Is it
a: the first time a particular story from a book of the Bible was written down ever?
b: The first time the story was edited together with all the other stories to create the individual book (ie. Genesis, or Exodus)
c: The first time the story was included in a complete Bible as we know it today?
More Information:
The only thing that could qualify as an original manuscript would be the first writing of the completed work as found in the bible. Those few biblical books that seem to have multiple authors or, at least, multiple sources would only be considered "original" in their completed form. For example, if we accept the existence of the hypothetical proto-gospel "Q", Q can by no means be considered the original manuscript of any of the gospels. Only the gospels completed (with the use of the hypothetical Q as a source) could be considered "original manuscripts", though Q itself might be considered an **additional** (previously unknown) original manuscript.
So, b.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com
There are no "Original" manuscripts that have been discovered yet.
The compilation of the Bible as we know it today was begun around 325 AD at the Council of Nicea called by The emperor Constantine.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are the oldest existing hard copy of some of the Old Testament Scriptures that are often quoted in the New Testament.
d. None of the above.
The original manuscript of the Bible was written on the hearts of those who bear witness to God’s words. It is spiritual in nature and can only poorly be represented by words on paper. As Christians we do not worship a book or hold it to be particularly sacred as others do. It is the meanings of the written words that bear importance and not the words themselves. Differences in languages really bear little importance upon understanding. "Your words have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." It is not the Bible that keeps us from sinning.
Those who were faithful to God were privileged to have God’s words to all of mankind revealed to them. Those word meanings are revealed to all who come to have the Holy Spirit dwell within them. While others depend upon the supposed untarnished or changed words of their religious text, Christians depend upon the eternally faithful and unchanging Holy Spirit. This can not be understood completely without being born again.
It is doubtful many stories in the Bible were first recorded by those faithful to God. First does not define best or most reliable. There are many accounts of creation and the flood in many cultures. Some see this as indication that other religions are the heart of Christian teachings. It means no such thing.
All we have is copies. No originals are extant.
We do have copies of the Old Testament that date from the time of Jesus. Therefore we have every book of the Old Testament (except for Esther) in the exact same form that Jesus had it, read it, and quoted from it.
We have several manuscripts that date from as early as the second century AD/CE. There are 75 key manuscripts that date from before 300 AD/CE.
ANSWER: All of the above, but for sure, A&B
Depends on what we can find. — Going back that far, paper didn’t hold up to well. People didn’t think in terms of "preserving the past" so to speak in Museums and such.
Therefore, we can’t always get the original scrolls or manuscripts which were written down. SO, we simply search for the oldest, best copy we have.
Sometimes that is one of the translations or copies made by a scribe.
Sometimes that is a codex or copy of the Gospels.
I don’t believe any of the Bible books exist ONLY in the bible. That is, I think "C" might not apply, but I throw it in there anyways, just in case I am wrong.
I believe all the books of the bible have at least 1 older, previous copy which the version in the bible can be compared to.
There are also Codexes or "pre-bible" versions of some books which existed before the bible was canonized.
The Canonization of the bible occurred in stages, over nearly 100 years.
It did NOT occurr at the council of Nicea in 325. The council of Nicea, or Synod as it was called, was actually convened to discuss OTHER matters, besides the canonization of the bible. Scripture definitely was one of the topics.. but the council issued no canonized version or recommendation even.
The Synod of Hippo and Council of Carthage, were BOTH about Canonization, amongst other things.
Many of these Ecunemnical councils went on for years..because back then.. it might take a person months to travel from their local town to the site of the Council.