KYP T-1479

KYPRIANOS DATABASE OF ANCIENT RITUAL TEXTS

KYPRIANOS T1479

Manuscript:	M171
Sigla:	PCM 1 11 PCM I 11 Leiden Anastasi 9 Leiden Anastasy 9 P. Leiden I 385 AMS 9 Anastasy 9 (1828)
Text no. Position of the text within the manuscript.	3
Coptic Scriptorium:
Date:	551 – 800

Text position:	p. 21 l. 6 – p. 24 l. 26
Type of text:	Healing/protection (magical, formulary)

Original title:
Original title (translated):
Conventional title:	Letter of Abgar to Jesus

Language:	Egyptian (Coptic)
Dialect:	Sahidic
Script:	Coptic
Image:	https://hdl.handle.net/21.12126/21319

Text:

Translation:

p. 20
10v
↓
_____.________._______
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
¯¯¯¯˙¯¯¯¯¯˙¯¯¯¯¯˙¯¯¯¯¯
6. ⲁⲩⲕⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲡ̅ⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲥ-
7. ⲥⲁ ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓ̅ⲥ · ⲉϥⲥ̅ϩⲁⲓ̈ ⲙ̅ⲡ-
8. ⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲣ̅ⲣⲟ · ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙ̅ⲡⲛⲟⲩ-
9. ⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲛ̅ϩ̅ · ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ
10. ⲁⲩⲁⲛⲁⲛⲁⲅⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ̅ ⲉⲧⲃⲏ-
11. ⲏⲧ̅ⲕ̅ ⲛ̅ϭⲓ̅ ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲩⲧⲁ-
12. ⲓⲏⲩ : ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̅ϣⲟⲩ · ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩ-
13. ⲉ ⲛⲁⲩ · ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲙ-
14. ⲡϣⲁ ϩ̅ⲙ̅ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙ̅-
15. ⲙⲁⲧⲉ : ⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲕϭⲙ̅ⲡϣⲓ̅-
16. ⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ϩⲓ̅ⲧⲙ̅ ⲡⲉ-
17. ⲕⲟⲩⲱⲛ̅ϩ̅ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ · ⲡⲁⲓ̅ ⲛ-
18. ⲧⲁⲕϭⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲛϣⲓ̈ⲛⲉ ⲛ̅̅ϩⲏⲧ̅ϥ̅
19. ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲉⲧϭⲟϫϥ̅
20. ϩⲓⲧ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲕⲙ̅ⲛ̅ⲧⲙⲁⲓ̅ⲣⲱ-
21. ⲙⲉ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲟⲡ ϫⲓ̅ⲛ ⲉⲛⲉϩ
22. ⲉⲩⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ̅ ⲙ̅ⲡ̅ⲧⲏⲣ̅ϥ̅ · ⲛ̅-
23. ⲧⲉⲣⲓ̅ⲥⲱⲧ̅ⲙ̅ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲓ̅-
24. ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϩⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲱⲣ̅ϫ̅ :
25. ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̈ⲥ ⲧⲓ̅ⲥⲧⲁⲍⲉ : ϩⲁⲙⲁ
26. ⲇⲉ ⲁⲩϫⲟⲥⲉ ϫⲉ ⲕⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ-
27. ϩⲛ̅ ⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ : ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̅ⲥ

p. 21 (11r
↓
1. ⲡⲁϩⲣⲉ ϩⲓ̅ ⲃⲏⲧⲁⲛⲓⲁ : ⲁⲩⲱ
2. ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲱⲥ̅ⲕ̅ ϩ̅ⲙ̅ · ⲡⲉⲭ-
3. ⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ · ⲛ̅ⲃⲉⲗⲉⲉⲩⲉ · ⲙ̅ⲛ̅
4. ⲛⲉϭⲁⲗⲉⲉⲩⲉ · ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲟ
5. ⲙⲛ̅ ⲛⲁⲗ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲧⲥⲟ-
6. ⲃⲉϩ ⲕ̅ⲧⲃ̅ⲃⲟ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ̅
7. ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̅ⲣ̅ⲱⲕ ⲙ̅ⲙ̅ⲁⲧⲉ : –
8. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲇⲁⲓ̅ⲙⲟⲛⲓ̅ⲟⲛ ⲥⲉ-
9. ⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ̅
10. ⲟⲩⲥⲧⲱⲧ ⲉⲩⲉⲝⲟⲙⲟⲗⲟ-
11. ⲅⲓ̅ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲁ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ
12. ⲇⲏⲙⲟⲥⲓ̅ⲁ : ⲁⲩⲱ ⲕⲟⲩⲉϩ-
13. ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲛ̅ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ
14. ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲩⲑⲉⲛⲧⲓ̅ⲁ ⲥⲉⲛⲏⲩ
15. ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲙϩⲁⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ̅-
16. ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⲧⲣⲉⲩⲧⲟⲙⲥⲟⲩ :
17. ⲛⲓ̅ϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ̅ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲕ
18. ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲥⲁⲣ̅ⲝ̅ ⲛⲓ̅ⲙ ⲥⲟⲩ-
19. ⲱⲛ̅ⲅ̅ : ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲙⲟ-
20. ⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⲛ̅ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲡ-
21. ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲕⲉⲟⲩⲁ ⲛⲃⲗ̅-
22. ⲗⲁⲕ : ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ̅ ⲁⲓ̇ⲁⲝⲓ̅ⲟⲩ
23. ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲕ : ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓ̅ⲥ ϩⲓ̅ⲧ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲥ-
24. ϩⲁⲓ̅ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲕⲉⲣ ⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ
25. ϩⲱⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ̅ⲇⲉⲥⲥⲁ ϩⲓ̅ⲧⲛ̅
26. ⲡⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̅ⲧⲛⲟⲩ-
27. ⲧⲉ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̅ⲧⲣⲱⲙⲉ :

p. 22 (11v)
→
-: ⲓ︦ⲃ︦ :-

1. ⲕⲁⲓ̈ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̅ϩ̅ⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ
2. ⲥⲉϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛ̅ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ :
3. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̅ϣ ϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲗⲁ-
4. ⲁⲩ ⲉⲣ ⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̅ⲧⲟⲟⲧ̅ⲕ̅ · ⲧⲛ̅-
5. ⲥⲟⲡⲥ̅ ϭⲉ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲕ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ̅
6. ⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲉⲛⲡⲣⲟⲥⲕⲩⲛⲉⲓ
7. ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲕⲥ̅ⲕ̅ⲏⲗⲗⲓ̈ ⲙ̅-
8. ⲙⲟⲕ ⲛⲅ̅ⲉⲓ̈ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ · ⲉⲧ-
9. ⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ̇ : ⲙⲛ̅ ⲡ-
10. ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛⲉⲛϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲟϣ
11. ⲁⲩⲱ ϫⲉⲕⲁⲥ ⲉⲩⲉⲧⲁⲟⲩⲉ
12. ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ̈ ⲉϫⲱⲛ ⲡ-
13. ϫⲟⲉⲓ̈ⲥ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲗⲓ̅ⲥ
14. ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲥϣ̅ⲙ̅ϣⲉ ⲙ̅-
15. ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ
16. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲙ̅ⲡ̅ⲉⲥⲱⲛ̅ϩ̅ : ⲁⲓ̅-
17. ⲥⲱⲧ̅ⲙ̅ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲉⲕϩⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ
18. ⲁⲑⲉⲧⲓ̅ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛ̅ⲧϫⲟ-
19. ⲉⲓⲥ̅ · ⲉⲩϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲕⲁ-
20. ⲕⲓ̅ⲁ ⲙ̅ⲛ ⲟⲩⲫⲑⲟⲛⲟⲥ ·
21. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉϯⲱⲕⲉ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲕ
22. ⲛ̅ⲥⲉⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲣⲉ-
23. ⲕⲉⲣ ⲉⲣⲣⲟ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ̅ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ
24. ⲉⲩⲟ ⲛⲁⲧⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲁⲓ̅
25. ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲣ̅ⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲧ-
26. ϩⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲏⲩⲉ ⲙⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲧ-
27. ϩ̣ⲓ̣̅ϫ̣ⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲉⲧϯ ⲙ̅ⲡⲱ-

p. 23 (12r)
↓
1. ⲛ̅ϩ̅ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓ̇ⲙ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲓ̅ⲙ
2. ϩⲱⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲙⲡⲓ̅ⲏ̅ⲗ̅
3. ⲡⲟⲩϩⲟⲣ ⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ ϫⲉ
4. ⲁⲩⲥⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̅ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ
5. ⲉⲧⲟⲛ̅ϩ̅ · ⲕⲁⲓ̅ ⲅⲁⲣ ϩⲛ̅ⲁⲧ-
6. ⲉⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲛⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲕⲇⲱⲣⲉ-
7. ⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ : ϯⲧⲁⲙⲟ ⲇⲉ
8. ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓ̅ⲥ ϫⲉ ⲉⲛ̣-
9. ϣⲁⲛⲕⲁⲧⲁⲝⲓ̅ⲟⲩ ⲣⲱ ⲉⲛⲉϩ
10. ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲕⲥ̅ⲕⲏⲗⲗⲓ ⲛⲅ̅ⲉⲓ̅ ϣⲁ-
11. ⲣⲟⲓ̅ · ⲉⲧⲕⲟⲩⲓ̈ ⲙ̅ⲡⲟⲗⲓ̅ⲥ ⲉϯ-
12. ⲁⲣⲭⲓ̅ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ · ⲥ̅ⲣⲱϣⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲛ
13. ϩⲓ̅ ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲡ ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ :
14. ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̈ⲥ ⲕⲱϩ ϩⲓ̅ ⲫⲑⲟⲛⲟⲥ
15. ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲕϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲕⲟ ⲛⲣ̅ⲣⲟ
16. ⲉϫⲱⲛ : ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ̅ ⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ
17. ⲧⲛ̅ⲛⲁϭⲱ ϩⲁⲣⲁⲧ̅ⲕ̅ · ⲉⲛⲟⲩ-
18. ⲱϣ̅ⲧ ⲉⲡϩⲩⲡⲟⲡⲟⲇⲓ̈ⲟⲛ
19. ⲛ̅ⲛⲉⲕⲟⲩⲉⲣⲏⲧⲉ : ⲁⲩⲱ
20. ⲉⲛϣ̅ⲙ̅ϣⲉ ⲉⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ
21. ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ : ⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ
22. ⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲓ̅ⲱⲧ ⲛ̅ⲁ-
23. ϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲛ ⲛ̅ⲧ̅ⲁϥⲧ̅ⲛ̅ⲛⲟ-
24. ⲟⲩⲕ ⲛⲁⲛ · ⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̅ⲡⲕ̅-
25. ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲧϭⲙ̅-
26. ϭⲟⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ϩⲁⲙ̣ⲏⲛ –
—— ——— ——————
——— ———— ———

[p. 20, l. 6] Abgar, the king of Edessa, [7] the city, writes to the [8] great king, the son of the [9] living God, Jesus Christ, greetings! [10-12] Some people, honoured and worthy of belief, have reported about you [13] saying that the world has at last been worthy [14] in our time [15] of your good coming [16] through [17] your appearance, that [18] in which you have come to us, [19] in our humble generation [20] through your love of humanity [21] which has existed since eternity, [22] for the salvation of all. [23] So, when I heard these things, I [24] believed firmly, [25] without hesitation. And also [26] they said that you perform [27] great healings without [p. 21, l. 1] medicines or herbs and [2] that those who have for a long time been [3] blind, and [4] the lame and the mute [5] and the deaf and the lepers, [6] you purify them by [7] the word of your mouth alone, [8] and the demons [9] leave in fear and [10] trembling, confessing [11] your glorious name [12] publicly. And you command [13] the dead [14] with authority, and they [15] depart the tombs after [16] having been buried. [17] These deeds reveal you, [18] so that all flesh might know [19] you, [19] that you are the [20] only-begotten son of [21] God, there is no other except [22] you. Because of this, I have asked [23] of you, O Lord, in [24] writing, that you remember [25] for its part Edessa in [26] the care of your divinity [27] and your humanity, [p. 22, l. 1] for indeed, all the nations [2] are your concern [3] and no one is able to [4] to escape from you. We [5] entreat you, therefore, I and [6] the people, prostrating ourselves [7] before you, that you trouble [8] yourself and come to us for the sake of [9] our salvation and the [10] healing ⟨of⟩ our numerous illnesses, [11] and so that [12] your name will be pronounced over us, O [13] Lord, and my city [14] will serve [15] your throne for all the days [16] of its life. I [17] heard that your nation [18] rejected your lordship, [19] being [20] wicked and envious [21] and they persecute you, [22] and they do not want to let [23] you reign over them, [24] being ignorant of this: [25] that you are the king ⟨of⟩ those [26] in the heavens and those [27] upon the earth, who gives [p. 23, l.1] life to everyone. And what [2] indeed is the people of Israel? The dead dog, because [4] they have rejected the living God. [5] For indeed, they are not [6] worthy of your holy gift. [7] But I tell [8] you, my Lord, that if [9] indeed we are ever deemed worthy [10] for you to trouble ⟨yourself⟩ and come to [11] me, to the small city which I [12] rule, it is enough for us [13] together, and in love [14] without envy and jealousy, [15] that you be king [16] over us. I, and the people, [17] we shall remain beneath you, [18] worshipping the footstool [19] of your feet, and [20] serving your holy throne. [21] Glory to you! [22] Glory to your invisible father [23] who sent [24] you to us! Glory to your [25] Holy Spirit, which [26] is mighty [26] forever! Amen.

Tableau:
Tracing by:

Apparatus:

p. 20

6. ⲁⲩⲕⲁⲣⲟⲥ enlarged capital alpha in ekthesis
7. ⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ i.e. Greek πολίς
9. ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ l. ⲓ(ⲏⲥⲟⲩ)ⲥ | ⲭ̅ⲥ̅ l. ⲭ(ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟ)ⲥ i.e. Greek χριστός | ⲭⲉⲣⲉ i.e. Greek χαίρειν
10. ⲁⲛⲁⲛⲁⲅⲉ i.e. Greek ἀναγαγεῖν cf. LBG s.v. ἀναγάγω : i.e. Greek ἀνάγειν Kropp
12-13. ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek πιστεύειν
13. ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ i.e. Greek κόσμος
19. ⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ i.e. Greek γενεά
23. ⲇⲉ i.e. Greek δέ
24. ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek πιστεύειν
25. ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek χωρίς | ⲧⲓ̈ⲥⲧⲁⲍⲉ i.e. Greek διστάζειν | ϩⲁⲙⲁ i.e. Greek ἅμα
26. ⲇⲉ i.e. Greek δέ | ϫⲟⲥⲉ i.e. Sahidic ϫⲟⲟ⸗ⲥ
27. ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek χωρίς

p. 21

1. ⲃⲏⲧⲁⲛⲓⲁ i.e. Greek βοτάνια
2-3. ⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek χρόνος
3. ⲃⲉⲗⲉⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Sahidic ⲃⲗ︦ⲗⲉⲉⲩ
4. ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲟ : ⲛⲉⲙⲧⲡⲟ Pleyte/Boeser
5-6. ⲥⲟⲃⲉϩ i.e. Sahidic ⲥⲱⲃϩ
8. ⲇⲁⲓ̈ⲙⲟⲛⲓ̈ⲟⲛ i.e. Greek δαιμόνιον
10-11. ⲉⲝⲟⲙⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓ̈ i.e. Greek ἐξομολογέιν
12. ⲇⲏⲙⲟⲥⲓ̈ⲁ i.e. Greek δημόσια
14. ⲁⲩⲑⲉⲛⲧⲓ̈ⲁ i.e. Greek αὐθεντία
18. ⲥⲁⲣ̅ⲝ̅ i.e. Greek σάρξ
19-20. ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ i.e. Greek μονογενής
21-22. ⲛⲃⲗ̅ⲗⲁ⸗ i.e. prepronominal form of Sahidic ⲛⲃⲗ-
22. ⲁⲝⲓ̈ⲟⲩ i.e. Greek ἀξιοῦν
25. ⲁⲓ̈ⲇⲉⲥⲥⲁ i.e. Greek Ἔδεσσα

p. 22

1. ⲕⲁⲓ̈ i.e. Greek καί | ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ϩⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἔθνος
6. ⲗⲁⲟⲥ i.e. Greek λαός | ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲕⲩⲛⲉⲓ i.e. Greek προσκυνεῖν
7. ⲥ̅ⲕ̅ⲏⲗⲗⲓ̈ i.e. Greek σκύλλειν
10. ⲛⲉⲛϣⲱⲛⲉ i.e. Sahidic ⲙ̅ⲛⲉⲛϣⲱⲛⲉ
13. ⲡⲟⲗⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek πολίς
15. ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek θρόνος
17. ϩⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἔθνος
18. ⲁⲑⲉⲧⲓ̈ i.e. Greek αθετεῖν
19-20. ⲕⲁⲕⲓ̈ⲁ i.e. Greek κακία
20. ⲫⲑⲟⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek φθόνος
21. ϯⲱⲕⲉ i.e. Greek διώκειν
25. ⲛⲉⲧ- i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅-ⲛⲉⲧ-

p. 23

2. ⲗⲁⲟⲥ i.e. Greek λαός | ⲓ̈ⲏ̅ⲗ l. ⲓ(ⲥⲣⲁ)ⲏⲗ i.e. Greek Ισραήλ
5. ⲕⲁⲓ̈ i.e. Greek καί | ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ
6-7. ⲇⲱⲣⲉⲁ i.e. Greek δωρεά
7. ⲇⲉ i.e. Greek δέ
9. ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲝⲓ̈ⲟⲩ i.e. Greek καταξίουν
10. ⲥ̅ⲕⲏⲗⲗⲓ i.e. Greek σκύλλειν
11. ⲡⲟⲗⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek πολίς | ⲉϯ- i.e. Sahidic ⲉⲧϯ-
12. ⲁⲣⲭⲓ̈ i.e. Greek ἄρχειν
13. ⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ i.e. Greek ἀγάπη
14. ⲭⲱⲣⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek χωρίς | ⲫⲑⲟⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek φθόνος
16. ⲗⲁⲟⲥ i.e. Greek λαός
17. ⲧⲛ̅ⲛⲁϭⲱ : ⲧⲛ̅ⲛⲁϫⲱ Pleyt/Boeser
18. ϩⲩⲡⲟⲡⲟⲇⲓ̈ⲟⲛ i.e. Greek ὑποπόδιον
20. ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek θρόνος
21. ⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ Kropp does not translate
22-23. ⲁϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲛ i.e. Greek ἀόρατος
25. ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ l. ⲡⲛ(ⲉⲩⲙ)ⲁ i.e. Greek πνεῦμα
26. ϩⲁⲙⲏⲛ i.e. Greek ἀμήν

Notes:

p. 20 l. 6–p. 25 l. 23. The Jesus-Abgar Correspondence: The pseudepigraphal letter of King Abgar of Edessa to Jesus, and Jesus’ response, are first recorded in the early fourth century Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius (1.13.1–20), while the evidence of Etheria (Itinerary 17.1, 19.19), a pilgrim from the Western Roman Empire, suggests the text was in circulation, perhaps as an amulet, by the 380s (Bradshaw 2020: 9–11). The version here, found in most Coptic witnesses, represents a variant adapted to be used as an amulet, as is clear from the promise that it will protect anyone who wears it or puts it in their house (p. 25 ll. 10–21). The incipit of the Jesus-Abgar correspondence is the only non-Biblical text commonly attested on scriptural amulets, demonstrating its importance as the sole text attributed directly to Jesus himself, and it is often juxtaposed with the incipits of the Gospels and Psalm 90 (91), as is the case here; cf. Sanzo 2014: 77–131, nos. 1, 4, 5, 59, 153–154, 174. For further discussion of these texts as amulets, see von Dobschütz 1900; Given 2016; Henry 2016; Polański 2016; Bélanger Sarrazin 2020; Bélanger Sarrazin forthcoming c; Preininger forthcoming b. Other attestations of the correspondence in Coptic include: O.Crum 22 (KYP M670); O.Crum ST 36 (KYP M671); O.Gurna Górecki 108 (KYP M2135); O.Saint-Marc 398 (KYP M2136); P.Lond.Copt. 316 (KYP M739); P.Lond.Copt. 317 (KYP M411); P.Mon.Epiph. 50 (KYP M598); P.MoscowCopt. 88 (KYP M644); P.Oxy. LXV 4469 (KYP M654); P.PalauRib.Copt. 5 (KYP M509); Al-Suryan MS 383/Al-Suryan MS 266 Lit. (ʿAbd Al-Masiḥ 1947; KYP M3782); ‘Anchorite’s Grotto’ texts 25-26 (Griffith 1927: no. 25–26; KYP M91); Bawit, Courtyard 47, East wall, text IV. (Clédat 1999: 98– 100; KYP M3783); BM EA 19967 (von Lemm 1910: no. 11; KYP M695); Mich.Ms.Copt. 166 (ʿAbd Al-Masiḥ 1954: 21–28; KYP M3780); P.Mich.Inv. 6213 (ʿAbd Al-Masiḥ 1954: 25–26; KYP M543); P.Vindob. K 78 (Stegemann 1933–1934: no. 50; KYP M278); P.Vindob. K 3151a (Stegemann 1933– 1934: no. 46; KYP M274); P.Ryl.Copt.Suppl.No. 50 (Giversen 1959: 71–82; KYP M734); PSI inv. C 55 (Proverbio 1997: 1170; KYP M3756); P.Vindob. K 8302 (Stegemann 1933–1934: no. 45; KYP M364); P.Vindob.K 8636 Pap (Stegemann 1933–1934: no. 26; KYP M257); P.Antinoopolis 1966–224 (to be published by Alain Delattre); P.Vindob. G 1329 back (unpublished). We are grateful to Roxanne Bélanger Sarrazin for her assistance in finding these references.
p. 20 ll. 14-15: ⲙ̅ⲙⲁⲧⲉ For the sense of “only”, here rendered as “at last”, see Crum CD 19b; PCM translates “most worthy”. Cf. the comments of van der Vliet.
19. ⲧⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲉⲧϭⲟϫϥ̅ : Smith translates “our inferior race”

Bibliography:

Bélanger Sarrazin, Roxanne. “Les appels au ‘Jésus guérisseur’ dans les formules iatromagiques coptes.” In Études coptes 16. Dix-huitième journée d’études (Bruxelles, 22–24 juin 2017), edited by Anne Boud’hors, Esther Garel, Catherine Louis, and Naïm Vanthieghem, 187–204. Cahiers de la bibiothèque copte 23. Paris: Éditions de Boccard, 2020.

Bélanger Sarrazin, Roxanne. “Appropriating the Gods: Magic in the Changing Contexts of Late Antique Egypt.” In Appropriation: A New Approach to Religion in Antiquity, edited by Jitse Dijkstra and Andreas Bendlin. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, forthcoming c.

Bradshaw, Paul F. Egeria, Journey to the Holy Land. Brepols Library of Christian Sources Patristic and Medieval Texts with English Translations 1. Turnhout: Brepols, 2020.

Dobschütz, Ernst von. “Der Briefwechsel zwischen Abgar und Jesus.” Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Theologie 43, no. 3 (1900): 422–86.

Given, Gregory J. “Utility and Variance in Late Antique Witnesses to the Abgar-Jesus Correspondence.” Archiv für Religionsgeschichte 17, no. 1 (2016): 187–222.

Griffith, Francis L. 1927. “Oxford Excavations in Nubia–continued.” University of Liverpool Annals of Archaeology and Anthropology 14: 57–116.

Henry, Andrew M. “Apotropaic Autographs: Orality and Materiality in the Abgar-Jesus Inscriptions.” Archiv für Religionsgeschichte 17, no. 1 (2016): 165–186.

Dosoo, Korshi & Preininger, Markéta. Papyri Copticae Magicae. Coptic Magical Text, Volume 1. Formularies, Archiv für Papyrusforschung Beihefte, Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2024, p. 150–157.

Kropp, Angelicus. Ausgewählte koptische Zaubertexte. Übersetzungen und Anmerkungen. Vol. 2. Bruxelles: Édition de la Fondation Égyptologique Reine Élisabeth, 1931, pp. 73-75, no. 22.

Polański, Tomasz. “Translation, Amplification, Paraphrase. Some Comments on the Syriac, Greek and Coptic Versions of the Abgar Letter.” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia 13 (2016): 159–210.

Preininger, Markéta. “The Jesus-Abgar Correspondence and the Question of Claims of Authenticity.” In the Proceedings of the Conference “Briefe, Archive und Kommunikation in der Spätantike” in Heidelberg, 2021, to appear in the series Kulturelles Erbe: Materialität–Text–Edition series, Heidelberg, forthcoming b.

Sanzo, Joseph E. Scriptural Incipits on Amulets from Late Antique Egypt: Text, Typology, and Theory. Studies and Texts in Antiquity and Christianity 84. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014.

Van der Vliet, Jacques. “Coptic Magic Coming of Age” (Review Korshi Dosoo and Markéta Preininger, Papyri Copticae Magicae I, 2023), Bibliotheca Orientalis, forthcoming.

Editor:

EL’s edition from the transcript by Pleyte and Boeser (2/1/2020) (21/4/2020); minor edits KD (30/6/2020), checked with photograph of the original by the Team (23/6/2021); Team (25/6/2021) (30/6/2021); MPS (24/4/2023) minor edit; updated to PCM version by SG + KD (22/7/2026); JS (9/1/2023)

How to cite:

[Editor names]. "KYP T1479: Letter of Abgar to Jesus," Kyprianos Database of Ancient Ritual Texts and Objects, Korshi Dosoo, Markéta Preininger, & Roxanne Bélanger Sarrazin (principal editors), www.coptic-magic.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/index.php/text/kyp-t-1479. Accessed on 07/09/2026
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