Early Christian Syriac Bible
Type:
Bibles,
Illuminated manuscripts
Date:
Sixth–seventh centuries
Dimensions:
31 × 23 cm
Description:
This Bible pandect—a complete, one-volume Bible—was written in Syriac around 600, probably in northern Mesopotamia (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS syr. 341); unfortunately, most of the New Testament does not survive. Miniatures precede many of the biblical books with either a "portrait" of the author or a relevant scene. On fol. 162r the prophet Ezekiel is shown in the valley of dry bones, although other depicted prophets lack narrative details. An image of Moses before Pharaoh opens the book of Exodus (fol. 8r), and Job on the dunghill (fol. 46r) introduces the book of Job. An allegorical miniature precedes the book of Proverbs and the other Wisdom books (fol. 118r). Here the Virgin and Child (enclosed in a mandorla) are flanked by Solomon, in Roman imperial garments, who represents the wisdom of the Old Testament, and a female personification holding a cross and Gospel book, who probably represents Ecclesia, the Church.
MS syr. 341 must have been well used, as some of its parchment folios, including seven that would have had illuminations, were replaced by paper ones in the fourteenth century.
There must have been other extensively illustrated Bibles by this time, but this is the only one that survives.
MS syr. 341 must have been well used, as some of its parchment folios, including seven that would have had illuminations, were replaced by paper ones in the fourteenth century.
There must have been other extensively illustrated Bibles by this time, but this is the only one that survives.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
3
Repository and Online Resources:
• The whole manuscript is digitized on the Gallica website.
Image Credits:
Bibliothèque nationale de France
