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Sigla, Symbols, and Abbreviations

The following list gives the sigla, symbols and abbreviations specific to this edition.
Where no abbreviation has been specified otherwise, the edition follows the The SBL
Handbook of Style (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999) in respect to
abbreviations for the biblical books, extra-biblical sources, and conventional terms used in
biblical studies. Standard English abbreviations not specified in this list, or in The SBL
Handbook of Style, are derived from the lists and rules given in chapter 14 of The Chicago
Manual of Style: Fourteenth Edition, Revised and Expanded (Chicago: University of
Chicago, 1993). Abbreviations will appear without periods when used in the critical
apparatus, regardless of the source.
In addition to the manuscript and witness sigla specific to this edition, which are listed
below, the edition employs other manuscript sigla based on widely accepted standards. For
the Old Greek, these are the sigla of the Gttingen Septuaginta Unternehmen, except in the

case of the Alpha-Text of Esther for which the edition adopts the siglum GAT (see
below). For the materials from Qumran and other sites around the Dead Sea, the sigla
follow the system of abbreviation described in J. A. Fitzmyer, S.J., The Dead Sea Scrolls:
Major Publications and Tools for Study (SBLRBS, 20; rev. ed.; Atlanta: Scholars, 1990),
18. Where such an existing abbreviation is based on a documents name, this is used in
preference to the abbreviation based on the documents number. For the Vulgate, the
manuscript sigla are those of the San Girolamo edition of the Vulgate, i.e., Biblia Sacra
iuxta Latinam Vulgatam Versionem (18 vols.; Rome: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1926
1995). For the Peshitta, the manuscript sigla of the Leiden Peshitta Project are used.
Specific manuscripts of the versions will be indicated by placing the correct manuscript
siglum in superscript to the witness siglum in question (e.g. S7a1).

Sigla for Textual Witnesses


Aquila
,
Second column of the Hexapla
the Three
Quinta


Sexta
Septima
Theodotion
, cf. J. Ziegler, Jeremias, Baruch, Threni, Epistula Jeremiae, p. 106



Symmachus

When placed around the siglum for a Hexaplaric witness (e.g., ), these brackets
indicate that the Greek reading offered for the witness has been established by retroversion.
Note that hyphenated combinations of Hexaplaric readings (e.g., --) are used when a
single reading is attributed by the same witness(es) to two or more of the Hexaplaric
sources together.
Akh Akhmimic
anon anonymous (an otherwise unidentified Greek witness, usually reported by Jerome or
Chrysostomused in superscript with a source identification [e.g., Hieanon])
ast asterisk (B) Since the asterisk is used to witness to the proto-MT against the very source
where the symbol is found, it is treated effectively as a witness in itself. The witness in
which it is reported will be indicated in superscript (e.g., astSyh).
Barb Barberini text of Habakkuk 3 (G mss. V 62 86 147 407)
Bo Bohairic
G Old Greek (as defined by the collation standard identified in the introduction to each
book)
G* the Old Greek reading in the judgment of the BHQ book editor, where this differs
from the text established by the editor of the edition used as the standard of collation and
citation
GMs the reading for a single witness to the Old Greek as given in the apparatus of the
relevant collation standard
GMss the reading for more than one witness to the Old Greek as given in the apparatus of
the relevant collation standard
G where G offers parallel (i.e., literarily divergent) versions of the same text (e.g.,
Ezra, 1Kgs 12:24), this signals the reading of the first version (e.g., Esdras , 1 Kgs
12:24az)
G where G offers parallel (i.e., literarily divergent) versions of the same text (e.g.,
Ezra, 1Kgs 12:24), this signals the reading of the second version (e.g., 1Kgs 11:112:14,
Esdras )
GAT the Alpha-Text of Esther
GL the Lucianic Recension of the Old Greek
GO the Origenian Recension of the Old Greek
GP967 papyrus 967 of the Old Greek (Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther)
Ga Gallican Psalter
Gnz fragments from the Cairo Geniza (always given in superscript with the siglum of the
witness reported in the fragments, e.g., TGnz.)
Hbrs Psalterium iuxta Hebraeos
Hev the Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nah al Hever
Hex a Hexaplaric reading referred to without specification
Hie Hieronymus (Jerome) (Note the variations Hiehebr, used to designate an instance when
Jerome reports the Hebrew text, and Hiecomm, where he comments on it.)
HieSF Jeromes letter to Sunnia and Fretela
La Old Latin (as defined by the appropriate collation standard)
LaAmbr quotations in the writings of Ambrosius
LaEp the lemma text in the translation by Epiphanius Scholasticus of Philo of Carpasias
commentary on Canticles
La169 Salzburg, Abbey of St. Peter, Ms. IX 16
M Masoretic Text (defined as the agreement of ML and the other collated Tiberian
MSS)
MA Aleppo Codex
MB British Library, Oriental Ms. 4445
MC Cairo Codex of the Prophets
ML the Leningrad Codex, manuscript EBP. I B 19a in the Russian National Library, St.
Petersburg

ML* a first hand reading in ML (used only when a later hand reading is also recorded)

ML(qere) the qre for ML alone

ML(ket) the kt i for ML alone

ML+ a later hand in ML


ML17 manuscript EBP. II B 17 in the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg
ML34 manuscript EBP. II B 34 in the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg
MM1 codex M1 in the Complutensian Library of Madrid
MS1 manuscript Sassoon 1053
MS5 manuscript Sassoon 507
MY Cambridge University, Add. Ms. 1753
Mur Murabbaat 88
obel obelos [] Since the obelos is used to witness to the proto-MT against the very source
where the symbol is found, it is treated effectively as a witness in itself. The witness in
which it is reported will be indicated in superscript (e.g., obelSyh).
S Syriac (as defined by the collation standard identified in the introduction to each book)
S* the reading for the Syriac in the judgment of the BHQ book editor, where this differs
from the text established in the collation standard being used for a given book
SMs the reading for a single witness to the Syriac as given in the apparatus of the relevant
collation standard
SMss the reading for more than one witness to the Syriac as given in the apparatus of the
relevant collation standard
Sa Sahidic
Smr Samaritan Pentateuch
Syh Syro-Hexapla
T Targum (In the Pentateuch this siglum signifies a reading attested by all extant
Pentateuchal Targumim.)
T* the reading for a Targum in the judgment of the BHQ book editor, where this differs
from the text in the relevant collation standard. For the individual Pentateuchal Targumim
this siglum takes the form of TO*, TJ*, TN*, TF*
TMs the reading for a single witness to a Targum as given in the apparatus of the relevant
collation standard
TMss the reading for more than one witness to a Targum as given in the apparatus of the
relevant collation standard
TOJF, TNJF, TNJ, etc. multiple Pentateuchal Targumim witnessing the same reading
TBe the manuscript Berlin Orientalis 1213 of the Targum
TBr the Breslau manuscript of the Targum
TF the Fragment Targum to the Pentateuch
TJ Targum Pseudo-Jonathan to the Pentateuch
TN Targum Neofiti to the Pentateuch
TO Targum Onqelos to the Pentateuch
TR Targum Rishon to Esther
TSh Targum Sheni to Esther
TSmr Samaritan Pentateuch Targum
TU the manuscript Vaticanus Urbinas 1 of the Targum
TZ the Zamora edition of the Targum
V Vulgate (as defined in the San Girolamo edition)
V* the reading for the Vulgate in the judgment of the BHQ book editor, where this differs
from the text established by the editor of the San Girolamo volume
VMs the reading for a single witness to the Vulgate as given in the apparatus of the San
Girolamo edition
VMss the reading for more than one witness to the Vulgate as given in the apparatus of the
San Girolamo edition
VWe Weber, R., ed. Biblia Sacra iuxta vulgatam versionem.
Two volumes. Stuttgart: Wrttembergische Bibelanstalt, 1975.
Symbols Used in the Apparatus
marks the end of a case in the apparatus
marks the end of a case in the apparatus when the next case also has the same lemma as
the case ended by
|| divides the presentation of variant readings and witnesses from final comments on a case
| separates a reading and its witnesses from other readings and their witnesses within a case
() When parentheses are used around a portion of text within a variant reading, they signal
that the words contained within them are not themselves part of the reading, but are the
context of the words actually constituting the reading at issue in the case. When used
around the siglum for a witness, they indicate that the reading in that witness agrees with
the reading with which the witness is aligned on the matter at issue in the case, but varies in
matters of detail that are not relevant to the case.
> means is lacking
indicates a point to which the readers attention is directed
means lexical root
denotes a case receiving further discussion in the commentary
1, 2, etc. (given in superscript) first, second, etc.
+ indicates that the lemma (or its equivalent) plus the text after the sign constitutes the
reading in question. It is used where prec or foll are too precise an indication.
? When written as a superscript (?), this is used to express doubt about one of two matters:
- whether the reading represents the best form of that witness (e.g., G?, G*?);
- the assignment of a reading to a Hexaplaric witness.
These usages are to be distinguished from cases where there is doubt about the alignment of
the witnesses, in which case indet is used.
// used in an apparatus entry to indicate a reference to a parallel passage, which will be
indicated for the whole page in the margin to the left of the first line of the critical
apparatus
* This sign, when appended to the siglum for a manuscript (e.g., MA*), indicates the
uncorrected first hand of that manuscript. The same sign, when appended to the siglum for
a witness (e.g., G*), rather than an individual manuscript, indicates the BHQ book editors
choice for the original reading of that witness. Such a decision will be explained in the
commentary. In the case of a Hexaplaric witness (e.g., *), this sign may also indicate the
BHQ book editors choice about the assignment of the Hexaplaric reading to a witness.
Such a decision also will be explained in the commentary.
Abbreviations
abbr abbreviation
abs absolute
act active
adj adjective
ampl amplification
aram Aramaic
art article
assim assimilation
caus causative
cf confer, see also
chron chronology
cj conjunction
cohort cohortative
comm commentary
confl conflation
conjec conjecture
conjec-phil philological conjecture (This is used to signal that a preferred reading falls into
one of three classes: its root is attested in Hebrew [or Aramaic for Daniel and Ezra] of the
biblical period, but neither its binyan [conjugation] nor a corresponding binyan is attested;
its root is attested in Hebrew of the biblical period, but not with the sense indicated in the
case; its root is not attested in Hebrew of the biblical period.)
cons of the consonantal text
conv converted (imperfect/perfect)
copt Coptic
cp compare
crrp corrupt
cstr construct state
ctext context
cultur cultural
dbl double reading/translation
differ difference, different
differ-txt different textthe standard notation used to describe a reading that will not
otherwise be quoted (e.g., Syriac psalm superscriptions, parallel but different passages in
Tanakh)
dissim dissimilation
ditt dittography
div division of the consonantal text
elus elusive motivation or cause
em scr emendation of the scribes (i.e., any genuine case of scribal emendation whether or not
it occurs in the list of tiqqune sopherim)
emph giving emphasis
err error
euphem euphemism
exeg exegesis
explic making explicit
f feminine
facil facilitation
foll followed by (Note also the use of prec and the sign +.)
frag fragmentary
geogr geography
gk Greek
gram grammar
graph graphic/graphemic
hapl haplography
harm harmonization
hebr Hebrew
hist history, historical
homarc homoioarcton
homtel homoioteleuton
ideol ideologically motivated
idiom idiom/idiomatic
ign ignorance (always with a specification [e.g., ign-lex])
illeg illegible
impf imperfect
implic making implicit
impv imperative
indet indeterminate
indic indicative
inf infinitive
insuf insufficient data for conclusion
interp interpretation
interpol interpolation
interr interrogative
irrel irrelevant to the case at hand
Jos, Ap Josephus, Contra Apionem
Ant Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae
BJ Josephus, Bellum Judaicum
Vit Josephus, Vita

ket kt i (always superscript with M [i.e., Mket]; for a single ms. of M as follows: ML(ket) ML
alone)
KR the manuscripts described in the editions of Kennicott and de Rossi
lacun lacuna
lat Latin
lem lemma
lex lexical
lib liberty
lit literary
loc locative
m masculine
metath metathesis
Mf Masorah finalis
mg margin
midr midrash
Mm Masorah magna
modern modernization
Mp Masorah parva
ms manuscript
mss manuscripts
narr narrative
neg negative
obj object
om omission
order word order
origin origin (This term is used to designate a preferred reading when that reading explains
the extant readings, but is not itself extant.)
orth orthographic
par parallel text
paraphr paraphrase
part particle
pass passive
pf perfect
Philo, Abr De Abrahamo
Aet De aeternitate mundi
Agr De agricultura
Cher De cherubim
Conf De confusione linguarum
Congr De congressu quaerendae
Dec De decalogo
Det Quod deterius potiori
Ebr De ebrietate
Flacc In Flaccum
Fug De fuga et inventione
Gaium Legatio ad Gaium
Gig De gigantibus
Hyp Hypothetica [Apologia pro Iudaeis]
Jos De Iosepho
Leg Alleg Legum allegoriae
Mig De migratione Abrahami
Mos De vita Mosis
Mut De mutatione nominum
Op De opificio mundi
Plant De plantatione
Post De posteritate Caini
Praem De praemiis et poenis
Prov De providentia
QE Quaestiones et solutiones in Exodum
QG Quaestiones et solutiones in Genesin
Quis Rerum Quis rerum divinarum heres
Quod Deus Quod Deus immutabilis sit
Quod Omn Quod omnis probus liber sit
Sac De sacrificiis Abelis et Caini
Sob De sobrietate
Som De somniis
Spec Leg De specialibus legibus
Virt De virtutibus
Vit Cont De vita contemplativa
phonol phonological
pl plural
prec preceded by (Note also the use of foll and the sign +.)
pref preferred reading (This indicates that this reading, from among those presented in the
apparatus entry for a case, is to be preferred as the earliest attested text.)
prep preposition
pron pronoun
ptc participle
qere qre (always superscript with M [i.e., Mqere]; for a single ms. of M as follows: ML(qere)

ML alone)
redund redundancy
refl reflexive
rest restoration
seman semantic
sfx suffix
sg singular
shift shift of meaning
spont spontaneous
styl stylistic
subj subject
subst substantive
substit substitution
synt syntactic
syr Syriac
syst systematization
theol theologically motivated
tiq soph tiqqun sopherim (i.e., a case included in the traditional list of emendations of the
scribes, whether or not the emendation is judged to be genuine)
transcr transcription
transf transfer
transl translational
translit transliteration
transp transposition
txt text
unattest unattested (This is used to signal that a preferred reading established by retroversion
belongs to a binyan [conjugation] for which no other form is attested in Hebrew [or
Aramaic in Daniel and Ezra] of the biblical period, but for which a corresponding binyan is
attested.)
unconv unconverted (imperfect/perfect)
usu usual expression
v verse
vv verses
vb verb
via identifies the Hebrew root or form judged to have served as the stimulus for a reading
vocal vocalization
vocat vocative
vrs version
vrss versions

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