# Oxyrhynchite Coptic

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/oxyrhynchite-coptic — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02)

Oxyrhynchite Coptic, also called Mesokemic or Middle Egyptian, is a minor Coptic dialect that developed a highly standardized written form, probably flourishing chiefly in the fourth and fifth centuries.[^1]

## Name and historical setting

**Oxyrhynchite Coptic**, also known as **Mesokemic** or **Middle Egyptian**, is designated by the siglum **M**. A relatively minor Coptic idiom, it probably flourished only briefly during the fourth and fifth centuries, but developed into a highly standardized written dialect.[^1]

Its homeland may have been the region of Oxyrhynchus. Both in its linguistic system and in the probable geography of Coptic dialects, it occupies a position between Fayyumic and Lycopolitan.[^2]

## Surviving texts and scholarly recognition

P. E. Kahle first postulated Mesokemic as an independent dialect in 1954, working from a small number of fragments. Three larger manuscripts subsequently came to light as its principal witnesses:[^3]

- **P. Mil. Copti 1**, a fragmentary papyrus codex containing the Pauline Epistles.[^3]
- **Codex Scheide**, a small parchment codex preserved complete, containing the Gospel of Matthew and the so-called Great Doxology.[^3]
- **Codex Glazier**, another small parchment codex preserved complete, containing Acts 1:1–15:3.[^3]

Another parchment codex containing the Psalms was also excavated in Egypt.[^3]

Beyond these biblical witnesses, the oldest surviving Coptic glossary is preserved in a Mesokemic manuscript tentatively dated to the second half of the third century.[^5]

## Linguistic characteristics

In its general outward form, Mesokemic is closest to varieties associated with Fayyumic, especially V, described as Fayyumic without lambdacism, and W, described as crypto-Mesokemic with a comparatively Fayyumic phonology. Its strongest phonological affinities are with these two varieties rather than with central Fayyumic.[^4]

Mesokemic lacks the consonant /x/ found in dialects P, i, Akhmimic, and Bohairic, and the /ç/ found in P and i.[^4]

The **djinkim**, a reader’s sign placed above a written character, is commonly found in Mesokemic. Its use differs between dialects and within individual dialects; pre-classical and classical Mesokemic systems are distinguished.[^6]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 359)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 359)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 359)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 359)
[^5]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 228)
[^6]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 8, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 235)