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Manichaean Psalm Book

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Manichaean Psalter
Information
ReligionManichaeism
LanguageCoptic[1]
Periodlate 3rd century, [2] the mid-4th century [3][1]

The Manichaean Psalm Book or Manichaean Psalter is a Manichaean text written in Coptic.[1] It is believed to have been compiled in the late 3rd century[2] or the mid-4th century.[3][1] Excavated in 1929 as part of the Medinet Madi library, the Psalm Book is believed to contain remnants of some of the earliest extant Manichaean literature.[4]

History

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The Psalm Book was discovered at Medinet Madi in Egypt.[5] Like other works discovered at this site, it was written in a Coptic dialect typical of the Lycopolis region.[6] After its discovery, it was edited and published by Charles Allberry in 1938–9 from manuscripts in the Chester Beatty collection[7] and in the Prussian Academy of Sciences.[citation needed]

Contents

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It contains references to Old Testament apocrypha[5] and references the Acts of Thomas, the Acts of John, and other Acts of the Apostles approvingly.[8] It refers to some events believed to be derived from the Acts of Andrew.[9] One of the psalms draws a line of tradition from Adam through Seth and Enoch to Mani.[5] One author has described one of the hymns as containing a "deep love of Jesus".[3]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d Barnstone & Meyer 2009, p. 530.
  2. ^ a b Klauck 2008, p. 16.
  3. ^ a b c MacNeil 1988, p. 97.
  4. ^ Stroumsa 2015, p. 92.
  5. ^ a b c Richter, Horton & Ohlhafer 2015, p. 75.
  6. ^ Corrigan & Rasimus 2013, p. 276.
  7. ^ Theodor Harmsen (27 October 2005) Mani and Manichaeism in the BPH, Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica/J. R. Ritman Library
  8. ^ Klauck 2008, p. 16,114.
  9. ^ Elliott 1993, p. 231.

References

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