national library, paris, arabic manu-
scripts of coptic provenance in. The principal source for knowledge of the Coptic culture of the Middle Ages is the Arabic Christian manuscript tradition. It is, however, very difficult to distinguish which of these manuscripts originate from Coptic unless an examination is made on the basis of experience with Arabic paleography. In order to facilitate research work in this domain, this article contains a listing of Arabic manuscripts in the National Library, Paris, that were copied by Copts or diffused among them.
Disregarding the content of the manuscript, certain Coptic texts have been excluded because they were in circulation outside the Coptic world, for example, the History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid copied by the Tunisian Muslim Muhammad Mahd ibn Amin al-Tunisi (Arabe 295), or the Life of Saint Pachomius and His Disciple Theodorus, copied by a Melchite (Arabe 261). However, the History of the Melchite Sa‘id ibn Batriq copied by Copts (Arabe 288, 289, and 290) and that of the West Syrian Ibn al-‘Ibri (Arabe 296) qualify for inclusion.
The manuscripts are in the National Library's Arabic series. In the following list, the date (A.D.) or the presumed period appears in parentheses. For the collections, the dominant genre (hagiography, patristics, homiletics, etc.) is given. For further information, reference should be made to the manuscript catalogs for this library. Arabic Muslim manuscripts are excluded although these could be studied in order to discover which were copied by Copts. This task remains to be done.
1 (1585): Bible: Old Testament 4 (thirteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch 5 (fifteenth century): Bible:Samaritan Pentateuch 6 (1433): Bible: Samaritan Pentateuch 8 (sixteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch 9 (1284): Bible: Pentateuch 10 (1330): Bible: Pentateuch with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 11 (1331): Bible: Pentateuch with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 12 (1353): Bible: Pentateuch 13 (fifteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch 14 (fourteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch 15 (fourteenth century): Bible: Pentateuch 16 (1238): Bible: Pentateuch with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 17 (1661): Bible: Pentateuch with patristic commentary, plus Leviticus with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 18 (fourteenth century): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 19 (sixteenth century): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 20 (1590): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 21 (1596): Bible: Genesis with the Commentary of Mark ibn Qanbar 22 (1344): Bible: Historical books 24 (fourteenth century): Bible: Chronicles 25 (1586): Bible: The prophets 40 (1292): Varia 41 (fifteenth century): Collection of the Psalms 42 (1433): Collection of the Psalms 43 (fifteenth century): Collection of the Psalms 44 (1635): Bible: Psalms 45 (seventeenth century): Psalms and Canticles (copied from a Coptic manuscript dated 1386) 49 (fifteenth century): Wisdom collection 50 (fifteenth century): Bible: Wisdom books 51 (1412): Bible: Gospels 54 (1619): Bible:
Gospels 55 (1619): Commentary on the Gospels by the fathers 56 (seventeenth century): Bible: Gospels 57 (1656): Bible: Gospels 59 (fifteenth century): Commentary on the synoptic Gospels by the fathers 61 (1665): Bible: Gospel of John 62 (sixteenth century): Bible: Gospel of John 63 (1340): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts 64 (fifteenth century): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts 65 (1614): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts 66 (1651): Bible: Paul, Catholicon, and Acts 67 (fifteenth century): Bible: Commentary on Revelation by Ibn Katib Qaysar 69 (1343): Varia 72 (1358): Varia 73 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection 74 (fifteenth century): Homiletic collection 75 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection 76 (1337): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome 77 (1665): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome 78 (fourteenth century): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome 81 (sixteenth century): Apocryphal texts on the apostles 82 (fourteenth century): Theological apologetic collection 85 (thirteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels of Luke and John by ‘Abdallah ibn al-Tayyib 86 (1247): Commentary on the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John by ‘Abdallah ibn al-Tayyib 87 (fourteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels for Sundays and feasts, according to the Coptic liturgy 88 (fourteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels for Sundays and feasts, according to the Coptic liturgy 89 (1595): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles of Great Week 90 (fifteenth
century): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles for the Sundays and feasts of the first six months, according to Coptic liturgy 91 (fifteenth century): Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles for the Sundays and feasts of the last six months, according to the Coptic liturgy 92 (fifteenth century): Commentary on Matthew (homilies 76-90) by John Chrysostom 93 (fourteenth century): Commentary on John drawn from the fathers 94 (1236): Homilies of John Chrysostom on the Epistles to the Corinthians and on Matthew 95 (1218): Homilies of John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews 98 (fifteenth century): Ritual of Gabriel V 100 (fourteenth century): Collection on holy chrism 112 (sixteenth century): Key to the pericopes for the offices of the Coptic year 113 (1312): Lectionary for Great Week 114 (fifteenth century): Collection of prayers and theotokia 131 (1440): Predominantly hagiographical collection 132 (1629): Varia 133 (fifteenth century): 26 Homilies of Basil, including seventeen on the Psalms 134 (fifteenth century): Homilies on the Hexaemeron by Basil and Gregory of Nyssa 135 (thirteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 136 (thirteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 137 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 138 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 139 (fourteenth century): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 140 (1689): Collection of the 52 homilies of Ephrem 141 (fifteenth century):
Marian homiletic collection 143 (fourteenth century): Coptic and Melchite homilary 144 (1617): Ascetic homilies and four Gospels 145 (1641): Homiletic collection on the Annunciation and Saint Michael 146 (sixteenth century): 87 homilies of John Chrysostom for Sundays and Lent 147 (thirteenth century): Varia 148 (1645): Homiletic and hagiographical collection 149 (thirteenth century): Ascetic works of Simon and Stylite and Issac of Nineveh 150 (1606): Patristic collection 151 (fourteenth century): Patristic collection 152 (sixteenth century): Hagiographical collection 153 (seventeenth century): Hagiographical collection 154 (1604): Coptic hagiographical collection 155 (1486): Collection on the Virgin Mary 157 (fourteenth century): Ascetical collection: Evagrius, John Climacus, John of Carpathus, Issac of Nineveh, John Sabas 158 (fourteenth century): John Chrysostom: moral theology and Christ's divinity 159 (1314): John Sabas 160 (fifteenth century): John Sabas 161 (fourteenth century): John Climacus 166 (1222/3): Exegetical apologetical replies by Ibrahm ibn ‘Awn 167 (1227): Refutation of Muhammad ibn Harun al-Warraq by Yahya ibn ‘Adi 168 (fourteenth century): Refutation of al-Warraq by Yahya ibn ‘Adi 169 (1654): Apologetical treatises of Yahya ibn ‘Adi and Abu Ra’itah al-Takriti 170 (thirteenth century): Kitab al-Idah (twelve chapters) of Severus of al-Ashmunayn 171 (1618): Two theological works of Severus of al-Ashmunayn 172 (1291): Severus of al-Ashmunayn (Book of the
Councils) and Refutation of the Jews by Abu al-Fakhr al-Mashihi 173 (fourteenth century): Apologetical and spiritual collection 174 (fourteenth century): Apologetical treatises of ‘Isa ibn Zur‘ah 175 (1299): The Daf‘ al-Hamm of Elias of Nisibis 176 (sixteenth century): The Daf‘ al-Hamm by Elias of Nisibis; and the Politics of Pseudo-Aristotle 177 (fourteenth century): Theological varia and apocrypha 178 (1452): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-Tayyib (Coptic Manuscript of Syria) 179 (1642): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-Tayyib 180 (1664): Al-Rashid Abu al-Khayr ibn al-Tayyib 183 (thirteenth century): The Confessio Patrum (dogmatic patristic anthology) 184 (1214): The Kitab al-Ru’us (large work on spiritual direction and confession) 185 (thirteenth century): Kitab al-Ru’us 191 (fourteenth century): Book of the Tower by Mari ibn Sulayman (Part I) 192 (fourteenth century): Book of the Tower by Mari ibn Sulayman (Part II) 193 (1584): Sim‘an ibn Kalil ibn Maqara (large theological and spiritual work) 197 (1278): Kitab al-Shifa’ by Butrus ibn al-Rahib 198 (sixteenth century): Controversy between Abu Qurrah and various Muslims 199 (thirteenth century): Theological varia 200 (sixteenth century): Summa Theologiae by Abu Ishaq ibn al-‘Assal 201 (thirteenth century): Summa Theologiae by Abu Ishaq ibn al-‘Assal (chap. 1-19) 202 (thirteenth-fourteenth Collection of four predominantly century): theological manuscripts 203 (fourteenth century): Encyclopedia of Abu al-Barakat ibn Kabar 205
(fourteenth century): Varia 207 (fourteenth century): Predominantly liturgical encyclopedia by Ibn Sabba‘ 208 (fourteenth century): Encyclopedia by Ibn Sabba‘ 209 (1552): Theological patristic anthology of Severus of al-Ashmunayn 210 (1634): Theological patristic anthology by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 212 (1601): Varia 213 (1601): Varia: canonical, theological, and spiritual 214 (1538): Apologetical collection 215 (1590): Apologetical collection 225 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll) 226 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll) concerning the Eucharist 227 (1671): Profession of faith by Patriarch Matthew IV (scroll) concerning the Eucharist 238 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection 239 (fifteenth century): Coptic canonical collection 240 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection 241 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection 243 (1641): Coptic canonical collection 244 (fourteenth century): Coptic canonical collection 245 (thirteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 246 (fourteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 247 (fifteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 248 (fourteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 249 (fifteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 250 (1356): Nomocanon of Farajallah al-Akhmimi 251 (1352): Canonical collection of Macarius 252 (1663): Canonical collection of Macarius 253 (fourteenth century): Apothegmata and ascetical
collection 256 (sixteenth century): Synaxarion for the whole year 263 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection 264 (fifteenth century): Hagiographical collection 267 (1344): Hagiographical collection 271 (fourteenth century): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 272 (1643): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 273 (1752): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 274 (1778): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 275 (1685): Varia 277 (1524): Collection of four martyrs 278 (1294): Histories of monks 279 (fourteenth century): Histories of monks 280 (1605): Histories of monks and ascetical fragments 282 (1649): Hagiographical collection (Barsum the Naked and Furayj Ruways) 283 (thirteenth century): Abridged ascetical works by al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 284 (1591): Life of Saint Takla Haymanut 285 (1656): Epistle on chastity by Elias of Nisibis 287 (thirteenth century): Varia 288 (fourteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq 289 (fourteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq 290 (sixteenth century): History of Sa‘id ibn Batriq 294 (fourteenth century): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid 296 (fourteenth century): History of Abu al-Faraj ibn al-‘Ibri 299 (1693): History of Abu al-Faraj ibn al-‘Ibri 300 (fourteenth century): Anonymous universal history 301 (fifteenth century): History of the Patriarchs (biographies 1-20) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 302 (fifteenth century): History of the Patriarchs (biographies 21-27) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 303 (fourteenth century): History of the Patriarchs
(biographies 18-25) by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 305 (1609): History of the Patriarchs by Severus; lives of saints 307 (1338): History of the churches and monasteries by Abu Salih 309 (fifteenth century): Collection of philosophical sententiae; theological texts 310 (seventeenth century): Collection of philosophical sententiae 311 (sixteenth century): Collection of prayers 314 (sixteenth century): Calculation of the Christian feasts by Khidr al-Burullusi 316 (1550): Ordination diploma of two deacons by Gabriel vii 317 (1550): Diploma to the pastor of the church of Saint Mercurius in Cairo by Gabriel vii 318 (1548): Diploma of Gabriel vii to three deacons 319 (1638): Diploma to Salib ibn Abi al-Faraj 320 (1636): Diploma to Mina ibn Abi al-Faraj al-Birmawi 321 (1702): Letter of the Emperor Adyam-Sagad to Clement XI 780 (1520): Panegyrics of martyrs by John of Asyut 4523 (1641): Daf‘ al-Hamm by Elias of Nisibis (and Pseudo-Plato) 4524 (1672): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid 4525 (1358): History of al-Mufaddal ibn Abi al-Fada’il (autograph) 4702 (1785): History of Yuhanna ibn Hadhiq 4711 (eighteenth century): The 27 Maqalat of Yusab of Jirja and Akhmim 4728 (1886): Nomocanon by Michael of Damietta 4729 (nineteenth century): History of al-Makin Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid 4734 (eighteenth century): Muzil al-Khataya wa-al-‘ukus (anonymous) 4755 (eighteenth century): Lectionaries of the New Testament pericopes for certain feasts 4756 (1866): Lectionary of the New Testament from Lent
to Pentecost 4759 (seventeenth century): Bible: fragments of the Old Testament 4760 (seventeenth century): 30 homilies by James of Saruj 4761 (seventeenth century): Sermons of Shenoudah for the 7 Sundays of Lent 4762 (seventeenth century): Psalms 4770 (nineteenth century): Collection of apocrypha on the apostles 4771 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4772 (nineteenth century): History of the Patriarchs by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 4773 (nineteenth century): History of the Patriarchs by Severus of al-Ashmunayn 4774 (nineteenth century): History of monks and hagiographical accounts 4775 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4776 (1866): Hagiographical collection 4777 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4779 (1867): Synaxarion for the first six months 4780 (nineteenth century): Synaxarion for the last six months 4781 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4782 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection (on Saints Mercurius and Victor) 4783 (1886): Life of Saint Pachomius (638 pages) 4784 (1839): Life of Saint Pachomius and the 20 letters of Anthony 4785 (nineteenth century): Homiletic, hagiographical, and apocalyptic collection 4786 (nineteenth century): Theological collection 4787 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection (Shenoudah, etc.) 4788 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4789 (nineteenth century): Histories of monks 4790 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4791 (nineteenth century):
Hagiographical collection 4792 (nineteenth century): History of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 4793 (seventeenth century): Hagiographical collection 4794 (1784): Homiletic collection 4795 (1885): Muzil al-Khataya wa-al-‘ukus (anonymous) 4796 (nineteenth century): The 26 homilies of Shenoudah; hagiographical varia 4811 (1724): Collection of philosophical sententiae 4869 (seventeenth century): Synaxarion of the first six months (Sahidic recension) 4870 (eighteenth century): Synaxarion of the last six months 4871 (eighteenth century): Homiletic and hagiographical collection 4872 (eighteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4873 (nineteenth century): History of monks 4874 (nineteenth century): Apocalypse of Paul; Martyrdom of Pilate 4875 (nineteenth century): Apocalypse of Paul 4876 (nineteenth century): Cycle of Saint George 4877 (nineteenth century): Panegyric of Saint Victor by Demetrius of Antioch 4878 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4879 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4880 (nineteenth century): Cycle of Saint Mercurius 4881 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4882 (nineteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Andrew; homily on fasting 4883 (eighteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Anthony 4884 (nineteenth century): Life and miracles of Saint Anthony 4885 (nineteenth century): Hagiography: Macarius the Egyptian; Maximus and Dometius; Barsum the Naked 4886 (1885): Life of Pachomius 4887 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical
collection 4888 (1885): Hagiographical collection (especially Shenoudah) 4889 (seventeenth century): Panegyric of Saint Michael by Theophilus of Alexandria 4890 (nineteenth century): Monastic collection 4891 (1864): Story of Barlaam and Yuwasaf 4892 (nineteenth century): Life of Saint Takla Haymanut 4893 (nineteenth century): Hagiographical collection 4894 (seventeenth century): Hexameron of Pseudo-Epiphanius of Cyprus; Combat of Adam and Eve 4895 (fifteenth to sixteenth Varia (three distinct manuscripts) century):
4896 (sixteenth century): Homiletic collection 4897 (eighteenth century): 30 homilies of James of Saruj 4898 (eighteenth century): Collection of wisdom and moral theology 4899 (nineteenth century): 19 miracles of Saint Simon the Mad 4900 (fourteenth century): Bible: Gospel of Luke (1:68-4:14) 4902 (nineteenth century): Collection of magic prayers 5015 (fifteenth century): Book of the Rolls of Pseudo-Clement of Rome 5253 (sixteenth century): Fragments of liturgical pericopes with commentaries 5969 (sixteenth century): Liturgy of Saint Gregory; ritual of the anointing of the sick 6125 (eighteenth century): The way of the cross 6147 (1832): Varia (especially Revelation) 6280 (eighteenth century): Gospels 6502 (eighteenth century): Nomocanon of al-Safi ibn al-‘Assal 6855 (1816): Letter of the Grand Master of the Confraternity of the Knights of Mercy 6932 (1784): 16 homilies of James of Saruj 6933 (seventeenth century): Theological collection