Conjecture (textual criticism)
Conjecture—as in conjectural emendation—is a critical reconstruction of the original reading of a clearly corrupt, contaminated, nonsensical or illegible textual fragment. Conjecture is one of the techniques of
knowledge of writing styles used by the scribes throughout the transmission stages is also essential. Conjectural emendation must be clearly indicated in the critical apparatus
or in the text itself.
Conjectural emendations in modern Bible translation
The New Revised Standard Version and New International Version adopt a conjectural emendation ('Cn') in Prov. 26.23 ('glaze' instead of 'silver dross,' MT).[1]
See also
- Textual criticism
- Paleography
References
- ^ "Proverbs 26". Bible Gateway.
Sources
- Krans, Jan (2006) Beyond what is written: Erasmus and Beza as conjectural critics of the New Testament, Brill, ISBN 90-04-15286-5