Treasure-House of Mysteries Explorations of the Sacred Text Through Poetry in the Syriac Tradition

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Introduction .....11 II. Ephrem on reading the bible ....21 III. Old testament .....31 1. The rivers pishon and Jordan (Genesis 2:11, Mattgew 3:13): anonymous dialogue poem .....31 2. Paradise described (Genesis 2-3): Ephrem hymns on paradise,2 .....36 3. Paradise described (cont.): Ephrem, Hymns on paradise, 3 .......44 4. Abel and cain (Genesis 4): anonymous dialogue poem .....51 5. Noah`s ark (Genesis 7-8): Epherm. Hymns on faith 49 .....60 6. Abraham and isaac (Genesis 22): Anonymous dialogue poem ....63 7. Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22): anonymous narrative poem ....76 8 Tamar and Judah (Genesis 38): Jacob of serugh, verse homily .....84 9 Joseph and potiphar`s wife (Genesis 39): anonymous dialogue poem ....104 10. The passover lamb and the (Exodus 12,14): Ephrem, Hymns on unleavened bread, 3 ........107 11. The veil of moses (Exodus 34:33-35): Ephrem, Hymns on Faith, 8 ....110 12. Elijah and the widow of sarepta (1 kings 17): anonymous narrative poem ......117 IV New testament .....127 1. The angel and Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20): anonymous dialogue poem .....127 2. The angel and Mary ?(Luke 1:26-38): anonymous dialogue poem ....135 3. Mary and joseph (Matthew 1:18-24): anonymous dialogue poem ......144 4. Mary and joseph (Matthew 1:18-24): anonymous narrative poem .....151 5. Mary and the Magi (Matthew 2:11): anonymous dialogue poem .....167 6 John the Baptist and christ (Matthew 3:14-15): anonymous dialogue poem .....176 7 The sinful woman and satan (Luke 7:36-48): Ephrem, narrative poem ......185 8 The sinful woman and satan (Luke 7:36-48): anonymouus dialogue poem ......201 9 The two thieves (Luke 23:39-41): anonymous dialogue poem ....211 10. The cherub and the thief (Luke 23:43): anonymous dialogue poem .....220 11. Death and satan (Matthew 27:50,52): Ephrem, nisibene hymns 41 .......229 12. The risen christ and mary (John20:15-16): anonymous dialogue poem ....237 V From bible to liturgy ....241 1. Annunciation: anonymous hymn ....241 2. Nativity: Ephrem, hymns on the nativity,17 ......244 3 Epiphany: ephrem (attr.), Hymns on epiphany,6 .....248 4. Epiphany: Anonymous hymn ......253 5. Lent:Ephrem, Hymns on the fast ,6 ......258 6 Resurrection: Jacob of serugh, hymn ......261 7. Resurrection: anonymous hymn .....265 8 Salvation history: Jacob of serugh, hymn on the soul .....267 9. Baptism: anonymous baptismal hymn .....271 10. Eucharist: Ephrem, hymns on faith, 10 .....275 11 Death: anonymous dialogue between body and soul ....282 12 Death: anonymous dialogue between body and soul .....282