Canon Tables 2.0

Abstract

The Eusebian Canon Tables seem to have been introduced into the Syriac world through their incorporation in the new translation known as the Peshitta in the late fourth or early fifth century, since many Peshitta tetraevangelia contain the apparatus. However, the Peshitta carries a revised version of the apparatus which was accomplished by subdividing many of the original Eusebian sections and creating many more parallels amongst the gospels. This chapter compares the Peshitta translation of the Letter to Carpianus with the Greek original. Then it examines the origins of the marginal tabular concordances that usually occur in Peshitta gospelbooks. Finally, it compares the new parallels created in the Peshitta version with the Eusebian originals in order to highlight the principles by which this revision was accomplished. The conclusion is that the Peshitta Canon Tables represent a complete overhaul of the original in order to more closely align text and paratext.