Add MS 14425

Four books of the Pentateuch according to the tradition encapsulated in the Peshíṭtā, as follows:

ff. 1v-60r : Genesis [ܣܦܪܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ ܒܪܝܬܐ];

ff. 60r-115v : Exodus [ܡܦܩܢܐ - ܣܦܪܐ ܕܬܪܝܢ ܕܐܘܪܝܬܐ];

ff.116v-117r : Numbers [ܡܢܝܢܐ - ܣܦܪܐ ܕܐ̈ܪܒܥܐ ܕܐܘܪܝܬܐ];

ff. 117r-230v : Deuteronomy [ܬܢܝܢ ܢܡܘܣܐ ܣܦܪܐ ܕܚܡܝܫܐ ܕܐܘܪܝܬܐ].

The manuscript appears to have been copied by two different scribes, the first of whom copied Genesis and Exodus, and the latter copying Numbers and Deuteronomy. Both used a bold Estrangelā. Occasional Western Syriac vocalization appears to have been added at a later date.

The manuscript is deficient in several places, missing known passages from all four of the books present within it. Many of the folios are also deficient, having been torn or stained. Similarly, f. 1r shows traces of an Arabic text that has now been faded or effaced to the point that it can no longer be read.

f. 116r contains a long prayer in a 10th or 11th century hand that is dedicated to the Church, all orders of the clergy, the kings and judges, the rich and the poor.

The first scribe appears to have left a colophon that was effaced (?) and then restored at a later date. The text of the colophon (f. 115v) states that the manuscript was copied in the city of Amed in 775 AG (464 CE) by the Deacon Yuḥanan.

There are occasional marginal notes throughout the manuscript, some of which point to readings linked to specific dates.

The final fly-leaf of the manuscript contains a note in English regarding the acquisition of manuscripts from the Monastery of St. Mary Deipara by the Rev. H. Tattam and their transfer to the British Museum.