Matt 1:6 ο βασιλευς

Some manuscripts (p1 ℵ B Γ f1.13 205 579 700 pc g1 k vg-mss sy-s.c.p co) omit the appellation ο βασιλευς after Δαυιδ δε. Bengel notes that the title was intentionally mentioned twice just as the Babylonian captivity afterwards to emphasize the kingship promised to the Messiah (Gnomon, 1:84), and that scribes immediately skipped to εγεννησεν after δε in order to assimilate the construction to that which occurs (12x) in the preceding verses (Apparatus, 91). Wettstein (1:228) mentions the authorial intention of repeated mention of the dignity of David's ancestors, and that this kind of repetition is not uncustomary for biblical writers (cf. 1 Kgs 1:1, 13, 28, 31, 32, 37, 38, 43, 47). Griesbach (1:10) concurs that the repeated use of εγεννησεν δε before this variation caused scribes, accustomed as they were to the rhythm, to skip over ο βασιλευς. Corroborating Griesbach's explanation is one witness (700) that omits both kingly references, most likely to conform the text to the rather mechanical style that saturates the entire genealogy (i.e., name in the accusative case + name in the nominative case + δε). Furthermore, Fritzsche (16) and Meyer (34) argue that the title was omitted on the grounds that it appeared superfluous to scribes since Matthew had just called David τον βασιλεα two words earlier. For these reasons the reading reflected in the large consensus of most manuscripts should be retained.