Contrasting Canons: A Comparative Analysis of Malachi 2:10-16 in the Traditions of the Hebrew Leningradensis and the Greek Sinaiticus

Abstract

<p> The textual corruption found in Malachi 2:10-16 while providing frustration for the modem scholar also presents a unique opportunity to observe how ancient interpreters chose to deal with such difficulties. The Hebrew Leningradensis (L) and the Greek Sinaiticus (N) manuscripts diverge, at least to some degree, in their rendition and subsequent interpretation of Mal 2:10-16. The following thesis examines and compares this difficult corpus within these two manuscript traditions, in their similarities and differences, through an analysis of their various grammatical, syntactical and semantic features. This analysis shows that these two traditions present two variant versions of Mal 2:10-16 but yet still functioned as Scripture within their respective communities of faith. The findings of this analysis are brought into the discussion regarding concepts of biblical canonicity as presented by Brevard S. Childs and James A. Sanders.</p>