Other Languages

In addition to Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, the Bible was also translated into many other languages during the spread of Christianity. Among these are Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Gothic, and Slavonic. The Old Testament portions of these translations were made from the Septuagint. Thus, manuscripts in these versions can often provide valuable information about the Greek text of the Septuagint as well as the original Greek wording of the New Testament.

The development of printing did not immediately or completely end the production of biblical manuscripts. However, outside of communities within the Jewish tradition, the appearance of biblical manuscripts is a rare these days. One well-publicized modern project is the Saint John’s Bible. Beginning in 1970, this completely handwritten and illuminated Bible took shape as a commission from St. John’s Abbey and University. A multivolume manuscript, the pages are made from vellum and feature more than 150 illuminations. In a way, the excitement with which the public greeted this Bible embodies the reception of biblical manuscripts over the past two millennia.

For further information, see these articles: Bible, Ancient Versions of the; Bible, Texts and Versions of.