A Critical Edition and Philological Analysis of the Text of Isa 42:1–44:5 on the Basis of the Coptic Manuscript sa 52 (M 568) and Other Coptic Manuscripts Written in the Sahidic Dialect of Coptic and the Greek Text of the Septuagint

Abstract

This paper provides a critical edition and philological analysis of Isa 42:1–44:5, which were worked out on the basis of the Coptic manuscript sa 52.2 and other available manuscripts of the Sahidic dialect. The first part presents general information on the fragment of codex sa 52 (M 568) that includes the discussed text. The next part gives a list and brief characteristics of the other manuscripts containing at least some verses of Isa 42:1–44:5. The focal section of the paper is a presentation of the Sahidic text and its translation into English. The differences between the Sahidic text and the Septuagint, on which the Coptic translation is based, have been presented in tables. They include additions and omissions in the Coptic translation, lexical changes and semantic differences. Finally, the paper examines difficult philological questions observed in the Coptic text. Of special attention are the verses of Isa 42:1–44:5, which occur only in manuscript sa 52.2, and so far have not been published.