(CE:1776b-1883a)
NATIONAL LIBRARY, PARIS, ARABIC MANUSCRIPTS OF COPTIC PROVENANCE IN. The principal source for knowledge of the Coptic culture of the Middle Ages is the Arabic Christian manuscript tradition. It is, however, very difficult to distinguish which of these manuscripts originate from Coptic unless an examination is made on the basis of experience with Arabic paleography. In order to facilitate research work in this domain, this article contains a listing of Arabic manuscripts in the National Library, Paris, that were copied by Copts or diffused among them.
Disregarding the content of the manuscript, certain Coptic texts have been excluded because they were in circulation outside the Coptic world, for example, the History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid copied by the Tunisian Muslim Muhammad Mahd ibn Amin al-Tunisi (Arabe 295), or the Life of Saint Pachomius and His Disciple Theodorus, copied by a Melchite (Arabe 261). However, the History of the Melchite Sa‘id ibn Batriq copied by Copts (Arabe 288, 289, and 290) and that of the West Syrian Ibn al-‘Ibri (Arabe 296) qualify for inclusion.
The manuscripts are in the National Library's Arabic series. In the following list, the date (A.D.) or the presumed period appears in parentheses. For the collections, the dominant genre (hagiography, patristics, homiletics, etc.) is given. For further information, reference should be made to the manuscript catalogs for this library. Arabic Muslim manuscripts are excluded although these could be studied in order to discover which were copied by Copts. This task remains to be done.
1 (1585): Bible: Old Testament
4 (thirteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch
5 (fifteenth century): Bible:Samaritan Pentateuch
6 (1433): Bible: Samaritan Pentateuch
8 (sixteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch
9 (1284): Bible: Pentateuch
10 (1330): Bible: Pentateuch with the
Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
11 (1331): Bible: Pentateuch with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
12 (1353): Bible: Pentateuch
13 (fifteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch
14 (fourteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch
15 (fourteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch
16 (1238): Bible: Pentateuch with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
17 (1661): Bible: Pentateuch with patristic commentary, plus Leviticus with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
18 (fourteenth century): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
19 (sixteenth century): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
20 (1590): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
21 (1596): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar
22 (1344): Bible: Historical books
24 (fourteenth century): Bible: Chronicles
25 (1586): Bible: The prophets
40 (1292): Varia
41 (fifteenth century): Collection of the Psalms
42 (1433): Collection of the Psalms
43 (fifteenth century): Collection of the Psalms
44 (1635): Bible: Psalms
45 (seventeenth century): Psalms and Canticles (copied from a Coptic manuscript dated 1386)
49 (fifteenth century): Wisdom collection
50 (fifteenth century): Bible: Wisdom books
51 (1412): Bible: Gospels
54 (1619): Bible: Gospels
55 (1619): Commentary on the Gospels by the fathers
56 (seventeenth century): Bible: Gospels
57 (1656): Bible: Gospels
59 (fifteenth century): Commentary on the synoptic Gospels by the fathers
61 (1665): Bible: Gospel of John
62 (sixteenth century): Bible: Gospel of John
63 (1340): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts
64 (fifteenth century): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts
65 (1614): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts
66 (1651): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts
67 (fifteenth century): Bible: Commentary on Revelation by Ibn Katib Qaysar
69 (1343): Varia
72 (1358): Varia
73 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection
74 (fifteenth century): Homiletic collection
75 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection
76 (1337): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome
77 (1665): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome
78 (fourteenth century): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome
81 (sixteenth century): Apocryphal texts on the apostles
82 (fourteenth century): Theological apologetic collection
85 (thirteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels of Luke and John by ‘Abdallah ibn al-Tayyib
86 (1247): Commentary on the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John by ‘Abdallah ibn al-Tayyib
87 (fourteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels for Sundays and feasts, according to the Coptic liturgy
88 (fourteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels for Sundays and feasts, according to the Coptic liturgy
89 (1595): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles of Great Week
90 (fifteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles for the Sundays and feasts of the first six months, according to Coptic liturgy
91 (fifteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles for the Sundays and feasts of the last six months, according to the Coptic liturgy
92 (fifteenth century): Commentary on Matthew (homilies
76-90) by John Chrysostom
93 (fourteenth century): Commentary on John drawn from the fathers
94 (1236): Homilies of John Chrysostom on the Epistles to the Corinthians and on Matthew
95 (1218): Homilies of John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews
98 (fifteenth century): Ritual of Gabriel V
100 (fourteenth century): Collection on holy chrism
112 (sixteenth century): Key to the pericopes for the offices of the Coptic year
113 (1312): Lectionary for Great Week
114 (fifteenth century): Collection of prayers and theotokia
131 (1440): Predominantly hagiographical collection
132 (1629): Varia
133 (fifteenth century): 26 Homilies of Basil, including seventeen on the Psalms
134 (fifteenth century): Homilies on the Hexaemeron by Basil and Gregory of Nyssa
135 (thirteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
136 (thirteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
137 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
138 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
139 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
140 (1689): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem
141 (fifteenth century): Marian homiletic collection
143 (fourteenth century): Coptic and Melchite homilary
144 (1617): Ascetic homilies and four Gospels
145 (1641): Homiletic collection on the Annunciation and Saint Michael
146 (sixteenth century): 87 homilies of John Chrysostom for Sundays and Lent
147 (thirteenth century): Varia
148 (1645): Homiletic and hagiographical collection
149 (thirteenth century): Ascetic works of Simon and Stylite
and Issac of Nineveh
150 (1606): Patristic collection
151 (fourteenth century): Patristic collection
152 (sixteenth century): Hagiographical collection
153 (seventeenth century): Hagiographical collection
154 (1604): Coptic hagiographical collection
155 (1486): Collection on the Virgin Mary
157 (fourteenth century): Ascetical collection: Evagrius, John Climacus, John of Carpathus, Issac of Nineveh, John Sabas
158 (fourteenth century): John Chrysostom: moral theology and Christ's divinity
159 (1314): John Sabas
160 (fifteenth century): John Sabas
161 (fourteenth century): John Climacus
166 (1222/3): Exegetical apologetical replies by Ibrahm ibn ‘Awn
167 (1227): Refutation of Muhammad ibn Harun al-Warraq by Yahya ibn ‘Adi
168 (fourteenth century): Refutation of al-Warraq by Yahya ibn ‘Adi
169 (1654): Apologetical treatises of Yahya ibn ‘Adi and Abu Ra’itah al-Takriti
170 (thirteenth century): Kitab al-Idah (twelve chapters) of Severus of al-Ashmunayn
171 (1618): Two theological works of Severus of al-Ashmunayn
172 (1291): Severus of al-Ashmunayn (Book of the Councils) and Refutation of the Jews by Abu al-Fakhr al-Mashihi
173 (fourteenth century): Apologetical and spiritual collection
174 (fourteenth century): Apologetical treatises of ‘Isa ibn Zur‘ah
175 (1299): The Daf‘ al-Hamm of Elias of Nisibis
176 (sixteenth century): The Daf‘ al-Hamm by Elias of Nisibis; and the Politics of Pseudo-Aristotle
177 (fourteenth century): Theological varia and apocrypha
178 (1452): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-
Tayyib (Coptic Manuscript of Syria)
179 (1642): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-Tayyib
180 (1664): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-Tayyib
183 (thirteenth century): The Confessio Patrum (dogmatic patristic anthology)
184 (1214): The Kitab al-Ru’us (large work on spiritual direction and confession)
185 (thirteenth century): Kitab al-Ru’us
191 (fourteenth century): Book of the Tower by Mari ibn Sulayman (Part I)
192 (fourteenth century): Book of the Tower by Mari ibn Sulayman (Part II)
193 (1584): Sim‘an ibn Kalil ibn Maqara (large theological and spiritual work)
197 (1278): Kitab al-Shifa’ by Butrus ibn al-Rahib
198 (sixteenth century): Controversy between Abu Qurrah and various Muslims
199 (thirteenth century): Theological varia
200 (sixteenth century): Summa Theologiae by Abu Ishaq ibn al-‘Assal
201 (thirteenth century): Summa Theologiae by Abu Ishaq ibn al-‘Assal (chap. 1-19)
202 (thirteenth-fourteenth century): Collection of four predominantly theological manuscripts
203 (fourteenth century): Encyclopedia of Abu al-Barakat ibn Kabar
205 (fourteenth century): Varia
207 (fourteenth century): Predominantly liturgical encyclopedia by Ibn Sabba‘
208 (fourteenth century): Encyclopedia by Ibn Sabba‘
209 (1552): Theological patristic anthology of Severus of al-Ashmunayn
210 (1634): Theological patristic anthology by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
212 (1601): Varia
213 (1601): Varia: canonical, theological, and spiritual
214 (1538): Apologetical collection
215 (1590): Apologetical collection
225 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll)
226 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll) concerning the Eucharist
227 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll) concerning the Eucharist
238 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection
239 (fifteenth century): Coptic canonical collection
240 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection
241 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection
243 (1641): Coptic canonical collection
244 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection
245 (thirteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
246 (fourteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
247 (fifteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
248 (fourteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
249 (fifteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
250 (1356): Nomocanon of Farajallah al-Akhmimi
251 (1352): Canonical collection of Macarius
252 (1663): Canonical collection of Macarius
253 (fourteenth century): Apothegmata and ascetical collection
256 (sixteenth century): Synaxarion for the whole year
263 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection
264 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection
267 (1344): Hagiographical collection
271 (fourteenth century): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
272 (1643): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
273 (1752): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
274 (1778): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
275 (1685): Varia
277 (1524): Collection of four martyrs
278 (1294): Histories of monks
279 (fourteenth century): Histories of monks
280 (1605): Histories of monks and ascetical fragments
282 (1649): Hagiographical collection (Barsum the Naked and Furayj Ruways)
283 (thirteenth century): Abridged ascetical works by al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
284 (1591): Life of Saint Takla Haymanut
285 (1656): Epistle on chastity by Elias of Nisibis
287 (thirteenth century): Varia
288 (fourteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq
289 (fourteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq
290 (sixteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq
294 (fourteenth century): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid
296 (fourteenth century): History of Abu al-Faraj ibn al-‘Ibri
299 (1693): History of Abu al-Faraj ibn al-‘Ibri
300 (fourteenth century): Anonymous universal history
301 (fifteenth century): History of the Patriarchs (biographies 1-20) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
302 (fifteenth century): History of the Patriarchs (biographies 21-27) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
303 (fourteenth century): History of the Patriarchs (biographies 18-25) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
305 (1609): History of the Patriarchs by Severus; lives of saints
307 (1338): History of the churches and monasteries by Abu Salih
309 (fifteenth century): Collection of philosophical sententiae; theological texts
310 (seventeenth century): Collection of philosophical sententiae
311 (sixteenth century): Collection of prayers
314 (sixteenth century): Calculation of the Christian feasts by Khidr al-Burullusi
316 (1550): Ordination diploma of two deacons by Gabriel VII
317 (1550): Diploma to the pastor of the church of Saint Mercurius in Cairo by Gabriel VII
318 (1548): Diploma of Gabriel VII to three deacons
319 (1638): Diploma to Salib ibn Abi al-Faraj
320 (1636): Diploma to Mina ibn Abi al-Faraj al-Birmawi
321 (1702): Letter of the Emperor Adyam-Sagad to Clement XI
780 (1520): Panegyrics of martyrs by John of Asyut
4523 (1641): Daf‘ al-Hamm by Elias of Nisibis (and Pseudo-Plato)
4524 (1672): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid
4525 (1358): History of al-Mufaddal ibn Abi al- Fada’il (autograph)
4702 (1785): History of Yuhanna ibn Hadhiq
4711 (eighteenth century): The 27 Maqalat of Yusab of Jirja and Akhmim
4728 (1886): Nomocanon by Michael of Damietta
4729 (nineteenth century): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid
4734 (eighteenth century): Muzil al-Khataya wa-al-‘ukus (anonymous)
4755 (eighteenth century): Lectionaries of the New Testament pericopes for certain feasts
4756 (1866): Lectionary of the New Testament from Lent to Pentecost
4759 (seventeenth century): Bible: fragments of the Old Testament
4760 (seventeenth century): 30 homilies by James of Saruj
4761 (seventeenth century): Sermons of Shenoudah for the 7 Sundays of Lent
4762 (seventeenth century): Psalms
4770 (nineteenth century): Collection of apocrypha on the apostles
4771 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4772 (nineteenth century): History of the Patriarchs by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
4773 (nineteenth century): History of the Patriarchs by Severus of al-Ashmunayn
4774 (nineteenth century): History of monks and hagiographical accounts
4775 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4776 (1866): Hagiographical collection
4777 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4779 (1867): Synaxarion for the first six months
4780 (nineteenth century): Synaxarion for the last six months
4781 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4782 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection (on Saints Mercurius and Victor)
4783 (1886): Life of Saint Pachomius (638 pages)
4784 (1839): Life of Saint Pachomius and the 20 letters of Anthony
4785 (nineteenth century): Homiletic, hagiographical, and apocalyptic collection
4786 (nineteenth century): Theological collection
4787 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection (Shenoudah, etc.)
4788 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4789 (nineteenth century): Histories of monks
4790 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4791 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4792 (nineteenth century): History of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
4793 (seventeenth century): Hagiographical collection
4794 (1784): Homiletic collection
4795 (1885): Muzil al-Khataya wa-al-‘ukus (anonymous)
4796 (nineteenth century): The 26 homilies of Shenoudah; hagiographical varia
4811 (1724): Collection of philosophical sententiae
4869 (seventeenth century): Synaxarion of the first six months (Sahidic recension)
4870 (eighteenth century): Synaxarion of the last six months
4871 (eighteenth century): Homiletic and hagiographical collection
4872 (eighteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4873 (nineteenth century): History of monks
4874 (nineteenth century): Apocalypse of Paul; Martyrdom of Pilate
4875 (nineteenth century): Apocalypse of Paul
4876 (nineteenth century): Cycle of Saint George
4877 (nineteenth century): Panegyric of Saint Victor by Demetrius of Antioch
4878 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4879 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4880 (nineteenth century): Cycle of Saint Mercurius
4881 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4882 (nineteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Andrew; homily on fasting
4883 (eighteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Anthony
4884 (nineteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Anthony
4885 (nineteenth century): Hagiography: Macarius the Egyptian; Maximus and Dometius; Barsum the Naked
4886 (1885): Life of Pachomius
4887 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4888 (1885): Hagiographical collection (especially Shenoudah)
4889 (seventeenth century): Panegyric of Saint Michael by Theophilus of Alexandria
4890 (nineteenth century): Monastic collection
4891 (1864): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf
4892 (nineteenth century): Life of Saint Takla Haymanut
4893 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection
4894 (seventeenth century): Hexameron of Pseudo-Epiphanius of Cyprus; Combat of Adam and Eve
4895 (fifteenth to sixteenth century): Varia (three distinct manuscripts)
4896 (sixteenth century): Homiletic collection
4897 (eighteenth century): 30 homilies of James of Saruj
4898 (eighteenth century): Collection of wisdom and moral theology
4899 (nineteenth century): 19 miracles of Saint Simon the Mad
4900 (fourteenth century): Bible: Gospel of Luke (1:68-4:14)
4902 (nineteenth century): Collection of magic prayers
5015 (fifteenth century): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome
5253 (sixteenth century): Fragments of liturgical pericopes with commentaries
5969 (sixteenth century): Liturgy of Saint Gregory; ritual of the anointing of the sick
6125 (eighteenth century): The way of the cross
6147 (1832): Varia (especially Revelation)
6280 (eighteenth century): Gospels
6502 (eighteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal
6855 (1816): Letter of the Grand Master of the Confraternity of the Knights of Mercy
6932 (1784): 16 homilies of James of Saruj
6933 (seventeenth century): Theological collection
KHALIL SAMIR, S.J.
Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia
