The Eusebian Canons in Arabic Gospel Manuscripts: A Survey of Evidence

ABSTRACT This study addresses the usage of the Eusebian canons in Arabic writings, with the objective of highlighting their reception, transmission, and readership. Through an examination of Arabic manuscripts, the study reveals that these canons were inherited from Greek, Coptic, and Syriac sources, coexisting alongside Arabic in various languages and contexts. The use of the Eusebian canons extends beyond biblical manuscripts into commentaries, theological works, and independent compilations. The Eusebian canons were used to create gospel harmonies and, in some cases, served an apologetic function in response to Islamic objections. The study reveals the enduring significance of Eusebian canons in facilitating multilingualism among Middle Eastern Christians and offers new opportunities for contemporary research in New Testament textual criticism and paratextual studies. It also suggests that future research should compare Eusebian canons across multiple linguistic traditions to gain further insights into the reception and transmission of texts.