Anomalies in the Great Stemma

Notes

This page collates about 125 anomalies found in one or many of the 19 extant manuscripts of the Great Stemma. The scholar column refers to page numbers of discussion by Yolanta Zaluska (Z) and Christine Klapisch-Zuber (K). The features are presented in order of type of anomaly


Name Plate Type Distribution Proposed explanation Scholar
Malelehel alii Malalel 2 Alias Noted thus by Neuss (which MS?). In Roda, miscopied as "abi malaleel" from "alii malaleel" in an earlier copy. Shows an early recensor must have compared the spelling to that in the Vulgate Bible.
Tarab/Idore Interpolation Alias Alpha The alias offered here shows a recensor has compared two earlier recensions of the Great Stemma and has been unable to resolve a content problem. This name is found neither in LXX nor in the Vulgate and appears to be a corruption, perhaps of a gloss or a timeline element. In Roda: Tarab filius iectan alii iodore. In Leon: Tural filius iectan alii idore.
Soma concubina nachor alii regma 5 Alias Alpha, Beta, Sigma The Alpha recensor may have compared a Vetus/Septugint version of the name with the Vulgate version. In any case a divergence is marked here. This alias is a feature of Alpha, Beta and Sigma, distinguishing them from Delta and Gamma Z 247-2
Thahash Divergence Alias Alpha The recensors have apparently compared difficult-to-read handwriting in two versions of the Great Stemma and arrived at four different readings: Cahas/Gaser in one and Tocos/Caltes for the other. None of the readings here matches the Vulgate version (Thaas). Leon: Cahas filius naor III alii tocos. Roda: Gaser filius naor a quo caltes
Lines of descent may be horizontal, vertical or oblique Ambiguity Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. K 76
Networks of medallions in which each roundel is linked to all its neighbours Ambiguity Sigma Noted by Klapisch-Zuber (agglomérés en grappes denses) and again on page 78 (amas réticulaires) and page 80 (where she suggests these networks signify fraternal equality, examples in S being sons of Iectan and of Ismahel). As far as I know, these networks are peculiar to Sigma and cannot be regarded as having an authorial origin. K 76
Medallions groups of like colour may indicate sibling groups or lines of descent Ambiguity Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. On 79 she analyses the sons of Adam in M and S: Cain red, Seth blue, Abel yellow, and concludes that colour choice is personal to the artist but not significant to the reader K 77
Alterations in the significance of the connecting lines are not denoted in any way. The connection may be: 1) father-son 2) husband-wife, 3) brother-brother Ambiguity Sigma Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, giving example of two wives of Lamech and their connections to their three respective children K 77
Concatenation of David's wives Ambiguity Sigma Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, who compares this to the more sophisticated treatment in S of the wives of Esau (8v) who radiate from the husband K 78
Lines can signify a kinship or textual connection, so ultimately the lines' residual significance can only be as vectors to guide the direction of reading Ambiguity All Comment by Klapisch-Zuber. One might object that 1) a certain ambivalence is not confusing or 2) that the text connectors are a kind of repair mechanism where an artist has failed to place a gloss correctly K 78
Arches tally on Plates 1 and 2: normally 4, but in S 6, in Ro 8 1 Art Sigma, Roda Perhaps the arches are an echo of the original timeline? Z 246-2
The mappa mundi (T-O style) 4 Art Sigma Appears to be from Isidore, but with legend similar to Liber Genealogus, No. 222. Z 246-2
Enclosure which Zaluska terms a "noeud de Constantine" 13 Art Found in Beatus MSS only, not the bibles. Williams has argued this indicates it is a late addition Z 252-2
The Non-Gap between the Persians and Romans 13 Chronology Possibly the result of a rearrangement of the stemma
Eight months of the twins Chronology Chronicles diverge on 7 or 8 months. Jerome has "Fratres Magi m.VIII" but Bede counts only 7. This requires further research.
Octo in its own roundel (see also Eight Roundels Anomaly) Chronology This may indicate that only a very tiny space was available for his text and the "octo" had to be written in the next container. This could tell us something about the layout of the timeline.
Splitting of plate 11 text on the prophets 11 Corruption Anomaly that indicates a common origin for four of the MSS Z 252-2
Text panel on Job, drawn from Septuagint 7 Corruption All From a text based on LXX Job 42, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, a section which Jerome suppressed in the Vulgate (the content is discussed elsewhere on this page). The text itself has been corrupted during transmission. The correct form would be "Nam qui venerunt ad eum amici eius hii fuerunt: Elifaz de filius Esau, Themanorum dux." Z 248-1
Reuh filus faleg 5 Emendation Sigma Outright amendment of Luke's "Ragau" based on Genesis Vulgate Z 247-1
Sarug filius reuh 5 Emendation Sigma Outright amendment of Luke's "Seruch" based on Genesis Vulgate Z 247-1
Horrite or Hurrian Tribes: reduced from 30 to 27 Emendation Beta Indicates muddled amendment and transmission Z 248-2
Judges and Kings Emendation Sigma Zaluska says this amendment appears to be drawn from a study of Isidore Z 250-2
Chor filius lothan 7 Emendation Sigma Scribe failed to insert Vulgate form of name Z 248-2
Stefanus Garsia Placidus ad S. 2 Interpolation Sigma Scribe's signature Z 246-2
Orbis terrae tripertitis (legend to mappa mundi) 4 Interpolation Sigma Z 247-1
Mosoc (additional son of Sem) 4 Interpolation Alpha (Roda, Leon) Probably a duplication error in the Alpha recension, by mistaken copying of the nearby son of Aram
non habetur in storia 4 Interpolation Alpha, sigma Recension note attached to Nore, meaning "the name is non-biblical" Z 246-2
Recapitulatio 4 Interpolation Alpha, Beta, Sigma Ancient interpolation based on chronicles in the Eusebius tradition Z 246-2
Madian filius habrahe 6 Interpolation Millan
Zabdi filius zare 8 Interpolation Sigma From Joshua 7:1, ignores Liber Genealogus tradition Z 249-2
Carmi filius zabdi 8 Interpolation Sigma From Joshua 7:1, ignores Liber Genealogus tradition Z 249-2
Achar filius carmi 8 Interpolation Sigma From Joshua 7:1, ignores Liber Genealogus tradition Z 249-2
Ballach 9 Interpolation Beta Scribe inserted doppelganger for Bela Z 249-2
Gobeor 9 Interpolation Beta Scribe inserted doppelganger for Becor Z 249-2
Fibel 9 Interpolation Beta Scribe inserted doppelganger for Asbel Z 249-2
24 Boxes headed: Hi sunt sacerdotes de stirpe aaron qui post mortem eius sibi succedentes functi sunt sacerdotio in Israel 10 Interpolation Sigma Seemingly a creation of the editor of Sigma Z Z 250-1
Six brothers and sisters of David, with nephews 10 Interpolation Sigma Zaluska suggests this may come from the archetype Z 250-1
Thirty Priests of David 10 Interpolation Sigma Clearly older than S. Should be 30, but only 27 roundels: Zaluska notes that five names are missing, while Banaias is an interloper and Aia Fellonites is a duplicate. Azmauet for Azmabeth Z 250-1
Samgar insertion Interpolation Delta A recensor's attempt to correct the apparent Shamgar lacuna, after overlooking the fact that Samera at the end of the sequence is the same item, but misplaced
Inclusion of siblings of David Interpolation Sigma Zaluska suggests this may have been a feature of the archetype. However it is also possible it was a way to fill space in the Sigma recension
Iecelia Intruder Phantom character, explained by a migration from the left: this name is found in the Liber Genealogus in another position.
Isaac filius Abraham 7 Lacuna Le, Fi Isaac roundel missing Z 248-1
No roundel for Seir 7 Lacuna Suggests link to Liber Genealogus tradition: certain universal chronicles do make clear that Seir is a place, not a person
Sons of Kenan 3 Layout Roda Originally parallel join?
Slight isolation of roundels from others often sets apart a sister or a wife Layout All Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, who notes in (ms in parentheses): sister of Ismahel (S), Dina daughter of Lia (M), wives of Iuda and Er (M) K 80
David's wives and secondary sons: varying treatment Layout Sigma Z 251-1
Mothers occupying the root position Layout This graphic feature is noted by Klapisch-Zuber. She does not mention a precise example, but presumably means Jacob's four women, each of which is treated as a root K 77
Brothers concatenated as if youngest were son of next oldest brother Layout All Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, giving as example from Sigma the sons of Iacob and Lea (8v) who concatenate in a long red chain. However she compares this to a more sophisticated treatment in S of the sons of Japhet (6v) who radiate from the father (yellow roundel at top of the page) K 77
Grandsons concatenated to ranks of fathers and uncles Layout San Juan Bible Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, giving example of the descendance of Sem K 78
Polysemic use of roundels to contain both persons and glosses Metadata Sigma Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. Perhaps an artefact of copying process K 76
Glosses may be in a roundel abutting, attached by a line to or completely separate from the person referred to Metadata Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. Perhaps an artefact of copying process K 76
Size differences in roundels are without any apparent significance Metadata Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. Saint Sever uses five sizes from beginning, Leon uses three sizes K 76
Alternation of colours amid the seven sons of Iapet, sons of Misraim, sons of Cainan Metadata San Juan Bible Noted by Klapisch-Zuber, who says this indicates there is no genuine hierarchization or other grouping by colours, and that the colours merely make the page more animated or emphasize distances. These observations only apply to the medieval copies: we cannot know how the archetype looks, since copyists appear to have been unreliable in carrying over metadata such as colours. K 77
Wife of Sem in a square, not a roundel Metadata San Juan Bible Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. It is not clear if this notion has some metadata significance or not K 77
Galaad (son of Manasseh) 9 Misattribution LXX Gen 46:20 treats him as a son of Machir, whereas the great stemma attaches him to Manasseh
Lia filia batl. 6 Misattribution Roda
Horrite or Hurrian Tribes: sons of Dison attached to Dison senior, not Dison junior 7 Misattribution Sigma Shows link to Liber Genealogus Z 248-2
Amada filius seir 7 Misattribution Roda, Millan
Shua as wife of "Jacob" instead of Judah 8 Misattribution Sigma Error of haste? (Omitted in all by Beta and Sigma) Z 249-2
Omshi filii ceturae: attached to Madian in green Misattribution Sigma Noted by Klapisch-Zuber. K 80
Omission of text on Adam 1 Omission Sigma Z 246-1
Omission of text on Noah 2 Omission Sigma Z 246-1
Omission of the Second Kenan, in conformity with most chronicles in antiquity. Luke's account (well attested in papyrus) inserts a Cainan between Arfaxat and Sale as part of the main line. 4 Omission Roda, ELMC See Luke 3:36. This omission contradicts both the Lukan genealogy and LXX Gen 10:24 and 11:12-13, but was insisted on by Julius Africanus (Chronography, 6) (see Gelzer I,89 and Wallraff 29-39) and approved by Eusebius, Jerome and Bede. The omission also conforms with Josephus (Antiquities, lib. I, 6.4) and may also be influenced by the Hebrew/Masoretic text. Only the Liber Generationis includes the second Kenan (see Mc Carthy collation). See Wieland Willker's commentary on Luke TVU 40, which discusses possible reasons why early MSS might have preferred older versions of Genesis and suppressed this part of Luke. Z 246-2
Saunis filius gad 9 Omission Alpha Z 249-2
Esebon filius gad 9 Omission Alpha, Delta1 Z 249-2
Ariolis filius gad 9 Omission Alpha Z 249-2
Sons of Aser: four omissions and one misattribution 9 Omission Sigma Z 249-2
Missing commencement of Fifth Epoch Omission Z 250-2
Apparent exclusion of five kings unnamed by Matthew Omission Reflects damage to the timeline element, which only remains fragmentarily in the surviving copies Z 251-2
Archetypical Omission 1: Enam genuit eliacim (omits Melea in Luke 3:31) Omission Alpha, Delta Part of a broader Vetus Latina tradition represented by the Liber Genealogus, a, b, e, l and r1 Z 252-1
Archetypical Omission 2: Matati genuit naum (omits Maath, Nagga and Esli in Luke 3:25-26) Omission Alpha, Delta Part of the same tradition as Liber Genealogus, but the same omission set is not found in any other MS. The Codex Colbertinus omits Naath, but includes Nagga and Esli Z 252-1
Archetypical Omission 3: Naum genuit iose (omits Amos and Mattathias in Luke 3:25) Omission Alpha, Delta Part of a tradition represented by the Liber Genealogus (609-611) and the Codex Colbertinus version of Luke Z 252-1
Omission of five last names: Melchi, Levi, Matthat, Heli, Ioseph 14 Omission Sigma Indicates the Sigma recension is probably older than the actual Saint-Sever MS, since it seems unlikely that Sigma's obsessively careful editor would have allowed his collaborators to make such a major error during the actual production of the book. The only other plausible explanation may be that the editor held off entering this data because of the grave contradictions between his Alpha and Beta sources (see below) and died (or was at least assigned away from the task) before he had been able to resolve the dilemma through independent research. Z 252-1
Levi genuit ioseph (omission of Matthat and Heli from Luke 3:23-24) Omission Alpha, Delta Possibly lost through damage to the page edge: the only other textual tradition I can find that omits Heli and Matthat is that of the Codex Colbertinus (a Vetus Latina NT; old siglum: c; new siglum: 06). Matthat and Heli are present in the Liber Genealogus.
Melchi genuit eli (omission of Levi and Matthat) Omission Beta Emendation, perhaps following a different scriptural tradition which leaves out these names (see Lagrange's Greek text of Luke, page 116, where Levi and Matthat are in parentheses, and his note on page 121). Julius Africanus (Epistle to Aristides, 3) also appears to have worked from an unidentified Luke text that omitted them, stating that Eli was the son of Melchi. Lagrange points out the same tradition elsewhere: Eusebius PG XXII, 896 and Ambr. (Heli filium Melchi, Com. III, 13)
Rehoboam omission Omission All? All extant versions seem to omit a roundel for Rehoboam (1Ki 11:43) in his own right, despite identifying him as a husband and father in other roundels. The Delta recensor tried to cover this up by writing in the next son's roundel "Roboan filius salomonis genuit abiam"
Anazra, wife of Lamech 2 Outsider Alpha, S Proposes an identity for Noah's mother (Anazra uxor lamec filia baribihel de qua genitus est noe). Zaluska's hypothesis is that Emzara, a name for Noah's wife given by the uncanonical Book of Jubilees 4:33, has been corrupted and attached to Noah's mother instead of the wife. The great stemma's author surely did not actually consult Jubilees (a Jewish work), which states the name Edna for Lamech's wife. There is no such name in LXX Genesis 5:28, nor as far as I can see is it to be found in the Liber Genealogus. A mystery. Z 246-2
Ragouel and Nabdeel, sons of Dadan Outsider LXX Gen 25:3, but not found in Vulgate bible
Another Kenan as an offshoot of Sem 4 Outsider Roda, ELMC Follows Septuagint Gen 10:22
Rut, wife of Japheth 4 Outsider cf. Liber Genealogus 168 and Inventiones Nominum (Af) (=Serac). Perhaps somehow linked to "Arathka", a name mentioned by Hippolytus from the Syriac Targum Z 246-2
Elisa, son of Japheth Outsider LXX Gen 10:2, but not found in Vulgate bible
Suse, wife of Cham 4 Outsider cf. Liber Genealogus 114 and Inventiones Nominum (Af) (=Sare). Z 246-2
Nore or Norea, wife of Sem 4 Outsider cf. Liber Genealogus 67 and and Inventiones Nominum (Af) (=Nora). Z 246-2
Older Daughter of Lot: Olia 5 Outsider Roda, Millan Uncanonical, source unknown, not in LXX, but cf traditions naming Noah's wife as Olla, Ollina, Ollibana (Dialogue of Salomon and Saturnus, ed. Kimble, p 185, also Master of Oxford's Catechism http://mw.mcmaster.ca/scriptorium/catechism.html) (see James, M R, p 243-244)
Younger Daughter of Lot: Oliba 5 Outsider Roda, Millan Uncanonical, source unknown, not in LXX, but cf traditions naming Noah's wife as Olla, Ollina, Ollibana (Dialogue of Salomon and Saturnus, ed. Kimble, p 185, also Master of Oxford's Catechism http://mw.mcmaster.ca/scriptorium/catechism.html) (see James, M R, p 243-244)
Nicibat uxor Tare mater Habram filia Edicet 5 Outsider Alpha, Beta, Sigma Uncanonical, source unknown, not in LXX Z 247-1
Identification of Job the Patient with King Joban, son of Zaret 7 Outsider All Iob patriarca filius zaret: Drawn from LXX Job 42:17b-17e. The tradition is also represented by the Testament of Job and the Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, but there is no evidence the Great Stemma author consulted these works. Z 248-1
Busurra uxor zaret mater iob 7 Outsider Roda, Millan The Vulgate treats Bozrah only as a place, not a person Z 248-1
Marriage of Job the Patient to the daughter of Jacob 7 Outsider Roda, Millan Dina filia iacob uxor iob: Drawn from LXX Job 42:17b-17e. This tradition is also represented by the Testament of Job and the Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, but there is no evidence the Great Stemma author consulted these works. Z 248-1
Chat (Gaath/Caal filius sobal) 7 Outsider Alpha, Delta1 Found only in Liber Genealogus 296 Z 248-2
A second Akan, son of Asar 7 Outsider Alpha, Delta1 Spelled Iuschan in the Liber Genealogus, this person appears in the stemma as Iusca and similar, and appears to be based on "Oukan" in the Septuagint (Gen 36:27). Oukan appears to be a reduplication in that text of Akan. Jerome, considering it to be a mistake, suppressed it, but the character survives here. Z 248-2
Friend of Job: Eliphaz, of the sons of Esau, king of the Thaimanites 8 Outsider Sigma based on LXX Job 42, 17e, a section which Jerome suppressed in the Vulgate. Z 249-1
Friend of Job: Baldad, the tyrant of the Sauchites 8 Outsider Sigma based on LXX Job 42, 17e, a section which Jerome suppressed in the Vulgate. Z 249-1
Friend of Job: Sophar, the king of the Minites 8 Outsider Sigma based on LXX Job 42, 17e, a section which Jerome suppressed in the Vulgate. Z 249-1
Grandsons of Joseph the Dreamer: Machir, Galaad, Southalaam and Taam, and great-grandson Edem 9 Outsider All Suppressed by Jerome in Vulgate, but found in LXX Gen 46:20 and Vetus Latina Z 249-2
Mother of David (uxor Jesse) is named Outsider Alpha, Beta The origin of this name, Amatli, is not clear. It is not in the Liber Genealogus. It may be a later interpolation. It is not found in Roda, but is present in Morgan and Facundus.
Joachim, uncanonical father of Mary (Iosef genuit Ioachim. Ioachim genuit Mariam ...) 13 Outsider Alpha, Delta, Beta From a tradition traced back to the Protevangelion of James (see Anna). Despite its suppression, this insertion continued in the 5th century Liber Genealogus, the 7th century Chronica Minora text (Frick) based on it, an Apocalypse commentary by Victorinus Petavionensis and an exegetical text (Mai, Angelo (ed). Patrum Nova Bibliotheca I. 477, Rome 1853) (see Lagrange, Luc, p 120) Z 252-1
Anna, uncanonical mother of Mary Outsider Beta Possibly a later addition by a copyist, since I can only see this in Beta. Perhaps added by a copyist to reinforce the Joachimite bias of the document. Anna is named in a tradition traced back to the Protevangelion of James, also sometimes known as the Gospel of James or the Infancy Gospel of James, which is generally dated to 140-170 CE. See: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/infancyjames.html The eastern church held to Anna, despite the Protoevangelion's relegation to the apocrypha in the Decretum Gelasianum (approximately 496 CE), and some western Christians still hold to the tradition in modern times.
The Allophyles/Philistines for 40 years Outsider Jgs 13:1, cf. LXX, Theophilus, Apologia ad Autolycum, XXIV
Peace among them for 40 years Outsider cf. LXX Jgs 17:6, Theophilus, Apologia ad Autolycum, XXIV, Eusebius 31
Micha filius melchisue Outsider Uncanonical, source unknown, not in LXX
Nasta/Nasat uxor azor Outsider Uncanonical, source unknown, not in LXX
Sons of Regma 3 Pennant join Roda Originally parallel join?
Sons of Seir 7 Pennant join Roda Originally parallel join?
Compression of sons of Cain to one page 1 Relocation Sigma Z 246-1
Difference of location of mappa mundi: either plate 5 or plate 4 4 Relocation Sigma Zaluska suggests the location on 4 may be the older tradition Z 247-1
Abraham women: removal of Agar to initial position 6 Relocation Ac, S Z 247-2
Sons of Eliphaz leftmost, instead of sons of Raguel 7 Relocation Sigma Z 248-1
Horrite or Hurrian Tribes: 30 in archetype 7 Relocation Shows link to same tradition as Liber Genealogus Z 248-2
Two roundels for Judah: on plate 8 and 9 (illogically, on the same page in Alpha) 8 Relocation Most Adaptation to codex form Z 249-1
Two roundels for Levi: on plate 8 and 9 (illogically, on the same page in Alpha) 8 Relocation Most Z 249-1
Placement of Levi descendants on 8 instead of among other priests on 10 8 Relocation Sigma Breaks a traditional interpretation seen in the Liber Genealogus Z 249-1
Identity of the "twins" 13 Textual issue Zaluska thinks "gemini" refers to the two Magi usurpers, because they were brothers (and other chronicles use the word Fratres Magi) but it is more likely that the word "gemini" was chosen to refer to the real Smerdis (a Persian governor) and the pseudo-Smerdis (the usurper whose ears had been amputated) in Herodotus' account. Cf. Gelzer, Heinrich: Sextus Julius Africanus und die Byzantinische Chronographie, II.13 (1885) Z 251-1
Translation of Enoch 2 Textual issue Brings in an exegetical topic closely related to early concerns with the Ascension and Assumption
Inclusion of strange text on Noah in timeline with 2x mortuus Textual issue Roda
Change of term from filius to genuit Textual issue Indicates connectedness to gospel accounts Z 251-1
Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom), many corruptions Textual issue Originally a comparative timeline, converted to a genealogical thread Z 251-1
Eight Roundels Problem (Persian and Roman rulers) (see also Octo Anomaly) 13 Transmission Error There are only seven entries in the eight timeline roundels. The occupant of the vacant roundel cannot be identified, but might have been Nebuchadnezer. Z 251-1
A "curious error in transmission" in Roman-rulers text in Le and in manuscripts containing the noeud de Constantine (Zaluska) 13 Transmission Error Not yet extracted Z 252-2
Lamec accepit duas uxores... 2 Transposition Roda A gloss that has moved from near the Lamech roundel into the timeline
Repetition of Enoch note 2 Transposition Delta Additional note that duplicates data from the timeline, creating a third entry for Enoch. Such repetitions are strong evidence that the original layout of the great stemma may have been designed to combine 1) a complete genealogy, 2) glosses and 3) a complete timeline, all in correct scale to one another.
Judges and Foreign Domination Transposition Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta Clearly based on the chronology tradition of Theophilus and Julius Africanus, as evidenced by the roundels for Allophyles, the Peace Period and the One Year of Samera. This seems to me to be a copyist's transposition away from the timeline level of the original version of the stemma, but note that the later prophets, Eli and Samuel, are embellished with their own stemmatic data. The latter aspect could be an argument for regarding the whole Judges and Foreign Domination passage as an awkward insertion by the original author into the main stemma structure. Z 250-2
Wives of Kings of Judah: non-matches Transposition All This is a block of names which has been accidentally shifted four places to the right during transmission.
Athalia reign inserted as an uxor entry Transposition Indicates archetypal existence of timeline
Sebdoc sacerdos filius acidob [displaced] Transposition Delta Moved to Joachimate ancestry series

[to be continued]

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