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[[File:Overview of Codex Siniaticus.jpeg|thumb|right|An image of Codex Sinaiticus]]The '''Codex Sinaiticus''', or '''ℵ''' (aleph), is a fourth century Greek manuscript of the Bible. It is second only to [[Codex Vaticanus]] as a manuscript witness for the text of the New Testament. Despite the age of the codex, the numerous mistakes in the original text makes it a less reliable witness than Vaticanus. Over the millennia, nine scribes attempted to correct it.<ref>"Bible (texts)," ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'' (2003)</ref>  The Codex Sinaiticus is a more complete rendition of the [[New Testament]] than the [[Codex Vaticanus]], which is missing a few substantial sections such as the last part of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]].

[[File:Overview of Codex Siniaticus.jpeg|thumb|right|An image of Codex Sinaiticus]]The '''Codex Sinaiticus''', or '''ℵ''' (aleph), is a fourth century Greek manuscript of the Bible. It is second only to [[Codex Vaticanus]] as a manuscript witness for the text of the New Testament. Despite the age of the codex, the numerous mistakes in the original text makes it a less reliable witness than Vaticanus. Over the millennia, nine scribes attempted to correct it.<ref>"Bible (texts)," ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'' (2003)</ref>  The Codex Sinaiticus is a more complete rendition of the [[New Testament]] than the [[Codex Vaticanus]], which is missing a few substantial sections such as the last part of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]].

In addition to the now standard 27 books of the New Testament, Sinaiticus includes the Letter of Barnabas and most of the Shepherd of Hermas. The Old Testament given in the codex is a Greek translation called the [[Septuagint]]. This is the version of scripture quoted by Jesus and the apostles. Sinaiticus includes various works now classified as apocryphal, including 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, 1 and 4 Maccabees, Wisdom, and Sirach.

In addition to the now-standard 27 books of the New Testament, Sinaiticus includes the [[Epistle of Barnabas]] and most of the Shepherd of Hermas. The Old Testament given in the codex is a Greek translation called the [[Septuagint]]. This is the version of scripture quoted by Jesus and the apostles. Sinaiticus includes various works now classified as apocryphal by [[Protestant]]s, including 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, 1 and 4 Maccabees, Wisdom, and Sirach.

The codex was found in 1859 by German Bible scholar Tischendorf at the Monastery of St. Catherine at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Tischendorf claimed to have saved the codex as it was being fed to a fire by monks. Vellum does not burn easily, so this dramatic tale is unlikely. Tischendorf had an obvious motive to lie. He needed to justify taking the codex from the monastery.

The codex was found in 1859 by German Bible scholar Tischendorf at the Monastery of St. Catherine at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Tischendorf claimed to have saved the codex as it was being fed to a fire by monks. Vellum does not burn easily, so this dramatic tale is unlikely. Tischendorf had an obvious motive to lie. He needed to justify taking the codex from the monastery.