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Help[Facts] Re: Maria, Mariam and Marian
in reply to a message by Cleveland Kent Evans
As Mike pointed out, I am not talking about a modern Greek New Testament, but the Novum Testamentum Graece by Nestle Aland 26th edition. Age of course is the major criterion to decide what was the original text, but in a particular case the best text may not be the oldest one. But yes: from what I know about the history of the New Testament text, MARIA does appear in the oldest versions Mt 27,56 (not 55, my mistake!).
Transcription error? I don't believe so. It's the job of textual criticism to wipe out such errors. Latin versions of parts of the New Testament appear in the late 4th century, and we have relevant Greek manuscripts from that time. But I just can't imagine, how a Latin translation would have influenced the Greek text.
I think all those NT Marys were called MIRYAM in every-day life. Greek versions of their names would be in question as soon as they got in touch with the Roman authorities. So what would Joseph have said, when he was registered in the Roman tax lists? Name of your wife? - Mariam / Maria / Marian? The list doesn't exist any more, some say it never did. Too bad!
That's why I asked, whether there are possibly any persons in antiquity before NT times, who are referred to as MARIA. All I could find is „Maria the alchemist“. She is said to have been a pupil of the (obviously legendary) Alchemist Ostanes (or Osthanes), the court-magician of Xerxes (as the story has it). But I don’t know, when and in what language those documents were written. So this proof for Maria may be useless.
Can you state any sources that back up the Latin "accusative case theory"?
Transcription error? I don't believe so. It's the job of textual criticism to wipe out such errors. Latin versions of parts of the New Testament appear in the late 4th century, and we have relevant Greek manuscripts from that time. But I just can't imagine, how a Latin translation would have influenced the Greek text.
I think all those NT Marys were called MIRYAM in every-day life. Greek versions of their names would be in question as soon as they got in touch with the Roman authorities. So what would Joseph have said, when he was registered in the Roman tax lists? Name of your wife? - Mariam / Maria / Marian? The list doesn't exist any more, some say it never did. Too bad!
That's why I asked, whether there are possibly any persons in antiquity before NT times, who are referred to as MARIA. All I could find is „Maria the alchemist“. She is said to have been a pupil of the (obviously legendary) Alchemist Ostanes (or Osthanes), the court-magician of Xerxes (as the story has it). But I don’t know, when and in what language those documents were written. So this proof for Maria may be useless.
Can you state any sources that back up the Latin "accusative case theory"?
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