The Diatessaron

I’ve just acquired the first five fascicles (1929-1938) of the Liège (Luik) Diatessaron ms. (The Middle Dutch translation of a lost Latin translation of the Syriac). This gives the Middle Dutch text, an English translation, and the relevant comparative evidence from all (Note: ALL) other Diatessaron texts. A large part of the comparative evidence is in English translation, though Greek and Latin witnesses are cited in the original. In English is the Syriac [but not always], the Arabic, Armenian, Georgian, Persian, and so on, from the Eastern line of transmission; and the translations of the Latin into Old High German, Middle German, Middle Italian, Old French, Middle English, and so on. From all the translations of the Latin, as well as the quotations and fragments, the Latin can be reconstructed. All this is critically sifted with some guidance in each instance. The whole edition is about 380 pages. The remaining three fascicles (from the 1970’s) are on the way.

I forgot to mention that the critical apparatus to the Diatessaron includes some evidence from the mediaeval Hebrew gospel which in my judgment and the judgment of others is a modernised and interpolated or edited form of a very old long single Gospel related to the Diatessaron.

Just one reading at random. Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem for the census because Joseph AND MARY are descended from David.