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A Note on Canon and Hermeneutics: Junillus, Inst. 1.1-10

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Published/Copyright: September 29, 2023
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Abstract

For interpreting Scripture, one needs to figure out what exactly is to be interpreted when the Word of God is interpreted. Because canon and hermeneutics are so tightly connected, several early Christian introductions to Scripture (introductiones) provided lists of canonical books. This article assesses a little-known canonical list provided by a sixth-century treatise Instituta regularia divinae legis by Junillus. His aim was to show the particular ways the biblical books in various genres communicated their message as the canonical Scripture. Junillus’ Instituta is a Latin version of the lost work of Paul the Persian, who was educated in Syria, at the School of Nisibis. As such, Instituta is a unique and original example of a broadly Antiochean exegetical tradition, which is disseminated for western readers. Cassiodorus recommended it to his students at Vivarium.


Corresponding author: Tarmo Toom, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Tartu, Estonia; and Aiandi tee 12-14, Viimsi, Estonia, E-mail:
This article, written with the help of ETAG grant STP4, is part of the larger project “Patristic Introductions (introductiones) to the Bible and Its Interpretation.”

Funding source: Foundation Estonian Science Agency (ETAG)

Award Identifier / Grant number: ETAG grant STP4

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Received: 2023-05-11
Accepted: 2023-07-27
Published Online: 2023-09-29
Published in Print: 2023-11-27

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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