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Distributed for Brigham Young University

Ephrem the Syrian

Select Poems

Edited and with an Introduction and notes by Sebastian P. Brock and George A. Kiraz

Ephrem the Syrian is the most important poet and theologian of the Syriac Christian tradition. His numerous hymns, homilies, and commentaries were highly influential for later generations, and his poetry continues to be broadly used in the liturgies of Syrian Christian churches. This new translation of twenty poems, the only edition of Ephrem that features a text in vocalized serto script with a facing translation, offers a broad and varied introduction to Ephrem’s work. Arranged according to his concept of salvation history, this book will allow readers to further explore his poetry in both its original language and in a contemporary English translation.


283 pages | 6 x 9 | © 2007

Eastern Christian Texts

Poetry

Religion: Religion and Literature


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Table of Contents

Abbreviations
General Introduction
Text 1: On Reading the Paradise Narrative (Par. 5)
Text 2: On Human Language about God (Fid. 31)
Text 3: The Symbols Depicted by Noah in the Ark (Fid. 49)
Text 4: The Paradox of Mary’s Birthgiving (Nat. 11)
Text 5: Mary’s Invitation to Everyone (Nat. 17)
Text 6: Mary and Eve as the World’s Tow Eyes (Eccl. 37)
Text 7: Christ as Light in Mary and in the Jordan (Eccl. 36)
Text 8: The Paradoxes of the Incarnation (Res. 1)
Text 9: On the Fall (Ieiun. 3)
Text 10: Eyes that are Blind and Eyes that are Opened (Ieiun. 6)
Text 11: The Two Lambs Compared (Azym. 3)
Text 12: Christ, the New Passover Lamb (Cruc. 2)
Text 13: Satan’s Complaint (Nis. 41)
Text 14: A Disputation between Death and Satan (Nis. 53)
Text 15: Joy at the Resurrection (Res. 2)
Text 16: Oil and Its Symbols (Virg. 7)
Text 17: The Mysteries of the Eucharist (Fid. 10)
Text 18: The Eucharistic Marriage Feast (Fid. 14)
Text 19: Nisibis under Siege in Comparison with Noah’s Ark (Nis. 1)
Text 20: The Pearl and Its Symbolism (Fid. 82)
Appendix 1: Main Editions and English Translations of Ephrem’s Works
Appendix 2: Index of Qale Employed in the Present Collection
Bibliography
Index of Scripture Citations
Index of Names

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