JDTOING LIST OCT
1 1928
. T <> ,
TEN ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
O F
THE COLLATION OF HEBREW MSS
OF THE
OLD TESTAMENT;
Begun in 1760, and compleated in 1769 :
' %
B E N J. KENNICOTT, D* D. F. R. S.
Member of
The Royal Society of Sciences, at GT. ''TIN GEN;
The Theodore - Palatine Academy, at MANHEiMi
The Royal Academy of Infcriptions &c. at PA K i s $
Keeper of The RADCLIFFE Library,
f\ /t\, v
Arid Fellow of EXETER College, in t, yti\
O X F G R
Sold by Mr Fletcher & Prinw, in Oxford-, Mr Woodyer,
in Cambridge ; Mr Rivingtcn^ Payne, Dodfley, and
, in London. M DCC LXX,
T O
ALL THE
MUNIFICENT PATRONS
OF
THIS WORK
THE PRESENT COLLECTION
OF THE
SEVERAL ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
OF ITS PROGRESS
IS
MOST GRATEFULLY
INSCRIBED.
THE
INTRODUCTION.
THE Collation of the Hebrew MSS of the
Old Teftament being now finiQied, I
think it my duty to exprefs myfelf moft
truly thankful — firft, to DIVINE PROVIDENCE;
for that fhare of Health, which I have enjoyed
( tho' of late frequently interrupted) in perhaps
too clofe an attention, during Ten Years, to a
Work of fiich peculiar labour and fatigue — and
fecondly, to all thofe Illuftrious and Learned
PERSONS; who, with a public fpirit which has
no parallel in the fupport of any literary under
taking, and with a piety which exceeds all praife,
have thus liberally fupported a Work, not expe
dient only, but neceffary, for the Honour of
RE VE LAT ION.
As I entered upon this important Work, re-
folved to profecute it with all the expedition, and
all the care, in my power , the proper advances
made in it, from year to year, gave me fmcere
pleafure. At the end of the firfl, and every fuc-
ceeding year •, I thought it necefTary, for my own '
credit in the difcharge of my Truft, as well as the
fatisfa&ion of my Subfcribers, to prefent Them
with a printed Account, both of the Prbgrefs
made,
6 INTRODUCTION.
made, and the Encouragement granted. And one
of the mod agreeable rewards, which I could pof-
fibly receive during this hard labour, has been the
Approbation, with which thefe annual Accounts
have been honoured by my Patrons : efpecially, as
their Approbation has been followed by the Ap-
plaufe of the Learned in almoft every part of
Europe.
Being now to conclude the feveral fhort hiftories
of this Collation, with an Account of the laft
year; I have been perfuaded to republifh, and
prefix, the Accounts of the nine years preceding.
It is no wonder, that fome of thofe Gentlemen,
whofe zeal for my Work led them to fubfcribe to
it, fhould think the annual Accounts worthy of
prefervation : and yet it would have been flrange,
if feveral of thofe little pamphlets had not been
loft, thro* different accidents. This has been the
cafe ; and I have frequently been applied to, with
fome earneflnefs, for other copies of thefe Ac
counts, in order to make Sets compleat : which
requefls I have fometimes been unable to comply
with, as all the copies for a few of the years had
been before given away. A defire therefore to
oblige all my Subfcribers, to the utmoft of my
ability, is the apology I have to offer for this Re-
publication •, and I (hall beg leave to introduce it
with a few hiftorical particulars.
Soon
INTRODUCTION. 7
Soon after my entrance in this Univerfity, when
I learnt the Hebrew language from the celebrated
Dr Hu NT, Regius Profeffor of the Oriental lan
guages ; I then was, and continued for fome years,
ilrongly prejudiced in favour of the Integrity of our
Hebrew Text : taking it for granted ( as men of
learning far fuperior to mine did, almoft univer-
fally, thro' Europe ) that, if the printed copies of
the Hebrew Bible at all differed from the Originals
of Mofes and the Prophets, the variations were
very few and quite inconfiderable.
But, in defiance of thefe prejudices, I became
convinced in the year 1748, that our Hebrew
Text had fuffered from tranfcribers, at lead as
much as the copies of other antient writings ; and
that there are now fuch corruptions in this facred
volume, as affect the Senfe greatly in many inftan-
ces. The particular Chapter, which extorted from
me this conviction, and which was benevolently
recommended to my perufal ( for this very pur-
pofe) by the Reverend Dr LOWTH, now Lord
Bifiiop of Oxford, is the 23d Chapter of the 2d
Book of Samuel.
Having been thus convinced of my own mif-
take, in a matter of fo much moment ; I thought
it my duty to endeavour to convince others. And
accordingly, in 1753, I publifhed a Differtation on
the latter part of that Chapter, beginning at the
8th verfe; which verfe feems to contain more and
greater miftakes than are perhaps to be found elfe-
where,
8 INTRODUCTION.
where, among the fame number of words. To
the remarks on this chapter I added ( by way of
Second Part) an account of SEVENTY Hebrew
MSS, which I had then difcovered ; and I fpeci-
fied feveral inflances of their Various Readings,
which indeed I found to be both numerous and
important.
This difcovery of fo many written copies, hither
to entirely unknown or unattended to, differing
fo effentially in many inftances from the printed
copies of the Old Teftament, ftruck every reader
with furprife. Whilft the more learned, and the
more candid, of thefe readers were led to exprefs
their warm wifhes — that no farther time might
be loft, than had been loft already, in delaying
the perfecl examination of MSS, which were found
to be capable of fuch public advantage.
In the year 1758, when the Delegates of the
Prefs at Oxford, with very laudable intentions,
requefted the feveral ProfefTors to recommend to
them fuch Works, as they thought would be moft
acceptable to the Public, and which it would be
moft honourable for Them to encourage the pub
lication of; our Hebrew Profeflbr recommended
various particulars, the firft of which was A Colla- '
tion of all thofe Hebrew MSS of the Old feftamcnt,
which were preferred in the Bodleian Library.
The Right Reverend Dr S E c K E R, then Lord
Bifhop of Oxford, and late Arch-Bilhop of Canter
bury
INTRODUCTION. 9
bury ( by whofe death this Work has been de
prived of its firft Patron, and has loft His Grace's
farther Recommendation, as well as the ufefulnefs
of His Advice ) was fo thoroughly convinced of
the great importance of fuch a Collation, that He
prefled me ftrongly to undertake it. And indeed
He was the Perfon, not only who firft endeavoured
to perfuade me (in 1757,) but allb who chiefly
prevailed witrfme ( in 1760) to give up my life to
this laborious Undertaking. In the year 1758,
His Lordftiip honoured me with a Letter, from
which the following is an extract.
Sir, Deanery of St Paul's ; Mar. 10, 1758;
I have long wifhed, that the Hebrew MSS of
the Old Teftament at Oxford were collated — if
you are willing to undertake it, I think you the
fitteft ; and am glad the Delegates have pitched on
you. I prefume you would have been glad, if they
would have made propofals to you, rather than
have defired you to make propofals to them : but
what Advice would be proper in either cafe, I am
unable to fay — If an annual Salary be propofed ;
it will probably be expected, that the number of
Years for compleating the Work (hall be fixed —
I hope, whatever Doubts or Difficulties may arife,
the Defign will not be foon abandoned, from de-
fpair of getting thro' them — This is all that occurs
at prefent to
Your loving brother and fervant,
THO. OXFORD,
B
io INTRODUCTION;
Soon after the receipt of this letter, His Lord-'
{hip v;as advanced to the See of Canterbury , and
His Grace then wrote to me, as follows.
gjj- Deanery of St Paul's j Apr. 15, 1758.
I am very willing to take the part, which I
thought was proper for the late Arch-Bifhop, of
confulting with the other Bifhops, concerning fome
proper method of encouraging the Undertaking
propofed to you — What their opinion may be, I
cannot fay beforehand — when I am able, I will
give you farther information. In the mean while
preparing for the prefs the Work, which you men
tion, 1 think will be a very proper employment.
I wiih you good Succefs in it, and am &c.
The Work, mentioned by His Grace, was A
Second Dijjertation on the printed Hebrew fext,
which I publiihed in the beginning of the year
1760; having then feen no MSS of the whole,
or parts, of the Hebrew Bible. And in confe-
quence cf the additional difcoveries therein made,
I was ilill more ftrenuoufly exhorted by feveral
Great Perfons, and in particular by the Arch-
Bifhop of Canterbury, to enter upon the Collation
of thefe MSS. I confented ; and publifhed Pro-
pofals. And, after His GRACE had begun an
Annual Subfcription, for the fupport of this Work j
I applied to the Delegates at O x F o R D, who readily
patronized it likevvife : as did alfo feveral learned
Individuals, and forae Colleges, in this Univerfity.
Thefe
INTRODUCTION. n
Thefe examples were foon followed by the Uni-
verfities of CAMBRIDGE and DUBLIN ; and
by many other learned Men, with fome other re-
fpedlable Societies. And that the Public may not
be at a lofs to know, Who were the Perfons, to
whom they are indebted for fetting on foot this
Undertaking ; it will be confulting the fatisfaction
of the Public, and my own gratitude, to give here
an exact Lift of thefe Subfcribers, during the firft
year 1760.
The Univerfity of OXFORD. .£40 o o
The Univerfity of CAMBRIDGE 30 o o
The Univerfity of DUBLIN . . 30 o o
His Grace, Dr Seeker, A-Bp Canterbury 10 10 o
His Grace, Dr Gilbert, A-Bp York . 10 10 o
His Grace, DrCox, A-Bp of Cafhel . 10 10 o
Rt Honourable, The Earl Granville . 550
Rt Honourable, The Earl of Macclesfield 550
Rt Honourable, The Earl of Bath ..550
Rt Rev. Dr Sherlock, Ld Bp of London 10 10 o
Hon. &RtR. Dr Trevor, LdBp Durham 10 10 o
Rt Rev. Dr Hoadly, Ld Bp Winchefler 10 10 o
Rt Rev. Dr Mawfon, Ld Bp Ely ..550
Rt Rev. Dr Willes, LdBp Bath and Wells 550
Rt Rev. Dr Thomas, Ld Bp Lincoln . 550
Rt Rev. Dr Ofbaldifton, Ld Bp Carlifle 550
Rt Rev. Dr Thomas, Ld Bp Salifbury .550
Hon.&RtR.DrDrummond,L,B. St Afaph 5 5 6
B 2
12 INTRODUCTION.
Rt Rev. Dr Pearce, Ld Bp' Rochefter .550
Rt Rev. Dr Hayter, Ld Bp Norwich . 660
Hon. & Rt R. Dr Cornwaliis, L.B. Litchfieid 550
Rt Rev. Dr Keene, Ld Bp Chefter ..550
Rt Rev. Dr Johnfon, Ld Bp \Vorcefter 550
Rt Rev. Dr Ellis, Ld Bp St David's . 550
Rt Rev. DrHume, Ld Bp Oxford ..550
Rt Rev. Dr Egerton, Ld Bp Bangor . 5 5 o
Rt Rev. Dr Terrick, Ld Bp Peterborough 550
Rt Rev. Dr Young, Ld Bp Briftol ..550
Rt Rev. Dr Chenevix, Ld Bp Waterford 330
Rt Honourable, Ld Ty rawly ....220
Lord Chief Baron Parker 550
Rev. Dr Gregory, Dean Chrift- Church 550
Rev. Sir Philip Hoby, Dean Ardfcrt . 330
Rev. Dr Squire, Dean Briftol ....220
Rev. Dr Webber, Dean Hereford ..220
Rev. the Dean and Chapter of Briftol . 550
Rev. the Dean and' Chapter of Durham 10 10 o
Rev. the Dean and Chapter of Exeter 550
Rev. the Dean and Chapter of Gloucefter 550
Rev. the Dean and Chapter of Wells .550
Rev. the Dean and Chapter of Worcefter 550
All Souls College 5 5 o
Eton College 55O
Exeter College 550
Jefus College, in Oxford 5 5 O
Merton College 5 5 o
INTRODUCTION. 13
Rev. Dr Afhton 3 3 o
Rev. Mr Atherton 220
Rev. Dr Acweil 440
Dr Avery 2 2 o
Hon. and Rev. Mr Aylmer ....220
Rev. Dr Barnard 440
Hon. and Rev. Mr Barrington ...220
Thomas Bafket, Efq; 660
Rev. Dr Bentham i I o
Rev. Dr Blackett 220
William Blackttone, Efq; i j o
Rev. Dr Butler 220
Rev. Dr Chandler i i o
Mr John Channing 220
Rev. Dr Chapman I i o
Dr Collet ! r o
Rev. Mr Cracherode ......220
Peter Delme, Efq; 5 5 o
Rev. Dr Dickens 220
Rev. Dr Eyre . i i o
Rev. Dr Fanfhaw ........220
Richard Fuller, Efq$ . . . . . . 550
Rev. Dr Golding ..440
Charles Gray, Efq; ..'....220
Rev. Mr Greet i i o
Dr Heberden 5 5 o
Frafer Honeywood, Efq; 550
John Howard, Efq-, .... 220
14 INTRODUCTION.
Rev. Dr Jennings . ; 220
Rev. Dr Jubb 220
James Lambe, Efq; .... . / 5 5 o
Matthew Lee, Efq; 220
Rev. Dr Legh ( Halifax ) 3 3 o
Thomas Llewelin, Efq; 220
John Loveday, Efq; i i o
Rev. Dr Lowth 4 4 o
Rev. Dr Markham 4 4 o
Rev. Dr Milles 220
Rev. Mr Moore i i o
Rev. Dr Mofs 220
Jofeph Mufgrave, Efq; 220
Rev. Dr Plumptre 5 5 o
Rev. Mr Prieft i i o
Rev. Dr Pyle , . . i i o
Rev. Dr Randolph i i o
Rev. Dr Salter ' • • 3 3 °
Rev. Mr Sanford .......220
Rev. Dr Sannders 220
Hon. and Rev. Dr Talbot 5 5 o
Rev, Dr Taylor ( Chancellor ) ...220
John Thornton, Efq-, .:.... 5 5 o
Hon. Thomas Townfhend, Efq; ..550
Rev. Mr Twynihoe i i o
Richard Warner, Efq; i i o
Philip Carteret Webb, Efq; ....220
Samuel Wegg, Efq; 2 2 Q
INTRODUCTION. 15
Thus honourably countenanced and fupported,
I entered upon my Work : chearfully devoting
the active part of my life to this important Un
dertaking ; determining to exert the utmofl of my
endeavours to ferve the Public ; and not at all
doubting of the generofity of the Public, for the
reward of my Labours. But here ; that no more
may be inferred from this Undertaking, than was
really intended ; and that the author may not be
fuppofed to have promifed what was out of his
power to perform, (/'. e. to collate all the MSS of
the Hebrew Bible in Europe ) it may be neceflary
to ftate, that the Undertaking was precifely this
to collate all the MSS of the Hebrew Bible in
Great Britain and Ireland ( all fuch as fhould be
difcovered, and the ufe of which could be obtain
ed, -if de fired ;) and, whilft this Work was carrying
on ( which it was fuppofed might require at leaft
Ten Tears ) that Collations of as many of the befl
Foreign MSS fiould be procured, as Time and Ex-
fence would allow.
Such was my Undertaking. And now, as to
the manner in which it has been conducted ; how
far properly, or the contrary — this has been al
ready ( as far as Nine Years ) fubmitted to TH E
SUBSCRIBERS : and the Whole is here pre-
fented to THEM, and fubmitted alfo to all others,
who mall perufe The Ten Annual Accounts^ which
now follow in their order, and exactly as they were
before printed.
( 16 )
ACCOUNT I.
At the End of the Year 1760.
PROPOSALS having been publiflied laft
January^ relative to a Collation of the MSS
of the facred Hebrew Text ; and fuch an Under
taking having been honoured with great En
couragement from the Univerfities of OXFORD,
CAMBRIDGE, and DUBLIN ; from the ARCH
BISHOPS, and moft of the BISHOPS in England ;
from ibme DEANS and CHAPTERS, and fome
COLLEGES; and alfo from feveral PERSONS,
eminently diftinguJftted by their Rank and Station,
as well as by their Zeal for Religion and Learning :
Mr Kennicott, who has been employed to undertake
a Work of fo public a nature, thinks himfelf ob
liged ( at the clofe of the firft year ) to offer fome
particulars to the confideration of the Public. And
he apprehends, that the Method moft conducive
to the Satisfaction of the prefent, and the En
couragement of future Subfcribers to this extenfive
and laborious Undertaking, will be — to ftate the
Expediency of fuch a Collation, as in the former
Propofals •, and then, to mention fuch Circum-
ftances as have occurred, worthy of notice, during
the prefent Year.
I. The
YEAR 1 760. 17
I. The beft, if not the only way, to print a
good Edition of any antient Book, is to examine
with Care the 'written Copies of it. And the Text
of antient Books is allowed by the Learned to be
more or lefs perfect, as more or fewer MSS have
been collated for that Purpofe. For this reafon,
almoft all the Greek MSS of the New Teflament^
which are now extant, have been examined, and their
Variations publifhed -, greatly to the fatisfaction of
all thofe, who are Friends to Religion and Learning.
II. The fame Advantage, ariflng from a Colla
tion of MSS, to which antient Books are naturally
entitled, has been readily granted to them all;
except, perhaps, in the fmgle cafe of the Hebrew
Bible : which however, on many accounts, may
require it more than any other book of Antiquity.
For the older any Writings are, and the oftner they
have been tranfcribed ; the more Miftakes have
probably been made by the Tranfcribers. And it
is certain, that the Books of the Old Teflament
are, at leaft fome of them, the oldefl in the world ;
and, that they have all been tranfcribed very fre
quently. As feveral of the Hebrew Letters are
very fimilar ; it muft have been the more eafy for
Tranfcribers to make Miftakes. And the Miftake
of any one Hebrew Letter will often occafion a
very wide difference in the Senfe.
III. The Hebrew Copies, which have been
hitherto printed, are found to agree with the lateft
and the worft MSS, And the older the MSS are,
C the
j8 ACCOUNT I.
the more they differ from the printed Text ; for
they generally read more agreeably to the Context,
and alfo to the antient Verfions. But farther ; the
Hebrew MSS will not only furnifti many Various
Readings, which make the Senfe clear and con
fident, where the printed copies are unintelligible
or contradictory •, but they will alfo vindicate the
Apvftolical Quotations. For fome of the pafTages in
the New Teftament, quoted from the Old, which
do not agree with the printed Hebrew Text, per
fectly agree with the prefent MSS — particularly,
in one important Prophecy, no lefs than 28 out of
32 MSS confirm a Quotation made by St Peter and
St Paul \ and this in a cafe, where the Reading, as
printed in the Heb. Text by Maforetic Authority,
invalidates the Reafoning of both theie Apoftles.
IV. The Hebrew MSS will not only correct
many of the Miftakes, which have been introduced
for 800 or 1000 years kft pail; but they will alib
confirm the Authorities of the Greek , Syriac^ and
the other antient and venerable Verfions ; which
( under proper reftrictions ) will difcover other
Miftakes, made as early as the time of CHRIST.
V. There are already known between 400 and
500 Hebrew MSS, now extant in different Parts
of the World : of which number ENGLAND
contains more than any other Country ; there being
preferved at leaft One Hundred and Ten ( contain
ing the Whole or Parts of the Hebrew Bible ) in
the Univerfities of OXFORD and CAM B R IDGE,
and in THE BRITISH: MUSEUM. And fince our
YEAR 1760. 19
own Country is fo particularly happy in the Trea-
fure of its MSS, collected and brought hither at
an immenfe Expence ; it muft be honourable to
fet the Example here, in firft publifhing a Work
— which, tho' greatly defired by the Learned in
all Nations, has not yet been performed in any.
VI. In the CX MSS beforementioned are in
cluded 7 Copies of the Samaritan Pentateuch. And
as the only Copy of this Pentateuch hitherto pub-
lifhed ( which was printed from a MS preferved in
France) has many very valuable Readings, where
the Hebrew Text is corrupted ; fo the 7 Samaritan
MSS, preferved in England, will correct fome con-
fiderable Corruptions in the Samaritan Text, as it
is now printed from the French MS.
VII. Since thefe Hebrew and Samaritan MSS
are found to contain a great number of Various
Readings, though they have as yet been very im
perfectly examined ; the Queftion, humbly pro-
pofed, is — Whether it muft not be the ardent
Wiih of every true Friend to Divine Revelation,
that the Hebrew Text may no longer be deprived of an
Advantage, granted to all other antient Booh ; but,
that its MSS may be examined, and their Various
Readings publifhed : that fo the Miftakes, intro
duced by Tranfcribers, may be removed ; at leaft,
that nothing in our power may be wanting to ren
der that Sacred Volume as nearly perfect, as Care
and Criticifm can now render it.
VIII. It muft be added : that, as many parts
of the prefent MSS are already obliterated by Age,
20 ACCOUNT I.
and others are conftantly decaying; the Various
Readings in the parts yet legible ought to be col-
lefted without farther delay. And when the Va
rious Readings fhall be publifhed; they will form
a fafe and authentic Record ; which ( tho' the MSS
fhould entirely perifh ) will be always ready, either
to reform the Hebrew Text, or correct our own
Verfion.
IX. The Reafonablenefs therefore, or rather the
Necefllty, of collating MSS being readily allowed,
in order to procure an authentic Text of all other
antient Writings ; and a Collation of the Greek
MSS of the New Teftament having been made, and
juftly approved of: 'tis prefumed, that a Collation
of the Hebrew MSS of the Old Teflament has been
hitherto negleded, chiefly, on thefe two accounts
— becauie it was fuppofed, that there were few
Hebrew MSS now extant ; and, that thefe few MSS
contained very few if any Various Readings, and
none of real Importance.
X. To the number of above Four Hundred
Hebrew MSS, before enumerated, there may be
now added many others. For, tho' one only has
lately been added to thole found in England, which
MS is prelcrved in the Cathedral Library at Wells ^
yet luch has been the Zeal of feveral Englifh Pro-
teilant Gentlemen in other Countries, particularly
in It ay, that many Hebrew MSS (not publicly
known ) have already been difcovered, and more
ivill probably be difcovered foon, thro5 the indefa
tigable Endeavours of the Gentlemen beforemeri-
tioned ;
YEAR 1760. 21
tioned : in which Enquiries they have been mod
readily and zealoufly afiifted by feveral Perfons of
great Character and Diftinction in the Cburch of
Rome. The chief Places, where fuch Enquiries
have been, and are dill making, are Rome, Florence,
Bologna, Milan, Genoa, Venice, and Conftantinople.
XL At ROME ( not to particularize the Cata
logues there obtained from other Libraries ) a
Catalogue has been lately publifhed of the Hebrew
MSS in the THE VATICAN; in which grand
Repofitory are preferved Forty One MSS of the
Whole, or Parts, of the Hebrew Bible. And as
Leave for collating any or all of thefe MSS, for
the benefit of this Work, has been offered in the
moft obliging manner by His Eminence CARDI
NAL PASSIONEJ, who fo honourably prefides
over The Vatican Library ; the Offer has been
thankfully accepted : and a Collation is now ma
king of fome of the mofl valuable, at the Expence
of Mr Kennicott. And he has reafon to prefume,
that his Work will be greatly enriched by the Va
rious Readings of thefe excellent MSS ; collated
with great Accuracy, in the very Palace, and under
the immediate Infpeftion, of His Eminence Himfelf.
This Undertaking is alfo highly honoured by the
Patronage of his Eminence CARDINAL SPINELLI ;
who has been pleafed to exert his Influence in fa
vour of it at Naples, and alfo in other places.
XII. It has already been obferved, that the Va
rious Readings in the Hebrew MSS are numerous;
and
22 ACCOUNT I.
and particular Proofs have been fele&ed. But
abundant Demonftration of this point may now be
given ; in confequence of a regular and minute
Examination made in Three of the oldeft Hebrew
MSS in England. As for inftance : the Variations
from the printed Text, which have been found in
One MS of the Pentateuch ( one of the oldeft and
beft MSS now known) exceed Two THOUSAND ;
many of which confiderably affedt the Senfe, and
are confonant to the antient Verfions : and (which
furnifhes a new and ftrong argument in favour of
the Samaritan Text ) there are in this one Hebrew
MS not lefs than SEVEN HUNDRED Words,
which differ from the printed Hebrew, but agree
with the printed Samaritan Pentateuch.
XIII. Should it be enquired, Whether there be
in any other antient MS a number of Variations at
all proportionable, in other parts of the Old Tef-
tament ; it may be anfwered, that in another MS
( alfo one of the moft antient and valuable now
known) there are, in the Evangelical Prophet
Ifaieb, above ONE THOUSAND Readings diffe
rent from the printed Text : and of thefe feveral
have a confiderable influence upon the Senfe. So
that the fubjoining Thefe, and all other Various
Readings which may be found, at the bottom of
every Page, in a new Edition of the Hebrew Bible,
printed ( not with a new Text, but ) from one of
the belt Editions already publifhed, muft be a thing
greatly defireable to all thofe, who would judge pro-
pcrly of the genuine Senfe of the Old Teftament.
YEAR 1760. 23
XIV. If therefore Hebrew MSS, efpecially the
more antient, do in fact contain numerous and
important Variations from the Text, as it has
hitherto been printed agreeably to the latefl MSS ;
and if the Various Readings, collected, will cer
tainly be more numerous, and may alfo be more
important, in proportion as more Hebrew MSS
Ihall be collated : it is humbly fubmitted, and muft
be left to all thofe Societies, and to all thofe par
ticular Perfons, who approve this Undertaking, to
determine — Whether this Workjhall be more, or Iefs9
perfeft j by their enabling the perfon, undertaking
it, to procure Collations of a greater or lefs num
ber of the MSS abroad j and alfo by enabling him
to employ more or fewer Afliftants, for expediting
the Work at home.
XV. Laftly : All thofe, who may incline to fa
vour and patronize the prefent Undertaking, will
pleafe to confider — that no Obligation is laid upon
Subfcribers for the Continuance of their Subfcrip-
tions — that the Subfcriptions will be defired no
longer than a proper Progrefs fhall be made in the
Work — and that, if fuch a Progrefs be made,
there will be then ( according to the method pro-
pofed by The Delegates of the Prefs in the Univer-
fity ofOxFORD)a Certificate given, at the end
of every future year, as there is at the end of the
prefent, by The Royal ProfeJJbr of Hebrew.
O x F o R D j December 1 8, 1 760.
( 24 )
ACCOUNT II.
At the End of the Year 1761
THIS Work being of a public nature, and
having been honoured with very uncommon
Encouragement ; it feems necefiary, at the clofe
of every year, to lay before the SUBSCRIBERS
fome account of the Progrefs made in the Work^ and
alfo the State of the Subfcription. The proper no
tices, relative to both thefe particulars, are here
communicated to my Patrons, at the conclufion of
the fecond Year : and I beg leave to exprefs my
warmefl gratitude, for the extraordinary Favour
vouchfafed to my Undertaking by fo many SO
CIETIES, and fo many PERSONS, who are
themfelves eminently diftinguiihed, as well by their
zeal for Religion and Learning, as by their Rank
and Station. In particular, I think myfelf indif-
penfably bound to make the mod dutiful, and mofl
humble, acknowledgment of A PATRONAGE,
too important to be concealed, and too great to be
fufficiently celebrated -, which, to the extreme
Honour of this Work, has been mofl gracioufly
extended to it by the Piety and Munificence of
HIS MAJESTY.
The
YEAR 1761. 25
The Expediency of fuch an Undertaking muft
be evident to all thofe, who will attend to the fol
lowing particulars that the defign of it is to
do the fame juftice to the Text of the Old Tefta-
ment, which has been done ( with univerfal ap-
plaufe ) to the Text of the New Teftament, and
to that of almoft all other antient writings — — >
that the Hebrew Text, tho' of fuch great import
ance, has been hitherto printed agreeably to the
lateft and worft MSS that there are as yet
happily preferved multitudes of older MSS ; free
from many of thofe later Corruptions, which dif-
grace that extenfive part of Divine Revelation :
and MSS, which contain readings more agreeable
to the Contexf, to the Antient Ferfions, and alfo to
the New Teftament and therefore, that it muft
be exceedingly defireable, that as many as pofiible
of the Various Readings in thefe valuable MSS
( now perifhing by age ) be fpeedily collected ; and
afterwards accurately publifhed together ( at the
bottom of every page, in a new edition of the pre-
fent Hebrew Text ) for the information of the
Learned, and the benefit of the Public. Thus
much may "be fufficient to be obferved here, as to
the Expediency of this Undertaking; efpecially,
after the fanction it has received from the united
fuffrages of Learned Men thro' Europe.
As to the Hebrew MSS in England-, the account,
printed at the end of laft year, fet forth, that One
Hundred and fen had been then difcovered in this
D Country,
26 ACCOUNT II.
Country. Two more have been fmce found in the
public Libraries of Oxford. There is One, belong
ing to Edward Worthy Montague Efq; who has
obligingly permitted it to be collated. One valuable
MS has been purchafed by myfelf. But the moil
confiderable acquifition, during this year in England*
confifts in Two MSS, preferved in the Library of
the Collegiate Church of Weftminfter. One Hebrew
MS has been alfo difcovered in the Library of
Marifcbal College^ Aberdeen : and Two, in that of
Trinity College, Dublin -, which were brought a few
years fmce from Africa as appears from the
account moil obligingly procured by The Right
Honourable Lord Vifcount BEAUCHAMP.
The Collation of the MSS, in England^ has been
hitherto appropriated to the MSS in Oxford -, in
which Univerfity are preferved the greateft num
ber, and fome very antient and valuable. And the
Work has been here carried on, with all the expe
dition confident with health and exactnefs : the
perfon undertaking it having been affifted in it
conftantly by three Gentlemen, and during part of
the year by four.
The Various Readings, which have been difco
vered in this year's examination, are furprizingly
numerous. Many of them are plainly of moment :
but the merit of far the greateft part cannot be
properly judged of, without much critical Exami
nation ; for which there is no leifure, during the
progrefs of the Collation itfelf.
Ten
YEAR 1761. 27
Ten MSS, containing parts of the Hebrew Bible,
have been compleatly collated this year ; and alfo
parts of Two other MSS. And as the Collations
of thefe Twelve MSS have been fairly tranfcribed,
and thofe Tranfcripts have been carefully examin
ed ; the Original Collations are now depofited in
the Bodleian Library, under the Librarian's Seal
and my own : agreeably to the method prefcribed
by The Delegates of the Prefs, in their Order for a
Subfcription to this Work. It muft be obferved
upon this article, that to the preceding MSS may
be added (as being collated likewife in the prefent
year ) all fuch, as have been collated for this Work
in foreign Countries.
For, whilft diligent attention has been employed
on this Work at home ; conftant endeavours have
been ufed to procure afTiflance from abroad : and
indeed thefe endeavours have been attended with
fuch Succefs, as cannot perhaps be paralleled on
any other literary occafion. Great zeal has been
fhewn in favour of it, in many Countries very dif-
tant from England, and from one another ; and by
Learned Men of very different perfuafions in Reli
gion, who have united in their opinions of the
tendency of this Work to promote ( the common caufe )
the Honour of Revelation ; and who have been very
obliging by the affiftance already granted, and by
the kind offers of farther fervices.
As many valuable Hebrew MSS are preferved
in the Vatican Library -, leave for collating any, or
D 2 ' all,
28 ACCOUNT II.
all, of them was voluntarily offered by the late
learned Librarian, the juftly- eminent Cardinal
PA s s i o N E i : who conferred on the undertaker
of this Work fignal obligations, by the honour
both of his Patronage and his Correfpondence.
The lofs of fo great a Friend has been very bene
volently compenfated by the Patronage and Cor
refpondence of his Eminence Cardinal SPINE LLI,
Dean and Superior of the College of Cardinals -, who
has condefcended to exert his extenfive influence,
in favour of this Work •, and was lately pleafed to
offer his Letters in recommendation of it to any fart
cf the World. It muft alfo be gratefully obferved,
that his Eminence Cardinal ALBANI, the prefent
Librarian, protects and countenances this Work at
the Vatican ; and has kindly favoured it with feveral
recommendatory Letters •, particularly, to Marjhal
BOTTA ADORN o, Governor of Tufcany, and
to Count F i R M i A N, the Imperial Secretary of
State at Milan.
The Collation of the Hebrew MSS, agreed for
at the Vatican, at the expence of 200 £, is now
finifhed by the learned Profeffor Conftanzi -, and the
Various Readings of the MSS there collated (which
have been found numerous and in feveral inflances
important ) are expected foon in England. But flill,
"there are many other curious MSS in Rome: and
the Collation of fome of thefe alfo will ( at my
requeft and expence ) be foon undertaken.
I have alfo obtained leave, at Florence, to feled
feveral Hebrew MSS, in the Imperial Library -9
YEAR 1761. 29
and thefe are now collating by the learned Signior
Bartoli, and 11 Padre Berretta Vallombrcfano. This
Collation is carrying on, by the favour of Marjhal
B o T T A, under the Patronage of Sir HORATIO
MANN, His Majefty's Refident there ; who has
honoured this Work with his Recommendation,
particularly to Count FIRM IAN. Great acknow
ledgments are alfo due to Count FIRMIAN himfelf,
for the zeal he has exprefied in favour of this
Work ; which will probably receive great aflift-
ance from the learned Imperial ProfefTor Henrico
a Porta, to whofe care his Excellency has parti
cularly recommended it.
At Hamburgh i there are many Hebrew MSS,
preferved in the public Library. And an agree
ment has lately been made with the learned Pro-
/eflbr Reimar ; who is now employed in collating
Seven of the moil antient and valuable.
Several very valuable MSS being preferved in
the Royal Library at Turin-, application for leave
to collate them was made fome time fince to the
Sardinian Ambaflador at this Court by Tbe Right
Honourable the Earl of BUTE, One of His Majcfifs
Principal Secretaries of State : whofe Patronage of
this Work is moft gratefully acknowledged. And
I think myfelf obliged to exprefs my moft humble
thankfulnefs for the great Honour done this Work
by His Majefty THE KING OF SARDINIA,
and His. Royal Highnefs the D u K E of SAVOY,
who have gracioufly declared Themfelves Patrons
of it. His Majefty hath condefcended to order,
30 ACCOUNT II.
that all the Hebrew MSS in his States fhall be ex
amined upon this occafion ; and hath been pleafed
to appoint Two Hebrew Profeflbrs to collate the
rnoft valuable. Thefe notices I have received in
a moil obliging Letter from Mr DUTENS, the
Britifh Refident at 'Turin.
In Spain ( whilfl enquiries are making as to the
Efcurial, and other public Libraries ) it mufl be
obferved, that about Twenty Hebrew MSS are pre-
ferved in the Library of the learned and reverend
Francifco Perez Bayer, Canon and Treafurer of the
great Church at Toledo: who has exprefied his rea-
dinefs to permit a Collation of them to be made,
for the advantage of this Work.
Two valuable MSS have been very lately fent to
Oxford^ from Rotterdam, by Mr Penjionary< Meer-
man ; to whom this Work will probably be much
indebted for the affiftance derived from thefe MSS,
thus obligingly lent for its benefit. The fame great
Favour has alfo been granted, with the utmofl rea-
dinefs, by the Univerfity of Aberdeen, at the re-
queft of their Noble Chancellor ; and they have
lately fent to Oxford the very elegant and valuable
MS, preferved in their public Library.
As to the parts of Europe not before- mentioned,
in which there have been alfo enquiries made after
Hebrew MSS, during the prefent year; it may be
proper to mention Conftantinople, Warfaw, Venice^
Naples, Bologna, Mantua, Pavia, Genoa, Lijbon^
Geneva, Utrecht, Erfurth, Berlin, and Stockholm.
And amongft thofe Gentlemen, who have very
YEAR 1761. 31
obligingly afiifted in thefe feveral enquiries, parti
cular Thanks are due to their Excellencies Lord
Vifcount STORMONT, Sir JAMES GR AY, the
Hon. EDWARD HAY Efq\ and JAMES PORTER
Efq-9 His Majefty's Ambafladors and Envoys at
Warfaw, Naples, Liflon, and Conflantinople.
To thefe various inflances of extraordinary Ser
vice fo zealoufly granted to this Work, and of
Honour thus unexpectedly conferred upon the un
dertaker of it, muft be added the great Favour
already fhewn, and the extenfive Affiflance likely
to be granted, by the Learned at Paris. In parti
cular, the moft grateful acknowledgments muft
be here made to Monfieur UAbbe LADVOCAT,
the very worthy Librarian and Hebrew Profdlbr
at the Sorbonne -, who propofes to employ himfelf?
together with fome able Affiftants, in collating for
this Work feveral very valuable MSS.
Such is the State, at prefent, of this Collation.
And from the preceding account of the Work,
compared with the fubfequent lift of the SubfcrL-
bers, the Reader will be led to confider that
the Subfcription is fully fufficient to fupport and
encourage a diligent Collation of the MSS in
England, and to procure confiderable Afflftance
from other Countries but that this Work will
certainly be the more perfect, in proportion as a
greater number of valuable MSS fhall be collated
abroad : of which there are happily found fo very
many, and leave is with fo much public fpirit
32 ACCOUNT IL
granted for the ufe of them, in the various parts
of Europe. The Public may be affured, that I
fhall continue to exert my utmoft endeavours, in
proportion to the encouragement I receive, towards
perfecting of the Work, in which I have the honour
to be thus employed. And I beg leave to hope,
that neither the preceding narrative, nor the fol
lowing lift, will by any means be interpreted as
matter of oftentation. I have only given a plain
enumeration of the great Favours in fact conferred
by others, adding fome expreffions of my own gra
titude. And it may be prefumed, that fuch an
Account will be agreeable to all the Jincere Friends
of this Work — — and TH E s E are the Readers,
whom I am ftudious and ambitious to pleafe.
Laftly : All thofe, who may be inclined to favour
and patronize the prcfent Undertaking, will pleafe
to confider that no Obligation is laid upon
Subfcribers for the continuance of their Subfcrip-
tions that the Subfcriptions will be defired,
no longer than a proper Progrefs {hall be made in
the Work and that, if fuch a Progrefs be
made, there will be then ( according to the method
propofed by The Delegates of the Prefs in the Uni-
verfity of OXFORD ) a Certificate given at the end
of every future Year, as there is at the end of
the prefent, by 'The Royal Profejfor of Hebrew.
OXFORD^ Dec. 1 6, 1761.
YEAR 1761. 33
THE CERTIFICATE.
'T* H E Delegates of the Prefs, in the Univerfity of
-*- Oxford, having in January 1760 fubfcribed to Mr
Kennicott's Collation of the Hebrew MSS ; and having
inferted in an Order then made the following words [ 'That
their Subfcription be continued at the beginning of every Tear,
upon Mr Kennicott1 s producing a Certificate from the Royal
Pr of ejfir of Hebrew > that in his Judgment Mr Kennicott hath
made a competent Progrefs in the faid Work during the Tear
preceding ; ] and Mr Kennicott having applied to me for
fuch a Certificate : I do hereby accordingly Certify, for
the Satisfaction of the faid Delegates, and of fuch other
Perfons as have encouraged this Work by their Subfcrip-
tions, that the feveral Parts of the Collation ( made during
this Second Year ) have been laid before me. And my
Opinion is, that Mr Kennicott hath made a very compe
tent Progrefs in the faid Collation, and indeed advanced
farther in it than could have been reafonably expected ^
confidering the extenfive Correfpondence he has eftablifh-
ed, in feveral Parts of Europe, for the greater Perfection
of this Undertaking. And, upon confidering feveral of the
Various Readings, which he has already difcovered in the
Hebrew MSS ; I think this Work will be of very confi-
derable Service to Sacred Literature.
T H O. HUN T,
Cbrift-Cburcbi
7, 1761. Regius Profejfor of Helrew.
E
34
THE METHOD OF
THOUGH I have finiflied the Account of
the Second Year ; excepting the Lift of the
SUBSCRIBERS, who are referved for one com-
pleat enumeration, at the conclufion of the whole
Narrative : I (hall not begin the Account of the
<fhird Year, till I have previoufly inferted one ma
terial particular, which feems to be here neceffary,
The Work having been defcribed, as going on
both at home and abroad ; it is probable, that the
curious Reader has already wifhed to know — —
Upon what Plan the Collation itfelf was conduced.
I (hall therefore (late here the mode of proceed
ing •, fo as to convey forne idea, both of the
Labour which was requifite, and of the Exaftnefs
which was aimed at.
As to the LABOUR : tho' every work, which
demands clofe attention for many hours in a day,
mud be thought laborious ; yet what an idea
would the Reader form of the pity due to himfelf,
were he to repeat, over and over, the Letters of
the Alphabet, only varied in their order and con
nexion, for no longer a time than three hours in
a day, during one month ! I fay, were he to repeat
the Letters ; becaufe this was of necefllty the rule
to be followed in the cafe before us. For, accord
ing to the general pronunciation of Hebrew words,
fome Letters are not founded ; and if, upon fuch
a plan, the reading had been by whole words, very
numerous would have been the miftakes. And if
a fyftem
THE COLLATION. 35
a fyftem of pronunciation had been invented,
which could exprefs distinctly every Letter in every
Word ; yet even then reading letter after letter
was certainly a more lure method, tho' more flow
and more laborious. When the Reader has rumi
nated, for a few minutes, on the fatigue of naming
in a printed copy, and examining in a MS, letter
after letter, thro' a fingle chapter containing but
20 or 30 verles j he is only requefted to add to
the former idea that of the number of verfes in
the whole Old Teflament : which amount to
twenty Tbree Thoufand, One Hundred, Eighty Five.
As to the other article, that of E x A c T N E s s -,
which indeed is of the utmoft moment in Such an
Undertaking : that the learned Reader may judge,
how far this grand point was likely to be fecurecl
by the feveral rules formed for this purpofe, I
fhall infert here a copy of The Method, which I
eflabliflied at home, and which I fent to thole
who collated for me in other parts of Europe.
METHODUS
VARIAS LECTIONES notandi, et res fcitu
neceflarias defcribendi, a fingulis Hebraicorurn
Codicum MStorum Veteris Teftamenti Collato-
ribus, (a. LECTORE fcilicet atque SCRIPTORE )
obfervanda.
COLLATOR quifque, qui hanc fufcipit et
ornare vult provinciam, fibi accerfet fidum
laboris focium ; et, focio legente codicem impref-
fum, ipfe infpiciet codicem MStum3 defcribetque
E 2 difcre-
36 THE METHOD OF
difcrepantias. Editio impreffa, quas eligitur, eft
ilia a Van der Hooght edita, AmfteL 2 torn. 8°. 1705,
Et modus, quo legitur codex hie impreffus, non eft,
fmgula recitando verba, vel ( ut aiunt) verbatim,
fed ( prout res hsec omnino poftulat ) literatim, feu
fingulas recitando literas.
In codice MSto perlegendo notandas funt om-
nigenas, quotquot funt, Verborum et Literarum
( non pundorum vel accentuum ) a codice impreflb
diverfitates : five fin t i°. Additiones-, 2°. Omiffiones;
3°. Vranfpofitiones ; 4°. Variationes -, 5°. Correftiones ;
6°. RafitTcc. Hre fex diverfuatum fpecies notandae
funt ( non quod harum fmgula fit per fe colligenda,
et feorfim a csteris notanda, fed notandse funt
diverfitates promifcue, atque eo quo inter confe-
rendum occurrunt ordine ) fuper charts paginam
duas in columnas divifam •, quarum finiftra coriti-
net verba codicis impreffi, cum libroBiblico fupra-
pofito ; dextera vero continet diverfitates codicis
MSii, fuprapofito MSti titulo : fequuntur exempla.
ADDITIONES.
2 Samuel.
•?-3> 17 - nin>
4
Deuteron.
28 -, 27,28 - r^y
Pfalm.
25, 17 tot. comma (verfus)
MS. Bodleian. N°.
mn»
MS.
C
c
TJ/1
MS.
bis fcriptum, w/ repetitum
Si plurima addantur verba, non repetita, fed
diverfa a precedent! bus 5 ea defcribantur omnia.
THE COLLATION.
37
OMISSIONES.
Genef. MS.
49> I0
Zachar. MS.
14, 18 -
Ezek.
1 6, 6 »n 70*73 17
Mal'ac.
-, 15, 1 6 : TO>
MS.
7011
MS.
omifTa.
7*W 7
Si fuerint omifTain uno loco verba quamplurima,
fc. 20, 30 vel 40 ; exprimatur verbum primum et
ultimum fie omiflum, atque fie fiat notatio :
MS.
7 ab 77^(1°) in com. 4,1
ad'l'y inclufivein com. 9 J
Ubicunque verba, vel ob vetuftntem, vel ob
paginam dilaceratam, legi non poiTunt ; notandum
eft hoc modo : verba a — ad — hgi non pojjunt ;
vel verba h#c — , pagind dilaceratd, defunt.
TRANSPOSITIONES.
omilik.
ii 8 '
Ezek.
MS. ^.
31,0
8, i
Amos.
_ _ . pp;-j> >^K
MS. &c.
18. A.
Job. .
MS. 6^.
» <j, ^
Num.
MS. &c.V
mn>
23, i p7n 7^
Job. MS,
215 8 et 9 commata - tranfpoiita.
Si Scriptor, in defcribenda variation^ aliqua, hoc
erret modo verbum imprefilim in column!
38 THE METHOD OF
dextera, et MSturn in columna fmiftra, perperam
fcribendo ; errorem citius corriget et meiius, non
verba delendo, fed lineam hujufmodi formando :
VARIATIONES.
2 Sam.
23, 18 - - -
'Jerem.
50, 38 - CDWNin
Ezek.
13 ; n, 12 - ,mm typsn
i &z;#.
20, 2 - - -
MS.
MS.
- -
MS.
mn
MS.
Ubicunque initium verbi fcribitur in fine linese,
et aliter fcribitur initium ejufdem verbi in linea
fequenti ; notandum, hoc niodo :
i Chron.
MS. &C.
I
Hie quoque obfervare licet rem momenti haud
levis, et a Collatoribus ( prascipue a Le&ore )
perpetuo curandam : fi bis, vel ter, vel quater,
occurrat in eodem commate verbum aliquod de-
fcribendum •, fedulo notandum, an fit verbum id,
quod i°, vel 2% vel 3°, vel 4°, occurrit ; hoc modo :'
Pfal.
39, 6
52, 9
27
40, 21
I/at.
- -
Jud.
30. 40. —
MS. £#f.
- - i°.
MS. &C.
- - - -
MS. &ff.
- - - -
MS. fcfr.
omifT.
THE COLLATION,
39
CORRECTIONES.
IfaL
MS.
30,4 - - - - ton D primo ( a prima manu ) CD
Deuteron. MS. &c.
25, 1 8 - CD'n^K CD primo *]
i Reg. MS. GV,
14, 31 - - - - CDOX CD primo n
15, 2 - - • rn rn primo j
Si verba vel literse in MSto ita corrigantur, ut
prima fcriptio clara adhuc fit et certa ; notandum
eft — primo fie. Si non certum fir, fed tantum
probabile, quid primo fcriptum fuit ; notandum
eft, quod talis litera h#c vel ilia fuiffe videtitr^
vel defcribendum per particulam fortafse : ut, 3
fortafse primo D — T fortafse n — n fortafse n vel
n — i fortafse > — n fortafse i &c.
R A S U R
- - cm
-16, 57
23> 5
4» X3
1,24
41, i
12
2
- -
Jud.
nn»
Pfal.
9; 5
primp
primo
MS.
MS?
;i
MS.
una litera erafa.
MS. 0?r.
'/|D3 2 li^eris erafis.
MS. t?f.
— 3 lit. erafis.
[cripta fupra rafuram.
MS. 6fr.
^D ^y • ^y fere eras.
MS. &c.
3 vel 4 literac,primo inter hxc
verba fcriptae, e media linea
nunc funt fcalpello
0*
icrip
40 THE'METHOD OF
Si fmt fupra rafuram pauca verba vel literal,
ufitata magnitudinis et diftantias ; notandum eft,
quas fmt base verba vel literas : et fi dentur fupra
rafuram verba in uno loco quamplurima $ ita no-
tentur :
Levif.
8 a lan'l i°. in com. 7, ad
ad,
•9->
MS.
hsec 41 verba funt fupra
DN 2°. inclufive in com. 9. J rafuram.
Nota etiam adhibenda eft, ubi fupra rafuram
verba vel literas inufitate conftipantur ; ibi etenim
fcripta fuerunt primo pauciora verba vel literas,
quam nunc fcribuntur. Et notandum denique, ubi
fupra rafuram verba vel literas a fe invicem inufi
tate diftant ; ibi etenim fcripta fuerunt primo plura
verba vel literas, quam nunc fcribuntur.
ALIA QJJ MD AM IN
CODICIBUS HEBRAICIS V. T. CONFERENDIS
O B S E RVA N D A.
1. In literis a Left ore recitandis, fiat paufula
quasdam poft quodque verbum, vel faltem vocis
variatio in ultima verbi litera pronuncianda ; ut
fciat Scriptor^ an ex tot literis conftet verbum in
MSto, quot habet codex imprefTus ; an non : e. g.
an m&'K (Deut. 33, 2 ) vel n»nanV^ (Cant. 8, 6)
vel ^Nfia &c : ( plurimis in locis ) fcriptum fit
quafi verbum unum, vel duo.
2. Ledor caute notum faciat, quotiefcunque fibi
occurrit aliqua litera,
THE COLLATION, 41
cula, fufpenfa vel inverfa &c : ut caveat Scriptor,
de hifce recte admonitus. Caveat denique Lector,
quando monet Scriptorem ad quod comma perti-
net hoc vel illud verbum, ne erret hac de caufa,
quod datur.aliquando triplex, faepius duplex, com-
matum numerus in margine ejufdem linear: ex. gr.
figure, quas indicant commata i, 2, 3, funt in
margine ejufdem lineas, ad i Chron. i, i. Et quum
in fingulis capitibus editionis impreflas commata
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, &c. numerantur, nonfguris
arithmeticis ( ut castera commata) fed literis He-
brasis alphabeticis ; eo major erit Lefforis cura in
numeris horum commatum afllgnandis, quo faci-
liiis errare poteft ob conjundlionem literarum in
margine cum fignris.
3. Si verba ullibi, evanida pras state, atramen-
turn de novo acceperint ; cautiiTime difquirendum
eft Scriptori, in verbis faltem majoris momenti, et
in literis fimilibus, an non fecunda manus intulit
lecliones a primis diverfas. Quod fi fiat ; notanda
eft prima lectio, ubicunque ab imprefli codicis lee-
tione dirFert. Addere licet : quod Collator literas
fere deletas, et minimos literarum apices, capiet
melius et difcernet •, fi vitro microfcopico, pro re
nata, utatur.
4. Notandas funt, fi modo occurrant in MSto
infignes difcrepanti^, quoad totos Libros : ex. gr.
fi tres libri Poetici (Pfalm. Job. zt Proverb.) fcripti
fmt more Poetico, in Hemiftichiis ^ adeo ut dex-
tera columna feriatim habeat primas commatum
partes, finiftra columna ultimas.
F 5. Notancte
42 THE METHOD OF
5. Notandse funt infignes difcrepantise, quoad
Capitum vel Pfalmorum initia : ex. gr. fi Pfalmus
43 ( >riDD£' &c. ) non quafi Pfalmus nbvus exordia-
tur, fed fequatur quafi pars Pfalmi 42 ; abfque
fpatio vacuo, vel literis folito majoribus.
6. Notandas funt voces, quse ( casteris pun&atis )
nfianent »o» punftat**9 et voces, quas ##0 punfta
habent fuperne pofita : nee non et voces imperfeft*9
vel vocum partes^ qnas verarum leftionum faspe
funt veftigia : notandum quoque fpatium aliquod
infigne, quod in medio verfuum alicubi invenitur.
7. Notandas infuper variae lectiones, quaa in
raargine MSti occurrunt ; fi modo non fint easdem^
quas nomine Keri jam funt fatis notae : fi fint Km
vulgata^, poflunt negligi. In vocibus, quas habent
Keri in margine, caute videndum an non liters in
textu funt mutate ; et an non ipfum Ken fuit in
textu a prima manu.
8. Bene aget Scriptor, fi, inter codicem aliquem
conferendum, initia capitum, et commata iom.
2Om. 3Om. &c,penicillo in margine notaverit: nam,
hoc facto, facillime invenientur loci, ad quos re-
currendum erit Collatoribus, quum ad examen re-
vocanda vel tranfcribenda fuerit MSti collatio.
9. In omni MSto conferendo, notandum quas
habeat partes Veteris Teftamenti, et qualis fit ordo
librorum — Si codex habeat punffa ; et fi punfta
videantur literis coaeva — Si habeat, inter libros
Pentateuchi, fpatium 3 vel 4 linearum, vel amplius
fpatium — Si habeat Maforam, in fumma et ima
pagina,
THE COLLATION. 43
pagina, ct in margine ; an non — Si voces libro-
rum initiates fint majores et ornate, vel fimplices
et casteris literis magnitudine prorfus asquales -
Notandum prsecipue, fi alicubi detur tempus five
annuSy quo fcriptus fuit codex MStus ; quse asra
faepius occurrit in fine codicis, aliquando tamen
huic vel illi Jibro in medio codicis fubnexa eft : et
in verbis, quae asram hanc exprimunt, defcriben-
dis, accurate obfervandum, an non inter literas
numerates a fecunda quadam manu indufla fuit
mutatio. Si vero nullibi occurrat, in codice fcrip
tus, aetatis fuse annus ; eruditus tamen Collator
notabit, quod codex vatde antiquus, vel non valde
antiquus9 effe videatur -, et quod feculo decimo^
undecimo, duodecimo, decimo tertio^ vel decimo quarto
&c : haud immerito fit adfcribendus.
Liceat denique exoptare, atque fpem fovere,
quod Viri Eruditi, qui in variis Europas partibus
Collationi huic operam vel dant, vel funt daturi,
facrum Opus fuum, non modo cura fumma, fed et
fide religiofiffima profequentur ; femper memores
hujus apud Rabbinos celeberrimse fententias :
rnira v»
ann r^^
NON EST IN LEGE VEL UNA LITER A,
A QJJA NON PENDENT MAGNI MONTHS.
• ?*.ni ( 44 ) ,T-/
ACCOUNT III.
At the End of the Year 1762
THIS Work &c. The Introduction to the
Account, for this Year, is not given here ;
lecaufe it is nearly the fame, as for the laft Tear :
fee pages 24 and 25.
As to the Hebrew MSS in our own Country :
the Account, printed at the end of the year 1761,
fpecified Nine, which had not been before publicly
taken notice of; and, by the addition of thefe to
fuch as were before known, the whole number
preferved in Great Britain and Ireland amounted to
One Hundred and Nineteen. This ample and facred
Treafure, imported from various parts of the world,
has lately been encreafed by the arrival of another
Hebrew MS, purchafed at Conftantinople : a MS,
which was ( with great difficulty ) procured by
JAMES PORTER Efqr, His Majefly's late Ambaf-
fador. And as His Excellency has been pleaied,
in the mod obliging manner, to make me a Prefent
of it ; I think myfelf happy in this public oppor
tunity of exprefTmg my thanks for fo great a favour.
The whole number of thefe MSS is now become
One Hundred and 'Twenty One, by the notice lately
received
YEAR 1762. 45
received of a MS Bible, in the hands of Mr Chal
mers, of Auld-bar in Scotland ; who brought it,
fome years fmce, from Gibraltar.
During the firft two years of this Work, the
Collation (in England) was confined to the He-
brew MSS in OXFORD ; in which Univerfity are
preferved the greateft number, and fome very
antient and valuable. But the laft year, which
was the Tbird^ was almoft entirely employed in
collating the Hebrew MSS preferved in CAM
BRIDGE; and thefe, tho' making Nine large
volumes, have been completely collated within
the year. And here I beg leave to exprefs my
grateful acknowledgments to that Illuftrious Uni
verfity, for the fignal honour done me, in granting
leave ( by an unanimous Vote of their Senate ) that
I fliould take their MSS with me to Oxford : a
favour, which has greatly contributed to the con
venience, and flill more to the expedition, with
which they have been all collated. And yet, large
as this Ihare of the Work is -, there were alfo col
lated in the laft year Two Folio MSS, obligingly
fent me from Rotterdam by the learned Mr Pen-
fionary M E E R M A N.
To the preceding MSS muft be added, as col
lated likewife in the laft year, all fuch as have been
collated, on this occafion, in foreign Countries.
For, whilft diligent attention has been employed
on this Work at home, and Five or Six Affiftants
have been engaged in it, for the fake of greater
expe-
46 ACCOUNT III.
expedition ; endeavours have been ufed to procure
afTiftance from abroad : and indeed thefe endea
vours have been attended with fuch fucceis, as
cannot perhaps be paralleled on any other literary
occafion. Great Zeal has been fhewn in favour of
it, in many countries very diftant from England,
and from one another j and by Learned Men of
very different perfuafions i-n Religion j who have
united in their opinions of the tendency of this
Work to promote ( the common caufe ) the Honour
of Revelation : and who have been very obliging
by the Afliftance already granted, and by the kind
offers of farther Services.
And here, as the many and great Patrons of this
Work have a right to be fully acquainted with the
Favour fhewn to it abroad ; and as a few, who
may not be kindly affecled towards it, might other-
wife fugged their doubts of the extraordinary Ap
probation of it amongft Learned Foreigners ; I
hope to confult the fatisfaction of the former, by
inferting the two following articles. The firft is a
copy of the Certificate, which was voluntarily fent
me from R o M E by ( my late honoured Patron
there ) Cardinal PA s s i o N E i, figned and fealed
by his Eminence Himfelf : a Certificate, which is
to be confidered as coming, not from a private
perfon, but from One acting in fo high and public
a character, as that of Cardinal Librarian to the
Roman Church. The fecond is a copy of the Extract
from the Public Regifter of the Univerfity of
GE NEVA 5
YEAR 1762. 47
GENEVA; which copy was mofl obligingly pror-
cured, and fent to England, by The Right Honour
able Lord MOUNT-STUART.
The Certificate from ROME.
V Entreprife d'une nouvelle Edition de la Bible, qui
doit fe faire a Oxford fur tous hs Manufcrits He-
bra'iques, qui peuvent fe trouver dans les plus celebrts
Biblioteques., a trouwe id autant d'approbateurs, que de
perfonnes qui en ont entendu farler. Et pour favorifer
les Auteurs d'mji important Ouvrage, fai per mis awe
plaifir la Collation des anciens Manufcrits Hebraiques,
qui fe trouvent dans la Biblioteque Vatic ane ; et je I9 at
accordte en qualite de Bibliotequaire de la SH. Eglife Ro-
maine. A Rome -, ce feize May^ mil feft cent foixanje
un. D. Card1, PASSIONS i,
Bibliot. de la S. E. R.
The Certificate from GENEVA.
Extrait des Regitres de la Vemrable Compagnie de$
Pafteurs et des ProfeJJeurs de /' Eglife de Geneve.
DuVendredi, 4. Decembre, 1761.
Monf>\ k Refteur et Meffis. ks Bibliothtcaires onl
raporte, qu'on leur a fait, part ffun Projet forme en
Angleterre^ pour la Collation des Manufcrits Htbreux de
I'Ancien Teftament, & qu'on leur a demand? la commu-
nication de ceux que nous pourions avoir dans notre Bib~
liotbeque ; qifil paroit par un Imprimt Latin^ que le
principal executeur de ce Projet eft Monfr. Benjamin
Kennicott Maitre es Arts a Oxford -, Projet, far /' ex-
du %uel on fe frofofe d' eclair cir % bien des
48 ACCOUNT III.
egards le T'exte Sacre, et d'en aplanir les difficultez ; que
four parvenir a ce but FAutheur avoit deja pris des
mefures our puifer dans les principales Ribliotheques de
r Europe^ et qtfilavoit des aJJ'urancesqu'elles lui feroient
cuvertes. Sur quoi opine, la V. Compagnie a reconnu una-
nimement toute futilite, qui peut refulter de I* execution
de ce Projet, et combien il importe de faire par raport
aux Livres de /' Ancien 'Teftament ce qtfon a deja fait
avec fuccez a regard de ceux du Nouveau. Rile n'a pu
qu'aplaudir aux louaUes intentions du I'Autheur, et de
ceux qui s' inter ejjent a la perfection d'un Ouvrage, dont
en a lieu d'efperer de grands advantages pour une plus
parfaite intelligence des Livres Sacrez, et par cela
meme pour la Religion ; et elle eft perfuadee que cette
Entreprife^ qui fait beaucoup d'honneur au zele de fon
Autheur, fera gentralement aprouvee. En confluence
Meff1*. lesBibliotbecaires ont ete chargez de communiquer
ce quilpouroit y avoir dans notre Bibliotheque de relatif
a cct objett. DuFendredi, xi. Decembre, 1761.
Monfr. le Reft ear a demands la permffion de com-
mimiqucr Copie de le 'Deliberation ci-deffus a Milord
Mount Stuart, qui Pa defir'e. Accords.
B u i s s o N, Secretaire.
In the laft Annual Account of this Work, no
tice was given, that the Collation of the Hebrew
MSS, agreed for at the Vatican at the expence of
200 £, was then rlniftied. The Box, containing
this Collation, arrived fafe about the middle of laft
year ; and was delivered into my hand, without
the leail expence for carriage : which I mention,
in
YEAR 176 2. 49
in grateful remembrance of the generofity of Mr
PAUL GAUSSEN, Banker at Geneva. The care,
with which this Collation feems to have been exe
cuted by Profefibr Conftanzi, has encouraged me
to fend a CommiiTion for feveral other MSS ; the
Collation of which will amount to nearly the fame
large Sum with 'the former.
There can be no doubt, but the Profeflbr will
readily be admitted to this fecond Work ; in con-
fequence of the very honourable Patronage granted
me by His Eminence Cardinal SPINELLI, Dean
and Superior of tbe College of Cardinals : to whom I
am fignally obliged, for His application to the
N u N T i o at Madrid, and alfo to the Minifter from
His CATHOLIC MAJESTY at Rome., in order
to procure catalogues of the Hebrew MSS, pre-
ferved in the Efcurial and other public Libraries in
SPAIN. It is alfo gratefully acknowledged, that
the prefent Cardinal Librarian, His Eminence
Cardinal A L B A N i, has condefcended to afTure
me by Letter, that the Work mall receive from
Him all the Encouragement in his power : His
Eminence has been alfo pleafed to fend me a cata
logue of all the MSS of the Bible, in the Pontifical
Univerfity of BOLOGNA. The Work has the
honour likewife to be favoured by His Eminence
Cardinal T o R R E G i A N i, the Cardinal Secretary
of State ; who has very gracioufly offered His Af-
fiflance, wherever it may be wanted. And laftly :
the two very learned Vatican Librarians, Monfign"
G ASSE-
50 ACCOUNT III.
ASSEMANI, who were fo obliging as to examine
the lail Collation, and fend a Certificate ( figned
with both their Names ) as to its authenticity and
cxaRnefS) will be pleafed to accommodate the Col
lators as benevolently as they did before.
Notice was likewife given, that His MAJESTY
THE KING OF SARDINIA had moft gracioufly
appointed Two ProfefTors, who were to collate
( for the benefit of this Work ) the valuable Heb.
MSS preferved in the Royal Library at TURIN.
An excellent fpecimen of this Collation I received,
laft September, from ProfefTor Pafini ; together
with a moil obliging Letter. And I have juft been
favoured with a fecond Letter -, which gives an
account, that the Profeflbrs have proceeded in this
Work fo diligently, that they are now examining
the Sixtb of thefe Royal MSS.
At FLORENCE, Signior Ear toll and // Padre
Berretta Vallombrofano, having finifhed the MSS at
firft agreed for there \ I have fent a fecond Com-
rnifllon, for collating other MSS in the fame Im
perial Library. The Various Readings of the firft
Collation are expecled daily ; as they were deli
vered, lail November, to the care of a Friend by
His Excellency Sir H o R AT i o MANN, His Ma-
jeily's Refident there : to whofe Goodnefs I am
under many and great obligations. It mufl alfo be
obferved, that this Work was recommended by
Sir Horatio Mann to His Excellency Count Fi R-
M j A N, Governor of the Milanese j and that the
learned
YEAR 1762. 51
learned Henrico A Porta^ the Imperial Hebrew
ProfeiTor ztPavta, who was commiflioned by Count
Firmian, has drawn up an account of the Hebrew
MSS in the Ambrofian Library at MILAN, and of
every other MS in that Dutchy, which may be of
any fervice : and that the papers, containing thefe
particulars, having been fent fome time fince by
Sir Horatio Mann, are every day expected. *
From Geneva I have been favoured, by Profefibr
Vernet^ with an account of two valuable Hebrew
MSS in the Library at ZURICH. ProfefTor Brd-
tinger, who drew up that account, has made an
offer of collating them ; which offer I have readily
accepted, on the fame proportion of Expence as
at other places.
The Collation, which was faid in the lad Ac
count, to have been begun at HAMBURGH, has
been carried on with diligence by ProfefTor Reima-
rus ; from whom I have received two parcels of
the Various Readings, which he has colle&ed :
and this very worthy ProfefTor is now engaged in
profecuting the remainder of the Collation, which
is to be made in that city.
* . De tali tantoque Opere, laloricfrjjlmo utique ac fump-
tuojijfimo, ad exltum perducendo, tr a ft antes Angllee Proceres, et
Literati, laudem profiflo eximiam promerentur : plurimumque
commendandi etiam fapt quotquot, ut idem perfciatur. Ami cam
manum et opem adjungunt.
Prof. A Portci) to Count Firmian •, Sept. 18.1761.
G 2
sjz ACCOUNT III.
From Magdeburgh I have been informed by my
valuable Friend Mr Sack, firft Chaplain to H i s
MAJESTY THE KING OF PRUSSIA, that an
examination of feme of the BERLIN MSS has
been undertaken by ProfeiTor SckultZ) and Mr Hei-
nius fon of the celebrated Re6lor of the Royal
Gymnafium ; and that Profeflbr Murfinna is colla
ting one MS, called the Codex Seidelianus. I am
alfo highly obliged to Mr Sack, for procuring me
the ufe of a large parcel of MS Papers, containing
Various Readings and Remarks on the Hebrew
Text, drawn up by the late Dr Jablonjki ; whofe
name declares the value of his Papers.
As to PA R i s : I am informed by my zealous
Friend and Affiftant Monf. L'Abbe LADVOCAT,
that there are about 'Thirty Biblical Hebrew MSS
in the Library of the Sorbonne^ of which he is
Hebrew Profeflbr and Librarian. This jufily-cele-
brated Profeffor has already collated feveral of thefe
MSS, and propofes to collate feveral others, for
the advantage of this Work. In the Royal Library,
at Paris, are preierved near Forty Pie brew MSS ;
fome of which are very valuable. And here I
gratefully acknowledge my great obligation to His
Excellency The Duke De N i v E R N o i s ; who, as
He is a celebrated Patron of Literature, has been
pleafed to apply to The Count de St. FLORENTIN,
Secretary to His MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
in favour of this Work, with regard to thefe Royal
MSS:
YEAR 1762.^
MSS : a circumftance, which I have the honour
to mention, by His Excellency's permifiion.
To thefe various particulars it may be added,
that enquiries have been made, and are (till making,
after Hebrew MSS, in other parts of Europe, and
alfo in other parts of the World -, in order to give
to this Work as great a degree of perfection, as
the nature of the Subfcription fhall admit. For,
large as the Subfcription is, it will by no means
be thought fo large, as to employ Learned Men,
in all parts, to collate all the MSS that are worth
collating. In proportion to the encouragement
will be the completenefs of the Work ; more or
kfs perfect, as more or fewer Various Readings
fhall be collected from antient MSS ; and a greater
or lefs number of thefe MSS will be confulted
abroad, as there fhall be more or fewer Subfcribers
to the Work. I fhall only add here, that no Per-
fon, who pleafes to fubfcribe, is at all obliged to
continue his Subfcription ; but he may withdraw
his favour, as he grants it, at his pleafure.
Laftly : the Patrons of this Work may be afiured,
that, extenfive and laborious as it is, it will cer
tainly be carried on with all the expedition pofllble.
And, as Thofc, who have a right to enquire, may
be naturally defirous of knowing, WHEN this
Work will be completed ; I think it my duty to ac
quaint them that, tho' it be impoffible, as
yet, to fix this period with any certainty, yet ( if
it
54 ACCOUNT III.
it fhall pleafe G o D to continue my prefent Health )
the Collations in England will probably be finifhed
in Seven years from the prefent time and that,
when the MSS at home are collated ( without wait
ing for any farther affiftance from abroad ) the
great Work will be then begun of preparing the
whole for the Prefs ; collecting from the many
feparate parcels the Various Readings relative to
each Chapter and Verfe ; referring, in every quo
tation of each MS, to that MS, by its proper
number ; and prefixing to the whole fuch Prolego
mena^ as may explain the nature of the Work,
defcribe the MSS made life of, and record with
gratitude the Names of All Thofe, who have pa
tronized the prefent Undertaking.
OXFORD; January 15, 1763.
fbe CERTIFICATE
from
*£he Royal Profe/or of Hebrew
nearly the fame as before :
fee page 33.
( 55 )
ACCOUNT IV.
At the End of the Year 1763.
THE Introductory Acknowledgment^ with tie
Remarks on the Expediency of this Work^
being nearly the fame as before in 'pages 24 and 25,
are not here repeated.
As to the Hebrew MSS, belonging to our own
Country ; their number was, in the lafl annual
account, One Hundred and Twenty One. To thefe I
am now to add a compleat MS of the Old Tefta-
ment, written in Syria 657 years fince ; which has
been kindly purchafed for me, by the Rev. Mr
Mor daunt) Chaplain to the late Earl of NOR
THAMPTON, His Majefty's AmbafTador, at Ver
nice. This, with two Bodleian MSS not before
mentioned, ( one containing the Pentateuch and
the other the book of Job ) make the number of
Biblical Hebrew MSS, at prefent known in Great
Britain and Ireland, One Hundred and Twenty Four.
Of thefe there have been now collated Thirty Two.
And the original Collations of Eighteen, having
been fairly tranfcribed, are depofited in the Bod
leian Library ; agreeably to the method prefcribed
by the Delegates of the Prefs, in their Order for
a Subfcription to this Work.
Amongft
56 ACCOUNT IV.
Amongft other MSS, collated in this year, are
Six, which belong to The Britijh Mufeum. And
here, the moft grateful acknowledgments are made
of the fignal Honour done to this Work, and the
undertaker of it, by the TRUSTEES of that
Mufeum. For at their general Meeting in February
laft, They were pleafed to order, in confequence of
a Petition from me, moft obligingly prefented by
His Grace the Lord Arch-Bifhop of CANTERBURY
— that all their Hebrew MSS Jhould be taken with
me to Oxford, and collated there. And, out of their
26 MSS, 6 were accordingly delivered to me foon
after •, which will be rafurned, with care and fide
lity, within the year.
One of theie 6 MSS was the Samaritan Penta
teuch, given by Arch-Bifhop Ufher to Sir Robert
Cotton •> a copy, which is exceedingly valuable,
being almoft the only compleat one in Europe,
uniformly written by the fame hand : and it is
above 400 years old. This, and a Bodleian MS of
the fame kind, have been collated with the Sama
ritan Text in the London Polyglott : and from
this collation it appears, that the Samaritan Text
in that Polyglott ( in other refpects worthy of great
commendation ) is very inaccurately printed •, but
that thefe 2 MSS will correct many of the Errors
there found, and likewife feveral Errors found in
the Paris Polyglott. And this is a point too im
portant to be pa(Ted over, without particular atten
tion, in juftice to the Samaritan Pentateuch itfelf :
for
.YEAR 1 763. 57
for it can be no wonder, that fome very learned
Men have judged it to be very erroneous ; when
that printed copy, on which fuch judgment has
been ( at leaft in England ) generally formed, is
found to be printed ib incorrectly. But then, thofe
MSS are defervedly to be held precious ; which
will greatly correct the printed Text of that Pen
tateuch, without the affiftance of which the Hebrew
Pentateuch (it is prefumed ) will never be reftored
to its original purity. In favour of this Pentateuch
may be here added the remarkable teflimony of
Dr CUDWORTH, that Ornament to Learning and
to our Country •, who ( in a treatife entitled The
Union of Chrift and the Church, tranilated by Mo-
fheim ) commenting on a Text, which is exprefTed
in the printed Hebrew differently from the quota
tions of it in the New Teftament, obferves thus :
But laftly, that which is moft of all confJerable -, altho*
thefe Hebrew copies, which now we have, received
from the Jews, read it otherwife ; yet that incompara
ble antiquity of the SAMARITAN Pentateuch, which
feems to, be TRUER IN MANY PLACES than our
copies are, hath it as it is four fever al times quoted
in the New 'Teftament. To this authority may be
added that of Sir ISAAC NEWTON ; which is very
favourable to a Collation of the Hebrew MSS, by
afierting the corrupt ftate of the Text as printed :
for. I have lately feen, in that Great Man's hand
writing, feveral Corrections of the printed Hebrew;
fome of which exactly coincide with the Corrections
made by the learned Father Houbigant,
H With
58 ACCOUNT IV.
With thefe Six MSS, from the Britifh Mufeum,
have been collated in this year Four, belonging to
the Bodleian ; Two, lent from the library of the
Dean and Chapter of Weftminfter -, One, very ele
gant and containing the whole Bible, fent me by
the Univerfity of Aberdeen -, Two, from Trinity
College, Dublin, which were obligingly brought
and delivered to me by the Provoft himfelf ; and
One, belonging to the Reverend Hieronymus de
Wilbem^ very kindly tranfmitted from Lekkerkirk
near Rotterdam. For the ufe of all which MSS, I
here exprefs my thanks, in the warmeft and mofl
grateful manner. In thefe 16 MSS have been found
a great number of Various Readings, and feveral
of confiderabie confequence ; particularly, in the
magnificent MS fent from Lekkerkirk. And in the
Text of this MS is found the very word (fignifying
ALL ) in Deuteron. 27, 26 ( printed in the Samaritan
Text ) which makes fo material a part of St Paul's
quotation ( Galat. 3, 10) and is fo neceflary to the
Apoitle's argument, that our Englim Tranflators
have thought themfelves obliged to infert it, tho*
it is not in the printed Hebrew. To this Lift of
MSS, fome lent to me at home, and others fent to
me from abroad, is to be added a very antient MS
of the Hebrew Pentateuch, belonging to the learned
ProfefTor Scbultens at Leyden -, which he has kindly
promifed to fend me : and the ProfeiTor has alfo
employed perfons, who are collating, under his
own infpe&ion ( for the benefit of this Work ) the
MS of the Samaritan Pentateuch in the library at
Leyden.
"YEAR 1763. 59
And here it is necefTary, that the PAT RO N s of
this Work mould be informed ; that, to the MSS
already enumerated, as collated during this year in
England, muft be added many MSS collated in
other Countries. For whilft diligent attention has
been employed at home, all the endeavours pofilble
have been ufed to procure afllftance from abroad ;
and indeed thefe endeavours have been attended
with fuch fuccefs, as cannot perhaps be paralleled
on any other literary occafion. Great Zeal has been
ihewn in favour of it, in many countries very dif-
tant from England, and from one another; and by
Learned Men of very different perfuafions in Re
ligion ; who have united in their opinions of the
tendency of this Work to promote ( the common
caufe ) The Honour of Revelation : and who have
been very obliging by the Afllftance already grant
ed, and by the kind offers of farther Services.
Honourable Certificates from
ROME and GENEVA,
originally repeated in this Tear's Account ',
are here omitted ;
not being here again neceffary.
See pages 47, 48.
In order that the feveral Collations, making
abroad, may be carried on upon the fame plan, and
with the fame attention to all the necefiary circum-
H 2 ftances>
6o ACCOUNT IV.
fiances, which are obferved at home; a large Sheet,
defcribing the whole Method, has lately been
printed, and is fent to the Foreign Collators. See
35 — 43-
At R o M E : the great lofs, fuftained by the
deaths of their Eminences the Cardinals PAS si o-
NEI and SPIN ELL i, is made up by the Patronage
of their Eminences the Cardinals ALB AN i and
To R R E G i A N i : the latter, The Cardinal Secretary
cf State ; the former, The Cardinal Librarian -
and from Him I have had the Honour of being
allured ( in a mod obliging Letter fent me laft Ja
nuary ) that every ^ Vatican MS ', which I had mentioned,
Jhould be at the ferric e of this Work. With my
grateful acknowledgments to their Eminences, I
muft exprefs my thanks to the worthy Prelate
Movftgr. MAREFOSC H j, Secretary to the College
De Propaganda Fide, for his countenance of this
Work, and his many fervices to the Collator Pro-
feffor Conftawzi : and alfo to the Reverend Fathers
Xarier Vafauex and Anguftino Giorgi, of the Auguf-
tinian. Con vent; to the College of the Maronites ;
and to Sig. Abbate Ballarini, librarian to Prince
Barbarini: who have readily granted the ufe of
their MSS, on this occafion. The 2d Commiffion,
which I fent to Rome, was for the Collation of
Seventeen MSS ; Twelve in the Vatican, and Five in
the other libraries before-mentioned : and the Pro-
feflbr, who has already collated fome of thefe MSS,
has fent me the following notice - In codici&us
mox
YEAR 1763. 6r
mox laudatis, plures atque eas quidem magni momenti
variant es leftiones me invenijfe Lctaberis ; ef, quod tili
gratiffimum fore confido, in codice bibliothec<e Angelica
ea Danielis et Efdr<e capita, qu<* Chaldaice tantum
fcripta vulgo reperiuntur, turn Cbaldaice turn etiam
Ebraice fcripta deprehendi. I cannot conclude this
article, without expreiling the very grateful fenfe,
which I have, of the many and great Obligations
conferred upon me by Daniel Crefpin Efq\ my kind
Correfpondent at Rome.
In S p A i N : a catalogue of the MSS of the
Hebrew Bible, in the Efcurial, was procured Jby
the N u N T i o at Madrid, follicited by Cardinal
Spinelli ; and was fent me, a little before his Emi
nence's death. He had condefcended to inform
me, that he had earneftly requefted his Friend the
Nuntio to procure catalogues of the Hebrew MSS,
quotquct vel in Regiis vet in publicis Eifpaniarum bib-
Hotbeds ajftrvantur: and, as the Efcurial catalogue
was accompanied with a promife, that catalogues
of the MSS in the other public libraries of Spain
mould foon after be lent likewife ; I mail itill hope
to be favoured with fuch other catalogues. I am
alfo highly obliged to the learned and reverend
FRANCISCO PEREZ BAYER, Canon and Trea-
furer of the great Church at Toledo ; who has fa
voured me with a very kind Letter, and an account
of the feveral valuable Hebrew MSS in his own
library : together with exad fpecimens of the cha
racter, in which each, MS is written : which fpeci
mens
62 ACCOUNT IV.
mens are exceedingly elegant and curious. The
oldeft of his MSS was written in 1 144.
Whether any of the MSS in Spain can be col
lated there •, or whether the Favour will be granted
of fending a few of them at a time to England ( as
hath been done from Holland &c : ) is not yet cer
tain. But confidering — that His Majefty THE
KING OF SPAIN has fhewn himfelf a Patron of
Learning, in feveral inftances — that I have been
honoured with afiurances of the intention of His
Excellency the Earl of Roc H FORD, His Majefty's
AmbafTador, to apply to the Court of Spain upon
this occafion — and that application will be like-
wife made there, in favour of this Work, by Gene
ral CR AUFU RD, to whom I am already under
great obligations — there is reafon to hope for very
confiderable afiiftance from that Country. And it
is particularly to be wifhed, that afliflance may be
derived from that Country ; which was fo remark
ably inhabited by Jews, but a few centuries ago.
At Tu R i N : the Hebrew Profefibrs, whom His
Majefty THE KING OF SARDINIA was pleafed to
appoint to collate the Royal MSS, having finifhed
the examination of Six ( which were thought the
mod valuable ) and having fairly tranfcribed their
Collations, will foon deliver them to the Britifh
Refident there, L. D u T E N s Efq; from whom I
have juft been favoured with an obliging Letter,
afTuring me of his readinefs to tranfmit them care
fully to England.
At
YEAR 1763. 63
At FLORENCE : a fecond Collation is carrying
on by // Padre Berretta Vallombrofano & Signior
Bartoli -, which confifts of Six MSS : the former
Collation, which was of Four^ was finifhed, and
very elegantly tranfcribed, lad year ; and it was
carefully fent by His Majefty's Refident there, his
Excellency Sir HORATIO MANN; whofe Name
I cannot mention, without exprefiing my warmefl
thanks for His Patronage of this Work, fhewn
upon all occafions : particularly, for recommend
ing this Undertaking to his Excellency Count FIR-
M i AN, Governor of the Milaneie — for applying
to Him for a catalogue of the Hebrew MSS in the
Ambrojian library at MILAN — for obtaining leave
to have them collated — and procuring the learned
Hcnrico A Port a to undertake the Collation of
them. By this ProfefTor an excellent account of
thefe MSS was drawn up, at the dcfire of Count
Firmian, and by Him fent to Sir Horatio Mann ;
at whofe requeft it was brought to England by His
Grace the Duke of GR A FT ON, who condefcended
to take the charge of it. This Milan catalogue
contains an account of Fourteen MSS, feveral of
which feem very valuable ; and one of them is the
antient Samaritan Pentateuch, which Montfaucon
wifhed to have collated. I have been favoured
with a Letter from Profeflbr A Porta, dated laft
September ; and he was then preparing to be
gin the Collation, which comprehends the whole
Fourteen MSS.
At
64 A c c o UN T IV.
At ZURICH : the collation of the two MSS in
the public library, which Profeflbr Rreittivger had
offered to undertake, has been deferred \ leave to
ufe thefe MSS not having been obtained from the
Magiftrates of that Town. But it is hoped, that
fuch leave is now obtained ; application having
been made to the Englilh Minifler refident at Berne,
Tequefting him to defire it. And at BERNE there
is an Hebrew MS, containing part of the Bible ;
which is foon to be collated, under the direction of
Monfr. Sinner, the public librarian.
At H A M B u R G H : the collation of the MSS
has been fo far carried on by ProfefTor Reimarus,
that three antient MSS ( containing together one
whole Bible ) have been examined ; and their Va
rious Readings are tranfmitted to me.
At BERLIN: the Reverend Mr Sack, firfl
Chaplain to His Majefty THE KING OF PRUSSIA,
has fent me the Various Readings of the Seidel MS
of the Pentateuch ( preferved in the public library
at Halle in Saxony ) which has been collated by
Profeflbr Murfinna. And, amongft other obliga
tions, which I am under to Mr Sack, for fervices
done and notices fent, in relation to my Work, I
am to thank him for the correfpondence of the
learned Dr Semler at Halle.
At DRESDEN, in the Electoral library, is pre
ferved a MS of the whole Hebrew Bible -, the Col
lation
YEAR 1763. 65
lation of which is carrying on, under the direction
of Mr Clodius the librarian ; for whole favour I am
indebted to Mr Rafpe His Majefly's librarian ac
Hanover. And at HESSE-CASSEL is an Hebrew
MS, the merit of which is thought fo confiderable,
that it has been the fubjedt of a learned and ufeful
DifTertation, publifhed by Mr Scbeide, in 1748 :
and I have therefore applied to my friend the cele
brated Profefibr Michaelis at Coettingen -9 requeuing
his advice, as to the belt method of procuring a
good Collation of it.
The laft place I have here to mention, in which
MSS have been collated, and in which Collations
are dill making, for this Work, is PARIS : and
it is no wonder there mould be preferved in PARIS
very many and very valuable MSS of the Hebrew
Bible. I cannot but think myfelf therefore parti
cularly happy, in finding there fo able and fo zea
lous a Friend to the Work, as M. I9 Abbe LADVO-
CAT, Librarian and Hebrew Profeflbr at the Sor-
bonne : a Gentleman, who has engaged to give up
to this Collation part of his own time, as well as
that of feveral of his Pupils, whom he has formed
to this very bufmefs. In February laft he fent me
( elegantly tranfcribed ) the Various Readings of
Seven MSS of the Pfalms. He has fince collated
Nine other Pfalters ; and fome of their Variations
( he acquaints me ) are very important. In this
undertaking of Profeflbr Ladvocat there is one cir-
cumftance, which I think myfelf obliged to men-
I tion ;
66 ACCOUNT IV.
tion •, and I do ic with particular gratitude — that,
tho' he propofes to take to himftlf and his Pupils
a great deal of Labour ; neither He, nor They,
will accept any pecuniary gratification. In the lad
Letter, with which I was honoured by the ProfefTor,
he was pleafed to fay — We have no fuch cuftom, in
the Sorbonne •, and <&e think ourfelves extremely happy ,
both my young people and myfeif, in being able to con
tribute to a Work fo ufefuL and even Jo neceffary, to
the Jlndy of the Sacred Scriptures.
Upon a review of the preceding particulars, I
flatter myfelf that the PATRONS of this Work
will be well fatisfied both at the progrefs which is
made at home, and at the endeavours ftrenuoufly
exerted to procure afTi fiance and information from
abroad. As almoft every MS furnifhes fome ma
terial Variations ; it muft be evident ( at leafl to
Men verfed in Criticilm and ClafTic Literature )
that in proportion, as more MSS, efpecially MSS
of antiquity, are collated, the more ufeful muft
this Work prove. There is not therefore any quar
ter of the World, from which I have not been,
and am, ardently defirous to procure the knowledge
and the ufe of Hebrew MSS : and accordingly
think myfelf highly obliged for the difcovery of
every MS of this kind. For this reafon I muft
exprefs my thanks here to the learned ProfefTor
Ra^ at Utrecht, and others ; who have fent me
notices of fuch MSS : and alfo to the Reverend
Mr Lind ( Chaplain to His Majefty's Ambaffador
at
YEAR 1 763. 67
at Conftantinople ) and to every other Perfon, who
is kindly making enquiries of the fame nature.
But however ( large as the Subfcription is, and
ample as the Edition of this Work will really be )
it is not vainly pretended, that it will be poffible to
procure collations of Half the Hebrew MSS, al
ready known in Europe only. For even 'That will
foon be pronounced impoffible -, when it is confi-
dered, that the MSS of the whole or parts of the
Hebrew Bible, which are already known ( excluiive
of- thofe in our own Three Kingdoms ) are — in
Italy, 117 — Germany, 87 — France, 70 — Holland,
32 — Spain, 20 — SwiJJerland, Denmark, and Sweden^
10 — Total, already known abroad, 336. This
fum, added to that of the MSS at home, amounts
to 460 •, which will probably be extended to 500.
And, how very defirable would it be ; if it were
poffible to comprife in this Work the Various
Readings of the whole Five Hundred MSS ! — if it
were poffible to make it at once ( excepting Errors
in the Execution ) perfeft in its kind — without
leaving The Old Teftament, after fo extenfive a Sub
fcription, ilill fubjefl to Appendix after Appendix,
and Addition upon Addition ; as hath been the
cafe with The New Teftament, and is the cafe at this
very day. For 'there are yet many ( perhaps an
Hundred ) MSS uncollated of this Second Part of
Holy Scripture •, notwithftanding the 30 years la
bour of Dr Mill, who publiihed the Various Read
ings of near One Hundred MSS — tho* Kufter and
I 2 Bengelius
68 ACCOUNT IV.
"Bengelius have each added the Various Readings of
Twelve other MSS — and tho* Wetflein has made
ample additions to all the former Editors.
In fhort : all, that can be reafonably expefted, I
may venture to allure the Public, mail be done.
My beft endeavours mall continue to be exerted for
procuring Collations of as many MSS, and giving
as great a degree of Perfedtion to this Work, as the
nature of the Subfcription mall admit : and this,
not only from a conviction of the Expediency and
Importance of the Work itfelf ( which is to me
more and more clear, the farther the Work ad
vances ) but alfo from a juft fenfe of Honour, and
under the due influence of Gratitude to TH o s E,
who have with fo.much Public Spirit patronized
the prefent Undertaking.
OXFORD ; December 12, 1 763.
The CERTIFICATE
from
"The Royal Profeffor of Hebrew
nearly the fame as before :
fee page 33.
ACCOUNT V.
At the End of the Year 1764,
WHENEVER a Work, that is extenfive
and laborious in its nature, is undertaken
in confequence of a Public Subfcription ; it muft
give pleafure to the Patrons, as well as to the Un
dertaker of every fuch Work, if it be found to ad
vance with proper expedition, and likely to be
compleated in a proper manner. The Collation of the
Hebrew MSS of the Old Teftament, as being attended
with uncommon labour, and likely to prove of par
ticular importance, has been diftinguifhed by a
more ample Subfcription, and a more uniform Ap
probation thro' the feveral parts of Europe, than
perhaps any other Literary Undertaking. And
therefore, upon the prefent Occafion of addreffing
myfelf to the many Learned and Illuftrious PA
TRONS of it, at the conclufion of this Year, which
is The Fifth from the beginning ; I cannot conceal
the Pleafure, which I feel in acquainting them,
that the Work is now about HALF -FINISH ED.
From the laft Annual Account it appeared, that
out of CXXIV MSS preferved in Great Britain
and Ireland, there had been then collated XXXII ;
and
70 ACCOUNT V.
and that the original Collations of XVIII, havino-
been fairly tranfcribed, were then depofited in The
Bodleian Library. During the prefent year there
have been collated XVIII Hebrew MSS, and One
MS of the Samar. Pentateuch : concerning which
number, compared with other numbers, it may be
proper to obferve, that a few MSS may contain
larger parts of the Bible than many MSS ; and yet,
that the XIX MSS, collated in this year, contain
above 116,000 Veries. But this has by no means
been the whole of the Work -, for the Collations of
XXVI MSS have been, in this year, fairly tranf
cribed : the Originals of which are depofited, with
thole of the XVIII tranfcribed before, in The
Bodleian Library.
Of the XIX MSS, thus collated, VI were lent
me ( as the fame number had been laft year ) from
The Erltijh Mufeum* in confequence of an Order
moft obligingly made at a general Meeting of Tbg
Truftees : and thefe MSS are carefully returned.
For the Ufe of III others I am highly obliged to
Oriel and Jefus Colleges, in this Univerfity. And
my thanks are due likewife to the very learned Pro-
fefibr Schultens ; who fcnt me a curious MS, be
longing to his own Library at Ley den.
But, with refpect to Foreign Countries j my moft
grateful Acknowledgments are to be made for the
Honour of a Letter, which, at the command of
His Majefty THE KING OF DENMARK, hath
been
YEAR 1764. 71
been fent me by His Principal Secretary of State^
His Excellency The Baron De BERNSTORFF. As
this Letter furnifhes a very flriking inftance of
Royal Attention to Sacred Literature ; as it ex-
preffes the Will and Pleafure of a Sovereign, who
is celebrated through the World for having fent
learned Men into Africa and Afia, for the noblefl
purpofes ; and as His Majefty's Pleafure has been
fignified in that Letter, in a manner exceedingly ho
nourable to my Work ; I here infert an exacl: copy
of it, And I cannot doubt, but my Readers will
fee with great fatisfaction this Royal Teftimony, in
favour of my Work, added to thofe other Tefti-
monies which have been already communicated,
and which are of too much confequence not to be
Hill continued, in this Annual Narrative.
Reverend Sir,
The King being informed of the learned
Work) which Ton are fparing no fains to accompli/I^
viz. that of reftoring by the help of Ancient Manu-
fcripts the Original Text of the Divine Writings of
the Old Teftament •, His Majefty thinks ft to aflift Tou
by all pojjible means, in order to promote a Defign fo
truly ufefui to Religion and Learning, and consequently
fo much deferring the great eft Encomiums.
In this view I am honoured with His Royal Com
mands, to acquaint Tou, Sir, with the Arrival of
feme Ancient Copies of the Hebrew Bible lately pur-
chafed in Egyft for the Royal Library -, and fent
hither
72 ACCOUNT V.
father by fome Gentlemen, who are attually making a
Voyage in Arabia Felix, by His Majeftys Orders. Ton
receive here inclofed a jhort account of the Condition of
thefe valuable Remains of Antiquity. 'The King intends
with Pleafure to give Tou leave to make Ufe of them.
It depends only of Tou, Rev. Sir, to appoint fome able
Perfon here ; who may examine, and, if Tou think it
proper, collate thefe Manufcripts with printed Copies :
in order to gather out of the former fuch Various Read
ings, as may occur therein. I hope, Tou will be per-
fuaded beforehand, that the Perfon, employed by Tou to
this pttrpofe, will meet with all imaginable Readinefs to
facilitate his Tajk. And I beg, Tou will be fure of my
beft Wifbes for the Succefs of your arduous Undertaking,
that cannot fail to immortalize your Name-, and, what
to a Man of your religious way of thinking muft be of
infinitely more Value, will draw down upon Tou God
Almighty's BleJJing.
I am, with great Efteem and Sincerity,
Reverend Sir,
Tour mofl obedient humble Servant,
COPENHAGEN;
March the 3ift, 1764. BE R N S T O R F F.
Next to the preceding, the greateft Favour to
my Work, in this year, has been granted by His
Excellency T'be Count De Fi R M i A N Governor of
the
YEAR 1764. 73
the Milanefc, and by fbe Marquis O L i v E R A,
Prefident of the Senate at Milan ; in which city
are preferved ( in the Ambrofian Library) XII
very valuable Hebrew MSS. An excellent Cata
logue of thefe MSS having been taken for me by
Henrico A Porta^ Oriental Profeflbr in the Univer-
fity of Pavia ; I was very defirous, that thefe MSS
might ( if poffible ) be collated by that learned
Gentleman. And he has lately been enabled to en
ter upon this Work, in confequencc of the two
following Orders, obligingly pafTed by the Gover
nor of the Milanefe and by the Senate at Milan —
that the Refidence of the Profeffor at Pavia be dif-
penfed with; and, that he be allowed to read his
Leftures at Milan : on purpoie that he might refide
at MILAN, to collate thefe Ambrofian MSS. The
Collation of the firil of thefe MSS has been already
fent me •, and I am indebted, for the conveyance
of it, to the Rev. Dr Chambers ; to whom it was
delivered in Italy by Sir HORATIO MANN. For
which, and many other proofs of his Goodnefs, I
am. fignally obliged to His Excellency ; particularly
for tranfmitting alfo, in this year, the Collations
of III MSS, belonging to the Imperial Library,
at FLORENCE : where other MSS are now under
examination.
As to the Imperial Library, at Vi ENNA \ I have
lately been favoured with an account of the Hebrew
MSS there, procured of the celebrated Librarian
and Phyfician Baron Van Swieten, at the obliging
K requeft
74 ACCOUNT V.
requeft of His Excellency Lord Vifcount S TOR-
MO NT, His Majefty's Ambaffador Extraordinary
at that Court. And I have defired, that a Colla
tion may be undertaken there, particularly of one
MS ( containing the whole Bible ) which is not de-
fcribed in the printed Catalogues.
At ROME; out of the XVII MSS ordered to
be there collated, thofe in the other Libraries ( ex
cept The Vatican) have been examined ; and the
Volume, containing their Various Readings, has
been fafely conveyed to England, and kindly fent
me by Walter Rawlinfow, Efq. And as to the parts
of Daniel and Ezra, printed only in Chaldee, but
which in the Auguftinian-Angelica MS, now col
lated, are found alfo in Hebrew ; every learned
Reader will hear with pleafure, that the Hebrew of
thefe large parts ( of The Bible ) now firfl difco-
Vered, feems very pure, and therefore may be very
antient •, and if fo, muft be very valuable. Prefixed
to this collection is an ample teftimony to the care
and accuracy of the Collator, ProfefTor Conftanzi ;
figned by Auguftino Georgi, Domini co Tbeoli^ Gabriel
Falricy^ and Simon Ballerini : which learned Libra
rians and ProfeiTors will, I hope, accept my Thanks
for their Trouble upon this occafion. There have
been alfo collated, in this year, VI MSS belonging
to The Vatican.
From the Royal Library at TURI N I have now
received the Various Readings of the VI bed MSS
preferved
YEAR 1764. 75
preferred there, which were collated by Profeflbr
Pafmi ; for the fafe conveyance of which to Eng
land I am obliged to the very learned The Count De
Carburi : to whofe care they were delivered by L.
Dutens Efq, the Britilh Refident at tha*t Court.
The Various Readings of the MS at BERNE,
collated under the direction of Mr Sinner^ the
learned Librarian there, have been received. And
at ZURICH, the Burgo-mafter Regnant Mr Landolt
has politely granted the Ufe of the II Hebrew
MSS, in their public Library, upon an application
from Robert Colebroke Efq, His Majefty's Refident
in Swiflerland : to whom I am alfo obliged for other
marks of his Favour.
In other Foreign Parts ( whilfl fome of the beft
MSS in PARIS are collating under the care of the
celebrated Profeflbr LADVO CAT, at the Sorbonne ;
and a Collation is alfo making of the Hebrew MS
in DRESDEN ) enquiries have been made this
year, after other MSS ; and endeavours have been
ufed to procure the Ufe of fuch, as are thought
the mod valuable. In particular, I mult acknow
ledge my great Obligations to His Excellency The
Earl of ROCHFORD, His Majefty's Ambaflador
Extraordinary to the Court of SPAIN, for his en
deavours to procure the Collation of fome MSS in
that country. My Thanks are due likewife to my
Friend Mr Devifme, Chaplain to His Excellency,
and alfo to Mr Pluer, Chaplain there to the Danilh
K 2 Envoy -,
76 ACCOUNT V.
Envoy ; who have been very kind in their enqui
ries after MSS, for the benefit of this Work.
Whilft EUROPE has thus liberally offered the
Treafures of her numerous MSS ; and whilft AF
RICA has likewife contributed, in furnifhing fome
MSS before, and now in offering feveral others,
imported through the Munificence and Public-
Spirit of His DA N i s H MAJESTY from Egypt ;
it mufl be obferved, that, as enquiries have been
making in the Eaft upom this fame occafion, ASIA
alfo is found to contain what may be of confider-
able fervice. For the Lord Bifhop of CARLISLE
having, in the beginning of this year, mofl oblig
ingly communicated to me a Letter from ALEPPO,
containing an account of a very curious MS pre-
ferved there ; I wrote to the Chaplain to the Britifli
Factory, Mr Dawes ( from whom that Letter to
His Lordfhip came ) requeuing a more particular
information. And I have lately been favoured with
his Anfwer ; which reprefents the MS, as contain
ing the whole Old Teftament, and as being of very
high Antiquity : and he gives me reafon to hope,
that an Examination of it there may be granted,
in fome particular paffages ; notwithflanding the
very extraordinary Veneration paid to it by the
Jews. Enquiries have alfo been made in AMERICA :
and though hitherto without fuccefs, as to MSS of
proper Antiquity ^ yet ( I am told ) fome fuch He
brew MSS may poflibly be found, amongft the
Jews, even in that Quarter of the World.
YEAR 1764. 77
I cannot conclude this Narrative, without ex-
prefimg the fenfe I have of the diftinguifhed Ho
nour done to my Work, by 'The Learned Academy
at MAN H E i M •, Theirs being the Firft Subfcrip-
tion, with which this Work has been favoured, in
any Foreign Country.
At Home ; the Encouragement given to it has
been SUCH, as requires that the utmoft diligence
and expedition, together with the greateft care and
exaclnefs, be continued thro' the remainder of this
Work; which have ( I hope) thus far been applied
faithfully : SUCH ENCOURAGEMENT, as demands
from me the warmeft and moil grateful acknow
ledgments to the PATRONS of the Work, now
living ; and the moil honourable expreffions of
duty to the Memory of thofe PATRONS, who
during thefe five years have died — amongft whom
were the following Great PERSONS, from whofe
Patronage this Work has received fignal Advantage
and Honour, and with whofe Illuftrious NAMES
I (hall clofe this Annual Account.
His Grace, The Duke of DEVONSHIRE.
The Right Honourable, The Earls of GRANVJLLE,
MACCLESFIELD, BATH, HARDWICKE.
The Right Honourable HENRY BILSON LEGGE.
fbe Right Reverend, The Bijhops,
HOADLY, SHERLOCK, HAYTBR.
78 ACCOUNT V.
The Certificates from Rome and Geneva,
originally repeated in this Tear's Account^
fee in pages 47, 48.
The Certificate from
*fbe Royal Profeffbr of Hebrew,
nearly the fame as before^
fee in fage 33.
ACCOUNT VI.
At the End of the Year 1765.
THE SIXTH Year, from the beginning of
the Collation of the facred Hebrew MSS,
being nearly concluded ; I think it my duty, mofl
gratefully to acknowledge the great Encourage
ment, with which my Work hath thus far been
honourably diftinguifhed. And at the fame time
that I endeavour to exprefs the deep Senfe I have
of my uncommon Obligations, firil of all to H i s
SACRED MAJESTY, and next to the Iliuftrious
SOCIETIES and Learned PERSONS, who patronize
my Undertaking >, I lhall (as ufual ) fpecify the
Progrefs therein made, for the Satisfaction of Thofe,
who with fo much Public -Spirit are pleafed to
fubfcribe to it.
YEAR 1765. 79
After the Experience of one or two Years, in
this extenfive and laborious Work ; it was highly
proper that the Patrons of it fhould be informed,
how much time might be neceffary for the com
pletion of it. And, after the moil careful compu
tation, I acquainted them that the Collation of our
own Hebrew MSS, together with fome of the befl
Foreign MSS, to be collated at the fame time,
would probably be finifhed in the fpace of TEN
YE A R s.
It is with great Pleafure, that I now confirm this
computation ; and think, that in the next Four
Years ( if but my prefent State of Health conti
nues ) will be collated, not only the reft of the
Hebrew MSS before known in Great Britain and
Ireland, but alfo Five others — one, in the library
of The Royal Society — one (a com pleat Bible )
lately purchafed by Solomon Da Cofla Efq\ — two,
in Dublin •, one belonging to That Univerjity^ the
other to the dr c hi epif copal library of St Sepulchre :
the knowledge of both which MSS was obligingly
communicated to me by Mr ProfefTor Sullivan —
and the other is a valuable MS of the whole Bible,
written in Syria, and purchafed for me at Venice
by the Rev. Mr Mordaunt ; through whofe Care
it was fafely conveyed to me near twelve months
fince.
The chief bufinefs of the prefent year has been
the Collation of Seven MSS, making Eleven Vo
lumes;
8o ACCOUNT VL
lumes ; which number becomes Thirteen by the
addition of Two Folio Volumes, which are part of
another MS. And thefe Seven ( omitting the un-
fmiflied MS ) make the whole number of our own
MSS hitherto collated FIFTY SEVEN. Of thefe
MSS, already collated, Seven contain each the
whole Bible -, which Seven therefore may contain
more Verfes than Twenty other MSS. And it may
be added, that the number of Verfes in the MSS,
thus far collated, bear a greater proportion to the
remainder, than Six years now pare bear to the re
maining Four. My Patrons may however be af-
fured, that, without any improper attention to this
computation, and without the lead inclination to
protract this Work unnecelfarily ( for no one pt-r-
ibn in the world can more ardently defire to have
it finilhed than I do, partly from long experience
of the Fatigue attending it, and partly from a firm
conviction of the Utility to be derived from it )
the Remainder of the Work mall be difpatched
with the greateft Expedition, confident with proper
Care : my time being almoft entirely devoted to the
difcharge of my duty in the conduct of this Work ;
to the employment of as many Affiflants as can
well be fuperintended at home, and to an extenfivc
Correfpondence for procuring ( at a very large Ex-
pence) collations of the beft MSS abroad.
When this Work had been carried on, for fome
years •, it was found, not only that many of the
Variations in the MSS were of confiderable impor
tance,
YEAR 1765. Si
tance, but alfo that the Whole, when collected,
would be fo very numerous, that there was a ne-
cefiity for inventing fome method fingular in its
kind, to anfwer fo fingular an occafion, as the re
gular and uncrouded arrangement of all thefc va
riations under their refpedtive chapters and verfes.
In the lad year therefore was begun, and in this
year has been finifhed, and is now bound up in 30
Folio Volumes ( interleaved ) a copy of the printed
Hebrew Bible, pafted upon writing paper, with
only two verfes in each page ; the vacant fpace
under each verfe being left for all the variations of
the MSS in that verfe, to be there inferted : and
this, according to the numerical order of the MSS,
when catalogued and numbered in the Prolegomena
to be prefixed to the whole Work. But the Reader
is not to infer the number of volumes, which this
Work will make hereafter, from the account of
this preparatory Bible. For, tho' the Work fhoukl
at lafl be comprifed in two or three Folio Volumes;
and thoj half the Space allowed in this interleaved
Bible fhould prove more than fufficient in general
for the variations, together with room for the cor
rection of fome miftakes : yet, as fome few verfes
will require the full fpace here allowed, and it can
not yet be known what thofe verfes may be, it
was necefTary to prepare a fpace fufficient for every
fuch exigency.
As to the Tranfcripts made during the prefent
year, and now depofited in the Bodleian library, in
L obedience
8 a ACCOUNT VI.
obedience to the Order of our Univerfity Delegates ;
to the number 44, before given in, are now added
17, from the collations of our own MSS. Among
the preceding 44 were 4, taken from fuch Foreign
MSS as have been fent hither to be collated : fo
that, 1 7 being added to 40, it appears — that all
the Collations of our own MSS, as yet made, are now
transcribed. For the greater fafety likewife of thofe
Collations, which ( for the Benefit of this Work )
have been made in various parts of Europe; tranf-
cripts of thefe alfo, to the number of 17, are now
depofitcd in the Bodleian library. And the MSS,
which have been already collated, and now are
under collation for me abroad, amount to between
SIXTY and SEVENTY.
Whilft the collation of the MSS was thus ad
vancing; it was apprehended, that it would be very
defireable, if fome uie could likewife be made of
the bed Editions already printed. And though it
would be evidently impofiible for me to collate all
ihefe editions, unlefs in felect paflages ; yet it feemed
necelTary, that the editions of Van der Hoogbt ( here
made the Standard ) fnould be collated with that of
Michaelis, printed at Hall, in 1720 : becaufe in this
Lift edition, the Variations are already collected
from the printed Bibles of Bomberg. Buxtorf, Stephens,
the Antwerp and London Polyglotts, and feveral other
editions : as is fet forth in Michaelis Pr<ef. p. 4 & 5.
That the. advantage of at lead this printed colla
tion might be derived to the prefent Work -, a
collation
YEAR 1 765. 83
collation has been made of the whole text of Micha-
elis* and that of V. Hooght : and a tranfcript of this
collation is now depofited in the Bodleian library.
The only remaining article, which fhall be here
mentioned, as to the State of my Work at home,
is this. Every learned Reader muft have been fen-
fible, that the different Beginnings of feveral Chap
ters in different Editions have occafioned much
trouble in referring to particular Verfes in the He
brew Bible. And to prevent fuch inconvenience,
a collation has alfo been made of the Beginnings
of all the Chapters, in the three editions of V.
Hooght, MichaelJS) and the London Polyglott : and a
tranfcript of this collation alfo is now depofited
with the others already mentioned.
As to the Collations made, and making, for this
Work, during the prefent year, in other Countries ;
I mall firfb mention the great honour done me by
a fecond Letter from his Excellency The Baron de
BERNSTORFF, Principal Secretary of State to
His Majeity THE KING OF DENMARK. And
as the chief Ornament of my lafb Account was the
Letter fent me by his Excellency ; I {hall give frefh
pleafure to all the Patrons of my Work by infert-
ing an exact Copy of this fecond Letter.
Reverend Sir,
Having received laft September your Letter of
Augujl the 14^, and fome while after, about the end
L 2 of
84 ACCOUNT VI. *
of Oftober, the Parcel mentioned therein, containing
thofe Books and Pamphlets Tou bad been fo kind as to
fend hither, and for which I beg Tou will accept of
my ftncere Acknowledgments ; the Seafon was then too
far advanced, andthejhort Winter-Days were thought
too inconvenient for making, conformably, to your
Wijhes, Sir, a Beginning with the intended Collation
of our Manufcripts. The nece/ary Meafures were
taken however, even during that Interval, in order to
proceed to the fame this Spring, without any further
Lofs of Time ; and it is now that, with the Almighty's
Help, the Work is taking in hand. It will be care
fully conduced under the Infpettion of the Rev. D. D.
Holm, Rofenftand-Goifce, and Cramer, Profe/ors of
Divinity here, and more particularly under that of Mr
Kail, Profe/or of the Oriental Languages. All the
abovtfaid MSS have actually hen delivered laft Week by
the King's Orders to thefe Gentlemen, who, each of
them employing feveral Jkilful and diligent Subjefts, are
in hopes to fee a great deal of the Collation finified this
Tear >, and when the whole is compleated, Tou may
depend upon its being tranfmitted to Tou without the
leaft Delay. I cannot doubt but the Collators will en
deavour, by applying themfelves to their Ta/k with the
utmofi Care and Fidelity, to flew themfelves worthy of
the Truft repcfed in them. Meanwhile I have been
honoured by your feccnd Letter of February the \^th.
Tour Annual Accounts of 1763 and 1764 have been
duly laid before His Majefty. It affords me a real
Pleafure to be able to acquaint Tou, Rev*. Sir, with
their having met with a very gracious Reception.
IVifiin*
YEAR 1765. 85
Wiftnng Tou with all my Heart the left of Succeffes
to your moft laudable Undertaking, I am with great
Truth and diftinguijhed Efteem, Reverend Sir,
Tcur mojl obedient humble Servant,
COPENHAGEN ;
March the BERNSTORFF.
At BERLIN, in the Royal library, a collation
is making of a celebrated MS in 4 Folio Volumes •,
part of which collation I have received from Pro-
fefibr Murfmna. In the fame Royal library is pre-
ferved an Hebrew Bible, in Svo printed ; an edi
tion, older by above 20 years than any printed
Hebrew Bible known here in England. This, which
was the Copy from whence the famous Luther
made his Verfion, contains feveral hundred Varia
tions from the Hebrew Bibles, fince printed ; and
I have therefore defired a compleat collation of it
to be made by ProfefTor Schulze, to whom I am
much obliged for an account of this curious Book :
and the world will be foon favoured with a DifTer-
tation upon it by this learned ProfefTor. But for
the advantages at Berlin, I am particularly indebted
to the very reverend Mr Sack, iirft Chaplain to His
Majefty THE KING OF PRUSSIA: and this
zealous Friend, who has furnifhed me with many
ufeful notices, has been alfo at confiderable Ex-
pence, which he generoufly prefents to my Work
as His Sitbfcription.
At
86 ACCOUNT VI.
At ERFURT arc fomc Hebrew MSS, which
were collated for the edition of Michaelis before -
rrientioned ; and concerning their Various Readings,
the following Remarks feem necefifary. Having
often obierved with furprize, that the Variations,
which in this Bible are publilhed from thcfe Erfurt
MSS, are very trifling as well as few, in compan
ion of thofe in moft other Hebrew MSS ; I ftrongly
fufpeded, that the Erfurt Variations were not
properly reprefented in the Notes to that printed
Bible, but that many Variations, particularly thofe
of greater Moment, were omitted. My Friend,
the juilly celebrated Profeffor Michaelis, of Got-
tingen, hearing of my fufpicion, and being told
that I had fixed upon two inftances, found upon
examination that thefe MSS contained many Va
riations not printed, and in particular the very
Headings I had fpecified : in teftimony of which
he mod obligingly fent me two Certificates figned
and fealed at Erfurt. I have therefore requefted,
that thefe MSS may be more fairly and fully repre
fented to the Public, by an entire re-collation of
them at my expence. And I doubt not, but fuch
future collation will be as ferviceable to my Work,
as the laft might have been urged to the difcredit
of collating Hebrew MSS in general.
In the Imperial library at VIENNA is a compleat
MS of the Bible, not mentioned in any printed
Catalogue ; which has been collated for me by the
learned Aloyfius dc Sonnenfels : and the Collation has
YEAR I7^5. 87
been moft carefully fent me by His Excellency
Lord Vifcount STORMONT, His Majefty's Am-
bafTador Extraordinary at that Court.
At COLOGNE there is alfo a MS of the whole
Bible, which is now collating at my requeft : and
for this permiffion I am highly obliged to the Rev,
Dr Hillefbeim, Rector of the College, who has fa
voured me with an account of this MS, and a Fae
Simile of its character.
At FLORENCE has been lately finifhed, by the
learned Fathers Berretta and Bartoli^ a compleat MS
of the Bible •, the Collation of which has been very
obligingly brought to England, at the Requeft of
His Excellency Sir HORATIO MANN, by the Rev.
Mr Hamilton : who alfo brought the Various Read
ings of the fecond and third Hebrew MSS, collated
by the learned ProfefTor A Porta^ in the Ambrofian
Library at MILAN.
At ROM E, the learned Conftanzi has now exe
cuted my fecond commiffion there ; which was for
collating 17 MSS, 12 of which are preferved in
the Vatican. For the Ufe of the MSS in this ce-
^lebrated Library, I gratefully acknowledge myfelf
indebted to the Goodnefs and Patronage of His
Eminence Cardinal ALBANI. And, as all my
Patrons will be pleafed with knowing, that the
prefent Protector of the Vatican fucceeded Cardinal
PA s s i o N E i, not only in Office, but alfo in Zeal
for my Work ; I (hall acquaint them with my Ob
ligations.
88 . ACCOUNT VI.
ligations. In the firit Letter, with which His Emi
nence honoured me. He was pleafed to lay — Et
vojant jufqu'ou vous avez en fi peu dc terns avarice
un Ouvrage fi fraieux et penible, je m puis ft non
'vous f elicit er de tout mon cceur de /' beureux fucces d*
une entreprife, qui rendra votre nom immortel a la pof-
terite plus reculce^ et dont la Republique des Lettres
tirera tant de profit et de lumieres. And lome time
after, in anfwer to my application for a fecond Col
lation in theVatican, His Eminence ( then Cardinal-
Librarian ) condefcended to write the following
Letter; which I here inferr, inflead of that hitherto
inferted from Cardinal PA s s i o N E i.
Quas ad me dedifti bumanijjimas Literas cakndis
Decembris^ accepi Vir clar. et quam molcfte ab Us in-
tellexi te gravi correptum morbo in difcrimine fuij/e^
tantimdem ex animo gratulor te plene convaluifle. Me-
dicorum auten\ quorum opera ercptus es, con/ilium am-
pleftaris velim^ temperando nimirum a literariis labo-
ribus, m nimius in Hit's ardor valetudini tu<e offidat -,
quantum enim literarij Reipublic<e ut injigne Opus
tuum vulgetur, tantundsm mea inter eft ut dm vivas
incclumis. Jus erit ProfeJJ'ori Conflantio tot codicum
collationem inftituere, quot Vatic ana Eibliotheca com-
pleftitur ; illique tradam codicum indicem, quern mififti^
ut illos quantocius fcrutetur. Quod me jujjis honeftes
tuts, idque equidem ut crelro facias^ oro : Deumque
0. M. enixe rogo, Te ad feros annos fervet incolumem.
*CaL Febr. 1763. ALEXANDER Card* AlBANUS,
TEAR 1765. 89
What has been lately done at PA R i s, I have
jlrtt yet been informed particularly; on account of
the Death of that eminent Promoter of this Work
and my zealous Friend, the learned and worthy
Librarian of the Sorbonnc? Profeflbr LADVOCAT.
But, notwithstanding this affefting Lofs ; I cannot
doubt of confiderable Afliftance from that City.
For, being very defirous, that fome of the belt
MSS in the Royal Library there might be collated
for my Work, I this year applied to His Excellency
The Earl cf HERTFORD, His Majefty's late Am-
baflador Extraordinary at the Court of France ; who
immediately obtained Leave, and in the moil ob
liging manner honoured me with the notice of it,
and with the Letter of T'be Count de St FLORENTIN.
My grateful Thanks are alfo due to His Excellency
The Duke de NIVERNOIS; who applied likewife
for the Royal MSS, and prefented to His MA-
JESTY the laft Annual Account of my Work.
The fecond Letter, which his Excellency condef-
cended to write to me, will acquaint my Patrons
with the Honour thus done me by this Ornament
and Patron of Literature The Duke de NIVERNOIS,
2nd the gracious acceptance of my Annual Account
by fo great a Monarch as His SOVEREIGN.
A Paris, le 3 Mar. 1765.
Je day pas mtnque de remettre adjourd'htty au Roy,
Monfieur^ un Exemplaire du compte que <vous aves rendu
cttte annte des pr ogres dt votre otrurage* S, Majefte a
M
go ACCOUNT VL
re$u ce prefent avec plaifir^ et m'a charge de vous le
temoigmr. J'ay remis aujji a M. de S. Florentin I'ex-
emplaire que vous m' aves adrefse four luy. Ce Miniftre
cone our era bien volontiers a tout ce qui pourra accelerer
la confection d'un fi important ouvrage. Je foubaite^
Monjleur^ avoir reujfi par mon Zele a executer vos
crdres a vous donner une nouvelle preuve de mon devoile-
ment fincere, et de tous les fentiments avec les queh
f ay r bonneur d'etre tres parfaitement, Mon/ieur,
liotre tres bumble et tres obeijjant Serviteur,
LE Due I>E NIVERNOIS.
The laft State of my Work mentioned my par
ticular Obligation to 1'be Learned Academy at MAN-
s« E i M ; and I now gratefully acknowledge the
Favour of TH E ELECTOR PALATINE: for, at
the Recommendation of His Serene Highnefs, I
have lately obtained an account of an Hebrew MS
at Mentz* which was drawn up by the learned Mr
Goldbagen. This account has been fent me by my
friend Mr D'Harold^ at the Court of Manheim ;
to whom I am alfo indebted for a very obliging
Letter from Mr Scbmidtz^ Counfellor to the MAR-
CRAVE of Baden-DurlaCi relative to two curious
MSS in His Highnefs's Library.
Laftly : in the enumeration of Services and En
quiries for the Benefit of this Work, during the
prefent year ; very grateful mention muft be made
of the Favour of His Excellency, The Honourable
Sir JOSEPH YORKE, His Majelty's AmbafTador
Extra-
YEAR 1 765. 91
Extraordinary at the Hague, in relation to fome
valuable MSS at Utrecht.
In confequence of fnch numerous and fingular
Obligations, it is certainly my duty to exert my
utmoft endeavours for the perfection of my Work,
and the fatisfa&ion of all the Patrons of it : and
as fome of them have, in the laft year, mentioned
to me two circumftances, I will take notice of both
in this place. It has been faid — that it would be
agreeable to the prefent, and might procure more,
Subfcribers ; if fome Specimen were to be printed,
now and then, to prove the Importance of the Work
by the Various Readings collected from the MSS.
But I muft obferve, that a regular Specimen of any
part of the Bible is at prefent impoffible ; becaufe
Accefllons are making to every part continually.
And let be obferved farther, that I have already
communicated to the Public, at different times,
above 300 inflances of fuch Various Readings ;
many of which are fo important, that thofe Perfons,
who cannot be convinced by them^ will certainly
not be convinced by 300 more. And as to thofe,
who were at all convinced, that this Work was
proper to be undertaken ; fuch, it is prefumed,
muft ftill think it worth fimfoing and fublijbing.
The other circumftance, mentioned in this year,
is — - that, a particular account of the Expence not
being annually printed, it has been infmuated, that
this Work is perhaps carried on with very little or
M 2 no
92 ACCOUNT VI.
no Expence; at leaft, not with an Expence at all
proportioned to the Subfcription. To this I fay,
firft, that I do by no means defire any one Perfon
to entrufl me with his Money, who doubts my
proper Application of it. And I beg leave to add,
for the perfect Satisfaction of all my Subfcribers,
that ( exclufive of the Collations of many other
MSS already engaged for in different Parts of
Europe ) my Expences, in this one Year, on ac
count of this Work, amount to above Six HUN
DRED Pounds •, the greater part of which is ftand-
ing and confbant Expence, in every Year.
I mall now conclude this Annual Account with
part of an Elogium upon my Work and it's PA-
TRONS, delivered in a Public Oration, at Hall in
Saxony , by the reverend and learned Dr SE MLE R7
ProfefTor of Divinity in that Univerflty.
Cum ampliffima ilia exornandi Hebraici codicis pro-
k)inci<iy quam Celeb. Kennicotum apud Anglos^ primum
rite^ mclioribus certe aufpiciis quam ante ipfum quen-
quam, Jufcepiffe fchnus^ non folum eorum omnium ex-
cipiatur publicis plaufibus, qui in Romana Rcclefia //-
far ali eruditioni non obfcure favere videntur, fed etiam
deditiffimis fludiis ultro promoveatur : dulitari non po -
teft, nee inter nos defuturos, qUi tante et tarn pr<eclar<z
rei fuccejjiis profperos, votis ominibujque l<etis^ public?
frivatimque adjutum eant. — Jam vel infer eos, quibus
litter arum facrarum difciplina traditur^ gratulari fibi
quotus quifque eft erettioris ingenii -, quod h<ec vi-
vcnd*
YEAR 1765. 93
*utndo temp or a at tiger it, quibus PuHlcum quafi Signum
ereftum eft^ ad bene fperandum de amplificanda He-
Irc.ici codicis dignitate. — Equidem vari* affici foleoy
cum luculenttffiaia ilia ftudia co^ito, qu<z in Anglia,
leata pluribus nominibus L:fula^ publice privatimque
ingenti contentione c.d hanc. caufam promovendam con-
feruntur. REGIS ittlus Auguftijfimi fplendidijfimam
munificentuim facile nobis fingimus : fcimus enim An-
gliae Kegem effe. ACADEMIARUM Britannia
utriufque illujlrem ac venuftum confenfum, in adjimando
Kennicoti propofito, quis non admiretur? TRES Aca
demic omnes lubentiffime votis ejus occurrunt. Ibi
Reverendiffimi ARCHIEPISCOPI liber alijfime condicunt
fumtus. Nobiliffimi PRI N c i p E s. Honor at ijfimi CO-
MITES, ultra conferunt. Reverendorum E P i s c OPO-
RUM ^^DECANORUM exiftit faujla cancer dia.
BARONES, ARMIGERI^ privati adeo Religionis
A D M i N i s T R i , numcro longo in Societatem hanc coeunt.
Fortunatos, felices ibi eruditos !
fie CERTIFICATE
from
*fbe Royal Profeffbr of Hebrew,
nearly the fame as before^
fee in page 33.
( 94 )
ACCOUNT VII.
At the End of the Year 1766.
INTRO DUCTIO N,
nearly the fame as before,
fee in page 78.
TO the number of FIFTY SEVEN MSS,
collated in the Six Years preceding, are ta
be now added, as having been collated in the pre-
fent Year, THIRTEEN-, fo that the whole num
ber of M.SS at home, now collated, amounts to
SEVENTY. And, as to thofe MSS at home,
which remain unexamined ; I hope, and believe,
they will be all collated during the Three next Tears.
Of the Thirteen MSS, examined during this
Year, Six belong to The Britifb Mufeum ; lent me
;-n confequence of an Order at a General Meeting
of The Curators of that invaluable Repofitory,
where only Four now remain to be collated : One
MS has been lent me by the Dean and Chapter of
Wells: and One Copy, which, tho' printed, is really
more valuable than feveral of our prefent MSS,
has been this Year lent by the Provoft and Fellows
of Eton College, out of their elegant and valuable
Library*
YEAR 1766. 95
Library. And for the Ufe of all thefe Books, com
municated in the mod obliging manner, I pub-
lickly exprefs my Thanks.
But amongft all the Obligations of this nature,
conferred during the prefent Year, there is One,
which demands my particular and moft grateful
Acknowledgments. And thefe I here make, in the
moft dutiful and moft humble manner, to H I S
MAJESTY, for the Ufe of a very antient and
curious printed Hebrew Pentateuch-, which HIS
MAJESTY has moft gracioufly commanded to
be lent me from His Royal Library. The Colla
tion of this Pentateuch is begun j and this Edition,
together with a few others likewife very antient,
will be particularly defcribed near the conclufion
©f this Account.
The laft annual Account mentioned, that Tranf-
cripts of the Collations of Fifty Seven of our own
MSS were then depofited in- the Bodleian Library ;
together with thofe of Four foreign MSS collated
here, and of Seventeen collated in other parts of
Europe. To the preceding Fifty Seven are now
added Eleven^ and to the Twenty One are added
Nineteen ; fo that the whole number of Tranfcripts,
which I have now depofited in the Bodleian Library,
amounts to ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT.
The MSS at home and abroad, now collated for
this Work, amount to ONE HUNDRED AND
THIRTy -
96 ACCOUNT VIL
THIRTY ; and even thefe, it is prefumed, are more
than ever were made ufe of, to afcertain the true
Text of any other book in the world. But yet,
that this Work may as far exceed all others in the
Quantity of its Materials, as it does in the Great-
nels of that Patronage by which it is fupported ;
not only the remaining MSS will be rimmed at
home, but alfo many other valuable MSS will be
collated in other countries : and as to thefe, the
Collation of between Twenty and Thirty is at pre-
fent engaged for.
An examination of the MSS, very fortunately
procured from the Eaft, at the Command of His
Majefty The late K i N G OF DENMARK, is now
making at COPENHAGEN by fome learned Pro-
feflbrs, who were appointed by His Excellency
The Baron de BERNSTORFF, an Illuftrious Patron
of this Work. The celebrated Able Hooke> who
fuccecds the late Profeflbr Ladvocat in Zeal for this
Work, as well as in the Hebrew Chair at the Sor-
bonne, has informed me that the two MSS, which
I have feleded as being probably the moft valuable
at PA R i s, one in the Royal library, and the other
at the Oratory, are both under examination ; in con-
fequence of an order from His MOST CHRISTIAN
MAJESTY as to the former ; and by the favour of
the learned Fathers of the Oratory, as to the latter.
A collation of the MS at CA s s E L, diftinguifhed
by Mr Scheide's DifTertation upon it, is in part
made ; and that part has been received from Goet-
tingen :
YEAR 1766. 97
tingen: for, upon leave given by His Serene High-
nels The LANDGRAVE of HESSE, that MS has
been removed by my very learned Friend Profeflbr
Michaelis, who kindly took a journey to CafTel, for
the more fecure conveyance of it to Goettingen.
And ( not to enlarge, by fpecifying more at pre-
fent ) the two famous MSS, formerly belonging to
Reuchlin, now in the library of the MARGRAVE
ofBADEN-DuRLAc, at the Palace of Carlfruhe,
have been this year committed to the care of Mr
Bruns, by the Honourable Mr Schtnidtz Privy-
Counfellor to His Serene Highnefs.
I muft here exprefs my acknowledgments to
Monf. VAbbc le Blond, for his great care in tranf-
cribing and fending me from Caen the collations of
Six MSS of the Pfalms, examined at PARIS under
the direction of the late Profeflbr Ladvocat. The
celebrated Profeflbr Ereitinger, at ZURICH, has
alfo been very obliging by his zeal and fervice j
not only in freely collating for me great part of a
MS at Zurich, but alfo in procuring me the Va
rious Readings of a MS ( not before known to the
Public ) preferved in the Monaftery of St Blafe in
the Black Forefi ; the collation of which was very
politely ordered by the illuftrious Prince and Pre
late MARTINI, who is therefore entitled to my
gratitude : the fame is due like wife to William
Norton Efq; His Majefty's Minifler to the Swifs
Cantons, for fending me both thefe collations. And
I muft alfo exprefs my thanks to Sir Horace Mann*
N Bart.
98 ACCOUNT VII.
Barf. His Majefty's Refident at Florence, for tranf-
mitting the collations of fome MSS finifhed at
MILAN, by Profefibr A Porta and Dr Baptifla
Branca ; which collations were brought me, in a
very obliging manner, by the Honourable Sir
William Stanhope.
In return for the very generous Subfcription, by
which this Work has been eminently diilinguifhed ;
one part of my duty certainly is, to acquaint the
PATRONS of it with any fignal marks of Appro
bation fhewn to it by the Learned World. And I
fhall therefore, for the Satisfaction of my SUB*
SCRIBERS, infert copies of two Inftruments I have
lately been favoured with ; and which I have been
favoured with on account of that Work, in which,
through THEIR Encouragement, I have the Ho
nour to be employed.
In the prefent year a Difcovery has been made,
which is of great importance in itfelf, and moil
nearly conne&ed with the nature of this Work ;
and as it unfolds a new, yet decifive argument, in
proof of the Expediency, or rather the NeceJJity of
fuch an Undertaking, particular notice mufl be
here taken of it : and it may be rendered more
generally intelligible, in confequence of the fol
lowing introduction.
The Learned thro' Europe have been long di
vided into two general clalTes, as to their opinions
of the printed Hebrew Text of the Old Tejiament \
fome
YEAR 1766. 99
ibme infilling upon the abfolute Integrity of that
Text, others holding it to be in fome inftances
corrupted. The men of this latter clafs were fub-
divided in their fentiments •, for while fome thought
the corruptions few and of little moment, others
thought them many and of great confequence. In
this however they almoft all agreed, that, whatever
was the real number, or nature, of the corruptions
in the printed Text, that 'fext could receive little or
no correction from Hebrew MSS -, becaufe the He
brew MSS, now extant, were but few ; and thefe
few were modern ; and all of them entirely, or
nearly, the fame with one another and with the
Text as printed. But this opinion, however pre
valent till within a few years pafl, has been fo ef
fectually confuted by the evidence produced from
thefe MSS, that the common opinion ( it is pre-
fumed ) now is — that the Hebrew MSS, yet ex
tant, are very many -9 and that fome differ greatly
from others, and from the printed Text.
Now amongft all thefe variations of opinion, it
has been taken for granted by all parties, that the
Text of the Hebrew Bible , as now PRINTED, is one
and uniform -, entirely, or nearly, the fame in all the
editions of it ; wherever, and by whomibever, it
has hitherto been publifhed. And upon this ima
ginary Samenefs of all the printed copies has been
founded the famous notion, formerly afferted by
many, and even now by a few, that the printed
Hebrew 'Text is perfeff and uncorrupted. Whereas,
N 2 on
ioo ACCOUNT VII.
on the contrary -, if that very Text, as it is now
printed, be at laft found to vary much from itfelf,
and fome copies differ greatly from others ; then
can there be nothing more abfurd, than the notion
of all the printed copies being pure and genuine :
then can nothing be more clear, than that, when-
ever one printed copy differs from another, this or
that copy muft be corrupted : and laftly, nothing
can be more certain, than that, in cafe thefe diffe
rences be many and confiderable, // muft be cur
duty to examine ( or caufe to be examined ) as many
as pqffible of the oldeft and beft MSS ; in order to
determine, with a degree of exactnefs proportioned
to the Importance of the Subject, which of the
printed editions are wrong, and which right, where
they are found to differ. And, in order to fuch
determination, the beft method (which indeed is
propofed to be here taken ) feems to be — to re-
publifh the Hebrew Text, exactly as it now flands
in one of the beft amongft the common Editions;
and to fubjoin at the bottom of each page ( fo far
as relates to each page ) all the Various Readings,
which {hall have been collected either from the
MSS, or the printed Copies.
The many and confiderable Differences here
meant, as found in the printed Copies themfclves,
are ( not typographical errors, or variations amongft
the feveral modern editions, but) fuch as remark
ably diftihguiih the modern Copies from the moft
ancient. It had been before difcovered, in the
courfe
YEAR 1766. 101
courfe of this Work, that the older the MSS are,
the more they differ from the modern printed Text,
and the more they agree with the Antient Verfions
and the Quotations in the New Teftament. And
it is now found, that the oldeft -printed copies differ
greatly from the latefl ; and agree mod with the
oldeft and beft MSS. It is to the enquiries of the
prefent Year, that the Learned are indebted for
this difcovery, as to the Merit and Value of the
OLDEST PRINTED copies •, and the proof arifes
from the joint authorities of the Four following
Editions.
The firft is the ETON copy, mentioned before
as collated in the prefent year ; and indeed it has,
for greater exactnefs, been collated twice. It was
printed as early as 1487, and is probably the only
copy in the world of this edition ; the Various
Readings in this from Vander Hooght's edition are
very numerous, and feveral of real confequence.
But, as a fingle evidence in fuch a caufe would not
be furHciently fatisfadlory, the fecond old edition,
which I mall mention, was printed in 1494*, and
that copy of it, which belonged to LUTHER, is
now in the Royal Library at BERLIN : and at my
requeft a collation of it is nearly finifhed by the
celebrated Profeflbr Schulze, who has publimed a
curious Volume concerning it, in the German lan
guage •, to which is prefixed an Englifh Dedication,
for which I publickly exprefs my thanks. The
German Volume has been mofl obligingly tranflated
for
102 ACCOUNT VII.
for me, into Latin, by the reverend and learned
Mr Woide \ and by the help of this verfion I find,
that this Berlin Bible differs exceedingly from the
modern copies : near 500 variations in whole Words
or Letters being fpecified in this Differtation, and
above 200 inltances of difference in the Maforetical
Points. Many of the verbal and literal differences
agree with the readings of the Eton copy ; and fe-
veral are of confiderable moment. The third and
fourth copies, which I (hall mention, are the FIRST
edition that ever was printed of the whole Hebrew
Bible, being printed in 1488 ; and a Pentateuch,
in 1492: which books are happily preierved in the
library of His Serene Highnefs The MARGRAVE
of BADEN-DURLAC. This very acceptable intelli
gence I have lately received from Mr Bruns before-
mentioned, together with ipecirnens of the Varia
tions of thefe two Editions : and I find, that thefe
Editions concur with the two former, in differing
greatly from the modern Editions, and are more
agreeable to the oldeft and beft MSS. Thefe two
copies alfo will be collated, for the greater perfec
tion of this Work ; and from thefe, with the two
former, will be collected a multitude of material
Various Readings. And it is obfervable ; that,
though thefe four copies fo much agree, yet they
(till vary enough to fnew, that they were not print
ed from one another, but from different MSS.
I lhall clofe this article with earneflly requeuing
the Learned, in foreign countries as well as in our
own,
YEAR 1 766. 103
own, that they will favour me with arty fuch noti
ces as are yet wanting, in order to a more compleat
difcovery of the State of the Oldeft Editions. And,
as I fhall be greatly obliged to Them for acquaint
ing me, either with fuch of thofe Editions as I have
not heard of, or with the Places where any of thofe
Editions are preferved of which I do not at prefent
know the Places ; I fhall lay before Them the fol
lowing Table — not of all the Editions of either
the Whole or Parts of the Hebrew Bible, which
preceded the firft Maforetical Bible in 1528 (all
which amount to near FIFTY) but of fuch only,
as were printed before the famous Editions of Car
dinal Ximenes at Complutum in 1517, and of Felix
Pratenfis at Venice in 1518.
1486 — PROPHETS — in folio, printed at Soncino,
no points ; did belong to the late famous
Rabbi Offenbeim, at Hanover : but the place,
where it is now preferved, is not known to me.
1487 — HAGIOGR APHA — 2 Vol. folio, at Naples,
on Vellum, pointed aim oft throughout; pre
ferved in Eton College library.
1488 — BIBLE — folio, at Soncino, with points ;
in the library of His Serene Highnefs the
Margrave of Baden-Durlac.
— BIBLE — dated this year, catalogued as
printed at Bologna, is faid to be preferved in
the Barberini library at Rome.
— BIBLE
104 ACCOUNT VII.
— - B i B L E — dated this year, is faid to be
preferved in the IMPERIAL Laurentian library
at Florence.
1491 — PENTATEUCH — 2 Vol. folio, at Liflon9
on Vellum, pointed ; having the Chaldee Pa-
raphrafe and Jarchi's Commentary : belongs
to the library of His Majefty TH E Ki N c OF
GREAT BRITAIN.
— PE N TAT E u c H — folio, with the Chaldee
Paraphrafc and Jarchi's Commentary, belongs
to the Royal library at Paris -, and, tho' cata
logued as printed in 1490 (which perhaps is
the date at the end of the firft volume ) feems
another copy of the edition of 1491 : which
is the date at the end of the fecond volume.
And in His MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY'S
library is preferved another copy; the defcrip-
tion of which more exactly agrees with .that
of the preceding edition, belonging to His
BRITANNIC MAJESTY.
1492 — PENTATEUCH, MEGILLOTH & HAPH.
- 8°, at Brefcia -, in the library of The Mar
grave of Baden -Durlac.
1 493 — PRIOR PROPHETS — folio, at Naples ^
place, where now preferved, unknown.
1 494 — BIBLE — 8°, at Brefcia ; in the library
of His Majefty THE KING OF PRUSSIA.
— BIBLE — dated this year, reprefented as
printed at Pefaro, unpointed, is faid to be in
the Caroline library at Zurich.
YEAR 1766. 105
*— KINGS — folio, atLetria-, in the Royal
library at Paris.
1497 — ISAIAH & JEREMIAH — folio, at Lijlon ;
place, where now preferved, unknown.
— PROVERBS — folio; did belong to Op-
fenheim: place, where now preferved, unknown;
1511 — PR IOR PROPHETS — ( and Pofterior,
according to Le Long ) — folio, at Pefaro ; in
the Royal library at Paris.
1513 — ISAIAH 6f JEREMIAH — folio, at Con-
ftantinople ; place, where now preferved, un
known.
1515 — PENTATEUCH & MEGILLOTH — place,
where now preferved, unknown.
— PSALMS, PROVERBS, JOB, & DANIEL —
folio, at fbejfalonica •, preferved in The Bod
leian.
1516 — POSTERIOR PROPHETS — folio, 2d edit.
at Pefaro -, in the library of the Reverend
Mr Sanford.
— PSALMS — folio, at Genoa ; one of FIFT Y
different printed editions of the Whole or
Parts of the Hebrew Bible, which have been
purchafed by myfelf.
— PSALMS — folio, at Eafil\ in vol. 8 of
St Jerom's Works.
— PSALMS — 18°, at Bq/il ; in the library
at Dantzic.
O —JOB
io6 ACCOUNT VIL
— JOB — 4% at Paris \ place, where
ferved, unknown.
1517 — B i B L E — folio, 2 columns, by one of
the dominates •, did belong to Oppenheim :
place, where now preferved, unknown.
Then follow, as finifhed in 1517 and' 151 8, the
Two Editions of
The COMPLUTENSIAN POLYGLOTT BlBLE
And The
VINICE ( Bomberg ) BIBLE by FELIX P& ATENSIS.
NOTE. The Date, in the oldcft editions, is
generally at the End of the volumes, and inferted
after the word ruii' year of\ and, tho* it be fome-
times given in words at length, is oftner exprefied
in the numeral letters of the Hebrew Alphabet.
The Jews reckon, from the Creation, 240 years
lefs than are ufually reckoned by Chriftians : and
therefore, if a book be dated from the Creation
5246 -, by deducting 3760, the Turn left is the year
of Chrift 1486, which is the time of the firft printed
edition. But if, as is generally the cafe, the Printer
gives tie leffer computation by leaving out the thou-
lands, and exp re fifes only 246; then by adding 1000,
with 240 the difference of reckoning, the year of
Chrift is found 1486, as before. Thus: the Date
of the oldeft edition being 1486, a copy of it will
probably be known by the letters ID n i.e. 246, or
by other letters making the fame number : a copy,
printed in 1494, may be known by in 254, or
other numerals of the fame amount : one, in 1500,
by D-> 260 : and one, in 1517, by rjn 277;
YEAR 1766. 107
DIPLOMA from GOETTINGEN.
immortaliter promeritus eft de critica textus
Hebraici Benjamin Kennicott, fheologi* Doftor in
Univerfitate Oxonienji^ Sodetatis Regime Britannic*
Socius, Sodufque Collegii Exonienfis ; conquifitis per
ommm Europam, quin immo ex Africa Afi<eque oris,
coditibus librorum prifci fcederis, nondum in huncfnem
adhibit is, iifdemque vel ipfo profpiciente domi, vel
blando ejus impulfu apud exteros, diligentiffime collatis :
eas ob res SOCIETAS REGIA SCIENTIARUM
GOETTI NGENSIS Benjaminum Kennicott, *fheo-
logi<e Do ft or em in Univerfitate Oxonienft, COLLE G i s
CLASS is PHILOLOGIC^: adfcrifftt, adfcriptum
boc documento declarat; petens ab eo^ ut criticos in
codicem Hebraicum labores, felicijjimo aufu fufceptos^
pari Jludio ad finem per -ducat ^ editiommque aliquando
exhibcat illis copiis inftruftam, quibus nullus unquam
liber inftruttus prodiit. Ex quo fuccejju permagnam
certe tetitiam fentiet, eundemque Sodali impenfe gra-
tulabitur Societas -9 ipfius vici/im erga fe voluntatem
urgent^ et demonflratam offidis mutuis compenfatura.
iNG/Ei 2jjanuar. 1766.
Sigill.
JOANNES DAVID S.R.S. JOAN. PHIL. MURRAY,
MICHAELIS, So- Goett. Phil Prof. Ord. Societa-
cietatis Regi* Di- tifo Reg. Scientiar. Se-
reftor. ere f anus.
O 2 DIPLOMA
io8 ACCOUNT VII.
DIPLOMA from MANNHEIM.
ELECTORALIS Stientiarum & Elegant.
Liter arum THEODORO- PA LATINS Pr<efes,
Director ac Socii, LtRuris S.
Cum eadem omnium fit Feritas, eaque in rerum na-
tura mhil pr^ftantius -, commune ejfe debet Veritatis
ftudium, et communis inveftigationis honos. Centrum
quafi hvjus turn ftudii, turn honoris, rette habentur So-
cietales literari^^ a Principibus viris folenni quodam
modo conftitut^ membrifque compofa<e variis^ quorum
alia tegendis et promovendis laboribus Academicis, alia
propius Us fubeundis, alia remotius, funt dejtinata.
Legibus bine noftris tres Sociorum ordinal* funt Cla/es ;
qu<*>^ quo inter fe erunt conjunftiores, eo facilius me-
tam Veritatis propofttam attingent. Prima claffis eft
Ordinariorum^ qidndecim numero^ Societatis anima ;
cui ornamento accedit fecunda Honorariorum, et amilio
claffis Extraor dinar iorum tertia. Inter Extraordina-
rios bos^ annuente SERENISSIMO CAROLO THEO
DORO, Principe Eleftore, ccoptatus a nobis eft Vir
antiquarum literarum dottiffimus, Benjaminus Kenni-
cott, S. T. P. Regixque Societatis Anglican* ut et
Collegii Exonienjis Socius per Celebris, Academic noftr*
ab incunabulis inde fids amici/mus : unde hoc Socii
Extracrdinarii Diploma^ Sigillo Academico noftro mu-
mtum, fcribi et tradi ei lubenti/me curavimits. Da.t*
M A N N H E M I I ; VI Cal Mail, I 766,
LEOPOLDUS L.B. SigilL STENGEL.
DE HOHENHAUSEN. • Acad. Mann. LAMEY.
YEAR 1766. 109
fbe CERTIFICATE:
Which is here given, as containing the Second
Renewal of our Univerfity Subicription.
THE Delegates of the Prefs, in the Univerfity of
Oxford, having in January 1760 fubfcribed to Dr
Kennicott's Collation of the Hebrew MSS ; and having
inferted in an Order then made the following words [ That
their Subfcription be continued at the beginning of every Tear,
upon Dr Kennicott's producing a Certificate from the Royal
Prtfejfir of Hebrew, that in his Judgment Dr Kennicott hath
made a competent Progrefs in the faid Work during -the Tear
preceding ; ] and the faid Delegates, as well as the Uni-
vefity of Cambridge, having in the beginning of the prefent
Year again renewed their Subfcription to this Work on
condition of a Certificate from me, as before-mentioned ;
and Dr Kennicott having applied to me for fuch a Cer
tificate : 1 .do hereby accordingly Certify, for the Satis
faction of both thefe Univerfities, and of fuch Perfons as
have encouraged this Work by their Subfcriptions, that
the feveral Parts of the Collation, made during this Seventh
Year, have been laid before me ; and my Opinion is,
that Dr Kennicott hath made a very competent Progrefs
in the faid Collation. And, upon coniidering feveral of the
Various Readings, which he has already difcovered in the
Hebrew MSS ; I think this Work will be of v.ery confi-
derable Service to Sacred Literature.
T H O. HUNT,
Chrift - Church ;
Decemb. 30, 1766. Regius ProfeJJor of Hebrew.
ACCOUNT VI II.
At the End of the Year 1767,
IT is with great pleafure, that I now wait upon
the Illuftrious and Learned PATR o N s of my
Collation of the Hebrew MSS of the Old Tefta-
mcnt j in order to lay before Them the Progrefs
made in the Work, and the Encouragement with
which it has been honoured, in the prefent year,
which is the EIGHTH from the beginning of this
Undertaking.
To the number of Seventy MSS, collated in the
7 years preceding, are to be now added FIFTE EN ;
fo that the whole number of MSS at home, now
collated, amounts to EIGHTY FIVE. And as to
the MSS at home, yet unexamined ; I hope, and
believe, they will be all collated during the two
next years. And, if fo *, then will this Collation
have been fmgularly fortunate : as being complea-
ted in the very time, which, upon a Calculation
at firft made, I declared to be neceflary, namely
TEN YEARS.
Of the 15 MSS, now collated, Four belong to
<?bc Britifh Mufeum, and are the whole ( out of
the
YEAR
the 28 in that invaluable Repofitory ) which re
mained uncollated : Three other MSS belong to
the Library of The Royal Society ; and Six to the
Library of Corpus Chrifti College ', in Oxford. And
for the ufe of all thefe MSS, communicated in ths
mod obliging manner, I publickly expreis my
thanks. I mufl here alfo make my acknowledg
ments to The Matter and Fellows of St Johrfs
College^ in Cambridge ; who have lately lent me
Two valuable MSS : which, not being yet col
lated, are not included in the number before fpe-
cified.
During the laft year it was happily difcovered,
that the printed Hebrew Bibles differed greatly
from each other , and that the moft early editions
had many and important Variations, agreeably to
the more antient MSS ; whilfl the modern editions
agree only with the I at eft MSS. The oldeft editions
therefore being very valuable, and abfolutely ne-
cefTary to be collated likewife ; I beg leave to ex-
prefs my gratitude in the moft dutiful manner, to
HIS MAJESTY, The Royal and Munificent
Patron of this Work, for the Ufe of an antienc
and very curious Pentateuch^ upon fine vellum, one
of the moft elegant Books that ever came from
thePrefs (for there are proofs of its being printed,
tho* it has frequently been taken for a MS ) which
HISMAJESTY graciouQy commanded to be
lent me at the end of the laft year, and which was
collated in the beginning of the prefent.
Three
Ii2 ACCOUNT VIlJ.
Three years before this Royal Pentateuch, which
is dated in 1491, there was printed thefirft edition
of the whole Hebrew Bible •, and of this Bible only
3 copies were known in Europe, till a fourth was
fortunately purchafed, this year, by my very learned
Friend Mr SANFORD, of Balliol College. The
Collation of this printed Bible is already ib far ad
vanced as to (hew, that it is exceedingly valuable;
and it certainly contains fome thoufands of Varia
tions, feveral of which are of confiderable confe-
quence : a decifive confutation this of the opinion,
which, till within a year or two pail, obtained uni-
verfally among the Learned, that all the printed
Hebrew Bibles were entirely or nearly the fame. On
this very interefting article of the oldeft printed
editions, I mail obferve farther, that to the cata
logue of them given in my laft Account are to be
now added, not only this firft whole Bible dated in
1488, but allb another copy of the ETON Hagio-
grapha, of 1487, preferved in the Cafanatenfian
library at Rome ; and allb 2 others ( both older than
that of the Prophets in 1486) — one, containing
Jqfh. Judg. & Sam. in 1484, which I have myfelf
feen in The Royal Library at Paris — and the other
a Pentateuch, in 1482, which Maffti fays (Veron.
Illuftrat. 3, 7 ) is preferved at Verona : and there is
another copy of this Pentateuch in the curious Li
brary of His Serene Highnefs The Margrave of
BADEN-DURLAC, at the palace of Carlf-
ruhe.
Y E A R 1767. 113
rzhe. * Hence then it appears, that the method,
which feems to have been originally obferved in
printing the Hebrew Bible, was juft what might
have been expected ; firft, the Pentateuch, in 1482 ;
fecondly, the- Prior Prophets, in 1484-, thirdly, the
Pofler'wr Prophets, in 1486^ and fourthly, the
Hagiogrvpha, in 1487 : and, after the 4 great parts
had been thus printed feparately ( each with a com
ment ) I'he whole Text ( without a comment) was
printed in one volume, in 1488. And the Text
continued to be printed, as in thefe firft editions,
fo in feveral others for 20 or 30 years, without
marginal Keri or 'Ma-fora, and with greater agree
ment to the more antient MSS ; till, about the
year 1520, fome of the Jews adopted later MSS,
and the Mafora: which abfurd preference has ob
tained ever fmce.
f j
In the laft Account I afTured the Reader, that
108 Tranfcrifts of Collations were then depofited
in the Bodleian Library ; and a Catalogue, fpe-
cifying the Collations fo tranfcribed and depofited,
was figned by the Principal Librarian, on May 2*.
* The place, where the latter of thefe 2 copies is pre-
ferved, was made known to me by my learned Friend Mr
Bruns't whom I have defired to collate this firft-printed Penta
teuch. And I was favoured with the notice of the former by
the learned Monf. Mercier, the very worthy Librarian of the
St Gewvtft library at Paris ; who has lately been prefented
,fey His Moft Chriftian Majefty to a Mitred Abbey.
p 1767:
H4 ACCOUNT V.I 1 1.
1 767 : which Catalogue is too large to be inferted
in this Account. And to the Tranfcripts before
depofited have been lately added 21 ; fo that the
number, now in the Bodleian, amounts to ONE
HUNDRED AND TWENTY NINE.
The only articles at home, which I (hall here
add, are — that I have been highly obliged by the
reverend and learned Dr Gill -, who has extracted
andfent me the Variations from the modern Bibles
in the paffages quoted in the Talmuds both of Jeru-
falem and Babylon, and alfo in ihtRallotb: which
Variations, in thefe antient books of the Jews*
affect the Hebrew Text of the Old Teftament, as
the Variations in the antient Cbriftian Fathers affect
the Greek Text of the New. And laftly : the
Hebrew MSS in England have been this year in-
creafed by Two, now my own ; which did belong
to the late Dr De Wilbetn, of Lekkerkirk near Rot
terdam : and one of thefe is the magnificent and
curious MS, which was celebrated in the Account
of my Work for the year 1 763. Thefe MSS have
been kindly purchafed, at my requeft, by the Re
verend Dr Ricbardfon, Chaplain to His Excellency
Sir JOSEPH YORKE, His Majefly's Ambaffador
at the Hague.
As to Collations procured, in the prefent year,
from abroad ; I mall begin with thofe, which I have
juft received from DENMARK: very obligingly
rranfmitted to me by His Excellency the Baron DE
BERN-
YEAR 1767. 115
BERNSTORFF, Principal Secretary of State. The
Various Readings of Seven MSS, lately purchafed
in Egypt, muft be thought very defirable. And
therefore, when the ufe of thefe MSS was volun
tarily offered me, by order of His late DANISH
MAJESTY; I gratefully accepted it. And I now
exprefs my Thanks in this public manner to His
Majefty the prefent KING OF DENMARK, not
only for the ufe of thefe 7 MSS, but alfo of one
other, long prelerved in the Royal Library. Thefe
8 MSS have been collated by the Oriental Profef-
for Mr Kail, together with other learned Gentle
men at Copenhagen, the ProfefTors Cramer, Holmes,
Rofenftand Goifke &c.
I have likewife received a Collation of the whole
Hebrew Bible, printed in 1494; which did belong
to LUTHER, and is now preierved in the Royal
Library at BERLIN. This curious edition was
collated by the learned Profeflbr Schulze, afllfted by
his learned Wife ; and the Variations in this from
the modern editions are very numerous and valu
able. This Collation was very obligingly tranfmit-
ted to me by His Excellency Sir ANDREW MIT
CH E LL, His Majeily's AmbafTador at Berlin.
From FLORENCE I have received this year the
Collation of a MS in the Library of Duke STROZZI,
collated by the learned Fathers Berretta and Barloli ;
which Collation was kindly brought me by Mr
P 2 Warftly*
n6 ACCOUNT VIII.
t
Worfely, at the requeft of Sir Ho R A c E M A N tf,
His Majefty's Refident in that City.
The 2 MSS, formerly belonging to RcuMin9
now preferved in the Library of The Margrave of
BADE-N-DURLAC (together with a 3d MS con
taining the book of Pfalms ) have been examined,
and their Variations fent me, in the prefent year,
by Mr Bruns. Thefe are the 2 MSS, from which,
on account of their ( fuppofed ) very high antiquity
and extraordinary merit, a new edition of the He
brew Bible was propofed to have been made about
ten years ago. Their Various Readings are really
of confiderable value : and it is particularly obfer-
vable, that in one of thefe MSS, after the pro
phecy of Malady the next book is Daniel j placed
in that order by the Tranfcriber himfelf.
Among the learned Foreigners, by whom I have
been favoured with Letters during this year, par
ticular mention muft be made of ProfefTor Nagel^
of Altdorff near Nuremberg. From this Gentleman
I have learnt, that an Hebrew Bible, in 7 folio
volumes, which was lately to be fold, is purchafed
for the public Library at Nuremberg. And this
valuable MS, together with 3 others, is very for
tunately preferved in a Country, where there are
Men fo munificent, and animated with fo much
Public Spirit, as to order Collations of thefe MSS
to be made for me AT THEIR OWN EX PENCE.
The generous Perfons, who thus demonftrate their
Zeal
YEAR 1767- 1 17
Zeal for the honour of Revelation, and the com
mon benefit cf Europe, are .ttc Illujlrious CHRIS
TOPHER CHARLES KRESS DE KRESSENSTEIN,
and The Illuftrious P.AUL CHARLES WELSER DE
NEUNHOF ; both Knights of the holy Roman Empire.
To thefe Patrons the warmeft Thanks, which I can
exprefs, are juftly due; and their Examples, if
followed, would render this Work compleat, by
enabling it to appear at once, with the Various
Readings of all the MSS in Europe. An Event
this — which, though impolTible upon the prefent
Subfcription, might very eaiily be obtained •, if the
RICH and the G R E A T in the feveral parts of
Europe would, at their own Expence likewife, order
Collations to be made of the MSS in their refpec-
tive Countries.
With the notice of this munificent offer from
Nuremberg, muft be again mentioned the liberal
Subfcription, with which my Work has been dif-
tinguifhed by THE ACADEMY OF MANNHEIM-,
a favour, already taken notice of with proper gra
titude : and the Continuance of This Subfcription is
here acknowledged with great thankfulnefs.
Due mention has been alfo made of the favour
©f Monf. U Abbe Ladvocat^ late Hebrew Profefibr
at The Sorbonne ; who collated, without reward^ fe
veral of the Paris MSS : and whofe great zeal for
the promotion of this Work appears farther from
a Letter of his lately printed, in which are thefe
words
ii8 ACCOUNT VIII.
words — mats nous tfaurons une edition pure et cor-
rette du Texte Hebreu, que quant paroitra cells que
M. Kennicott Sfavant Anglois nous prepare. Je con-
tribuerai de mon cote a /' aider dans cette importante
entreprife^ foit en lid communiquant mes remarques^
foit en collationnant tous les Manufcrits Htireux qui
font a Paris., et en lui en envoyant les Variantes. *
Some of thefe Collations were fent me by the Pro-
fefibr himfelf ; and others, made under his care,
have been ( fmce his death ) kindly tranfmitted by
Monf. Udbbe Le Blond: from whom I have lately
received the laft fruits of that Profefibr's benevo
lent affiftance. But my advantages from the Sor-
lonne by no means ended with that Profeflbr's life ;
as he was fucceeded in the Hebrew Chair by my
very learned Countryman Monf. UAbbe Hooke, to
whom I am under flill greater obligations. For
thro' his favour, and the kindnefs of Monf. UAbbe
Affeline^ I have received feveral other Collations,
partly from the Sorbonne, and partly from the
* A learned Proteftant alfo, Profeflbr Verfcbuir, of Fwic-
quer, in his Diflertation lately printed, has honoured my
Work with the following approbation. De eo mils et unlverfo
erbi Cbr'tjJiano gratulamury quod tot manu exarati codices remanfe-
Tintt ex quorum collations genuine left tones a per it is et veri aman-
tibus criticis magnam partem facile indagari poffint -, et quod iflum^
iaborem in fe fufceperit B. Kennicottis, vir — a quo optima qu&vis
de hoc opere fperamus public* pro fufcepto hoc utilijpmo cpere
maxima* ago grttias ; nt que ut id ad fnem perducerc conetur,
emxe rtgo.
Royal
YEAR 1767. 119
Royal Library at Paris ; and the afiiftance of thefc
Gentlemen is obligingly offered, and gratefully
accepted, as to fome other MSS.
My thanks however are not due to thefe two
Friends, merely for fome Collations ; but alfo, for
a thotifand Obligations which they conferred upon
me, in perfon, whilfb I was at PA R i s, vifiting the
MSS, during the laft fummer. For, convinced of
its being my duty to do every thing in my power
towards the perfection of my Work, and convinced
likewife that many advantages would refult from
my own examinations, in a City, which may boaft
of near One Hundred Hebrew and Samaritan MSS ;
I went, and examined accordingly : and I have the
pleafure to acquaint the Reader, that the Vifit has
been productive of very great utility to my Work,
in various ways. And I here acknowledge, with
the warmefl gratitude, the many Favours (hewn
to me at Paris, in the moil honourable manner •,
particularly, by His Grace THE DUKE DE NIVER-
NOIS, and His Excellency THE EARL OF ROCH-
FORD. To which Illuftrious Names I muft add
that of His Grace The Lord ARCH-BISHOP OF
PARIS; who very obligingly ordered feveral Li
braries to be examined, where there might poftibly
be Hebrew MSS not publickly known : and has
fmce condefcended to favour me with a Letter,
exprefiive of His great Goodwill to me and to
my Work,
The
i2o ACCOUNT VIII.
The ufe of the 37 Hebrew MSS, and 2 Sama
ritan, preferved in the very magnificent Library of
His MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, was granted
me, in the mod obliging manner, by the Royal
Librarians Monf. Caperonier and Monf. Bejot. One
of the oldeft and beft of thefe Royal MSS, con
taining the whole Bible^ has been examined ; and
the Various Readings, extracted from it, are nu
merous and of great confequence. The treafures
of the SORBONNE were freely opened to me like-
wife; in which ample library are 29 Hebrew MSS.
The fame favour was obtained from the learned
Fathers of the ORATORY, as to their 8 Hebrew
MSS, and 2 Samaritan j one of thefe is the copy
from which Morinus printed, and is the only Sama
ritan MS ( out of 1 6 now in Europe) which has
yet been made proper ufe of: though the other 4
copies in Paris have the true readings in feveral
places, where the MS of Morinus is wrong. The
Librarians alfo of St GENOVEFE, St GERMAIN
DES PRES, StVicToiRE-, and the MINIM
Fathers, very readily communicated their MSS :
in the 3d and 4th of which libraries are 2 Hebrew
MSS ; in the 2d library are 3 Hebrew MSS and
4 of the Greek Verfion, one of which is above a
thoufand years old ; and in the ift library is one
Hebrew MS, with a MS of the Samaritan Penta
teuch : and, as I found the Samaritan MS to con
tain many and valuable Various Readings, it has
been fmce collated for me by my learned Friend
Mr
Y E AR 1767.
Mr Lobftein-of Strajlurg. From this fame excellent
library was lent me alfo a written Collation ( made
by Morinus} of the Samaritan and Hebrew Penta-
teuchs ; noting their differences, and frequently
adding the authorities of the antient Verfions :
which curious MS was tranfcribed for me, while
at Paris, by Mr Bruns, who kindly came to me
thither from Carlfrube. As the MSS beforemenr
tioned were, out of fingular Veneration for my
Work, lent me at my own Hotel ; and as I had
therefore all the Samaritan MSS at Pans open before
me at the fame time: I not only was honoured with
a Sight, which perhaps no other perfon ever faw ;
but I alfo felt a peculiar pleafure, at beholding
thefe precious remains of facred Antiquity, which
I hoped to render very ferviceable to the correction
of the Hebrew Pentateuch.
Among the many learned and worthy Perfons,
who contributed to render my flay at Paris uieful
and agreeable •, my Thanks are particularly due to
Monf. DE BREQJJIGNY, Monf. DE BEAUMONT,
Father BERTIER, and Colonel DROMGOLD. And
laitly : I muft make my public acknowledgments
to The Prefident and Members of THE ROYAL
ACADEMY OF INSCRIPTIONS AND BELLES
L E T T R E s, for the great Honour done rne by
admitting me a Member of their Illuflrious Socie
ty-, which Admiflion is exprefled in the following
Diploma.
Extrait
122 ACCOUNT VIII.
Extrait des Regijlres de /' ACADEMIE ROYALE de$
INSCRIPTIONS fc? BELLES LETTRES.
DuFendredi, Sept Aout, 1767.
Sur la proportion faite a la Compagnie par M. Le
Prefidqnt de donner un temoignage public a" eftime &
de confideration a M. Le ~Dotteur Kennicot, qui s'eft
fait un nom dans la Republique des Lettres par des
outrages ou /' erudition et la critique fe font egalement
remarquer^ La Compagnie perfuadee qtfil eft de fon de
voir et de fon inter et^ d* entretenir avec les fcavants
Grangers un commerce utile au pr ogres des Lettres^ a^
par une deliberation unanimey mis Monjieur Le Dofleur
Kennicot au nombre de fes correfpondants, et a charge
M. Le Beau, fon Secretaire perpetuel^ de lui expedier
des Lettres de Correfpondance fuivant /' ufage $t dans
J& forme ordinaire.
En foi de quoi J 'aifigne les prefentes Lettres fcelUes
dit fceau de F Academe. Fait a Paris an Louvre k
dit jour fept Acut^ 1767.
LE BEAU, Secretaire Perpetuel.
As this Year has been diftinguiflied by two.
Events, not already mentioned ; I cannot clofe this
Account, without making the mod grateful men
tion of Both. The one is — the Honour done me
by His Grace The Lord ARCH-BISHOP OF
CANTERBURY, and The other GREAT OFFICERS.
YEAR 1767. 123
OF STATE &c. who are Electors of The RAD-
CLIFFE Librarian, in appointing me lately to that
Office. And the other article, with which I mall
conclude this Account, is — my great Obligation
to a Lady lately deceafed, whom I had never feen ;
Mrs ELIZABETH GRIFFEN, of Wokingham^ Berks :
who, from the opinion She had formed of the Ufe-
fulnefs of my Work, and of the Labour with which
it is attended, has bequeathed to me by Her Will
a Legacy of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS ; to be paid
by Her Executors, asfoon as I Jh all have compleated
the Collation of the Holy Bible, which I have now
undertaken.
THE CERTIFICATE
from
*fbe Royal Profeffbr of Hebrew,
nearly the fame as before,
fee in page 109.
ACCOUNT IX.
At the End of the Year 1768,
IN the profecution of a Work fo very laborious,
as that of collating all the MSS of the Hebrew
Bible in our own country, and procuring collations
of the beft MSS abroad ( which was at firft thought
to require Ten Tears to perfect it) I am truly
thankful to DIVINE PROVIDENCE, that I have
been fo far blefTed with Health, as to fee the Work
advance to the end of the Ninth year, with a fair
profpect of its being compleated in the year fol
lowing.
Before I enter into the particulars of this year's
Progrefs, I muft exprefs myfelf moft gratefully for
the Illuftrious Patronage, with which it is flill ho
noured ; and for the Public -fpirited Subfcription, by
which it has been> for fo many years, fingularly
fupported : an acknowledgment, which is the more
necefiary at this time, becanfe the Subfcription in
this Ninth year is greater than in any year prece
ding. And I am very happy in feeing, that the
opinion of the Learned is more and more favour
able to a Work -y which indeed I find to be of
greater
YEAR 1768. 125
greater and greater confequence, in proportion as
more MSS, and alfo more printed Editions, are
examined for the Benefit of it.
To the number of 85 MSS at home, before
collated, are to be now added 15; fo that the
whole number of our own MSS, thus far cpllated,
amounts to ONE HUNDRED. Of thefe 1 5 MSS,
2 belong to 'The Mafler and Fellows of St John's Col
lege, in Cambridge ; i to the Rev. Dr Barton, War
den of Merton College ; and i to the Rev. Mr
Price, the Bodley Librarian : and for the ufe of
thefe 4 MSS, I defire thefe Gentlemen to accept
my public thanks. Another of thefe MSS was pre-
fented to me by the Rev. Dr Hunt, our celebrated
Hebrew Profeflbr ; whofe Favour to this Work, and
its author, cannot be fufficiently acknowledged.
But what has added fuperior luflre to the Work,
in the prefent year, is a MS, which I have lately
had the honour to purchafe for the Royal Library,
by the command of HIS MAJESTY, the
Supreme and Munificent Patron of this Work.
This curious MS, which contains the whole He
brew Bible, has alfo been collated ; and it has one
pre-eminence above every other MS I have feen
— that it belonged, not only to a SYNAGOGUE
( tho' even that circumftance would have been im
portant, as it contains, a multitude of Variations )
but to a Synagogue in JERUSALEM itfelf. For
a very celebrated Rabbi, who was born in Spain
in
ia6 ACCOUNT IX.
in 1 194, built a Synagogue at Jerufalem ; and in
this Synagogue, ( which was built about 500 years
fince ) was this MS (which was written about 400
years fince) preferved with the utmoft veneration,
till Jerufalem was taken by the Emperor Setim in
1517. The MS was then feized by a Turkilh
Officer, who carried it to Aleppo; where, in 1683,
it came into the hands of the celebrated D'Arvieux:
and it was afterwards purchafed by an Englifh
Gentleman, who brought it home to enrich his
own country. In this MS the Pfalms9 Job, and
Proverbs., are written in Hemiftics ; as the Hebrew
Poetry certainly fliould be. And, tho' it has fuffered
by rafures, it has ftill many various Readings, and
feveral of confequence : in particular, it has Two
Verfes in one place, which are clearly genuine, tho*
the Mafora has pronounced them fpurious.
In the lad Annual Account it was mentioned,
that 129 Tranfcripts were then depofited in the
Bodleian ; and this number is now made 143, by
14 other Tranfcripts, added lately : for which the
Principal Librarian has given his Receipt, as ufual.
As to Foreign MSS, I fhall firft mention thofe,
which are preferved in the Royal Library at Copen
hagen: of which MSS 8 have been collated, and
the collations of them received, as mentioned in
the account of laft year. And here I acknowledge,
with the warmeft gratitude, the Honour of a Pro-
mife from His Majefly THE KING OF DENMARK,
( at the recommendation of my Friend His Excel-
YEAR 1768. '127
lency fbe Count de Bernflorff) that not only thefe
8 MSS, but alfo every other in the RoyaJ Library,
containing any part of the Hebrew Bible, fhall be
fent to England, for my own perfonal infpedtion.
To the collation of 7 MSS, before received from
the Ambrofian Library at Milan, are to be now
added 5 more ; finiflied by the care of Hsnrico A
Porta, the celebrated Profefibr of the Oriental
Languages at Pavia ; and the learned Dr Baptifta
Branca, the Ambrofian Librarian : which Colla
tions were very obligingly brought to England
lately by Mr Stewart, at the requeft cf His Ex
cellency Sir Horatio Mann, His Majefty's Refident
at Florence.
Thro' the care of William Norton Efq\ His Ma-
jetty's Minifter at Berne, I have lately received,
from the celebrated ProfeiTor Brei linger, the colla
tion of a valuable MS of the Hebrew Bible pre-
ierved at Zuric.
From Berlin I have this year received a collation
of the third part of that MS, which is the moil
conficlerable in the Royal Library of His Majefly
THE KING OF PRUSSIA. And there being at
o
Brieg in Silejia an Hebrew MS, reprefented by
WolfiiiSj as having very many Variations j I have
engaged for a complete collation of it.
^1 have lately been favoured with a Letter from
M, Qbelin> Public Librarian at Str a/burg; who has,
in
128 ACCOUNT
in a very obliging manner, offered to fend me the
Variations of the MSS preferved in that valuable
Library : of which MSS he has given me a very
particular account, together with a curious fpecimen
of their various readings. The other Libraries
at Strafburg are now under examination, as to their
Hebrew MSS, by my worthy friend Mr Lobftcin ;
in confequence of Letters recommendatory from
The Lord ARCH-BISHOP of PARIS: and I am
fignally obliged to His Grace for frefli afTurances
of His Zeal for this Work, exprefled in a Letter
which I have not long fmce had the Honour to
receive from Him.
As it has been repeatedly proved, that the MSS
at Erfurt, which were made ufe of for Michaelis's
edition of the Hebrew Bible at Hall^ in 1720,
contain Variations much more numerous and im
portant than are inferted in that edition ; I have
lately defired, that a new and compleat collation
may be made of the oldeft and befl of thefe MSS.
While thefe feveral collations are making for this
Work, with other collations not before-mentioned ;
particularly at Nuremberg by ProfefTor Nagel, at
the Expence of the Illuftrious C. C. KRESS de
Kreffenftein, and the Illuftrious P. C. WE L s E R de
Nennkofi and at Paris, by the free fervices of my
very learned Friend Monf. UAbbe AJfeline, Dr and
Profeflbr of the Sorbonne ; and while every othar
attempt in my power has been made, towards en
riching
YEAR 1768. 129
Hching this Work from the various Countries of
EUROPE : other parts of the World ( how great
foever the difficulties of enquiry there, and how
ever unpromising the profpect ) have not been
unattended to.
My Friend General Melvill, whom I had re-
quefted to examine in AMERICA, has lately
allured me, that, after many enquiries, he could
hear of no Hebrew MSS there, but what were very
modern. AFRICA has largely contributed to
wards the prefent Work ; particularly, by the MSS
purchafed in Cairo at the command of His Majefly
The late KING OF DEN MARK. At Conftantinopk
a curious MS was purchafed, and has been kindly
prefented to me, by His Excellency Sir James
Porter. And if we pafs from thence into ASIA;
there even Jertifalem itfelf has furnifhed a compleat
MS, which has been already celebrated, and be
longs now to The Royal Library in Great Britain.
Much has been reported, concerning Hebrew
MSS preferved in China-, particularly, at Cai-fong~
fa. And as the leaft poffibility of procuring fome-
thing, either MS itfelf, or Collation of a MS,
from that very diftant part of the Globe, was
fufficient to engage my earned attention ; I have
been lately enabled to lend thither a CommifTion,
either for purchafmg a MS, or procuring fomc
Collation : for which latter purpofe I have aifo fent
to Canton a printed Hebrew Bible. And for the
R
130 ACCOUNT IX*
opportunity of making this attempt I am exceed
ingly obliged to Frederick Pigou^ Efq; whom I de-
fire to accept my public acknowledgments for his
very benevolent affidance.
I mall clofe this Annual Account with one arti
cle of intelligence •, which I have referved for the
la(l, becaule it is the moil important. The very
firft edition of the Hebrew Bible, printed in 1488,
and fortunately purchafed by my Friend Mr Sanford
(as mentioned in the lad Annual Account) has
been now compleatly collated with the edition of
Van. Hooght, in 1705 ; and the Variations between
thefe editions ( the former printed more agreeably
to the oldefl and bell MSS, and the latter to the
latefl and word ) have been carefully computed.
And now, to the great Surprize of the Learned
through Europe — of thofe, who acknowledged
Jbme differences and corruptions in the printed
copies — as well as of thofe, who infided on their
abfolute agreement and integrity — I fay, to the
Surprize of the Learned univerlally, I acquaint
them, that the Words, which here vary either in
the Whole or in fome Part, amount to above
TWELVE THOUSAND!
Now from this Difcovery arife the following very
intereding Quedions. How are we to determine
between thefe 2. Editions, in thefe 12000 in-
ilances ? Are we, without any reafon, to prefer
either Edition unwerfally -, or to prefer fometimes
the
YEAR 1768. 131
the one, fometimes the other? If neither, without
a reafon ; what reafon can there be fo good, as
fbe Concurrence of MSS ? And if the Authority
of MSS ( together with that of the antient Verfions,
Context &c.) is to determine ; does not this de-
monftrate— I will not fay, the great Expediency,
but — the abfolute NECESSITY of collating fuch
MSS, that fo the Learned may judge, the more
fafely, between thefe printed Editions of a Book,
which is of fuch vaft Importance ? If, then, the
NECESSITY of this Work be certain ; how
grateful ought the Public to be, and Pofterity will
be for ages to come, to ALL THOSE, who have
patronized a Work fo very beneficial to Mankind !
If the Work, thus in every year confirmed by
more and flronger Authorities, and thus fupported
with encreafing Zeal by the Generofity of the Pub-
lie, lhall be publiflied by the perfon, who has thus
far conduced it ; if be jhall live to introduce to
the World the refult of all thefe Sacred Enquiries :
the grateful Dedication of his Work to ALL ITS
PATRONS will form a very pleafmg part of his
Duty, in that Publication. At prefent; the whole
in his power is, to publifh annually, with his warmed
Thanks, the Names of THE SUBSCRIBERS:
and the Catalogue of Them for this Year is given,
as ufual, after the following Certificate.
R 2
132 ACCOUNT IX-
?HE CERTIFICATE.
TH E Delegates of the Prefs , in the Univerfity of
Oxford, having in January 1760 fubfcribed to Dr
Kennicott's Collation of the Hebrew MSS ; and having
inferted in an Order then made the following words [ Thai
their Subjcription be continued at the beginning of every Tear,
upon Dr Kennicott's producing a Certificate from the Royal
ProfeJJor of Hebrew ', that in his 'Judgment Dr Kennicott hatb
mads a competent Progrefs in the faid Work during the Tear
preceding ; ] and the faid Delegates, as well as the Uni-
vefity of Cambridge, having in the beginning of the prefent
Year again renewed their Subfcription to this Work on
condition of a Certificate from me, as before-mentioned ;
and Dr Kennicott having applied to me for fuch a Cer
tificate : I do hereby accordingly Certify, for the Satis
faction of both thefe Univerfities, and of fuch Perfons as
have encouraged this Work by their Subfcriptions, that
the feveral Parts of the Collation, made during this Ninth
Year, have been laid before me ; and my Opinion is,
that Dr Kennicott hath made a very competent Progrefs
in the faid Collation. Upon confidering fevera] of the
Various Readings, which he has already difcovered in the
Hebrew MSS ; I think this Work will be of very confi-
derable Service to Sacred Literature. And as the Work
appears to be of greater and greater confequence, in
proportion as more MSS are collated ; I cannot but take
this opportunity of congratulating the Patrons of it, on
jts being now fo far advanced, and brought fo near to
a Conclufion.
T H O. HUNT,
CIriJ?- Churcb;
. 30, 176^. Regius Profejfor of Hebrew*
( '33 )
ACCOUNT X;
At the End of the Year 1769
Concluding
THE WHOLE WORK,
WH E N I undertook the Collation of the
Hebrew MSS of the Old Teftament, my
mind was greatly affedted with very different con-
fiderations ; fome of which it may not be improper
to ftate here, when I am about to acquaint the
Public with the CONCLUSION of this Undertaking.
The certain Importance of this Work to The
Public — the poffible confequences of it to myfelf*
in various ways ; particularly, as to the Injury
which my Conftitution would probably fuffer, from
the Labour and very clofe Application neceflary
for many Years — the Exhortations of thofe, who
zealoufly recommended it — and the Difpofition of
others to cenfure both the Work itfelf, and the Me
thod of condu&ing it, be that Method whatever
it would — furnifhed out a multitude of refledtions,
and topics of very difagree^ble as well as agreeable
poflibility.
134 ACCOUNT X.
poflibility. Some of thefe circumftances would
perhaps have induced any man, not blefled with
uncommon Health ( as I then was ) to tremble and
decline the Tafk ; and yet other confederations,
particularly that of devoting the moft ufeful part
of life to the nobleft purpofe, prevailed with me
at laft to undertake it.
TH E BIBLE had ever appeared to me a Book
of infinite confequence to myielf and the reft of
Mankind ; and I confidered it as a Gift worthy of
GOD, and worthy of all human acceptation. The
many Difficulties, formerly occurring in the per-
vifal of it, I had ufually attributed to my own Ig
norance, particularly of the Original Text, and to
the' Want of Exactnefs in our Englifli Tranflation.
When I learnt the Hebrew language, and for
fome years afterwards ; I was of the fame opinion
with moft Divines, that every Word and Letter in
the printed Hebrew Text was pure and genuine. I
therefore concluded, that neither the real Obfcu-
rities, nor the apparent Inconfiftencies, were at
all chargeable to the Inaccuracy of Tranfcribers ;
and of courfe, that a Remedy was not to be fought,
or would be fought to no good purpofe, in any
attempt to correct the printed Hebrew Text.
However, being difpofed to give up even this
opinion, if it was found wrong, I became after
wards convinced of my Miftake ; and when con
vinced
Y EAR 1769. 13$
vinced upon evidence, which feemed abundantly
fatisfaftory, I thought it my duty to endeavour to
convince others. I ventured accordingly to publifh
my Reafons. And, in order to awaken others to
a juft fenfe of the true State of the Old Teftament ;
I produced fuch parts of it, as were either not to
be explained by themfelves, or not to be rendered
confident with other parts, without allowing
that tbe prefent Text is much corrupted. And at the
fame time, that the Diforder was pointed out, a
Remedy was prefcribed ; or rather, was difcovered.
For I found upon enquiry, that there were in Eng
land very many facred Hebrew MSS, at that time
quite undiflurbed, at lead not at all made ufe of.
And in thefe MSS I found more than fufficient
proofs of the Fallibility of Jewifh Tranfcribers, in
general ; and alfo fome of thofe particular readings,
which, tho' different from the printed Text, I had
before fet down as true.
Such a Difcovery as this — of MSS, containing
the whole or parts of a Book moil juftly venerable
— and thefe MSS, very many in number — and
MSS, which had never been attended to, though
they contained Thoufands of Variations ; many of
which were of real confequence to the Honour of
REVELATION — fuch a Difcovery could not
but engage the attention of thofe, who were at all
friends to Learning and to Religion. This was in
deed the confequence. But then, while the Learned
ivere thankful, and much pleafed with the happy
confe-
t$6 ACCOUNT X.
confequences likely to refult from corredling the
miftakes in our printed Heb. Bible ; fome thought
it right to vilify the man, who thus offered his
Difcovery •, reflecting on him illiberally and very
abfurdly, for writing ( as they called it ) againfl the
word of God.
Now, though Abufe, from men of zeal without
knowledge, is the reverfe of difgrace ; it was ftill
more honourable to receive Approbation from Men
eminent for Literature and Piety, and diflinguifhed
alfo by their Rank in Life. And, being animated
by fuch Friends as Thefe to purfue the fame en
quiries, after publifhing One Differ tation on this
fubjedb, I fpent Six Years in preparing and pub
lifhing a Second ; which, at the fame time that it
proved more fully the Expediency of examining
Hebrew MSS, gave notice of many other fuch
MSS, worthy of examination.
But, though I endeavoured as much as poflible
to recommend a Collation of thefe MSS, yet I did
not mean to recommend myfelf for the Collator ;
or indeed as any of thofe, who poffibly might be
prevailed upon to undertake a Work of fuch vaft
fatigue. Having, however, been applied to by the
Delegates of our Univerfity - Prefs, to whom the
Royal Profeffbr of Hebrew had recommended me ;
and having been repeatedly and earneftly exhorted
to it by fo Great a Perfon as The late ARCH
BISHOP of CANTERBURY: I, at laft, in the
begin-
YEAR 1769, 137
beginning of the year 1760, told His Grace, that
I confented j and that I was refolved to apply my-
fclf wholly to this Employment — provided, // was
made prudent for me in point of Circumfiances. And
as I forefaw, that great Encouragement would be
granted to the l¥orky which indeed has fince proved
much greater than I expected ; ib I made no doubt,
but a generous Attention would be fhewn to the
perfon undertaking it : who thus neglected every
other purfuit, for the fake of this one ; and who
was thus deftined to grow old, in the Service of
the Public.
That the Work, thus entered upon, might no^
appear romantic and impracticable ; and be deemed
either impoflible, or unlikely, to be brought to a
conclufion, at lead during the lives of thofe who
fo much wifhed the performance of it; it feemed
right to confine the Work to fuch MSS> as were
preferred, and the ufe of which could be obtained, in
our own Country : with the declared intention of
procuring ( during that interval ) Collations of as
many of the beft Foreign MSS, as Time and £#-
pence would allow.
After the moft exact calculation I was capabje of
making, I publifhed my opinion — that the Colla
tion, thus undertaken, would probably be finifhed
in TEN YEARS. And how long foever fuch a
Time might then, and may ftill, appear to men,
not much acquainted with the nature of this Work;
S yet
138 ACCOUNT X.
yet thofe, who can eitimate the comparing of a
printed copy, Letter after Letter^ with every Word
of every Chapter^ in ONE HUNDRED AND
FORTY Hebrew MSS, will perhaps be aftonifhed,
that 'Twenty Years were not found necefTary, inftead
of fen. Efpccially, when it is added — that every
fuch Collation, containing its whole catalogue of
QmiffionSy Additions^ Tranfpofitions &c, with all its
marks vi-Rafures &c, ( fee pag. 35 — 43 ) was to
be tranfcribed -, and cither the original Collation,
or its TranicrJpt, depofited in the Bodleian library.
And this confiderable addition of labour was flill
further increafed, at my own choice ; becaufe I
thought it right ( though this was not required )
that Copies of all the Foreign Collations mould be
taken, and depofited, likewife.
The Account, publifhed at the end of the year
1768, mentioned, that One Hundred of our own
Hebrew MSS were then collated. And I have
now the pleafure to acquaint the Public, that the
Whole Remainder of our own MSS ( i. e. all, which
I, could difcover, and obtain the uie of) are now
collated likewife. So that, on Hating this Account,
which concludes the TE N.T H Year, I find myfelf
intitled to one comfortable reflection, feldom if
ever due to Public Undertakers of any kind, that
of having ftriffly kept my word, and finiihing exactly
-at the time which I had named near Ten Tears ago.
And this circumftance is, I confefs, not the lefs
agreeable, becaufe it will mortify fome men of
little
YEAR 176-9. 139
little minds ; who ( whether from envy, or malice,
or whatever other evil principle ) have been known
to infinuate — that, no doubt ^ the Undertaker cf 'this
Work^ having it in his -power to be fecret in the Ma
nagement of his Collation, would take care to protraul
O J -L
it fo prudently ', as to make it a good Settlement for
Life. How far this benevolent intimation may
have been juftly grounded, will appear more clearly
at the conclufion of this Account. For from thence
the Reader will be better qualified to judge
Whether the Undertaker of this Work has, or has
not, afted in the profecution of it, with as much
Difintereflednefs^ or at lead with as much Zeal for
his Work and the Public^ as the Public, however
generous, have mewn for his Work and him.
As to the preceding calculation of Ten Years,
it fhould be obferved, that fo much time was fup-
pofed necefTary for examining only the Mamftripts
of the Hebrew Bible ; and fuch only of thofe
MSS, as were then difcovered: feveral others having
been fmce found, and collated, likcwife. And as
to the printed Editions ; a collation of fbem was
not at firft judged to be at all neceflary. So very
nearly, or rather fo exactly, had thefe been all
thought to agree, excepting the fingle edition of
the Hagiographa in 1487 •, that the collation of no
printed Edition, excepting that one, was at firft
intended.
S 2 But,
140 ACCOUNT X.
But, how greatly has this Work been extended,
beyond the firft idea of it ! — not only by the ad
dition of feveral other MSS — but alfo, by the
addition of Six printed Editions of the Whole Old
Teflament ; and of Six printed Editions of very
large Parts of it : for in thefe Twelve Editions arc
contained near ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
six THOUSAND Verfes. And here, if any one
Ihould be difpofed to look back upon the term of
fen Tears -9 and pleafantly remark the wonderful
Exaftnefs of that Calculation, which required juft
fo much time merely for the MSS, or rather for a
part of them ; and yet could find room alfo for
fuch very large Additions : I would fuggeft to fuch
remarker — that my Expedition did in part depend
on the Number of my Afiiftants — that as the
Work increafcd, fo did the Subfcription to it
and therefore, being enabled to employ more Af-
fiftants, I chofe to do fo ; in order, that not one
fingle Year's Subfcription fhould be occafioned
by the Collation, beyond what was computed ori-
ginally.
The very numerous and interefting Variations
in fo many printed Editions, efpecially the oldcft,
as it was a kind of evidence totally unexpected, fo
was it the more welcome, for -appearing when a
Collation of the MSS was far advanced. The Work
had before, while refting on the many differences
in the MSS, been recommended only on the point
of
YEAR 1769. 141
of EXPEDIENCY; but, when fupported alfo by
the many differences in the printed copies, was, as
it demanded to be, urged and prefled more ftrongly,
as a matter of NECESSITY. And indeed thofe,
who have marked with careful attention the rife
and progrefs of this Work, muft have feen with
perhaps fingular furprize — how, new light and
frefh evidence have arifen, in the feveral ftages of
it ! As if certain parts of the compleat Difcovery
had been referved, occafionally to anfwer thefe two
purpofes ; to re-invigorate the Mind, when almoft
finking under the labours of enquiry : and to in-
fpire the Patrons of the Work ( as it did the far
greater part of them ) with fuch an increafing con
viction of it's moment, that, fo far from being
weary with well - doing^ they feemed to contribute
with the more zeal, the longer they contributed.
It may here be ufeful, and not unentertaining,
to bring together the feveral points in queftion,
relative to this Work ; with a Confutation of each
Objection, made to it : as fuch a Juxta-pofition will
render the whole Matter much more clear, and
carry with it more full Conviction.
Cafe the FIRST. About 20 years fince I at
tempted a correction of fome errors in the printed
Hebrew Text, by comparing 2 parallel Chapters ;
in doing which, the only helps, befides the great
advantages of that Parallelism^ were the Context
and the Antient Verftons, But here it was eafy to
objed,
ACCOUNT 3t.
object, that a fcheme of correction, formed upon theft
principles, would have been much more fatisfaftory,
bad there been any Hebrew MSS, which confirmed any
of thefe emendations. The force of this objection is
granted ; and it was aftually forefeen. MSS there
fore were fought after, and found ; by which fe-
veral of thefe corrections, before made,, were ac
tually confirmed.
Objection 2. BUT, how could the Antient Ver-
fions fupport any alteration of the Hebrew Text ?
ivhen they are bad Paraphrases rather than good Ver-
fions : becaufe none of their numerous and great diffe
rences from our Hebrew Text are at all countenanced
by^ Hebrew MSS. Thus had men long affirmed,
without the lead proof; indeed, in a matter totally
unexamined : and in defiance of the ftrongeft
proofs to the contrary, at that very time extant in
the MSS themfelves. For in thofe MSS, which I
at firfl difcovered, I foon met with feveral readings,
entirely different from the printed Hebrew copies ;
and exactly agreeing with the Greek, Syriac, and
other Antient Verfions.
3. BUT, as the MSS, thus difcovered, were not
many ; perhaps thefe would have been contradicted, or
invalidated, by other MSS in England, or by MSS in
Foreign countries. The very contrary was expected,
as the reful t of further enquiry. Further enquiry
was made, and other MSS were found at home ;
and upon enquiries alfo abroad, many MSS were
found
YEAR 1769- 143
found there likewife : almoft every one of them
proving the Fallibility of its Tranfcriber, and many
of them confirming flill more amply the authority
of the Antient Verfions.
4. BUT, whatever be the condition of thefe MSS ;
yet are they, when taken all together, but very few,
compared with the printed Editions. So far from thefe
MSS being few, they amount to about 500. My
firft DifTertation fpecified 70, in our own Country •>
where I have fmce difcovered as many more. And
if I fhould add about 90, which I have feen in
France, together with thofe fent to me at Oxford
from other Foreign parts ; the whole number,
which I myfelf have feen, and in part examined,
amounts to about 250 — half the number of the
whole, known at prefent in Europe. In the fcale,
oppofite to all thefe MSS, are to be now put our
modern printed editions ; which, as they are almofl
all taken from the edition of Ben Chalm, in 1525,
are reducible in point of authority nearly to that
one edition. The oldefl editions, which were printed
on a very different plan ( /. e. not from MSS the
moft perfeflly Maforetical, which were the latefl^
but from MSS the leafl Maforetical, which were the
oldefl) are now very fcarce and uncommon; and
indeed thefe fall not within the force of this ob-
jedion.
5. BUT, however numerous the MSS, now extant,
way be -3 they are all late and modern : therefore not
to
144 ACCOUNT X,
to be compared with thofe ufed by the Maforetic Doc
tor -j, above 1000 years ago ; and from thefe MSS
was our Text taken. MSS, of 600, 700 and 800
years of age, are certainly not modern ; and to
this antiquity may feveral of thefe MSS fairly pre
tend. A MS, not more than 600 years old, is of
refpedable antiquity ; efpecially, when compared
with one of 400 or 300 : and it is from MSS of
thefe later dates, that our common printed Editions
have been derived. The Editions muft agree with
the MSS, from which they have been taken. The
modern Editions agree, and they agree only, with
the lateft and worft MSS ; whereas the older the
MSS are, the more they vary from the modern
Editions, and vary almoft univerfally for the better.
6. BUT, as the Chaldee Paraphrafe was taken
from MSS near the time of Chrift ; and as that Para-
fhrafe agrees with the modern Hebrew Bibles, in many
of the places charged with late corruption : fuch
places are certainly uncorrupted. This objection,
which has a plaufible appearance at firft, will im
mediately vanifh ; when it is obferved, that the
modern Chaldee Paraphrafe is ( for it has been
proved from Chaldee MSS — fee my Second Dif-
fertation, pag. 177 &c : ) wilfully altered, in feve
ral places, to make it agree with the modern He
brew Text.
7. BUT, as the Samaritan Pentateuch is fo noto-
rioufly corrupted ^ the Hebrew Text muft be preferred^
wherever
YEAR 1769* 145
wherever it differs from the Samaritan. There are
indeed many grofs errors in the Samaritan Penta
teuch, as it is printed in the London Polyglott ( an
edition in general highly excellent and meritorious)
but then the Samaritan MSS are free from, and
will therefore correct, thefe errors. And indeed
the Samaritan Pentateuch mould, in my opinion,
be held very precious ; becaufe I apprehend, that
fome places in the Hebrew Pentateuch will never
be intelligible, nor others ever become defenfible,
till corrected agreeably to the Samaritan. And it
is very material to obferve, that the older even the
Hebrew MSS are, the more they agree with the
Samaritan. Of the Samaritan Pentateuch I have
feen TWE LVE MSS : only Sixteen are now known
in Europe -, and, of thefe, Eight are collated for
my Work already. As to this Pentateuch, fee alfo
the preceding pages 56 and 57.
8. BUT, any fond hopes of great matters from
Hebrew MSS muft be ill-grounded : the trial has been
made, and publ'Jhed •, for 5 MSS, at Erfurt , were
feletted to adorn the Hebrew Bible printed by Michae-
Its, at Hall, in 1720 ; and the various readings,
therein exhibited from thefe MSS, are fo few, and
thefe few fo trifling, that it is a wonder hew the Col
lators could fo weary themf elves for very vanity ! This
would indeed be a little difcouraging, if it were
really fact. But the truth is, that thefe MSS have
been ftrangely mifreprefented, in that edition-, and
that they contain important Variations, which were
T not
146 ACCOUNT X.
not fuffered to appear in that Bible. For the learned
Editor, being a devotee to the Mafora, publifhcd
fuch Variations only, as would not difgrace the
Text Maforetically now eftablifhed. The proof of
this important article has been already mentioned,
in page 86. But I cannot again mention this Dif-
covery, without celebrating that very ingenuous
candour, and that ardent love of truth ( fuperior
to every Family confideration ) which rendered my
very learned Friend Profefibr M i c H A E L i s, not
only zealous to find out the real fact, but allb ready
to communicate it.
9. BUT, all thefe Hebrew MSS, now fo pompoufly
recommended, are fpurious, and full of Faults -, and
were fold by Jews to Chriftiam, becaitfe not worthy
of admiffion into the Synagogues. — So eafy a thing
it is, to affirm roundly, without the leaft fhaddw
of proof ! If indeed it be a crime to differ from
the printed copies, in having readings more agree
able to the Context, more agreeable to the Antient
VerfionS) and more agreeable to the New Teftament;
then muil thefe MSS, efpecially the older of them,
plead Guilty : otherwife, every fuch Variation ex
alts their Honour, and encreafes our Obligation.
Some of thefe MSS were written by renowned
Rabbles ; and others, for the ufe, or at the com
mand, of their Princes and Great Men. There is
one, above 550 years old, written in the days of
Rabbi Solomon Jarchi, and therefore probably by
that famous Rabbi bimfelf, becaufe it contains his
Commentary 5
Y E. A R I 769. 147
Commentary, in which MS are many and valuable
Variations. And I have found many and valuable
Variations, in another MS ; which did belong to
a Syvagogue, and to a Synagogue in Jerufalem itfelf ;
which was preferved there, as very precious and
very venerable : but it now belongs to the mag
nificent Library of His Majefty TH E KING OF
GREAT BRITAIN. . See a further account of
this curious MS, already given in page 125.
i O. BUT, as all the Printed topics , in whatever
fart of the World printed, have very nearly , if not
abfolutely, the fame Text ; that Text^ thus uniformly
eftablifoed, muft have been taken from MSS better,
and more to be depended on^ than thofe now produced
with, fuch very Jlrange Variations. What is here
fuppofed, or rather taken for granted, has lately
been found, not only to be without foundation,
but alfo to be the very reverfe of the truth ; becaufe
fame of the printed Editions differ from other -j, as
much as the MSS do from the printed Editions,
and from one another. One only, which is the
very firft edition of the whole Hebrew Bible,
printed in 1488, has more than 12000 Variations
from the Text, as now commonly printed ; very
many of which Variations greatly affect the Senfe.
See this Edition further celebrated, in the prece
ding pages 112 and 130.
Laftly. BUT, as this one may be the only printed
Edition^ which has many and great Variations , // may
T 2 have
148 ACCOUNT X.
have been taken from a 'very bad MS. The perad-
ventures, in this laft objection, can prove nothing.
And how feeble and vain are Conjectures, when
confronted by real Facts ! The edition of the Ha-
giograpba, printed in 1487, and that of the whole
Bible i printed in 1494, having alfo been collated
for this Work, are found to contain Thoufands of
Variations ; many of which are of indifputable im
portance. And yet, thefe two Editions differ fo
much from each other, and from that of 1488, as
to prove, that they were not printed from one an
other. See thefe editions of 1487, and 1494,
mentioned before, in pages 101- — 104.
In confequence of the Difcovery Jaft mentioned,
and of the feveral other Difcoveries fpecified in the
articles preceding, it follows, with the force of
Demonftration — that a careful Collation of the befl
Hebrew MSS, and of the oldeft printed Editions^ is
THE METHOD abfolutely neceffary to be taken^ in
order to the forming of a proper judgment \ concerning
the Hebrew Text of the Old Teftament. And there
fore, fmce we have now feen the various Objec
tions, attended with their feveral Confutations ;
fmce we have been witnefles to the lafl breathings
of a dying Opinion, concerning the Integrity of
what is greatly corrupted ; and fmce the abfolute
Neceffity of fuch a Collation, as I have undertaken,
is at lafl proved to univerfal Satisfaction : I cannot
but congratulate the Public, on this Collation being
now completed,
But
YEAR 1769. 149
But it is by no means my prefent intention to
wait upon The SUBSCRIBERS to this Work,
only with this general notice, that The Collation is
now JimJ/jed. They will receive pleafure from fome
particulars, which have diftinguifhcd this conclu
ding Year ; and thefe therefore I think it my duty
to lay before Them.
The firft article, which I mall fpecify, becaufe
it is an article of fingular Honour to my Work, is
this — that the Snlfcriftion, fo far from finking to
wards the clofe of this long Work, was in the year
1768 larger than at any time before, and in this
the concluding year it has rifen above the year
preceding.
The Augmentation, in this lad year, is princi
pally owing to the Munificence of His Mofl Serene
Higbnefsi THE PRINCE OF ORANGE, Stallholder,
Captain General &c. of The United Provinces ; the
great Honour of whofe Patronage is here acknow
ledged with the utmofl gratitude. The addition of
this exalted Name, a Name juftiy dear to every
true Englifhman, gives the chief Luftre to this
Undertaking — next to The Auguft Name of The
Sovereign of thefe Kingdoms, His BRITANNIC
MAJESTY. The Patronage of His Mod Serene
Highnefs, unfollicited from hence, was benevo
lently obtained by the application of that Macenas
of Literature Greffier FA GEL-, and to Him the
State of this Work had been made known by the
learned and very celebrated Mr Cbcis at the Hague.
I..50. A C G D U N T X.
This reverend and worthy Gentleman ( who has
obliged the World with an excellent Illuftratiori of
the Old Teflament, as.far as the end. of Samuel)
furprized me by the notice of this Patronage \ in a
Letter fo exceedingly obliging, and-fo very honour
able both to my Work and to -myfelf, that I can
not deny my Friends the pleafure of perufing it.
Monfieur
Quoique je n'aie pas Phonneur d'etre connu de Vous
je ri*ai pas laiffe de prendre une part fincere au louable
deffcin, dont I 'execution Vous occupe^ et a la gloire dont
Vous Vous couvrez par la conftance de vos efforts, pour
rendre autant qidl fera pojffible au Texte Sacre du V.
jf. fa purete originate \ en collationnant une multitude
de Manufcripts Hebreux, jufquici negliges^ ou inconnus.
Uexpofition que Vous avez faite Vous meme de votre
projety le compte que Vous avez rendu annuellement de
vcs premieres decouvertes, et plus encore vos favantes
Differ tations^ ont fuffifamment inftruit le Public^ de ce
que r Eglife peut attendre, de votre zele, de votre
habilefe, et de votre patience ', dans la conduit e d J une
entreprife, dont le but fait r eloge^ et dont le fucces
inter -effe Ji dire clement /' honneur de la Religion et de
fes Miniftres.
Votre dernier ecrit en particulier (je parle^ Mon
fieur , de vos doftes Observations fur le celebre pajfage
du i . Livre de Samuel Chap. VI. 1 9 ) a acbeve de
rendre la chofe fenfible^ aux perfonnes memes^ en qui
V amour de la verite tfeftaccompagne d'aucun des fee ours
de
YEAR' 1769. 151
de I* erudition. Et fi, four donner un native au relief
a vos travaux, aux yetix des Savant, que leur gout on
leur vocation attachent a I' etude de la literature orien-
tale, il ne falloit plus, que munir vos recbercbes, du
Sceau d'une approbation generalement r effect ee, qu'eft
ce qu'on peut y defirer, apres V approbation diftingme
du Prelat illuftre, a qui le Public eft redevable de /' in
comparable Traite fur la Poefie des Plebreux ?
.J'aurois cru, Monfieur, qu' apres le fuffrage d'un
fi grand Juge, fans comptcr les afflaudijfemens, de
tant d'autres Savans dont .les Royaumes Eritanniques
abbondent, et Paccueil unanime que ceux des pays d'en
deca la mer ont fait a vos demarches et a vos produc
tions, tout auroit concouru a applanir fous vos pas les
difficult es qui ret ardent rentier accompliJJ'ement d9 un
Ouvrage, dont I' importance eft fi tiniverfellement re-
connue. Ce n'a ete qu'avec une fiirprife extreme, que
j'ai vu par votre Lettre a Milord Eveque a19 Oxford,
que les fecours manquent encore a vos vceux ; et'cela
meme, Monfieur^ m?a fait prefumer, qtfaffuriment votre
modeftie dejjervoit votre zele, contre vcs propres defirs.
J ' ai une preuve a Vous en donner, qui ne fauroit
Fous deplaire. 'Tout recemment une Perfonne, que fon
rang et fa piete rendent doublement refpettable, a bien
voulu fe prefer a entrctenir Monfeigneur le Prince a1'
Orange, de I'utilite de vos Travaux, et du point cit
Vous avez deja amene le grand Ouvrage, dont Feus
Vous etes charge. Ce Prince, digne beritier des Vertus
de fes glorieux Ancetres, aime la Religion parce qu'il
la connoit. On le trouve toujours pret a fe porter avec
ardeur^
152 ACCOUNT X.
ardeur, a tout ce qui pent en etendre I9 empire, par des
moyens dignes d 'elle, par ce qu'il en fent I' excellence et
qu'une piet'e eclair ee anime en lid un penchant genereux
a procurer le bonbeur du genre humain. Des qtfil a ets
lien injlruit tie vos vues et de leur importance, il a te-
moigni, qu'il fe feroit un ptaifir d'en encourager r exe
cution. Tout de fuite, il y a deftim Cinquante Limes
Sterling par an, pour le temps ccnvenable ; fi je ne me
trompe pour cinq ans : et j'ai ordre, Monfieur, de Vous
le faire f avoir, afin que Vous puiffiez prendre des me-
furcs, pour jouir des que Vous le trouverez a propos^
des commencemens d'une faveur, qui fans doute Vous
paroitra d'autant plus precieufe, que Vous ne Vous y
attendiez pas.
Si me 3 foins peiwent Vous etre de qitelque utilite foit
pour faire parvenir vos fentimens a Monfeigneur k
Prince Stadbcuder, foit pour recevoir du nreforier de
S. A. S. la fomme qui Vcus eft aftuellement affignee ;
Vcus n'avez, Monfieur, qu9 a difpofer de moL C 'eft
avec les fentimens d'une confederation diftingu'ee, et au
milieu des voeux les plus purs, pour votre confervation
et pour le fucces de <vos pieux travaux^ quej'ai Vhon-
neur d'etre,
• i
Monfieur, Votre tres humble
& tres olei/ant Serviteur
A la Haye,
le 22 Man 1769. C. CHAIS
Pafteur Emerite de I'Eglife
Wahnne de la Haye.
YEAR 1769. 153
The Eight MSS, belonging to His Majefty
THE KING OF DENMARK, which had been
collated for me at Copenhagen, have been in this
year fent to England, and brought to Oxford, for
my own perfonal infpedion of thecn : as I was
particularly defirous of feeing the CharaRers, and
Modes of Writing, together with the Ages^ of thofe
MSS, which had been, with a Liberality fo truly
Royal, collected out of Africa and Afia. And I beo-
leave, in this public manner like wife, to exprefs
my warmefl Thanks to The Royal Proprietor of
thefe valuable MSS ; for having, in a very con-
defcending manner, both promifed them, and
caufed them to be fent hither. The time, when I
applied for a fight of thefe MSS, was foon after
His Danifh Majefty had honoured our Univerfity
with His Prefence ; and with His gracious Accep
tance of that profound Refpect, which we were
proud of mewing to fo Amiable a Monarch. And
as this fignal Favour, of commanding all thefe
MSS to be fent hither, was in a great meafure
granted by way of Compliment to this Univerfity •, it
is neceflary, that fuch a Compliment mould be af-
certained. The following is therefore the Letter,
with which I was then honoured, and I acknow
ledge myfelf honoured exceedingly, by my II-
luftrious Friend His Excellency The Count DE
BERNSTORFF.
U Rev.
154 ACCOUNT X,1
Rev*. Sir,
I acknowledge moft gratefully your kino*
Remembrance, and the Proofs of the fame with which
Ton have been pleafed to honour me in your much ef-
teem'd Letter of the 2 ifi. inftant. I beg You will be
fully perfuaded, Revd. Sir, of my conftant and ardent
Defire to foew Ton upon every occajion, how great a
Value I put upon your Friend/hip, how glad I am to
have had the Pleafure of making your perfonal Ac
quaintance, and how fincerely I wi/h to do Tou any
Service in my Power. It is in conference a real Satis
faction to me to be able to inform Tou, Revd. Sir., that
your Defires having been laid before the King, His
Majefty, out of a true Regard for the Univerfity of
Oxford, and particularly in order to ajfift Tou in your
laudable Undertaking, has been pleafed to grant your
Requeft without any difficulty. I am forry to fee the
Seafon of the Tear jo far advanced, and the Rifks of
the Sea in the approaching Wint er -Month s fo confider-
able, that the immediate Conveyance of the MSS from
Copenhagen to Baron Diede will not be thought fafe
under thefe circumftances. But I jhall not be wanting,
in obedience to His Majefty* s Orders, to take due Care,
after my return to Denmark, to fee them tranfmitted
hither, for your Ufe and Examination, by the very fa "ft
Opportunity. I beg, Tou will depend upon it, RevJ.
Sir ; and be ajfured of the fentiments of great Truth
and diftinguifid Efteem, with which I have the
Honour to be, Revd. Siry
Tour moft obedient bumble Servant^
London^
Sept. 29, 1 768. B E R N S T O R F F.'
YEAR 1769
Another article, in the courfe of this year, highly
honourable to this Work, is — that one MS, be
longing to the Archiepifcopal library of St Sepulchre
in Dublin, has been obligingly collated for me by
my Friend The Right Reverend The Lord Bijhop of
D ROM ORE ; aflifted by the learned and worthy
Dr Forfayeth, Hebrew Profefibr in Trinity College,
Dublin. And a greater Honour could not have
been done to any part of the Work, than to have
it performed by a Prelate of fuch diflinguifhed
Abilities in general ; and whofe uncommon Know
ledge of the Original Languages of the Bible is
well known to thofe, who are happy in His Lord-
fhip's Acquaintance.
The next article, which demands my prefent
Thanks, is the Favour fhewn to my Work by the
learned ProfefTor Lilienthal^ Head -Librarian at
Koenigfljerg ; where, in the Royal library, are 2
Hebrew MSS. Thefe has the worthy Profeflbr
been fo good as to collate, unfollicited by me, and
unrewarded — excepting by my grateful Acknow
ledgment of the Services he has done to the Pub
lic, by promoting the perfection of this Work.
In the very accurate Collations, which I have re
ceived of thefe MSS, are found many and valuable
Various Readings : the firft MS contains the Pen-
tateuch, Megilloth, Haphtaroth^ Job, and part of
Jeremiah •, the fecond contains the Prophets and
Hagiograpba*
U 2 In
15$ ACCOUNT X.
In the Accounts for 1767 and 1768 (fee pages
116 and 128 ) mention was made of Profeflbr Na~
gel, at Altdorff', and of his being generoufly em
ployed to collate, for this Work, 4 Hebrew MSS,
preferved at Nuremberg : the firft of which is a
magnificent MS, in 7 Folio volumes, containing
the whole Hebrew Bible. The collations of thefe
MSS, fo far as they contain from the beginning of
Gene/is to the end of Kings > have been tranfmitted
to me, and received, in the prefent year ; together
with many Variations, out of the Talmuds both of
Jerufalem and Babylon, and out of other books of
Rabbinical Antiquity. And for this very accept
able Prefent, though but a part of the intended
Benefadtion, I here exprefs my beft Thanks to the
Illullrious Perfons, who have ordered the Collations
to be made, and to the learned Profeflbr for his
Care in making them. The remainder of that Col
lection, when finifhed, will be received with equal
thankfulnefs,
But here, a doubt may arife with fome of my
Readers ; who may not readily reconcile what was
faid before, concerning this Work being now conclu
ded^ with what is laid in the laft paragraph, con
cerning further addition to be ftill made to it. And
this circumftance leads me to enlarge here, on what
will conftitute a very material part of the prefent
Account ; namely, an Aniwer to this Queftion —
What is to be now done ivith this Collation of the
MSS ? And, in order to the forming of an
YEAR 1769. 157
Anfwer properly, it is neceflary to confider
What ibis Collation was to be — and What it is.
Let it then be recollefted here, that the Work
engaged for was — to collate all the MSS of the
Hebrew Bible, in our own Country ^ and, during
the progrefs of fuch Collation at home, to procure
the Various Readings of fome of the bed MSS
abroad.
Now the number of Hebrew MSS, preferved
in our own Kingdoms, which have been collated on
this occafion, amounts to 140. The number of
Foreign Collations, received already, and likely to
be received foon, amounts to 113. And the Col
lations of the whole, or parts, of the printed He
brew Bible, are 12. Confequently, the Total of
Collations, for the benefit of this Work, is 265 :
probably more, by above 100, than have as yet
been made of any other antient Book, even of the
New Teftament — though the Old Teftament is
nearly three times larger than the New ; the Verfes
in the former being 23185, and in the latter being
only 7959. Arid it will not perhaps be forgotten,
that notwithstanding this great difference in the
fize of thefe volumes of the Old and New Tefta
ment, and the ftill greater difference in collating
the Greek MSS by whole Words, and the Hebrew
MSS by Jingle Letters ; yet did the New Teftament
employ the very learned and very laborious Dr
Mill ( here at O x F o R D likewife ) not Ten years
only, but Thirty.
But,
158 ACCOUNT X,
But, though the Collation, thus undertaken, be
now finifhed \ there muft be an interval of fpme
Tears, before this Work can be prepared for the
Prefs ; and of fome more Tears, before it can be
publifhed. During the laft of thefe periods, it
will not be eafy to infert regularly any new Colla
tions ; but during the firft period, and efpecially
in the earlier parts of it, it will be very practicable
to add, and regularly to infert, all fuch Collations
as may hereafter arrive from abroad.
If therefore it mall be thought advifeable, ( as
I have not the leaft doubt but it will) that this
Work fhould be ^prepared for the Prefs •, that is,
that all the Various Readings, now contained in
TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE diftind
and feparate Parcels, fhould be feleded, forted,
connected regularly, and difpofed uniformly, in
the mofl concife yet moil intelligible and clear
method, at one view, under the proper Verfe of
every Chapter through the Old Teftament : while
this extenfive Operation (hall be preparing and
carrying on, there will be opportunity for inferring
the Various Readings of other Foreign Collations,
efpecially all fuch as may arrive within the next
Two Years.
The firft among the Collations not yet received,
but the foonefl expected, are thofe placed foremoft
in the following Catalogue,
I. Collations
Y EAR 1769*
1. Collations of 2 MSS, in the public library at
STRASBURG, are every day expected ; and thefe
are to be followed by Collations of 7 other MSS
in the fame library : all which are very generoufly
prefented to me, for this Work, by the learned
and worthy Librarian Mr Qberlin.
2. This Work will be further enriched foon by
the kindnefs of the learned Mr Schnurrer of Wir-
temberg -, who has obligingly acquainted me with
his having collated for me a valuable MS in the
public library at JENA.
3. The Remainder of the Collations of the 4
MSS &c: at NUREMBERG, now carrying on
by Profefibr NageL
4. My learned Friend Monf. L'Abbe Affeline*
ProfefTor at the Sorbonne, having mod obligingly
offered me his afiiftance, in fome further Collations
at PA R i s ; I have no doubt, but I mall be foon
favoured with fome frelh proofs of his benevolence
to my Work and me.
5. The MS at BRIEG in Silefia, which has been
faid to contain very many Variations, has been
collated at my requeft. This Collation has been
kindly forwarded to Berlin, by the Reverend Mr
Loos, Chaplain to His Majefty THE KING OF
PRUSSIA ; and it has been lately fent from Berlin
to London.
6. The
160 ACCOUNT X.
6. The Collation of the oldeft and beft of the
Hebrew MSS, in the Royal Library at BERLIN,
is, I make no doubt, nearly completed : and I
expect as much Satisfaction from the laft part, as
I have received from the former parts, already
fent me by the Collator, the learned ProfefTor
Murfmna.
7. A Collation of a MS of the whole Hebrew
Bible at COLOGNE having been agreed on, for
fome years fince, in confequence of Letters with
which I was honoured by the learned Dr Hillejheim^
Rector of the Univerfity in that city -, there is
great reafon to expect the fpeedy arrival of its
Various Readings.
8. The oldeft and beft of the MSS at ERFURT,
which were beforementioned, has been for fome
time under the examination of the learned Profef-
for and Librarian Mr Bahrdt , in confequence of
whofe care and fidelity, I make no doubt of recei
ving a very valuable Collation of that MS. The
laft Letter, with which he favoured me, not only
gave me reafon to expect, that this Collation will
be foon in England ; but alib promifed me, in a
very obliging manner, fome Various Readings from
3 MSS at L E i p s i c and from i at DRESDEN.
9. At MILAN there ftill remains to be collated
the MS of the Samaritan Pentateuch, which Mont-
faucon has recommended, as very worthy of exa
mination.
YEAR 1769. 161
mination. And I have no doubt of receiving Toon
a good Collation of it, from the learned ProfefTor
Henrico A Pcrta, or the learned Librarian Dr
Baptijla Branca -, who have now collated for me all
the Hebrew MSS in the Amlrcfian library.
10. In the public library at L E Y D E N is pre-
ferved another MS of the Samaritan Pentateuch *,
of which I am ilill in hopes of receiving a Colla
tion, through the favour of the learned Profefibr
Schultens, who has kindly entertained thoughts of
it : and, if not from himfelf, yet from fome other
perfon feledted by him, and acting under his di
rection. See page 58.
11. But, as my wifhes have extended themfelves
to every Quarter of the World ; and as my hopes
have been more than anfwered by the MSS in
EUROPE and from AFRICA: fo I now con
gratulate the Public, on the information lately
fent me by the Reverend Dr Cooper, President of
King's College, New York, in A M E R i c A. This
information is, that Mr Sampfon Simfon, a very
worthy and benevolent old Gentleman^ of the Jewifij
perfuafion, living in that city^ is in pojjejjicn of a MS
of very great antiquity , containing the whole Hebrew
Bible ; which he probably would fend to England for
my life, if I properly requefted it. This I have done
accordingly •, and I do here exprefs my thanks as
heartily to the Prefident for his notice, as 1 (hall to
the Pojfeffor of the MS, if he obligingly favours
me with the fight of it.
W 12. In
162 ACCOUNT X.
12. In A s i A like wife have been made feveral
enquiries after Hebrew MSS •, in the countries
near Madrafs^ by the late Governor Robert Palke
Efq; a liberal Patron of this Work ; and in the
countries near Aleppo ^ by the late Mr Daiues,
Chaplain there to the Britifh Faclory. And as
there was, even fo late as about 30 years ago,
preferved at Naploufe ( antiently Sichem, near mount
Gerizim ) a very old MS of the Samaritan Penta
teuch, belonging to the fmall remant of the Sama
ritans in that place ; I fome time fince earneiily
entreated two Friends to try, whether the pofiefibrs
of this MS might not be prevailed on, by a hand-
fome Sum of Money, to accept a printed copy,
in exchange for it.
Laftly : that nothing might be left unattempted.
where iucceis was but barely poffible, I fome time
lince, by means of the reverend and very learned
Dr Jubb, folicited his friend Frederick Pigou^ Efq;
( a Gentleman, as perfectly able, as he was found
perfectly willing) to make the befl enquiry after
Hebrew MSS in CHINA. By this Gentleman's
benevolent affiftance, I fent a CommifTion, for pur-
chafing ( if pofilble ) fuch a MS from the Jews in
the province of 'Ho -nan: or elfe, to reward fome
perfon for collating at leaft part of their written
Pentateuch with our printed copy ; in order to
which I fent, at the fame time, Van der Hooghf*
edition, And notice is juft arrived from China,
that
YEAR 1769. 163
that this enquiry is in a fair train j a Friend at
Canton having promifed to procure, if pofilble, a
MS from thofe Jews in Ho -nan, by the afiiftancc
of the Bifhop of that Province.
Thus have I attempted to lay before the Reader
a hiflory of my Collation •, and of my endeavours
to execute the great Truft repofed in me by the
Patrons of my Undertaking. What the Collation
'was to be, has been fet forth ; and What it is, has
been fet forth likewife. But whether, in the pro-
fecution of it, during the pail Ten Years, I have,
or have not, attended to it with all the Care pof-
fible — can be certain only to thofe, who know
that my general rule has been, to devote to it 10
or 12 hours in a day, and frequently 14 ; at lead,
that this was my praftice, till fuch fevere applica
tion became no longer poffible, through the Inju
ries done to my Conftitution.
But here it may be faid — that, even admitting
the truth of the preceding paragraph, yet, as the
Care taken by any one perfon, how great foever, is
but the Care taken by One •, how can that One
anfwer for the Carefulneis of Others: of thofe,
whom he has employed as his Affiftants, and whole
parts of the Work he cannot have entirely re-ex
amined ? My anfwer is this. The Patrons of this
Work are too prudent, to have expecled what was
plainly impoffible. A Work, which cannot be done
by one man, mud, if done at all, be done by more
W 2
164 ACCOUNT X.
than one. And that Collation, which could not be
made by one man, could not be revifed by one ;
becaufe entirely to revife the whole is to examine
each Collation, as to every thing either noted or
omitted: which certainly amounts to a Recollation.
All therefore, which could reafonably be ex-
pefted, was — that the Conductor of the Work,
thus neceflarily affifted by others, fhould felect the
fitted and mod careful among fuch as would fub-
mit to the Employment; and direct, fuperintend,
and in many particulars revife their feveral labours,
as far as was practicable. No perfons have been
employed to collate MSS, who were not properly
inftru&ed, and well qualified to defcribe all the
common Variations : and the fixed rule has been,
that every Variation, which was uncommon and
difficult, was marked for my own examination. In
general ; before a perfon was admitted to collate
any MS, he was firft of all exercifed in tranfcribing
Collations before made; then was tried in collating
part of a MS well collated before : and, when thus
proved to be careful and exact, has been then
entrufted with an uncollated MS, under the reftric-
tion fpecified in the preceding fentence. And, after
all, that every degree of fatisfaction may be given,
which can be given, to my own mind as well as to
the minds of others ; it is my fixed intention ( if I
Jive, and am fufficiently encouraged to prepare this
Work for the Prefs ) to re-examine, with my own
eyes, all the MSS in England, in many of the
moil
YEAR I7&<)* 165
moft important pafiages : that fo this Work may
appear with as much Perfection^ as my care can give
to it.
The word Perfection is here limited, becaufe I
am fenfible of my own fallibility ; and becaufe the
profecution of this Work has furnilhed out nume
rous proofs — how very eafy it is to err, or rather,
how impofiible it is not to err fometimes, in read
ing and writing Letters, which are fo exceedingly
fimilar to each other. So that, among all the Works
ever fet on foot in the world, this is that, which
has the ftrongeft apology to offer, I will hot fay
for the few, but for the many^ Miftakes ;
quas aut incuria
Aut bumana parum cavit natitra -
As to the general perfection of this Work, it may
be objected — that it cannot with any propriety
claim that title ; becaufe there remain fo many
other MSS, in Europe, at prefent uncollated. This
is very readily acknowledged. However, I would
afk — Whether the New Teftament by Dr Mill
was not received with very high and juft Applaufe
by the Learned •, when yet, that illuftrious Work
was only fo far perfeff, as to contain ( perhaps re
gular and entire ) Collations of about 112 MSS ? -f
And when, after the additional Collations made
by Kufter, Bengelius, Wetfiein &c : there are
f The Velefian and Wecbelian Variations are here excepted;
fc>£ caufe I have feen no fatisfadory account of them.
at
1 66 ACCOUNT X.
at leaft 100 MSS, containing the whole or parts
of tbe New Teftament , the Various Readings of which
have not yet been collected at all ; at leaft, have never
yet been made public. What then would the World
have faid, ftill more juftly, in praife of Dr Mill's
Edition j had he been previoufly enabled, either
in perfon, or by fome other Man of learning fe-
lefted for that Comroiflion, to examine almoft all
the uncollated Greek MSS, in at leaft fome hundreds
of the moft important faffages ?
Now that, which would have derived fo much
additional dignity, and given a Perfection much
more properly fo called, to that Oxford edition of
the New Teftament, that very Plan ( and let not
my Patrons be furprifed, if I venture to attempt
every thing for Their greater Honour ) that very
Plan I have prepared to carry into execution, as to
this Oxford edition of the Old Teftament.
By way of trial, how far Improvements might
be derived to my Work j if fuch of the Foreign
MSS, as were not collated, fhould be examined
only in particular paflages : in the year 1767, I
made a vifit to the Hebrew MSS in PA R i s. And
I found, that even a partial examination, when
limited to the paflages of greater importance,
would be attended with very happy confequences ;
as it would, if extended through Europe, enrich
the Work with the Variations of almoft all the known
MSS, in fuch paffagcs cf the Old Teftament as
arc
YEAR 1769. 167
are of particular moment ; and efpecially in thofe,
which, though quoted in the New Teftament, do
not now perfectly agree with fuch Quotations.
The further profecution of this Plan, thus re
commended by my own perfonal experience, is
now to be carried into execution, through Europe :
not indeed by myfelf, whom I confider as referved
for the continuance of Labour at home -, but by
Mr PAUL JACOB BRUNS, tf Lubec — on whofe
Fitnefs for fuch a CommifTion, in point of Ability
and of Fidelity, I think the Patrons of this Work
may fecurely depend. This learned Gentleman has
been frequently mentioned in the preceding Ac
counts (fee pages 97, 102, 113, 116, 121 ) as having
collated for me at Carlfruhe, and as having come
to me and afllflcd me at Paris. And, after many
proofs of his Zeal for this Work abroad ; he has
been for feveral Months, and is Hill, with me at
Oxford : in order to furnifh himfelf, as perfectly as
pofiible, with the various particulars of his future
Enquiries.
Thus have I endeavoured, and I hope not with
out fuccefs, to give that Satisfaction to my PA-
T R o N s, which They have the utmoft Right to
expect ; as to the Commencement , the Conduit^ and
the Conclufion^ of my Collation.
With regard to the Preparation of this Work
for the Prefs •, as feme may be defirous of know
ing,
168 ACCOUNT X.
ing, how many Years that Preparation will require :
all that I can fay at prefent is, that I am certain
only of thefe two things — Firft ; that ( when the
difficulty of fixing upon 'The mojl proper Method
ihall have been got over ) the felecting, connecting,
adapting, tranfcribing, and re-tranfcribing fuch an
infinity of Materials, will ( if poffible ) exceed in
fatigue even the pad Collation — Secondly •, that,
if I fhould fix a period ( which indeed is not in my
power ) even that would fubject me to as rigid a
Slavery, as I have already experienced from fixing
a former Term : and this, at an advanced Time
of Life, and under a broken State of Health -,
both which require much more Exercife, and lefs
intenfive Application, than I have for the laft
Twenty Years allowed myfelf.
But, as my PATRONS may in fome meafure
judge, from the preceding State of things, what
Expence ftill attends my Work abroad, in the way
of Collation ; and what Expence may be necefTary
for the purchafe of fome MSS in Afia, where they
cannot be collated : fince they fee alfo the volun
tary but expenfive Engagement I have entered
into, for the further Examination of the European
MSS ; and fince they will certainly conclude, that
this Work cannot be prepared by me for the Prefs,
without feveral .Afliftants : it muft be, and is here,
humbly fubmitted to The Greater and More Illuf-
trious among my PA T R o N s, upon what Plan of
Support and Encouragement I am now to proceed.
YEAR 1769. 169
The paft Subfcription was formed ; in order to
enable me to difcharge the vaft Expence of the
Collation, as at firft undertaken ; and it has more
than anfwered its original purpofe, becaufe it has
enabled me to make that Work more complete,,
by procuring the examinations of more MSS, than
I at firft thought poflible.
I do not fuppofe, that any perfons can be found,
who will declare it as their fober opinion — that /
ought to be condemned to hard Labour for the reft of
my Life, merely, as a Reward for paft Services.
But I do know, that there are men ; who, from a
conviction that THEY would have made Such a
Subfcription very lucrative to Tbemfehes, have been
mighty ready to intimate — that, no doubt, the
Collator of the Hebrew MSS has done the fame.
And, as I have not forgot the promife, which I
made in page 139; I mail here proceed to fatisfy
fome perfons, and to filence others, by the fol
lowing explicit declarations.
The feveral Subfcriptions, which have appeared
in the Annual Accounts for the paft Nine Years,
when reduced by fome articles not paid at all, and
enlarged by other articles paid afterwards, have
( upon the molt exact computation which I can
make) amounted in each Year to the Total Sums
here following,
X Year
ACCOUNT X.
Year i, being 1760 £ 506 7 O
2 1761 910 7 6
3 1762 902 15 6
4 1763 979 8 6
5 . 1764 958 8 o
6 1765 937 8 o
y 1766 • 961 ii o
8 1767 976 5 o
9 1768 980 ii o
8113 i 6
In' this Tenth and concluding Year, 1769, my
Work has been honoured with the following addi
tional Benefactors.
His Moft Serene Highnefs . i
The PRINCE of ORANGE 3
£ 5°
2O
0
0
0
O
. IO
10
0
Rev. Dr Domvile .... *
3
2
3
2
0
'o
Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart . .
Henry Hunt, Efq-, Tipperary
Rev Mr Jofeph Jane . . •
• 5
i
2
5
i
2
o
o
o
Rev. Dr Markham, Whitechapel
Robert Palke, Efq;
I
£
I
o
o
Rev Dr John Scrope ....
I
I
o
IOI IO O
YEAR 1 769. 171
Which Sum, added to i 66 6
already received j
and to what probably will i
• j c u £ . 242 10 o
be received farther . 3
amounts to . 1004 6 o
Nine Years 8113 i 6
Tenth Year 1004 6 o
TOT A L £ 9117 7 6
Reader ! What a Sum is here ! Let Foreign
Nations read, with aftonifhment, this ilory of
Britons and Their KING; joined by One Foreign
Prince and One Foreign Academy : voluntarily con
tributing, for Ten Years, their feveral Bounties,
with a degree of Public Spirit beyond all Exam
ple, for the Accompliihment of a Work purely
fubfervient to The Honour of Revelation ; a Work,
facred to The Glory of G O D and The Good of
MANKIND ! And under the powerful influence
of this view of my Work, it is impofiible for me
to be fufficiently thankful either to THOSE,
who have honoured with their Patronage mey as
the humble Inftrument in beginning and com-
pleating it — or to Di vi N E PROVI D E NCE, for
granting me Life to finifh it, as well as Reiblution
to undertake it.
X 2 But
172 ACCOUNT X.
But — I hear the Whifper of Detraction ; re-
prefenting all this, as an empty parade of words :
and intimating what a comfortable thing a Trufl
of Nine Thoufand Pounds muft be, in the hands of
any man, who had in a great meafure the fecret
Difpofal of it. Intimations of this nature are not
new ; they have long attended the proiperous State
of my Subfcription. But His late Grace of Can
terbury, and fome other of my Principal Patrons,
after perilling ( about three years fince ) fome ac
count of the Subfcription, of the Expence attend
ing the Work, and of the Emolument of it to
myfelf, agreed in exprefling their highefl Satisfac
tion ; and indeed wondered at the Difmtereftednefsy
with which I had managed fo ample a Subfcription.
I do not mean, however, to offer merely an ap
peal to His Grace, now dead ; or to fome of the
Higheft Perlbns in the Church, now living, who
knew His Grace's fentiments, and honoured me
with their own, upon that occafion. I would wil
lingly declare to every Subfcriber every thing he
would be glad to know, as to every part of my
conduct:, in this great Affair — fo far, I mean, as
is poflible. But, a particular detail of all the va
rious articles of Expence, in fo very involved and
fo very perplexing a Tranfaction, cannot be ex
pected ; and, if expected, cannot be granted to
others, becaufe I have it not myfelf. And yet,
that this may not be conftmed into a fubterfuge ;
I will
YEAR 1769, 173
I will do, what perhaps few of my Subfcribers look
for, and what mod of Them will be furprifed and
concerned at. I will now endeavour to furnifh out
fome general notion, concerning my Management;
which notion, though general, will perhaps enable
every Reader to eflimate — What a great Fortune
I have made from my Subfcription !
There is one point, in which all men will agree
at once ; and it is this — that / ought , at leafl^ to
have lived upon my Subfcription.
From this fmgle and fimple principle, fuppofed
to be univerfally granted, it follows — that / ought
to have laid by? un/pent, whatever Income I had^ ex-
clufive of this Subfcription.
But the other articles of my Income, during
thefe Ten Years, added to fome Money ( clear of
Debt) antecedent to this Undertaking, amount to
the whole Sum I am now poffefled of — excepting
about 500 £.
Confequently -, inftead of near 5000 £ — which,
in the opinion of fome of my Chief Patrons, ought
to have been referved to myfelf — and which, if
I had meant to be my own Pay -Mailer, and not
confuked the Honour of my Work, I might have
fecured — I find myfelf poffefled of about 500 £
in virtue of This Subfcription : after 'Ten Tears
fpent in recommending fuch a Work to others,
and another Ten Tears fpent by myfelf in the
execution of it.
The
174 ACCOUNT X.
The Reader will probably be furprifed, at find
ing that 500 /. is the utmoft I pofiefs, as arifing out
of this Subfcription. And perhaps he will be fur
prifed, flill more, at the following notices — that
in this Sum is included the whole confequence of
this Year's Subfcription, and therefore of the whole
Subfcription — but, that even this Sum, fo refer-
ved, is only referved at grefent^ and by no means
referved for myfelf \ becaufe it is already devoted
to the further Expences of my Work : and the
further Expences, already engaged for, are thefe.
1. For the Collations of 4 MSS, and a large
part of a 5th, not yet received, nor paid for -, the
firft, at Brieg, in Silefia ; the fecond, at Cologne ;
the third, at Erfurt -9 the fourth, at Milan ; and
the fifth, at Berlin. See pages 159 and 160.
2. Poflibly, for purchafing MSS in Afta ; at
Napleufe and Ho -nan. See page 162.
3. Probably, for employing perfons, to collate
the MS, which may reafonably be expected from
America. See page 161.
4. Certainly, for employing perfons, to tranf-
cribe the remainder of the feveral Collations made
lately.
5. And laftly, for the Examinations to be made
of MSS, throughout Europe j which may take up
near 'Two Tears time.
Now
YEAR 1769. 175
Now if this 5th and laft particular (hall, as per
haps it will, require the Sum of 500 /; if this one
article only fliall require this fmall remainder of the
Subfcription : how are to be discharged the Expences
of the other 4 articles ? It is not impofiible, but
fome of my Readers may demand an Anfwer •, and
perhaps expect me to fay. Whether I will difcover
my own folly, ilill further, by laying out upon my
Work part of my private Income, as well as the
Subfcription ? The reply is, that / cannot now help
it: and indeed, even the Sum of 200 £, which
may be necefTary for the 4 other articles of Expence
before fpecified, is by no means the largeft Donation^
made to my Work^ cut of my private Income.
But, I will fpecify no further ; at lead, thus
publickly. Nor would I have inferted here the
moft diilant allufion to the preceding circumftan-
ces i had not the fuppofed Gain from my Work
been fo very often, and fo very ftudioufly, magni
fied. And a man mud have much lefs Spirit, than
the conductor of this Work has ftill left ; who
would not fignify his Contempt of fuch Mifrepre-
fentation, at the time when it was become his in-
difpeniable duty to undeceive his PRINCIPAL
PATRONS. In fhort : as to the fum of 200 £,
juft before mentioned 5 the difcharge of that Ex-
pence will be the more eafy to me, on account of
the Legacy of 200 £, mentioned in page 123.
This Legacy, the Executor has obligingly aflurcd
me
176 ACCOUNT X.
me, fhall be paid, as devifed ; that is, upon my
finishing the Collation , which I had undertaken. And
from this circumftance it appears, that the idea of
the LADY, my PATRONESS, in this generous
Bequeft, was not — Her afiifting to defray the
Expence of my Work, but — Her contributing
to the Reward for completing it.
I mall now conclude this long Account of the
Work, and of my own Conduct in it, with the
Name of every Perfon ( whom I am at liberty to
name ) that has at all fubfcribed towards it. And
I fhall only add — that, whenever this Collation
fhall be publifhed, for the common Advantage of all
Europe ; and when, in confequence of this Colla
tion, there Ihall be, for our own particular Benefit,
a Rcvifal of our Engli/b Tranjlation -, when The
Holy Scripture fhall be hereby rendered more in
telligible and more inftruclive to thofe, who believe
its Divine Authority, as well as more confident and
more convincing to thofe, who doubt or difbelieve :
then will every juft Encomium be gratefully be-
ftowed on
THE ROYAL,
The ILLUSTRIOUS, and The LEARNED,
who have patronized this Work •, and whofe Names
will not only be prefixed to this Work hereafter,
but alfo are at prefent collected together, and adorn
the following CATALOGUE.
PATRONS.
THE
KING.
His Moft Serene Highnefs
The PRINCE of ORANGE.
The UNIVERSITIES of
OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE,
DUBLIN.
The Theodore -Palatine Academy at
MANNHEIM,
P A t R O N S. 179
dffleck, Rev. Mr
Aguilar, Honourable Baron
Allen ( late ) Ralph, Efq;
All Souls College
Amy at t, James, Efq;
Andrew, Rev. Dr, Preb. Rochefter
AJhton, Rev. Dr, Fell. Eton College
Atherton, Rev. Mr
Atwell ( late ) Rev. Dr, Preb. Gloucefter
Avery (late) Dr Benjamin
Aylmer, Hon. and Rev. Mr, Preb. Briftol
Harford, Rev. Mr
Barker, Thomas, Efq;
Barnard, Rev. Dr, Provoft Eton College
Barrington, Hon. and Rt Rev. Lord Bp Landaff
Bajket, Thomas, Efq^
Bate, Rev. Mr Chambers
Bate, Rev. Mr James, Deptford
Bath ( late ) Right Honourable, Earl
Bearcroft ( late ) Rev. Dr
Bell, Rev. Dr, Preb. Weftminfter
Benfon (late) Rev. Dr
Bentham, Rev. Dr, Reg. Prof. Divinity, Oxford
Blacket, Rev. Dr
Blackftone, William, Efq;
Y 2
i8o PATRONS.
Bland ( late ) Rev. Dr, Preb. Durham
Ballon ( late ) Rev. Dr, Dean Carlifle
Bouchery, Rev. Mr
Brafen-Nofe College
Briftol, Dean and Chapter
Bryant, Jacob, •Efq;
Burrow, James, Efq->
Burton, Rev. Dr Daniel, Chancellor Oxford
Burton ( late ) Rev. Dr Thomas, Preb. Durham
Bute, Right Honourable, Earl
Butler, Rev. Dr
Campbell, John, Efq;
Canterbury, Dean and Chapter
Chamberlayne, Rev. Mr
Chambers, Rev. Dr
Chandler ( late ) Rev. Dr Samuel
Channing, Mr John
Chapman, Rev. Dr John
Chenevix, Right Rev. Lord Bilhop Waterford
Cholwich, Rev. Dr, Preb. Exeter
Clark, Mr William
Collet, Dr
Conant, Rev. Mr
Cornwallis, His Grace, Lord Arch-Bp Canterbury
Corpus -Chrifti College
PATRONS. 181
Cowper, Hon. and Rev. Dr, Dean Durham
Cox, His Grace, Lord Arch-Bifhop Calhell
Cracker ode i Rev. Mr
Craufurd ( late ) Honourable General
Cuft, Right Honourable Sir John, Speaker H. C.
Cufl, Rev. Dr, Canon Chrift- Church
Cufl, Peregrine, Efq;
Cofla ( late ) Solomon, Efq;
Daddo ( late ) Rev. Mr
Darner, Honourable John, Efq;
Delmc, Peter, Efq;
Delme, John, Efq;
Devon/hire ( late ) His Grace, Duke
Dickens, Rev. Archdeacon, D. D*
Dodfon, Michael, Efq;
Domville, Rev. Dr, Dublin
Douglas, Rev. Dr James, Preb. Durham
Douglas, Rev. Dr John, Can. Windfor
Drummond, His Grace, Lord Arch - Bifhop York
Duane, Matthew, Efq;
Durell, Rev. Dr, Principal Hertford College
Durell ( late ) Rev. Mr
Durham, Dean and Chapter
Edwards^
i8a PATRON S.
Edwards, Rev. Dr, Coventry
Egerton, Right Rev. Ld Bp Litchfield & Coventry
Ellis ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop St David's
Eton College
Exeter, Right Honourable, Earl
Exeter, Dean and Chapter
Exeter College
Eyre, Rev. Dr
Fan/haw ( late ) Rev. Dr, Reg. Prof. Div. Oxford
Farmer, Rev. Mr
Flower, Freeman, Efq;
Fordyce, Rev. Dr
Fothergill, Rev. Dr, Provoft Queen's College
Freind ( late ) Rev. Dr, Dean Canterbury
Fuller, Richard, Efq;
Furneaux, Rev. Dr
\jrabriel, Rev. Dr
Gadfden, Chr. Efq; Charles -Town, South Carolina
Garnet, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Clogher
Gawfett ( late ) Rev. Mr
Geacb, Mr Francis
Gibbons, Rev. Dr
Gifford, Rev. Dr
Gilbert ( late ) His Grace, Lord Arch-Bp York
Gill,
PATRONS. ,83
Gill, Rev. Dr
Gloucefter, Dean and Chapter
Go/ding ( late ) Rev. Dr, Warden Wincheftcr
Gould, Rev. Mr, Clare -Hall
Granville ( late ) Right Honourable, Earl
Gray, Charles, Efq;
Green, Right Rev. Lord Biihop Lincoln
Greet, Rev. Mr
Gregory (late) Rev. Dr, Dean Chrift- Church
Grenville, Right Honourable George
ffallifax, Right Honourable Earl
Hanbury ( late ) William, Efq;
Hardwicke ( late ) Right Honourable Earl
Hardwicke, Right Honourable Earl
Harris, Rev. Mr
Hawkins, John, Efqj
fiayter ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop London
Heberden, Dr William
Henley ( late ) Rev. Mr
Hejfe, John Adam Frederick, Efq;
Hetherington, Rev. Mr, Fellow Eton
Hill, Rev. Dr, Treafurer Armagh
Hoadly ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Biihop Winchefter
tfoadly, Rev. Dr, Chancellor Winchefter
Holy ( late ) Rev. Sir Philip, Dean Ardfert
Hodge,
PATRONS.
Hodge ( late ) Rev. Dr
Hoghton, Sir Henry, Bart
Home, Right Honourable and Rev. Earl
Honywood ( late ) Frafer, Efq;
Howard, John, Efq;
Hume, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Salifbury
Hunt, Rev. Dr, Regius Profefibr Hebrew, Oxford
Hunt, Henry, Efq; Tipperary
Hunter, Dr William
Hutchinfon, Francis, Efq; Dublin
jane, Rev. Mr Jofeph
Jenkinfon, Charles, Efq;
Jennings ( late ) Rev. Dr
Jefus College, Oxford
Innys, John, Efq;
Johnfon, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Worcefter
Jones, Mrs Mary
Jubb, Rev. Dr
, Rev. Mr, Sub -Almoner
Keene, Right Rev. Lord Bilhop Chefter
Kings College
Kippis, Rev. Dr
Kynajlon, Thomas, Efq;
Lamle
P At R O N S. 185
Lambe ( late ) James, Efq;
Laugher ( late ) Rev. Mr
Lawfon, Rev. Mr
Lee, Matthew, Efq;
Legge ( late ) Right Honourable Henry Bilfoii
Legby Rev. Dr, Halifax
Ligonier, Right Honourable Earl
Litehfield, Right Honourable Earl
Llewelin, Thomas, Efq;
Long, Rev. Dr, Matter Pembroke Hall
Loveday, John, Efq-,
Love Jay, John, Efq-, Jun.
Lowth, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Oxford
Lowther, Robert, Efq&
Lucas, Thomas, Efq;
Lyndon, William, Efq; Dublin
Lyttelton ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Carliflc
( late ) Right Honourable Earl
Madan, Rev. Mr Martin
Mallet, Rev. Mr, Preb. Gloucefter
Markbam, Rev. Dr, Dean Chrift - Church
Markham, Rev. Dr, Whitechapel
Mar thorough, His Grace, Duke
Martyn, Rev. Mr, Profeflbr Botany, Cambridge
Mawfon, Right Rev. Lord Biihop Ely
Z Maxwell^
186 PATRONS.
Maxwell, Hon, & Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Meath
Meech ( late ) Thomas, Elq;
McMH) Honourable General, Governor Granada
Merton College
Miles ( late ) Rev. Dr
Milks, Rev. Dr, Dean Exeter
Moore, Rev. Mr
Morton ( late ) Right Honourable Earl
Mofs, Right Rev. Lord Biftiop St David's
Mufgrave, Jofcph, Efq;
A*A Rev- Mr
Ne-wcome ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop St Afaph
Newcome, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Dromore
New come ( late ) Rev. Dr, Dean Rochefter
Newton, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Briftol
Nicols, Rev. Dr
Norwich, Dean and Chapter
Ogle, Rev. Dr, Dean Winchefler
-Oliver ( late ) Dr William
Onflow ( late ) Right Honourable Arthur
OJlaldifton ( late ) Rt Rev. Lord Bifhop London
Paice, J9feph, Efq;
Palke, Robert, Efq;
Parker,
PATRONS. 187
Parker, Sir Thomas, Lord Chief Baron
Parker, Rev. Dr William
Parry, Rev. Mr
Pearce, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Rochefter
Peck, Randyll, Efq;
Peploe, Rev. Dr, Warden Manchefter
Peter Houfe
Peters, Rev. Mr Charles
Pilkington ( late ) Rev. Mr
Plumptre, Rev. Archdeacon, D. D.
Pococke ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Biftiop OfTory
Portall, Rev. Mr
Portland, His Grace, Duke
Potter, Rev. Dr, Dean Canterbury
Price ( late ) Robert, Efq-,
Price, Rev. Mr Richard
Priejt, Rev. Mr
Prime, Sir Samuel, Kt
Pringle, Sir John, Bart
Prior, Rev. Mr
Pyle, Rev. Dr, Preb. Winchefter
Queen's College, Cambridge
Radnor, Right Honourable Earl
Randolph, Rev. Archdeacon, D. D.
Z 2 RatcKfe,
i-88 PATRONS.
\
Ratdi/e, Rev. Dr, Matter Pembroke College
Rey nelly Rev. Mr
Richards ', Mr Samuel
Robinfon^ His Grace, Lord Primate Ireland
Rockingham^ Moft Noble Marquis
Rofe, Mr, Chifwick
Ryder •, His Grace, Lord Arch -Bifhop Tuam
O/ Aubyn, Sir John, Bart
Salter, Rev. Dr, Matter Charter Houfe
Salvador e, Jofeph, Efq-,
Sanford, Rev. Mr Jofeph
Savage, Rev, Dr
Saundcrs, Rev. Dr Erafmus
Scrope, Rev. Dr
Seeker ( late ) His Grace, Lord A-Bp Canterbury
Sbaftefiury, Right Honourable Earl
Sherlock ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop London
Smallroke^ Rev. Mr Samuel
Smith i Rev. Mr
Spry, Dr Edward
Squire ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bilhop St David's
Stallard, Mr, Clapham
Stanley, Honourable and Rev. Dr
Stennet, Rev. Dr
Sfoneboufe, Rev. Dr, Briftol
Suffield,
PATRONS. 189
Suffield, Thomas, Efq;
Suffolk and Berkjhire, Right Honourable Earl
Swinney^ Rev. Dr
Swinton, Archibald, Efq;
JL albot> Right Honourable Earl
Talbot, Hon. and Rev. Dr George
fatoot, Rev. Mr William, Clare -Hall
Talbot, Rev. Mr William, Reading
Tayler^ Rev. Mr
Baylor ( late ) Rev. Dr, Chancellor Lincoln
Taylor ( late ) Charles, Efq;
Taylor •, Rev. Mr George
Terrick^ Right Rev. Lord Bifhop London
ferrit. Rev. Mr
Thomas^ Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Winchefter
Thomas ( late ) Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Salifbury
Tbomas^ Rev. Dr, Dean Weftminfter
Thompfon, Rev. Mr
Thornton^ John, Efq;
Thorold, Sir John, Bart
Toller^ Rev. Mr
Tomkins^ Benjamin, Efq;
TomkinS) Jofeph, Efq-,
Temkins, William, Efq;
, Honourable Thomas, Efq;
Trail,
190 PATRONS.
frail, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Down and Connor
Trevor, Hon. & Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Durham
Turner ( late ) Sir Edward, Bart
Turner, Sir Gregory, Bart
Turner, Rev. Mr
Twyniboe, Rev. Mr
Tyrawly, Right Honourable Lord
raugban, Samuel, Efq;
Walker, Rev. Dr
Warner, Richard, Efq;
Warren ( late ) Rev. Mr
Wajlfield, Mr Robert
Webb, Philip Carteret, Efq;
Webber, Rev. Dr, Dean Hereford
Wegg, George, Efq;
Wegg, Samuel, Efq;
Wells, Dean and Chapter
Weflmmfler, Dean and Chapter
Weflon, Right Honourable Edward
Weflon, Rev. Mr, Preb. Durham
Wheeler, Rev. Mr, Profeflbr Poetry, Oxford
Whit church, James, Efq;
Whitchurch, Rev. Mr Samuel
Wilberfofs, John, Efq;
Wills,
PATRONS. 191
Wills, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Bath and Wells
Wincbefter, Dean and Chapter
Windfor> Dean and Chapter
Wollaflon, Rev. Mr George
Wombwell^ George, Efq;
Wood, Robert, Efq;
Worcefttr, Dean and Chapter
Daniel, Efq3
Sir Bouchier, Bart
, Rev. Dr, Principal Brafe-Nofe Coll.
Tarborougb, Rev. Dr, Tewing
Tonge, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Norwich
Torke, Honourable Charles, Efq;
Toung, Right Rev. Lord Bifhop Leighlin & Ferns
Toung ( late ) Rev. Dr Edward
192 PATRONS.
Anonymous , C*
Anonymous . F,
Anonymous . P.
Anonymous . P.
Anonymous . S.
Anonymous . T.
Anonymous . W.
PATRONESS
Mrs ELIZABETH G R I F F E N
By A LEGACY
200
***#*##***#*
( '93 )
OXFORD, Cbrift- Church ; Dec. 30 , 1 769.
HP HE Delegates of the Prefs, in the Univerfity of
A Oxford, and alfo the Univerfity of Cambridge,
having ordered, that the Continuance of their Subfcription
to Dr Kennicott's Work fhould depend on a Certificate
from me, as to a proper Progrefs annually made therein ;
and the Teftimony, which I have with great pleafure be-
caufe with great juftice granted, in the Nine former
Years, having given me a public Connexion with this
Work : I apprehend, that my Name cannot at this time
be at all improper.
My former Atteftations, together with the occafion of
them, are now at an end. And there can be no neceflity
for me to confirm what Dr Kennicott himfelf hath fet
forth, in the Tenth and laft Account, as to his Underta
king being now completed. All that I intend therefore,
after expreflmg my entire convi&ion of the Truth and
Exaclnefs, with which the laft Account hath been ftated,
is publickly to congratulate, as I do moft heartily, all the
Patrons of this Work, together with the Conductor of it,
on its being brought to a Conclufion. And I cannot but
add my fmcere Wiflies, that the very great Importance of
It, of which I am myfelf fully convinced, may be proved
as foon as poflible to the World, by the publication of a
Work, which does fo much Honour to our Country in
general, and to this Univerfity in particular.
T II O. HUNT,
Regius ProfeJJor of Hebrew.
I N D E X.
195
Aberdeen Univerfiry ; page 30.
Acad. Infcrip. & Belles Lettres; pag. 124.
Africa ; pag. 76, 120, 153, 161.
Albani, Cardinal ; pagk 28, 49, 60, 87, 88.
America ; pag. 76, 129, 161.
Annual Account of the Collation ; pag. 5, 6 &c.
Antient Verfions ; pag. 18, 22, 25, 142, 146.
A Porta, Prof. pag. 29, 51, 63, 73, 98, 127, 161.
Afia; pag. 76, 153, 162.
AfTeline, Abbe, Sorbonne ; pag. 1 18, 128, 159,
Aflemani, Monfgr, Rome ; pag. 49, 50.
Afiiftants j pag. 26, 45, 80, 163, 164.
Baden - Durlac, Margrave; pag. 97, 102, nl.
Bahrdt, Profeflbr, Erfurt; pag. 1 60.
Ballarini, Librarian, Rome ; pag. 60, 74.
Bartoli, Signr, Flor. pag. 29, 50, 63, 87, 115,
Barton, Dr ; pag. 125.
Bayer, Don F. Toledo ; pag. 30, 61.
Beauchamp, Lord Vifcount ; pag. 26,
Bejot, Libr. R. Paris; pag, 120*
Bengelius ; pag. 68, 165.
BernftorrT, Count-, pag. 71, 83,96, 115, 127, 153,
Berretta, Padr. Flor. pag. 29, 50, 63, 87, 115.
Bertier, Pere, Orat. Paris ; pag. 121.
Bible, interleaved, 30 vol. pag. 81.
Bibles, Hebrew, printed; pag. 25, 82> 85, 95,
99 — 106, in, 113, 130, 140, 143,147.
Bibles, Hebrew, corrupted ; pag. 7, 25, 99.
Botta, Marfhal ; pag. 28.
A a Branca,
196 INDEX.
Branca, Dr, Flor. pag. 98, 127, 161.
Breitinger, Prof. Zuric •, pag. 51, 64, 97, 127.
Britiih Mufcum ; pag. 94.
Truflees ; pag.> 56, 70.
Brims, Mr-, pag. 97, 102, 113, 116, 121,167,175.
Bute, Earl ; pag. 29, 30.
Cambridge, Univerfity; pag. 11,45.
Caperonier, Libr. R. Paris; pag. 120.
Carburi, Count ; pag. 75.
Carliruhe, Library ; pag. 97, 102, 112.
Certificate, from Rome ; pag. 47.
.. . . . . Geneva; pag. 47. v
Chais, Mr, Hague ; pag. 149.
Chaldce Paraphrafe ; pag. 144.
China; pag. 129, 162.
Clodius, Libr. Drefden; pag. 65.
Colebrooke, Rob. Elq; pag. 75.
Collation, Expediency; pag. 8, 17, 25, 27, 68, 131.
- Neceffity; pag.i 7, 19,20, 131,141,148.
- Undertaken, in what manner; pag. 10,
15, 19,22,23, 34> 54*81,137..
- Subfcription to it; pag. 170, 171.
- Method of it; pag. 22, 34 — 43, 157.
- Perfection of it ; pag. 1 63 — 1 67.
- - Years for it; pag. 54, 69, 79, 124, 137.
- Expence, attending it ; p. 91,92,172.
Confequence of it, to the Public ; pag.
22, 25, 54, ico, 156, 158, 167, 176.
- Profit from it ; pag. 139, 169 — 175.
Conftanzi, Prof. Rome ; pag, 28, 49, 74, 87.
Cooper,
INDEX. 197
Cooper, Dr, New -York-, pag 161.
Craufurd, General •, pag. 62.
Crefpin, Dan. Efq; pag. 61.
Cudworth, Dr ; pag. 57.
Daniel, Book, its Chald. in Heb. pag. 61, 74.
. . . ... after Malachi ; pag. 116.
Dates of Hebrew Bibles; pag. 106.
Dawes, Mr, Aleppo; pag. 76, 162.
De Beaumont, El. Paris ; pag, 121.
De Brequigny, Monf. Paris ; pag. 121.
Delegates Prefs, Oxford ; pag. 8, 10, 23, 27, 136.
De Schmidtz, Mr ; pag. 90, 97.
De Sonnenfels, Mr ; pag. 86.
De St Florentin, C. pag. 52, 89,
Devifme, Mr ; pag. 75.
De Wilhem ; pag. 58, 114.
D' Harold, Mr, Mannheim ; pag. 90.
DifTertation Firft ; pag. 7, 135, 141.
- - - - Second; pag. 10, 136.
Dromgold, Col. Paris; pag. 121.
Dublin Univerfity ; pag. 1 1.
Dutens, Mr, Turin ; pag, 30, 62, 75.
Ele&or Palatine ; pag. 90.
Erfurt Certificates ; pag. 86.
Eton College ; pag. 94.
- - Copy of Hagiographa; pag. 94, 101.
Europe; pag. 67, 76, 129, 161.
Fabricy -,
198 I N D E X.
Fabricy, Gab. Rome ; pag. 74.
Fagel, Greffier; pag. 149.
Firmian, Count ; pag, 28, 29, 51, 63, 72.
Foreigners favour the Work ; pag. 2 i, 27, 3 1, 46,
59>77> 119 — 121.
Forfayeth, ProfefTor, Dublin; pag. 155.
Gaufien, Mr, Geneva ; pag. 49.
Geneva; pag. 47.
Genovefe^ Library, Paris; pag. 120.
Germain des Pres ; pag, 120.
Gill, Dr; pag. 114.
Giorgi, Aug. Rome ; pag. 60, 74.
Goettingen Diploma ; pag. j 07.
Goldhagen, Mr, Mentz ; pag. 90.
Grafton, His Grace, Duke ; pag. 63.
Gray, Sir James ; pag. 31.
Greek MSS, New Teftament ; pag. 17, 67,
Griffen, Mrs ; pag. 123, 176.
Hay, Hon. Edw. Efq; pag. 31.
Hebrew Text corrupted ; pag. 7, 17.
Heinius, Mr, Berlin ; pag. 52.
Hertford, Earl ; pag. 89.
Hefle, Landgrave •, pag. 97.
Hilleilieim, Dr, Cologne; pag. 87, 160.
Hooke, Abbe, Sorbonne; pag. 96,118.
Houbigant, Pere, Orator. Paris ; pag. 57.
Hunt, Dr ; pag. 7, 8, 23, 33, 109, 125, 132, 136.
Jabloniki's
I N D E X.
199
Jablonfld's Hebrew papers ; pag. 52.
Integrity, printed Heb. Bible; pag. 7, 99, 134,
Jubb, Dr ; pag. 162.
Kali, ProfefTor, Copenhagen ; pag. 84, 115.
King, Gr. Britain; pag. 24, 78, 95, in, 125, 147.
- - Denmark ; pag. 70, 76, 96, 1 15, 126, 153.
~ - France ; pag. 89, 96.
- - Sardinia ; pag. 29, 50, 62.
Krefs, Illuft. pag. 117, 128,
Kufter ; pag. 67, 165.
Ladvocat, Abbe ; pag. 31, 52, 65, 89, 117, 1 18,
Landolt, Mr, Zuric ; pag. 75.
Le Blond, Abbe, Caen ; pag. 97, 118.
Letters from Albani, Cardinal ; pag. 88.
- - - - BernftorfF, Count; pag. 71, 83, 154.
- - - - Chais, Mr; pag. 150.
- - - Nivernois, Duke de ; pag. 89.
- - - - Seeker, Arch-Bifhop; pag. 9, 10.
Lilienthal, Profeflbr, Koenigfberg; pag. 155.
Lind, Mr ; pag. 66.
Lobilein, Mr, Stralburg ; pag. 121, 128.
Lowth, Bifhop ; pag. 7.
Luther's Heb. Bible ; pag. 85, 101, 115,
Lyttelton, Bifhop ; pag. 76.
Mann, Sir Hor. pag. 29, 50, 63,73,97, 116, 127.
Mannheim Academy; pag. 77, 90, 117.
r - - - Diploma; pag. 108,
MSS;
soo INDEX.
MSS, Gr. N. Teft. pag. 17, 67, 157.
- - Heb. O. T. at home; pag. 8, 9, 10, 18, 19,
*5. 55>i35>i38»i57-
abroad; pag. 20,27,67, 142,157.
- - Oldeft, beft; pag. 17, 18, 22, 23, 101.
. - . -, - confirm N. Teft. pag. 1 8, 146.
- ... _ - - - - - Samar. Pent. pag. 22.
." .- ' A. Verfions ; p. 1 8, 22, 142.
MSS Heb. Bib. referred to in the preceding pages*
— Aberdeen, Univerfity ; pag. 26, 30.
— Aleppo; pag. 76.
— Angelica, Rome ; pag. 60, 6 1, 74.
— Auld - bar, Scotland ; pag. 45.
— Baden - Durlac ; pag. 90, 97, 1 1 6.
— Barton, Oxford ; pag. 125.
— Barberini, Rome ; pag. 60.
— Bayer, Toledo ; pag. 30, 61.
— Berlin ; pag. 52, 85, 127, 160.
— Berne; pag. 64,75.
— Bodleian ; pag. 22, 27, 45.
— Bologna, Italy; pag. 49.
— Brieg, Silefia ; pag. 127, 159.
— Britifh Mufeum, London; pag. 56, 70,94, 1 10.
— Cai- fong - fu, China ; pag. 129.
— Cambridge ; pag. 45.
— Carlfruhe, Baden -Durlac ; pag. 90, 97, 1 16.
— Cafiel; pag. 65, 96.
— Chalmers, Auld -bar; pag. 45.
^-Cologne; pag. 87,160.
— Copenhagen ; pag. 71, 84,96, 114, 126, 153.
«« Corpus - Chrifti College ; pag. MI.
MSS
INDEX. 201
MSS Conftantinople •, pag. 44.
— Cotton Samar. MS ; pag. 56.
— Drefden ; pag. 64, 160.
— Dublin ; pag. 26, 79, 155.
— Egypt-, pag. 71.
— England ; pag. 8, 18, 25, 44.
— Erfurt, Germany; pag. 86, 128, 145, 160.
— Elcurial ; pag. 30, 49, 61, 62.
— Florence -, pag. 28, 50, 63, 73, 87* 1 15.
— Hail, Seidel ; pag. 52, 64.
— Hamburg ; pag. 29, 51, 64.
— Helmftadt ; pag. 52, 64.
— Ho -nan, China; pag. 162.
— Hunt, Profeflbr; pag. 125.
— Jarchi, at Butzow, Mechlenburg ; pag. 146.
— Jena; pag. 159.
— Jerufalem ; pag. 125, 129, 147.
— Jefus College, Oxford ; pag. 70.
— Kennicott ; pag. 44, 55, 58, 79, 1 14, 125.
— Koenigfberg ; pag. 1 55.
— Leipfic ; pag. 1 60.
— Lekkerkirk, Holland ; pag. 58, 1 14.
— Leyden ; pag. 58, 70, 161.
— Maronite, Rome ; pag. 60.
— Mcerman, Rotterdam ; pag. 30, 45.
— Mentz ; pag. 90.
— Milan; pag. 51,63, 127, 160.
— Minim Fathers, Paris; pag. 120.
— Montague, London ; pag. 26.
— Mufeum, Britifh ; pag. 56, 70, 94, 1 10.
— Naploufe ; pag. 162.
Bb MSS
202 INDEX.
MSS New -York, America; pag. 161.
— Nuremberg; pag. 116, 128, ,56, 159,
— Oratory, Paris ; pag. 19, 96, 1 20. .'
— Oriel College ; pag. 70.
— Oxford ; pag. 26, 45.
— Paris ; pag. 31, 52, 65, 96, 119, 159.
- - - Royal Library ; pag. 52, 96, 120.
— Price, Mr, Oxford; pag. 125. '
— Reuchlin, Carlfruhe ; pag. 1 1 6.
— Rotterdam ; pag. 30, 45.
- Royal Library, London ; pag. 125.
- Royal Society, London ; pag. 79, i 1 1 .
- St Blafe, Library ; pag. 97.
-StGenovefe, Paris; pag. 120.
Sc Germ, des Pres, Paris ; pag. 120.
Sc John's College, Cambridge; pag. 125,
Sr Vicfoire, Paris; pag. 120.
— Schuhens, Profeflbr ; pag. 58, 70.
>ddd, Hall ; pag. 52, 64.
Sirnfon, New -York ; pag. 161.
Sorbonne; pag. 52, 120,
— Spain ; pag. 30,49, 6.1.
— Stralburg; pag. 128, 159.
- Trinity College, Dublin ; pag. 26.
— Turin; pag. 29, 50,62, 74.
— Vatican ; pag. 21,27, 28, 60.
— Vienna; pag. 73, 86.
— U flier ; pag. 56.
— Utrecht ; pag. 91.
-Vvrells, England; pag. 20,94.
— Weiiminiter ; pag. 2 b,
Zuric ; pag. 51, 64, 75, 97, r 27.
INDEX. 203
Marefufci, Monfgr. pag. 60.
Maronites College, Rome ; pag. 6o<-
Martini, Illuit. pag. 97.
Meerman, Penf. pag. 30.
Melvill, General -, pag. i 29.
Mercier, Libr. S. Genov. pag. 113.
Michaelis, Bible ; pag. 82, 86, 88, 145.
Michaclis, Joh. Dav. pag. 65, 86, 97, 146.
Milan Senate •, pag. 73.
Mill, Dr; pag. 67, 157, 165.
Minim Fathers, Paris; pag. 120.
Mitchell, Sir And. pag. 115.
Montfancon ; pag. 1 60.
Mordaunt, Rev. Mr -, pag. 55, 79.
Morinus j pag. 120, 121.
Mount -Stuart, Lord Vifcount ; pag. 47.
Murfinna, ProfefTor: pag. 52, 64, 85, 160.
Mufeum, Britifh ; pag. 56, 70, 94.
Nagel ; pag. n 6, 128, 156, 159.
Newcome, Bifhop ; pag. 155.
Newton, Sir liaac -, pag. 57.
Nivernois, Duke ; pag. 52, 89, 119.
Norton,Will. Efq; pag. 97,127.
Oberlin, Mr, Strafburg ; pag. 127, 159.
Olivera, Marquis ; pag. 73.
Orange, H. S. H. Prince •, pag. 1 49.
Oratory, Fathers; pag. 96, 120.
Oxford Deleg. Prefs; pag. 8, 10, 23, 27, 32, 136.
Bb 2
204
INDEX.
Palke, Governor; pag. 162,
Paris, Vifit to it ; - pag. 119, 166.
- . - MSS, Heb. and Samar. pag. 119.
- - - Polyglott 5 pag. 56.
- - - Arch-Bp; pag. 119, 128.
- r - Library, Royal; pag. 120.
-. , ..... Sorbonne; pag. 120.
....... Oratory; pag. 120.
....... Genovefe ; pag. 120.
..-..-- - Germ, des Pres ; pag. 120.
. ..... - Vidoire ; pag. 120.
....... Minim ; pag. 120.
Pafini, Prof. Tuiin ; pag. 50, 75.
Paffionei, Cardinal ; pag. 21, 28, 46, 47, 60, 87.
Pentateuch, Royal Library, London ; pag. 95.
Pigou, Fred. Eiq; pag. 130, 162.
Pluer, Mr ; pag. 75.
Polyglott London ; pag. 56, 145.
. - - Paris ; pag. 56.
Porter, Sir James ; pag. 3 1, 44, 1 29.
Price, Libr. Bodl. pag. 125.
Printed Hebrew Copies ; pag. 98—106, in,
Quotations, in New Teft. ' pag. 18, 57
, Libr. Hanover; pag. 65.
Rau, Prof. Utrecht ; pag. 66.
Rawlinfon, Walt. Efq; pag. 74.
Jleimarus, Prof. Hamburg; pag. 29, 51, 64.
Richardfon,
INDEX. 205
Richardfon, Dr ; pag. 114.
Rochford, Earl ; pag. 62, 75, 119.
Rome ; pag. 21, 46, 47, 60, 87, 88,
St John's College, Camb. pag. 111,125,
Sack, Mr, Berlin ; pag. 52, 64, 85.
Samar. MSS ; pag. 19, 56, 120, 145, i 60—162.
- - - Pentateuch; pag. 19,22,56—58, 144,145.
Sanford, Mr, Heb. Bible; pag. 112,130.
Savoy, Duke ; pag. 29.
Scheide, Mr ; , pag. 65, 96.
Schnurrer, Mr; pag. 159.
Schultens, Prof. Leyden ; pag. 58, 70, 161.
Schulze, Prof. Berlin ; pag. 52, 85, roj, 115,
Schulze, Madam ; pag. 115.
Seeker, Arch - Bifhop ; pag. 8 — 10, 56, 122, 136.
Semler, Prof. Hall; pag. 64,92.
Simfon, Mr, America; pag. 161.
Sinner, Libr. Berne ; pag. 64, 75.
Sorbonne Generofity ; pag. 66, 1 20.
Spinelli, Cardinal ; pag. 21, 28, 49, 6o> 61.
Stanhope, Sir William ; pag. 98.
Stewart, Mr; pag. 127,
Stormont, Lord Vifcount ; pag, 31, 74, 87.
Subfcribers to the Collation ; pag. 1 77-— 192.
Sullivan, Profefibr, Dublin ; pag. 79.
Theoli, Domin..Rome; pag. 74.
Torregiani, Cardinal ; pag. 49, 60.
Tranfcripts depofited in the Bodleian ; pag. 27,
55, 70, 81, 82, 95, 113, 126, 138.
Van
2o6 INDEX.
Van der Hooght's Edition ; pag. 36, 82, 83.
VanSwieten; pag. 73.
Various Readings, in MSS ; pag. 22, 26, 135.
---- in Printed Copies ; pag. 82,85,
94, 95, 112, 130, 147.
Vafquez, Xavier, Rome , pag. 60.
Vatican ; pag. 21, 27, 47, 88.
Vernec, Prof. Geneva ; pag. 51.
Verfes in the Old Teftament ; pag. 35, 157.
- New Teftament ; pag. 1 57.
Verfions, Antient ; pag. i 8, 22, 25, 142, 146.
Verfchuir, Prof. Franequer; pag. 118.
Viftoire, Library, Paris; pag. 120.
Walton's Polyglott ; pag. 56, 145.
Welfer, Illuft.- pag. 117, 128.
Wetftein ; pag. 68, 1 65.
Woide, Mr; pag. 102.
Worfeley, Mr ; pag. 1 1 6.
Yorke, Sir Jofeph ; pag. ^o.
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