, etc from the period based on the other writings and get a much better understanding of the writings from the period and how the language is used and how word are interpreted.

I agree with your observation there. That is why it is good to have a working knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin (also a little German might help) in order to be an exegete. Knowing the grammar is not enough as we not only need to know syntax and tenses but also the idioms of that language.

trettep Wrote:It occurs to me that it would be beneficial to have a catalog of ancient texts that are written in different scripts from any such topic that can be organized to authentic dates and regions, tongues, dialects.

In the area of New Testament Greek, it is good to have a copy of New Testament Greek with critical apparatus. The standard tool used by NT Greek scholars is Novum Testamentum Graece by Ebehard Nestle, Kurt Aland, etc.
The critical apparatus in the Novum Testamentum Graece has some or all of the known variations among different witnesses to the text including readings from ancient versions like Latin, early church fathers, etc.
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"The Text of the New Testament an Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism "by Kurt Aland is a good book to introduce you to the field of textual criticism and can be used as a companion for Nestle-Aland's Novum Testamentum Graece which is now in its 27th edition
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802840981/ref=nosim/ultimyourulti-20">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... ourulti-20</a><!-- m -->

Many of us do not have the luxury or opportunity to examine the ancient manuscripts of the Bible. We have to rely on the works published by the scholars. The critical decisions that they or the translators made are not always right (or in agreement with us). That is why it is good to have essential tools like the Bible in the original languages and some ancient versions that could help us to make our own decision on the meaning of the original text.
Wow! excellent feedback to my post. Amazing the kinda of intellect found in this forum. Dan, thanks for your wonderful feedback. Many excellent links and great information. I will be absorbed for hours.

Paul
Hi Dan,

Excellent advice for Paul. I could only wish another forum member, whom I will not name, would take your advice and get some learnin' before posing as an expert in every field and having knowledge in none.

Dave B.