219 73 2MB
English Pages [246]
Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Abgar and Addai
Texts from Christian Late Antiquity
77 Series Editor George Anton Kiraz
TeCLA (Texts from Christian Late Antiquity) is a series presenting ancient Christian texts both in their original languages and with accompanying contemporary English translations.
Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Abgar and Addai
Translation and Introduction by
Kelli Bryant Gibson Text Edition by
Roger Akhrass Imad Syryany
gp 2022
Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2022 by Gorgias Press LLC
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. ܝ
1
2022
ISBN 978-1-4632-4469-9
ISSN 1935-6846
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A Cataloging-in-Publication Record is available from the Library of Congress. Printed in the United States of America
For Kay and Randy, my parents in life and faith
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ......................................................................... v Acknowledgments ...................................................................... vii Introduction ................................................................................. 1 The Abgar legend and Jacob of Sarug ................................. 1 On King Abgar and the letter that he sent to Christ, and the reply our Lord made to him ................................... 6 Summary ......................................................................... 9 On the Apostle Addai when he came to Edessa and on King Abgar .................................................................. 11 Summary ....................................................................... 14 Manuscripts ........................................................................ 15 Text and Translation .................................................................. 17 On King Abgar and the letter he sent to Christ and the answer our Lord gave him .......................................... 18 On the Apostle Addai when he came to Edessa and on King Abgar ................................................................ 150 Bibliography ............................................................................. 229 Index of Biblical References ..................................................... 231
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This translation would never have seen the light of day had I not been invited in 2021 to participate in The Year of Jacob of Serugh, an online conference commemorating the 1500th anniversary of Jacob’s death. I am so grateful to Armando Elkhoury and Bob Kitchen, the organizers of the conference, for inviting me to give a paper. I also thank his Excellency Elias Zaidan, the Eparchial bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Los Angeles for his generosity in sponsoring the conference. As I prepared these translations, I had the great pleasure of using Roger Akhrass and Imad Syryany’s edition of the Syriac text, 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh. I’m honored and grateful to be able to present my English translation alongside their beautiful edition in this volume. George Kiraz, Melonie Schmierer-Lee, and the rest of the team at Gorgias Press have been an absolute delight to work with. Sebastian Brock’s corrections to my translation have greatly enhanced the accuracy, clarity, and eloquence of the final product. Any mistakes and infelicities that remain are, of course, my own. I am forever grateful to Jeff Childers and David G. K. Taylor, my teachers and mentors, who are now also my colleagues and friends. Thank you both for introducing me to the Syriac world and helping me get my bearings as a scholar. I am also indebted to all my colleagues, students, and friends who have listened to me talk about Jacob of Serugh, Abgar, and Addai for the last year and a half. Your questions and comments have stimulated my thinking, and your good-natured patience has not gone unnoticed! vii
Though my self-assurance is somewhat inconstant, my husband Ian’s confidence in me never waivers. Ian, your love, insight, and humor sustain me. I’m so glad that I am yours and you are mine.
INTRODUCTION INFORMATION ON THESE HOMILIES
Homily Title: On King Abgar and the Letter He Sent to Christ, and the Reply Our Lord Made to Him Source of Text: Homily 29 in 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh, edited by Roger Akhrass and Imad Syryany (Damascus: Department of Syriac Studies – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, 2017), vol. 1, pp. 230–248. Lines: 966 Homily Title: On the Apostle Addai When He Came to Edessa and on King Abgar Source of Text: Homily 30 in 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh, edited by Roger Akhrass and Imad Syryany (Damascus: Department of Syriac Studies – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, 2017), vol. 1, pp. 249–260. Lines: 558
THE ABGAR LEGEND AND JACOB OF SARUG
Jacob of Sarug’s homilies “On King Abgar and the Letter He Sent to Christ, and the Reply Our Lord Made to Him” (On Abgar) and “On the Apostle Addai When He Came to Edessa and on Abgar” (On Addai and Abgar) retell the famous legend of Abgar of Edessa’s conversion to Christianity. Eusebius of Caesarea concluded the first book of his Ecclesiastical History with the legend, claiming to possess a Greek translation of the original Syriac documents from the archives of the city of Edessa. In the early 380s, 1
2
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
the pilgrim Egeria visited Edessa during her travels, where she claimed to have seen the documents in the city archives. The Abgar Legend also provided the literary frame for the early fifthcentury author of the Doctrina Addai’s sprawling account of the city of Edessa’s Christian origins. To understand Jacob of Sarug’s homilies On Abgar and On Addai and Abgar one must be familiar with the broad contours of the Abgar Legend. The following summary largely corresponds to material shared by Eusebius and the Doctrina Addai, 1 although some details unique to the Doctrina Addai are included because of their relevance for Jacob’s narration of the story. According to the legend, King Abgar Ūkkomo (“the Black”) of Edessa is suffering from a chronic illness when he hears about a healer in Judea named Jesus. There are also rumors about a Jewish plot to crucify the healer. 2 Abgar writes a letter to Jesus, saying that he has heard about the miraculous healings that he performs without medicine but only by his word. He confesses Jesus to be God or the Son of God because only God could do such things. He has also heard that the Jews are plotting to crucify Jesus. Abgar urges Jesus to come to him to heal his illness and to take refuge in his city from those who are plotting to take his life. He assures Jesus that his city, though small, is large enough for the two of them to share.
The reader can compare Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History I.13 and George Howard, ed. and trans., The Teaching of Addai (Ann Arbor: Scholars Press, 1981). For a close comparison of the letters of Abgar and Jesus in these two texts, see Sebastian Brock, “Eusebius and Syriac Christianity,” in Eusebius, Christianity, and Judaism; eds. Harold Attridge and Gohei Hata (Leiden: Brill, 1992), 212–234; esp. 215–21. 2 The Abgar Legend is rife with anti-Jewish rhetoric, as are Jacob of Sarug’s homilies on the legend. Sidney H. Griffith, “The Doctrina Addai as a Paradigm of Christian Thought,” Hugoye 6.2 (2009): 285–88; Philip Wood, ‘We Have No King but Christ’: Christian Political Thought in Greater Syria on the Eve of the Arab Conquest (c. 400–585) (Oxford University Press, 2010), 101–10. 1
INTRODUCTION
3
Jesus receives Abgar’s letter and responds. 3 He blesses Abgar for believing in him without having seen him, echoing the words of John 20:29. Jesus cannot visit Abgar: that for which he has been sent has been completed, and he must ascend to the Father who sent him. However, he once he has ascended to the Father, he will send an apostle to Abgar who will heal his illness and evangelize his city. Jesus closes the letter with a blessing on Abgar’s city, Edessa, promising that the enemy shall never conquer it. After Jesus’s ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost on the apostles, and they go forth to preach to the nations. Thomas, one of the Twelve, sends Addai, 4 one of the Seventy-Two, to Edessa to fulfill Jesus’s promise to Abgar. Addai arrives in Edessa and appears before the king. When Addai enters, Abgar sees a vision while looking at the face of the apostle. Addai heals the sick, including Abgar, proclaims the gospel to the whole city, 5 and baptizes the populace. He condemns idolatry, urges the destruction of pagan shrines, and builds a church. For Jacob and his contemporaries, one of the most frequently invoked parts of this legend is Jesus’s promise to Abgar that the enemy will never rule over Edessa. 6 Christ’s blessing of Edessa provided an important interpretive key for the author of the Chronicle of Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite 7 and stimulated the imIn Eusebius’s account, Jesus writes a letter back to Jesus. In the Doctrina Addai, Jesus sends a message through Abgar’s ambassador, who subsequently writes it down. 4 Eusebius calls him Thaddeus, one of the Seventy (cf. Lk. 10:1–23). 5 At the end of Eusebius’s narrative, Thaddeus heals Abgar, and at Thaddeus’ request, Abgar assembles the whole city to hear the gospel. Eusebius does not report the content of the sermon or any subsequent events. The Doctrina Addai reports a lengthy discourse interwoven with other legendary materials. 6 The promise appears in the Doctrina Addai, but not in Eusebius. 7 William Wright, ed. and trans., The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite (London: Cambridge University Press, 1882). Updated English transla3
4
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
agination of the author of the Julian Romance. 8 However, these writers did not engage with the rest of the Abgar Legend. For his part, Jacob of Sarug appealed to the promise in a letter written to the leaders of the city of Edessa, in which he urged them to trust the Son of God’s “unbreakable promise” and not to flee the city even if under threat of conquest. 9 The homilies On Abgar and On Addai and Abgar demonstrate that Jacob was interested in more than just the promise that no enemy will ever rule over Edessa. In these homilies, he recounts the entire legend: the letter of Abgar, Jesus’s response, and Addai’s mission to Edessa. Jacob offers fresh interpretations, and he takes quite a bit of artistic license. Jacob departs from earlier written accounts of the legend when he declares that Abgar’s faith was perfect and in no need of addition. In Jacob’s version, Abgar’s faith affirms the “crucified God” and resists presumptuous theological inquiry, rendering the first-century King Abgar a model sixth-century Miaphysite. He describes Abgar and his city as the “first-fruits” of faith among the Peoples. Jacob also departs from the tradition that the apostle Thomas sent Addai, one of the seventy-two, to Edessa after Pentecost. Instead, he describes the Holy Spirit descending on Addai at Pentecost tion with historical notes: Frank R. Trombley and John W. Watt, trans., The Chronicle of Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2000). Trombley/Watt and Wright use the same numbering for sections of the text. For the chronicler’s use of the Abgar Legend, see especially The Chronicle of Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite 5, 26, 51–52. 8 For a recent publication of the Syriac text with English translation, see Michael Sokoloff, ed. and trans., The Julian Romance: A New English Edition; rev. ed.; Texts from Christian Late Antiquity 49 (Gorgias Press, 2017). For references to Edessa and Abgar, see pp. 252–262, 288–289, and 470–474. 9 Letter 20, “To the Edessenes” in G. Olinder, ed., Iacobi Sarugensis: Epistolae Quotquo Supersunt, CSCO vol. 110, Scriptores Syri 57 (Leuven: Peeters, 1937), 129–37. Jacob compares Jesus’s promise to Abgar to the God’s promise to Noah that floodwaters will never again cover the face of the earth.
INTRODUCTION
5
and directly endowing him with the ability to speak Syriac, thereby delegating him to evangelize Edessa. Though Jacob maintains throughout that Abgar’s faith has no need of addition or preaching from an apostle, the apostle Addai brings the one thing that Abgar lacks: the sacraments, especially baptism. Several of Jacob of Sarug’s homilies and letters refer in passing to Abgar and the city of Edessa, 10 but three of his homilies are entirely dedicated to the Abgar Legend: On Abgar, On Addai and Abgar, and On Edessa and Jerusalem. The homily On Abgar is the longest of the three, and the most complex in structure. Jacob offers his version of Abgar’s letter and Christ’s response in the first half of the homily, followed by extensive theological reflection in the second half. On Addai and Abgar picks up the story with Addai’s commissioning as an apostle, his arrival in Edessa and his preaching. He urges the citizens of the city to destroy their idols, and he baptizes them. The shortest of the three homilies, On Edessa and Jerusalem, was edited by Paul BeThe other homilies that mention Abgar and Edessa include On Habib the Martyr, On Shmuna and Gurya, On Mar Sharbel, and On the Fall of the Idols. In addition to Letter 20, Letters 32 and 35 also mention Abgar. On Habib the Martyr and Shmuna and Gurya were published with English translation and Syriac editions in W. Cureton, ed. and trans., Ancient Syriac Documents Relative to the Earliest Establishment of Christianity in Edessa and the Neighbouring Countries (London: Williams and Norgate, 1864). The Syriac text of the mimro on Mar Sharbel was published in Georg Mösinger, ed., Monumenta syriaca ex romanis codibus collecta (Oeniponti: Libraria Academia Wagneriana, 1878), 2:52–63. Jacob also mentions Abgar and Edessa in passing in his mimro On the Fall of the Idols; for a recent edition and translation, see Armando Elkoury and Robert Kitchen, eds. and trans., Jacob of Serugh: Selected Metrical Homilies, Vol. 1 (The Hidden Pearl Press, 2021); see also Daniel L. Schwartz, “Discourses of Religious Violence and Christian Charity: The Christianization of Syria in Jacob of Sarug’s On the Fall of the Idols,” in Motions of Late Antiquity: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Society in Honour of Peter Brown, eds. Jamie Kreiner and Helmut Reimitz (Turnhout: Brepols, 2016), 129–49. For Letters 32 and 35, G. Olinder, ed., Iacobi Sarugensis, 241–246 and 257–260. 10
6
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
djan and recently published in an English translation by Jonathan Loopstra. 11 The two homilies translated in this volume are very closely related to On Edessa and Jerusalem. It is possible that On Edessa and Jerusalem is a shortened adaptation of the much longer On Abgar. The most prominent shared theme is that of the “Two Daughters”: the Daughter of the Hebrews who fled the Bridegroom and the Daughter of Edessa who, longing to see him, invited him to come to her through her father King Abgar’s letter. In On Abgar, Jacob emphasizes that Abgar came to faith without studying the scriptures and his faith had no need of addition from an apostle; the same is said of the city of Edessa in On Edessa and Jerusalem. Abgar is compared favorably to the apostle Peter in both homilies. In both homilies, Abgar and his city are considered the first fruits of the Peoples because they opened the gate of faith for the Peoples to enter. While there are not identical passages in On Edessa and Jerusalem and On Abgar, thematically the homilies are remarkably similar.
ON KING ABGAR AND THE LETTER THAT HE SENT TO CHRIST, AND THE REPLY OUR
LORD MADE TO HIM
Jacob begins his homily with an invocation, asking Christ for the ability to tell the story of Abgar effectively. He turns to his audience, urging the prudent to listen lovingly and with humility to the story of King Abgar, the “friend of Jesus,” who is the host of this narrative “banquet.” Jacob expresses his inadequacy for the task at hand: how can he paint a vibrant portrait of Paul Bedjan, ed., Homiliae Selectae Mar-Jacobi Sarugensis (ParisLeipzig: O. Harrassowitz, 1905), 5:731–47; Jonathan Loopstra, ed. and trans., Jacob of Sarug’s Homily on Edessa and Jerusalem (Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2021). For a German translation, see Peter Bruns, “Ein Memra des Jakob von Serug auf Edessa und Jerusalem,” in Words, Texts and Concepts Cruising the Mediterranean Sea: Studies on the Sources, Contents and Influences of Islamic Civilization and Arabic Philosophy and Science Dedicated to Gerhard Endress on his Sixty-Fifth Birthday, ed. Rüdiger Arnzen and Jörn Thielmann (Leuven: Peeters, 2004), 537–53.
11
INTRODUCTION
7
Abgar with the dull colors at his disposal? He resolves to proceed with love and faith, as befits the story of this king. After the introduction, Jacob launches into his retelling of the letter of Abgar and Christ’s response. The story is interspersed with frequent theological excurses related to the narrative. Unlike the scribes of the People, 12 who diligently studied scripture but rejected Christ, Abgar has not read scripture, but he recognizes that Jesus is the Son of God. Jacob lists Jesus’s many healings and miracles, but he notes that the People still hated him and resolved to crucify him. Abgar is troubled by these tidings, so he resolves to write a letter. Jacob reflects at length on the humility of the Son, who, though the angels quake in his presence, lowered himself to become a companion of human beings, to the point that he even consented to receive a letter. Through the news that Abgar hears, he believes, even though he is far away. Lines 189–230 contain Jacob’s version of Abgar’s letter to Jesus: Abgar declares his amazement at the healings Jesus performed by his word alone, confesses that Jesus must be the Son of God, warns him of the murderous plot, and urges him to come and take refuge in Edessa, a city sufficient for them to share. At the end of the letter, Jacob introduces a theme that becomes prominent later in the homily: Abgar invites Jesus to “divorce the Daughter of the Hebrews,” who has rejected him, and be betrothed to the “Daughter of the Edessenes,” who longs to see him. After reporting the contents of Abgar’s letter, Jacob pauses to reflect on its implications. He marvels again at the humility of the incarnate Son of God and his rejection by the People. He ponders how Abgar, living far away, could have learned of a secret plot to kill Jesus. Above all, he praises Abgar for believing that Jesus is God without being scandalized by humble aspects of the incarnation, especially his death and crucifixion. Like many Syriac writers, and consistent with his usual practice, throughout these mimre Jacob calls the Jews “the People” and the Gentiles “the Peoples.”
12
8
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Christ accepts Abgar’s letter, even though he had no need of a letter to know what it contained. Jacob summarizes Jesus’s response to Abgar in lines 405–434: Jesus blesses the king for believing in him even though he has not seen him, lives far away, and has never read the scriptures. In the letter, Jesus pointedly contrasts Abgar with the scribes of the People who have seen Jesus, are nearby, and have studied the scriptures diligently. Jesus reports that the task for which he came is completed, and he now must ascend to his Father. However, once he has ascended, he will send a disciple to Abgar to heal him and to evangelize his city. He blesses the city of Edessa and promises that no enemy will ever rule over it. After recounting Jesus’s message to Abgar, Jacob bursts into praise, blessing the Son of God for his incarnation. The second half of the homily offers theological and exegetical reflections on the story (lines 457–966). Jacob begins by likening Abgar to the apostle Peter. Both men were called “blessed” by the Lord for their true confessions of his identity. Although in his divine nature, Jesus cannot be bound by place, both Peter and Abgar offered him a dwelling: Peter a booth at the Transfiguration and Abgar a city “sufficient for two.” Their intentions were appropriate and honorable, if naïve. Jesus gently taught them both that even heaven is too small to hold him. Jacob declares that King Abgar’s faith was naturally stirred within him, describing him as a “Mesopotamian sheep” who from afar heard the voice of the Shepherd speaking in Judea and bleated to him, even as the Judean flock fled from their Master. Jacob turns to consider the city of Edessa next. He recasts the Abgar story as one of two contrasting “daughters,” the Daughter of the Hebrews and the Daughter of the Edessenes. He treats the history of Israel like an ill-fated love story: through the Exodus, the Father betrothed the Daughter of the Hebrews to his Only Begotten Son. But when the time was right and the Bridegroom had come at last, the Daughter of the Hebrews rejected him, fled from the bridal chamber, and plotted to kill him. When the Daughter of the Edessenes hears these tidings, she longs to take the place of the Daughter of the Hebrews, and she writes to the Bridegroom begging him to receive her instead.
INTRODUCTION
9
Thus, the city of Edessa becomes the first fruits of faith among the Peoples. Jacob reflects at length on what it means for Abgar and Edessa to be the first fruits in faith. While there are others who are deemed worthy to enter the bridal chamber later, he insists that the primacy of Abgar and Edessa renders them worthy of special regard among the Peoples. Abgar longed for the Son and all his blessings, but he also wished to share it with others. Jacob of Sarug draws a contrast here between Israel and Abgar: he alleges that Israel mistakenly took the name “firstborn” to mean “only begotten”—that is, without siblings among the nations— whereas Abgar understood rightly that to be the first among the Peoples implied that others would subsequently join him in the faith. Abgar thus returned the birthright of the Peoples to them, which the patriarch Jacob had taken from his brother Esau. By repentance, the “cursed Peoples” regained their birthright in the household of God. After a final section contrasting Zion, who scorned Christ, and Edessa, who was blessed by him, Jacob ends the homily declaring blessings on the memory of King Abgar.
I.
II.
Summary
Introduction (lines 1–80) a. Invocation (1–16) b. Invitation to prudent listeners to hear Abgar’s story (17–30) c. Overview: the story of Abgar “the friend of Jesus” (31–56) d. Jacob’s unworthiness to tell the story (57–66) e. Abgar believed without instruction and from afar, unlike the Scribes of the People who were educated in the scriptures and nearby (67–80) The Abgar Legend (lines 81–390) a. Setting the stage (lines 81–110) i. Summary of Jesus’s healing ministry in Judea (81–98) ii. The People still reject Jesus and plan to crucify him (99–110) b. Abgar and His Letter (lines 111–390)
10
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
III.
i. Abgar hears these tidings and writes a letter (111–118) ii. Jacob hymns the glory and humility of the Son of God, who even received a letter like an ordinary person (119–158) iii. Abgar’s bold faith likened to a fitful baby at its mother’s breast (159–188) iv. The contents of Abgar’s letter (189–230) v. Meditation on the Incarnate Son’s humility (231–266) vi. Jacob wonders how Abgar learned about the crucifixion plot (267–308) vii. Jacob praises Abgar for affirming the paradox of the Incarnation: Jesus is God, yet he will be crucified (309–390) c. Christ’s Response (lines 391–456) i. Christ did not need to read the letter, but he did so out of humility and love (391–404) ii. Christ’s response to Abgar’s letter (405– 434) iii. Jacob’s blesses Jesus for his kindness to Abgar and Edessa (435–456) Theological Reflection on the Abgar Legend (lines 457–586) a. Reflection on King Abgar (lines 457–586) i. Abgar and his city compared to the apostle Peter and his offer of a booth at the Transfiguration. Jesus’s divine nature cannot be bound by space. (457– 562) ii. Faith was naturally stirred up in Abgar’s heart without instruction. He was a “Mesopotamian sheep” who recognized the Shepherd’s voice from afar (563– 586) b. Reflection on Edessa, Betrothed to Christ the Bridegroom (lines 587–768)
INTRODUCTION
IV.
11
i. The Bridegroom comes to his betrothed, the Daughter of the Hebrews, but she rejects him (587–644) ii. The Daughter of the Edessenes begs him to marry her instead, with the other Peoples following (645–692) iii. Edessa and Abgar are the “first fruits” of the Peoples who believed and became betrothed to Christ the Bridegroom (693–724) iv. By untroubled faith, Abgar betrothed his city to Christ without apostolic intermediary (725–788) c. Jacob and Esau (lines 789–926) i. The patriarch Jacob stole the birthright of the Peoples from Esau; Israel misunderstood “firstborn” to mean “only begotten” (789–844) ii. Abgar recaptured the birthright of the Peoples through faith and repentance (845–884) iii. Through repentance, the Peoples reclaim the blessing of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed (885–908) iv. Contrast between Zion, which scorned Christ, and Edessa, which was blessed by him (909–926) Conclusion: Jacob of Sarug blesses King Abgar (lines 927–966)
ON THE APOSTLE ADDAI WHEN HE CAME TO EDESSA AND ON KING ABGAR
Jacob begins the homily with an invocation, asking the Son of God, who has power over speech and silence, to endow him with speech and take silence from him that he may tell his story. Jacob offers a general summary of the ministry of the apostles as
12
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
they brought the Good News to the Peoples. Expressing his inadequacy to describe all their exploits, he resolves to tell only one account: the story of the apostle Addai. Addai brought the light of the Gospel to a region darkened by idolatry. He offered an uncircumcised people spiritual circumcision in the waters of baptism, while casting down false gods and preaching the Trinity. The next section of the homily reminds the audience of the promise Jesus made to the believing King Abgar that he would send an apostle to him. Jacob emphasizes the spiritual healing that Addai brought through baptism, which he describes as a purifying washing for the “bride who had been darkened by idolatry.” By administering baptism, Addai wrote the marriage contract between the Daughter of Edessa and the Bridegroom, and he presented the spotless Bride, fresh from the waters of baptism, to his Lord. Next, Jacob describes how Addai was selected for the mission to Edessa. While earlier accounts of the Abgar Legend state that Thomas appointed Addai as the apostle of Edessa, Jacob insists that the Holy Spirit anointed Addai directly at Pentecost, endowing him with the ability to speak Syriac. By his newly acquired second language, everyone understands that Addai is being sent to Edessa. He sets out for the city. Addai carries with him the ability to heal both body and soul, bandages for wounds and forgiveness of sins. When he arrives in the city, he stands before Abgar, who is eager to receive him and his message, like a parched field desperate for rain. Abgar greets Addai with the repeated refrain, “Come in peace,” and urges the apostle to make disciples, uproot idolatry, heal bodies, and sow the gospel in souls. Addai rejoices at the king’s exuberant welcome, and his first act is to heal the king of his chronic illness. Though Addai states that the king’s faith cannot receive any addition, he still offers a summary of the apostolic teaching. Exalted high above the angelic hosts, all of creation came to be through the Son and he is the “radiance and brightness of the Father.” The Son sent the Spirit upon the apostles and gave them the word of the gospel to preach his manifestation throughout the world. Addai
INTRODUCTION
13
summarizes the life of Christ from his humble birth to the Virgin, his ministry of teaching and healing, and his crucifixion. By his death, Christ defeated death and released Adam and Eve from Sheol. After three days in the tomb, Christ rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples. Addai attests that he saw Christ ascending into heaven and was present when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost. Just as he had promised he would, Christ sent Addai to Abgar to give him the gift of salvation. Abgar responds to Addai’s preaching by confessing his faith and rejoicing in the message Addai has brought. He gives Addai charge over his city and asks him to “sow the teaching and reap the faith” from it. He urges Addai to cast down the idols of the city and replace them with the cross of the Lord. Addai prepares the waters of baptism, invoking the name of the Trinity upon the waters, and King Abgar descends into the water first, followed by the whole city. The household of Abgar “Ūkkomo”— “the Black”—washes off the soot of idolatry in the waters of baptism and puts on the white robes of baptism. Jacob of Sarug compares Addai’s preparation of the waters of baptism with the patriarch Jacob’s unusual animal husbandry in Genesis 30. Jacob and his father-in-law Laban agreed to divide their herds by color: Jacob would take any striped and speckled animals while the solid-colored animals would be Laban’s. Then Jacob put striped wooden rods into the water troughs in front of the strong breeding animals, and they bore striped and speckled offspring. In this way, Jacob’s flocks increased. Instead of rods, Addai put the cross in the water, and instead of speckled offspring, the “teeming” baptizands emerged from the water entirely white. Jacob of Sarug sees another significance in the multihued flock of Jacob the patriarch: he alleges that the People of Israel were always “mixed” in their allegiances, worshipping God but also attracted to false gods. The message is clear for his audience: any who enters the waters of baptism will have nothing to do with idolatry. In the final section of the homily, Jacob celebrates the perfect partnership between Addai and Abgar, the apostle and the king, who together declared the faith and destroyed idolatry.
14
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Physical healing and spiritual teaching were extended to any who came to Addai. Abgar rejoiced at Addai’s good deeds, and he commanded that the city obey the apostle. The apostle and the king shared a single will, to the glory of the Son of the Most High.
I.
II.
III.
Summary
Introduction (lines 1–74) a. Invocation (1–32) b. Summary of the apostles’ mission to the Peoples (33–66) c. Unable to tell all the apostles’ stories, Jacob will simply tell Addai’s (67–74) Prelude to Addai’s Mission (lines 75–144) a. Addai lit up the region of the sun that had been darkened by idolatry (75–120) b. As Christ had promised Abgar, Addai brought baptism to Edessa and betrothed the city to Christ the Bridegroom (121–144) Addai’s Mission (lines 145–462) a. The Holy Spirit appoints Addai as the apostle of Edessa at Pentecost (145–172) b. Addai arrives in Edessa, bringing healing, teaching, and baptism (173–190) c. Abgar welcomes Addai and endorses his mission in Edessa (191–234) d. Addai offers healing and summarizes the apostolic teaching (235–332) e. Abgar confesses his faith and offers his city to the apostle (333–364) f. Addai prepares the baptismal waters, baptizes the king first, and dresses the house of “Abgar the Black” in the white garments of baptism (365–394) g. Addai put the cross in the baptismal waters, which gave birth to a spotless flock, thus fulfilling the type of Jacob’s rods before his breeding flock (395–462)
INTRODUCTION IV.
15
Conclusion: Addai and Abgar, apostle and king, proclaimed the faith as equal partners (lines 463–558)
MANUSCRIPTS
The Syriac text used in this volume was edited by Roger Akhrass and Imad Syryany. The two homilies have somewhat different reception: while the lengthy homily On Abgar is preserved in only two manuscripts, the homily On Addai and Abgar is preserved in six. In only one manuscript, Dam. 12/16, the earliest witness for On Abgar, do both homilies appear in sequence. Four of the five manuscripts that contain On Addai and Abgar without On Abgar also include the homily On Edessa and Jerusalem. Akhrass chose the oldest extant manuscript as the base text of each homily: for On Abgar, the base text is Damascus MS 12/16 (12th century; previously St. Mark’s Monastery of Jerusalem MS 156), and for On Addai and Abgar, the base text is Damascus 12/13 (1031 CE). While I generally follow Akhrass’s main text, on rare occasions I have opted for an alternative reading; any departures from the main text are clearly indicated in the footnotes. Where I have followed the main text but find a variant reading plausible, I include the variant reading in a footnote. On Abgar • Dam. 12/16, n. 189 (12th c.; base text) – D • CFMM 137, n. 291 (date unknown) – M7 On Addai and Abgar • Dam. 12/13, no. 127 (1031 CE; base text) – A • Dam. 12/14, n. 127 (11th c.) – B • Dam. 12/15, n. 130 (donated 1156 CE) – C • Dam. 12/16, n. 190 (12th c.) – D • CFMM 135, n. 130 (date unknown) – M5 • Vat. Syr. 117, ff. 268r–270v (12th/13th c.) – U
TEXT AND TRANSLATION
17
ON KING ABGAR AND THE LETTER HE SENT TO CHRIST AND THE ANSWER OUR
1
5
10
LORD GAVE HIM
O Jesus, Light who made the shadows flee by Your dawning, shine on me wondrously, and I will be enlightened by You and tell Your story. O Sun that gives light to the whole world with its rays, give light to my mind that my mouth may speak wisely. O Son of God, who became a light for those in the dark, 1 in You the darkness of the world, that blinds me, vanishes. Give me a word and give me peace—I will speak it! Fill me with teaching and keep me from the battles that disturb me. Let the sores which wrongdoing has effected in our place 2 be cured by You, for You are a healer and a remedy that cures the wounded. Open Your treasury to me: marveling, let me receive from You at a diseased time a salutary word for the one who hears me. Allow me abundantly to impart hymns of praise to the one who discerningly needs instruction.
Luke 1:79 The distinction between “our place” and “Christ’s place” is important throughout the homily; the proper discernment of these two “places” characterizes Abgar’s recognition of the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. 1 2
18
19
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܝܫܐ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܰ� ܽ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܰܕܩ ܺܕ ܳ ܥܩܘܒ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܳܗܝ ܰ ܕܫ ܰܕܪ ܡܐܡܪ ܐ ܕܥܠ ܐܒܓܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܘܐܓ ܝܚܐ ܽ ܘ� ܳܝܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܘܦ ܳ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܠܗ ܡܪܢ 3 1
5
10
ܶܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܢܚܗ ܰܐ ܶ ܒܕ ܶ ܠܛ ܳ �� ܶ� ܶ ܥܪܩ܆ �ܫܘܥ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܕ ܶ ܒܬ ܳ ܐܬ�ܐ ܰܫ ܳ ܐܢܗܪ ܶ 4ܡ ܳܢܟ ܶܘ ܶ ܗܪܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܒܟ. ܰܕܢܚ ܺܒܝ ܺ ܐܢܗܪ ܳ 5ܥ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܡܫܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܶܫ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ �ܡܐ ܟܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܙ� ܺܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܥܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܡܝ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ ܘܫܐܝܬ. ܢܡܠܟ ܦ ̱ ܐ ܰܢܗܪ ܰܡ ܰܕ ̱ ܗܘܐ ܽܢ ܳ ܕܚ ܽܫ ܺ ܰܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰܠ ܶ ܘܟܝܢ 6܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܬܛ ܰܠܩ ܶܚ ܶ �ܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܫܟܗ ܳ ܕܥ ܳ ܡܟ ܰܡܗ ܺܠܝ .7 ܒܟ ܢ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܗܒ ܠܝ ܡܠܬܐ ܘܗܒ ܠܝ ܫܝܢܐ ܐܡܠܠ ܒܗ܆ ܡܠܝܢܝ ܽ� ܳ ܡܙ ܺ ܺ ܙܓܘܪ ܺܩ ܶ ܐ�ܣܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ ܰܘ ܽ ܝܥܝܢ ܺܠܝ. ̱ ܥܒܕ ܰܥ ܳܘ� ܰܒ ܰ ܬܚ ܽ �ܡܘܢ ܽܫ ̈ܘܚܢܶܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܳܒܟ ܢܶ ܰ ܐܬܪܢ܆ ܕܡ ܶ ܚܠܡ ܰܠ ܰ ܘܣ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܣܝܐ ܰ ܰܕܐܢ̱ܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܐ ܳ ܡܡ ܰܚ ܳ ̈ܝܐ. ܳ ܶ ܰ ܦܬܚ ܺܠܝ ܰܓ ܳܙܟ ܐ ܰܣܒ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܰܟܕ ܬ ܰܗܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܒܢܐ ܺ ܠܬܐ ܺ ܟܪ ܳ ܒܙ ܳ ܝܗܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܝܡܬܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܰܡܥ ܺܠܝ. ܚܠ ܡ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܗܒ ܠܝ ܐܬܠ ܩܠܝ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܥܬܝܪܐܝܬ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܽ ܳܳܺܳ ܽܳ 8 ܘܫܐܝܬ. �ܝܢܐ ܕܣܢܝܩ ܥܠ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܦܪ ܡܐܡܪܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰܡܠܟܐ ܒܘܟܪܐ ܰ ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰ ܕܡ �ܠܟܐ
ܳ M7 title ܟ�ܣܛܝܢܐ ܶ ܰ 4 ܐܢܗܪ M7 ܰܕ ܰ 5 ܢܗܪ M7 ܰܠ ܶ ̈ ܺ 6 ܕܚܫܘܟܝܢ M7 ܶܡܢ ̈ ܰ ܚܘ ܳ 7 ܫܒܝ M7 ܳ 8 ܝܘܬܪܢܐ M7 3
20 15
20
25
30
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Let the tunes of my homilies be stirred by You, O Son of the Lord of All. I will give glory to You who are glorified by Your deeds! Now, who presses forward to receive profitable things from the instruction that is all light to the one who loves it? By whom is the word of life cherished when it is spoken, and whose ear attends to the speaker with great love? Is there anyone here whose mind is free from distractions 9 and whose entire person is entwined with untroubled teaching? Who is this who listens to my words lovingly? I am speaking to the one who will listen to me wisely. Whoever is humble, innocent and sincere, discerning and pure, full of love and afflicted will benefit from instruction. For this person, instruction now arises to declare itself, for it must truly increase every day for the one who hears it. Come, O discerning ones, and bring your thoughts with you, that we may enter the festival of the word 10 [and] delight in it! One of the kings invites you today to his banquets— recline at his feast and drink in his story merrily— Abgar, who was full of faith and integrity and whose virtues are too exalted for the tongue to express.
9
“distractions”: lit. “matters, affairs.” “of the word” or “of the Word.”
10
21 15
20
25
30
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܕܡ ܰ ܳܒܟ ܢܶܬܬܙܺ ܽ ܝܥܘܢ ܳ ̈ܩ ܶ� ܺ ܐܡ�ܝ ܰܒܪ ܳܡ ܶܪܐ ܽܟܠ܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܘܒܚܐ ܳܠܟ ܰܕ ܺ ܶܐܬܶܠ ܽܫ ܳ ܥܒ ̈� ܳܕܬܟ. ܫܒܝܚ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܒ ܰܡܢ ܰܟܝ ܳܚ ܶܒܨ ܰܥܠ ܽ� ܳ ܘܬ� ܢܶܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܩ ܳܒ ܽ�ܘ 11܆ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܢ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܽ� ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܠ ܳܕܪ ܶܚܡ ܶܠܗ. ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܬ ܳ ܐܡܪܐ܆ �ܡܢ ܚܒܝܒܐ ܡܠܬ ܚܝܐ ܡܐ ܕܡ �ܝܐ ܶ 12ܐܕܢܶܗ ܶܨܝܕ ܳܐ ܽܡ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܒܚ ܳ ܘܨ ܳ ܰ ܘܪܐ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܪܒܐ. ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܶ 13 ܒܘܬ ܐ܆ ܡܢ ܐܝܬ ܗܪܟܐ ܕܫܪܐ ܗܘܢܗ ܡܢ ܨ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܺ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܕ� ܽܕ ܳ ܘܘ ܳܕ ܐ. ܰܘܩܛܝܪ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܒܡ�ܦܢ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܳ 14 ܝܒܐܝܬ܆ ܡܢܘ ܗܢܐ ܕ� ܐܬ ܩܠܝ ܚܒ ܶ ܳܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳܽ ܳܺ ܢܝ ܦܪܘܫܐܝܬ. ܰܠܗ ܐܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܗܘ ܢܫܡܥ ܡ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܰ � ܳܝܢܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܺܟܝܟ ܰܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܰܘ ܺ ܦܫܝܛ ܦܪܘܫ ܘܫܦܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܐܬܪ ܶ 15ܡܢ ܽ� ܳ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ. ܘܡ� ܚܘܒܐ ܘܐܠܝܨ ܢ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܩܡ ܽ�ܘܠܦܢܐ ܢܚܘܐ ܢܦܫܗ܆ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܘܬܪ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ ܰܠ ܳ ܕܫ ܰܡܥ ܶܠܗ. ܕܐܠܝܨ ܐܦ ܗܘ ܢ ܰ ܽ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܰܬܘ ܳܦ ܽ� ܶ ܘܫܐ ܰܘܐܝܬܘ ܥܡܟܘܢ ܽܚܘ ܳܫ ܰܒܝܟܘܢ܆ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܠܬܐ �ܶ ܽܥܘܠ ܢܶ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀ ܕ�ܫܪܘܬ ܐ ܕܡ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܚܕ ܡܢ ܡ ��ܟܐ ܩܪܟܘܢ �ܘܡܢ ܥܠ�ܬܘܩܢ ܺ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܪܒܗ ܰܒ ܺܣ ܳ ܐܫܬܘ ܰܫ ܶ ܝܡܐܝܬ. ܓܢܘ ܒܣܡܟܗ ܘ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܐܒܓܪ ܕܡ� ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ ܘܬ ܪܝܨܘܬ ܐ܆ ܽܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܶ� ܳܫ ܳܢܐ ܰ ܢܡܠܠ ܐܢܘܢ. ܘܪ ܺܡܝܢ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܳ ܝܘܬܪܢܐ ܰ
ܠ ܰ ܡܟ ܳܢܫܘ M7 ܳ ܘܨ � M7 13 ܽܚܘܒܗ M7 14 ܳܗܫܐ M7 ܢܶ ܰ 15 ܫܡܥ M7 11 12
22 35
40
45
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The beloved king who adorned himself with a good name, when the world is wearing out, yet the beauty of his soul is uncorrupted. The friend of Jesus who bound himself to Him lovingly and entered into a covenant with Him to become one of His worshippers. The great believer who, although he had not seen the Son of God, 16 recognized who He is, whose Son He is, and what His place is. The intelligent man who, as a prudent person, foreknew who can give crowns to rulers. The king who perceived that his own crown is perishable and devoted himself to the great crown that is eternal. A man of love whose soul was pure in faith, and [who] with confidence invited God to come to him. A man with a wise heart who kept peace for the city he ruled by the Son of God’s unchangeable promise. 17 A godly man of valor who laid up in his city
Cf. John 20:29; in the Abgar Legend, Jesus’s response to Abgar’s letter also alludes to this passage. 17 In his response to Abgar, Jesus promises that no enemy will ever rule over Edessa. Here Jacob envisions Jesus’s promise as an invisible protection of the walls of the city. 16
23 35
40
45
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܫܡܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ܆ ܡ�ܟܐ ܪܚܝܡܐ ܕܨܒܬ ܢܦܫܗ ܒ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ 18 ܶ ܰ ܰ ܕܒ� ܥ�ܡܐ ܘܫܘܦܪܐ ܕܢܦܫܗ � ܡܬܚܒܠ. ܳܪ ܶ ܒܚ ܳ ܚܡܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܣܪ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܽ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܒܐ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܰܒ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܣ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܰܕ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܡܗ ܳ ܰ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܝܡܢܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕܟܕ � ܳ �ܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܐܝܢܘ ܰܐ ܶ ܰ�ܕܥܶܗ ܰ ܕܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܘܕ ܰ ܬܪܗ. ܳ ܘܠܬ ܳܢܐ ܰܕܩ ܶܕܡ ܺܝ ܰܕܥ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ ܘܫܐ܆ ܰܣ ܽܟ ܳ ܰܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܬܠ ܳ�ܬ ̈ܶܓܐ ܰ �ܫ ܺ�ܝ̈ܛܢܶܐ .19 ܕܡܢܘ ܡܫܟܚ ܢ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰܡ ܳ ܐܪܓܫ ܕܬ ܶܓܗ ܺܕܝܠܗ ܶܡܫܬ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܪ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܳ ܠܬ ܳܓܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕܕ ܳ ܰܘܐܓܥܶܠ ܰܢ ܶ �ܥ ܰܠܡ ̱ ܽ 20ܗܘ. ܦܫܗ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܓ ܳ ܕܚ ܳ ܦܝܐ ܰ 21ܢ ܶ ܕܫ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܦܫܗ ܒܗ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ. ܘܒܬܘܟ�ܢܐ ܩܪܐ � ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܶ 22ܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܚܟܝܡ �ܒܐ ܕܢܛܪ ܫܝܢܐ �ܟܪܟܐ ܕ�ܒܟ܆ ܰ ܽ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܠܦ. ܒܗܘ ܫܘܘܕ�ܗ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ܕ� ܡ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܓܢ̱ܒܪ ܚܝ� ܐ�ܗ�ܐ ܕܣܡ ܒܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ܆
ܳ ܬܓܐ
ܰܕܫܡܗ M7 ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕܫ�ܝ̈ܛܢܐ M7 ܳܰ 20 ܰܕ�ܥܠܡ M7 ܺ ܰ 21 ܕܫܦ ܶܝ M7 ܺ 22 ܕܢܐܬ ܐ M7 18 19
24 50
55
60
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
the weapon of the word to protect its walls from persecutors. A man trained in war who triumphed without war, who knew [how] to make peace in his city for generations to come. The father of the city who by his wisdom stewarded what belonged to it so that even after him it would be protected from captors. A man trained in knowledge who did not gild his town with gold but with the peace that protects the walls from damage. Since I am wretched, how can I paint an image of virtues for this king who [was made] so excellent by his deeds? Where will I acquire the colors of the picture in their kinds, for I am despicable, and the image demands blazing colors! Since my pigments are not beautiful, with what shall I paint the perfect beauty [of the one] to whom the Son of God gave a blessing? By the love of Jesus, I will craft my words, knowing that apart from Him 23 the excellence of His friend could not be spoken.
23
“apart from Him” or “apart from [His love].”
25 50
55
60
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܘ� ̇ܝܗ ܶܡܢ ܳ� ܽܕ ܶ ܘܦܐ. ܙܝܢܐ ܕܡܠܬܐ ܕܢܛܘܪ ܫ ܳ ܡܗܝܪ ܰܒ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܩܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ 24ܕܕ� ܩܪܒܐ ܫܩܠ ܢܨܚܢܐ 25܆ ܳܶ ܶ ܒܟ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܰܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥ 26ܢܶ ܶ �ܕ � ܐ ܳܕܐܬܝܢ. ܪܟܗ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰܽ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܺܕܝܨܶܦ ܺܕ ܳ ܝܠ ̇ܗ ܒܚܟܝܡܘܬܗ܆ ܐ̱ܒܘܗ ܕܡܕܝܢ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܕܐܦ ܡܢ ܒܬܪܗ ܬܗܘܐ ܢܛܝܪܐ ܡܢ ܫܒܝܐ. ܺ ܺ ܰ ܳ �ܟ ܶ ܗܒܐ ܰ ܶ ܒܕ ܳ ܰ ܥܬܐ ܳܕ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܪܟܗ ܨܒܬ܆ ܡܗܝܪ ܒܝܕ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶܐ ܳ� ܰ ܳ ܒܫ ܳܝܢܐ 27ܕܢܛܪ ܫܘ�ܐ 28ܡܢ ܢܟ�ܢܐ܀ ܕܫ ܶ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܟܢ ܶܐ ܽܨܘܪ ܰܨ ܳ �ܡܐ ܽ ܘܦ�ܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܕ ܳ ܘ�ܐ 29ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܆ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܥܒ ̈� ܳܕܬܗ. �ܗܢܐ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܣܓܝ ܫܦܝܪ ܒ ܳ ܺ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܓ ̈ܘ ܢܶܐ ܽܕܨܘܪܬ ܐ ܶܒܐܣܟܝܡܝܗܘܢ܆ �ܡܐ ܰܓ ̈ܘ ܢܶܐ ܳܕܕ ܺ ܘܨ ܳ ܶܕ ܳܐܢܐ ܺ ܒܣܝܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ �ܩܝܢ ܳܒܥܶܐ .30 ܒܡܘܢ ܶܐ ܽܨ ܺ ܘܪܝܘܗܝ ܰ 31ܟܕ ܰܣ ̈ܡ ܳܡ ܰܢܝ ܳ� ܰܫ ܺܦ ܺ ܽ ܝܪܝܢ܆ ̱ ܓܡ ܳ �ܫ ܳ ܘܦܪܐ ܺ ܕܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܽܛ ܳ ܝܪܐ ܰ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ܀ ܶ ܘܒܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܶܐ ܽ ܒܚ ܶ ܽ ܓܒܘܠ ̈ܡ ܰܠܝ ܰܟܕ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ 32ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܶܕ ܳܐ� ܐܢ ܶܒܗ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܦܪܐ ܳܕܪ ܶ ܚܡܗ � ܶܡ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ.
ܳ
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܠܨܘܪܬܐ ܰ ܫܘܦ�ܘܗܝ ܕܡܠܝܐ ܬܗܪܐ܆ ܰܕܒܗܘܢ ܐܪܫܘܡ ܽܟܠܗܘܢ
ܰܒܩ�ܒܐ M7 ܶ�ܨ̈ ܳܚܢܐ M7 26 ܳ ܕܝ ܰܕܥ M7 ܰ 27 ܒܙܝܢܐ M7 28 ܫܘܪܗ M7 29 ܳܕ ܶܘܐ M7 ܺ 30 ܶܒܐܣܟܝ̈ ܰܡ ܶܝܗܘܢ M7 31 ܨܘܪܗ M7 ܐ ܳ 32 ܬ ܰܗܪ M7 24 25
26 65
70
75
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
I will paint the image with the splendid hue of faith, for by [faith] 33 that excellent man of whom I speak was made beautiful. Without instruction Abgar learned the faith, and in simplicity he recognized the Son without [the benefit of] reading [the scriptures]. The scribes of the People bear the books of prophecy in which the image of Jesus stands like a beacon. They deny the truth while they look at it and bear it, and they flee from it though they recognize it and conceal it. They read the scriptures and found there the likeness of the Son, and they saw and concealed [Him] and were headstrong; departing, they dishonored [Him]. These people who knew did not recognize who our Lord is, and the one who did not know increased his knowledge by faith. The children of Abraham see miracles and wonders, but they gratuitously hate the good Healer who performed them. But a king of the Peoples, whose lineage was foreign to that of the patriarchs,
33
Lit.: “by it” (fem.).
27 65
70
75
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 34 ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐܨܘܪ ܨ�ܡܐ ܒܓܘܢܐ ܫܒܝܚܐ ܕܗ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܽܗܘ ܰ ܫܦܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܗܘ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܝܪ ܐ ܕܡܬܡܠܠ ܒܝ܀ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܳܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܕ� �ܘܠܦܢܐ �ܠܦ ܐܒܓܪ ܗ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܘܬ ܐ ܕ� ܩ ܳ ܪ� ܳܢܐ. ܘ�ܕܥܗ ܠܒܪܐ ܒܦܫܝܛ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ 35 ܣܦ�ܐ ܕܥܡܐ ܛܥܝܢܝܢ ܣܦ�ܐ ܕܢܒܝܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܒܗܘܢ ܳܩܐܶܡ ܰܨ ܶ ܰܕ ܽ �ܡܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ. ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝܪܝܢ ܶܒܗ ܰܘ ܺ ܘܫܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܺ ܛܥ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܛ�ܡܝܢ ܩ ܶ ܘܥ ܺ ܪܩܝܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰ 36ܟܕ ܳ� ܺ ܳ ܕܥܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܚܦܝܢ ܶܠܗ. ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܐܫܟܚ ̱ܘ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܽ�ܘܩܢܶܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܬ ܶܒܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܒܪܐ܆ ܩܪܘ ܒܟ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܘܚܙܘ ܘܚܦܝܘ ܘܐܡܪܚ ̱ܘ ܨܥܪ ̱ܘ ܟܕ ܡܫܬܢܝܢ. ܳ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥ ̱ܘ � ܺܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܘ ̱ 37ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ܆ ܰ ܳ ܺܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܘܕ� ܝܕܥ ܐܣܓܝ �ܕܥܗ ܒܗ ܰ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܒܢܝ ܐܒܪܗܡ ܚܙܝܢ ܚܝ� ܘܬܡܝܗܬ ܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܣܥܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܘܣܢܝܢ ܡܓܢ �ܣܝܐ ܛܒܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܘܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰ ܘܟܪܝ ܶܓ ܶ ܰ ܢܣܗ �ܕܐܒܗܬ ܐ܆
ܰܨܠܡܗ
̈
ܒܓܘܢܐ ܺ ܰ ܫܒ ̈ܝܚܐ M7 ܺ ܰ ̈ ܛ��ܢܝ M7 ܶ ܳ 36 ܘܡܢܗ ܥܪܩܝܢ M7 37 ܳ �ܕܥܝܢ M7 34 35
28 80
85
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
loved Him greatly, so that the People would be ashamed to the degree that they hate Him. The Healer came down and walked on the earth and healed its diseases; He took away infirmities, bandaged sores, and cast out evil spirits. 38 He drove out demons, cured the sick, and cleansed lepers; He opened the eyes of the blind and restored the health of the afflicted. He turned water into fine wine, 39 and the People drank; He multiplied bread in the wilderness for the crowds and satisfied thousands. 40 With [the touch of] His clothing, He stopped the afflicted woman’s flow of blood, 41 and He gave the Samaritan woman life 42 when she met Him. 43 [From the daughter] of the Canaanite woman He cast out the demon that was harassing her, 44
Jacob sets the scene for the Abgar Legend, beginning with Jesus’s healing ministry and then his rejection by the People. 39 John 2:1–11. 40 Matt 14:13–21; Mark 6:32–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:5–13. 41 Matt 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:42–48. 42 “life” or “salvation.” 43 Cf. John 4:7–30. 44 Matt 15:22–28; cf. Mark 7:24–30. 38
29 80
85
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܣܓܝ ܰܪ ܶ ܒܗܬ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳ ܚܡܗ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܰܐ ܺ ܟܡܐ ܳܣܢܶܐ ܶܠܗ܀ ܘܗ ܶܠܟ ܰ 45ܒ ܳ ܐܣܝ ܺܟ ܶ ܐܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܣܝܐ ܰ ܢܚܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܐ ܳ ܶ ܐܒܝ̈ ̇ܗ܆ ܥܨܒ ܽܫ ̈ܘܚܢܶܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܽܟ ܳ ܘ�ܗܢܶܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܦܩ ܰܕ ̈ܝ ܶܘܐ. ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܐܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܘܕ ܺܟܝ ܰܓ ܶ ܐܚܠܡ ܰܡ�ܥܶܐ ܰ �ܒܐ܆ ܘܛܪܕ ܫ ܰ ̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܦܬܚ �ܣܡ ܳܝܐ ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܽܚܘ�ܡܢܐ �ܡܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܡܪܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ ܶܘܐܫܬܝ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ܆ ܫܚܠܦ ܡܝܐ �ܚ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܣܓܝ ܰܠ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰܐ ܺ ܚܡܐ ܒܕܒܪܐ �ܟܢܫܐ ܘܣܒܥ ܐܠܦܐ .46 ܳ ܳ ܕܡܐ ܺ ܬܪ ܳ ܘܫܗ ܰܠ ܳ ܟ� ܰܒ ܽ ܝܥܐ ܰܕ ܰ �ܒ ܶ ܡܡ ܰܚܝܬܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܦ ܰ ܓܥܬ ܶܒܗ. ܘ�ܫܡܪ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܐܦܩ ܺܫ ܳܐܕ ܐ ܳ ܕܫ ܶܚܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܕܟܢܥܢ
ܶ
ܰܗ ܶܠܟ M7 ܐܢܘܢ M7
45 46
30 90
95
100
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and He granted forgiveness to the sinful woman who came in to Him. 47 With His word He stretched out the woman who was bent by illness, 48 and to the paralytic man He gave forgiveness of sins as well as health. 49 The leprous man asked and was cleansed of impurity, 50 and with clay He opened the eyes of the blind man, and he saw light. 51 He healed the man who was unable to speak, 52 was blind, and had a demon, and He resuscitated the dead boy in the funeral procession 53 and gave him to his mother. 54 He snatched the girl from the mouth of death and gave her to her father, 55 and [even] after Lazarus had begun to rot, He called him, and he came out. 56 Even after these miracles that the Son of God performed, the People hated Him and rejected all His good deeds. They denied Him though He was healing their infirmities, and they reviled Him though He was increasing their health. They hated Him when He bandaged their wounds, and they fled from Him so that He could not visit and cure them.
Luke 7:36–50. Luke 13:10–13. 49 Matt 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26. 50 Matt 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16. 51 Mark 8:22–26. 52 Cf. Mark 7:31–35. 53 “the funeral procession”: lit. “the way of the grave.” 54 Luke 7:11–17. 55 Matt 9:18–19, 23–25; Mark 5:22–24, 35–43; Luke 8:41–42, 49–56. 56 John 11:38–44. 47 48
31 90
95
100
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܘ�ܚܛ ܘܒܩ ܳܢܐ ܕܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܦܫܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܡܠܬܗ �ܗܝ ܕܟܦܝܦܐ ܡܢ ܟܘܪܗܢܐ܆ ܪ�ܐ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܒܩܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰܥܡ ܽܚ ܳ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܫ ܳ ܰ ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ. ܳ ܐܬܕ ܺܟܝ ܰܓ ܳ ܪܒܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܛ ܽ ܒܪܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܳ ܨܒܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܘܬ ܐ 57܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܚܙ ܐ ܽܢ ܳ ܬܚܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܒܛ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܦ ܶ ܘܗܪܐ. ܘ�ܗܘ ܣܡܝܐ ܶ ܶ ܰܐ ܺܣܝ ܰܓ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܒܪܐ ܰܕܚܪܫ ܘܥܘܝܪ ܘܐܝܬ ܠܗ ܕܝܘܐ܆ ܰܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܗܒܗ � ܶܡܗ. ܘܢܚܡ ܡܝܬܐ ܒܐܘܪܚܗ ܕܩܒܪܐ ܘ� ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰܽ 58 ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܦܘܡ ܡܘܬ ܐ ܘ�ܗܒ ̇ܗ �ܒ ̇ ܘܗ܆ ܐܥܕܝ ܛܠ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܠ� ܳ� ܳܙܪ ܳܒܬܪ ܰܕܣܪܝ ܩܪ ܐ ܠܗ ܰܘܢܦܩ܀ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܬܪ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܶ� ܰܕ ܰ ܣܥܪ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܘܒ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܽ 59 ܳ ܣܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܥܡܐ ܘܛܠܡ ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܫܦܝ�ܬܗ. ܐܣܐ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܠ ܺ ܺ ܟ� ܰ ܝܗ ܽܝܗܘܢ܆ ܳܟܦܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ̱ �ܡ ܰܢ ܽ ܣܓܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܨ ܶܚܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ. ܬܒ ܰ ܳܣܢܶܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܳܡܐ ܳ ܕ�ܨܶܒ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܠ ܺ ܝ� ܽܝܗܘܢ܆ ܳ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶܽ 60 ܪܩܝܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܽ ܘܥ ܺ ܳ ܣܥܘܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘܢܚܠܡ ܐܢܘܢ.
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܛܡܐܐ ܡܢ
ܛ ܽܡܐܘܬܗ M7 58 ܰ ܘܚ ܺܕܝ M7 59 ܰܘܛܥܐ M7 ܰ ܶ 60 ܕܢܚܠܡ M7 57
32 105
110
115
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He cures diseases, and they make Him mount the cross; He feeds the hungry, and they present Him with gall to eat. 61 He makes wine, and they mix vinegar for Him to drink; 62 He casts out evil spirits, and they call Him “madman” 63 every day. He does miracles, and they revile Him with their blasphemies; He revives the dead, and they clamor for Him in order to put Him to death. 64 These tidings troubled the just King Abgar, and he vehemently condemned the children of the People as so many oppressors. The great light of faith dawned in his soul, and regarding the Son he knew that He is the Son of God, and He is God. He was fervent in his love, and he sent [a letter] to Him to persuade Him 65 to leave Zion, the rejector of all His good deeds. With discernment that wise man wrote a letter, all of which is full of light, love, and faith. Here the king’s message abstains from flattery,
Matt 27:34. Matt 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36. 63 Cf. John 20:10. 64 Matt 27:20–23; Mark 15:11–14; Luke 23:18–24. 65 “to persuade him”: lit. “for his knowledge” or “for his acquaintance.” 61 62
33 105
110
115
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܶ ܺ ̈ܶ ܟܒܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܺ ܐܒܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܪ ܺ ܨܠ ܳ ܝܒܐ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܡܚܠܡ ܟ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܡܬ ܶ ܪܣܐ �ܟܦܢܐ ܘܡܛܝܒܝܢ ܠܗ ܡܪ ܪܐ ܢܐܟܘܠ. ܳ ܶ ܡܚ ܺ ܳܥ ܶܒܕ ܰܚ ܳ ܡܪܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܪܦܝܢ ܶ 66ܠܗ ܰܚܐ� 67ܢܶܫܬܐ܆ ܰܡ ܶܦܩ ܰܕ ̈ܝ ܶܘܐ ܳ ܘܩ ܶܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܳܫ ܳܢܝܐ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ. ܒܓ ܳ ܳܣ ܰܥܪ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܶ� ܰܘ ܰ ܡܨ ܶܚܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܽ ܘܕ ܰܦܝ̈ ܽܗܘܢ܆ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܰܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܝܒܝܢ ܰ ܬܐ ܳܘܪ ܺ ܢܡܝܬ ܳܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ܀ ܘܗܝ ܕ ܡܢܚܡ ܡܝ ܥ� ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝ �ܒܓܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܟܐܢܐ܆ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܛܐܒܐ 68ܫܚܩ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܟܡܐ ܳܛ ܽ� ܺ ܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳ ܰܘ ܺ ܐܣܓܝ ܒܣܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠ ܘܡܝܢ .69 ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰܕܢܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܢܦܫܗ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܪܒܐ ܕܗ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐܦ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ .70 ܘ�ܕܥܗ ܠܒܪܐ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܪܬܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽ ܒܚܘܒܗ ܰ 71 ܘܗܝ �ܡܦܣܘܬܗ܆ ܘܫ ܰܕܪ ܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܶ ܰܕܢ ܶ �ܡܬ ܽܟ ܶ ܗ�ܘܢ ܳܛ ܰ ܝܗ � 72ܨܶ ܽ ܪܦ ̇ �ܗܝܢ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳܝ�ܬܗ. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳܽ ܽ ܳ ܘܫܘܬ ܐ 73܆ ܥܒܕ ܐܓܪܬ ܐ ܗܘ ܚܟܝܡܐ ܒܦܪ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܕܡ�ܝܐ ܟܠ ̇ܗ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܘܚܘܒܐ ܘܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܀ ܳܗ ܳܪܟܐ ܳܦܫ ܶܠܗ ܺܡ ܶ ܳ ܕܡ ܳ ܐܡܪܗ ܰ �ܟܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܩ ̈ܘ� ܶܣܐ܆
ܘܚܪܦܝܢ ܰ ܳ ܗܘܘ M7 ܰ ܶܚ� M7 ̈ 68 ܛܒܐ M7 ܳ ̈ 69 ܛ�ܘ ܺܡܝܢ M7 70 M7 om. 71 ܒܚܘܒܐ M7 ܰܢ ܺ 72 ܪܦ ̇ ܝܗ M7 73 ܰܒܩܢܘܡܗ ܰ ܒܚܟܝܡܘܬܐ M7 66 67
ܽܗܘ
34 120
125
130
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and the humility of the Son of God is celebrated with love. The mind is amazed at how much the Most High humbled Himself, and it hesitates to utter a word about His humble state. Give praise, O heavens, and sing praise, all the earth, for the Lord of heaven walked on the earth like an earthly being! The Son of the Rich One associated Himself with the poor, and for their sake He lived according to their customs. The Lord of the heights humbled Himself to be among us, and within the deep He went about like those below. He associated with human beings, and they followed Him as companions— He who restrained the cherubim with great quaking by His glory! He showed Himself 74 to the world face to face— He from whose flame the seraphim are hidden by [their] wings! He lowered Himself to be numbered among human beings— He who with His Begetter created the first human beings!
“himself” or “his person.” In certain contexts, the term is synonymous with “hypostasis.”
74
35 120
125
130
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܘܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܒܚ ܳ ܰ ܝܟܘܬܶܗ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܽ ܘܒܐ 75ܢܶ ܰ ܨܚܬ܀ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܬܗܪ ܠܗ ܗܘܢܐ ܟܡܐ ܐܬܬܚܬܝ ܰܗܘ ܥܶ ܳ� ܳܝܐ 76܆ �ܡ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܰ�ܥܠ ܽܡ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܺ ܐܡܪܐ ܰ ܘܟ ܶܟܗ܀ ܟܠܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܘܒܚܐ ܰܐ ܳ ܰ ܚܝ ܰܘ ܰܙܡܪ ̱ܝ ܽܫ ܳ ܟܝ܆ ܪܥܐ ܽ 77ܟ ܶܠ ̱ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܫ ܰܒ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܐܝܟ ܐ ܳ ܪ� ܳܢܐ ܰܗ ܶܠܟ ܰܒ ܳ ܳ ܕܡ ܶܪܐ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ 78܀ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܬ ܳܝܪܐ ܰ ܚܠܛ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܰܥܡ ܶܡ ̈ܣ ܺܟܢܶܐ܆ ܒܪ ܥ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܘܡܛܠܬܗܘܢ ܡܬܕܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܥ�ܕܝܗܘܢ. ܬܡ ܰܟܟ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܳܡ ܶܪܐ ܰ� ܶ ܘܡܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܚܬ�̈ܶܐ ܶ 79ܡ ܰ ܘܒܓܘ ܥܘܡܩܐ ܐܝܟ ܬ ܬܗ ܰܦܟ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܶܐ ܰ �ܚܒ�ܐ 80܆ ܬܚ ܰܠܛ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܒ ̱ܐ ܳܢ ̈ܫܐ ܰܘܢܩܦ ̱ܺ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܽ ܒܙ ܳ ܟ� ܶ ܘܒܐ ܰ ܘܥܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܟܕܢ � ܳܝܩ ܶܪܗ. ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܽ ̈ܺ ܰ 81 ܰܚ ܺܘܝ �ܥ�ܡܐ ܩܢܘܡܗ ܐܦܝܢ ܠ ܘܩܒܠ ܐ ̈ܦܝܢ܆ ܶ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܒܓ ̈ܶܦܐ ܰ ܣ� ܶܦܐ ܶ ܡܚ ܶܦܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܗ .82 ܬ� ܰܚܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܢ� ܳܢܐ ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳ ̈ܫܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܶܐ ܰ ܒܡ ܳ ܗܘܐ܆ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܒܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ �� ܳܢ ܳ ̈ܫܐ ܰܩ ̈ܕ ܶܡܐ ܰ 83ܥܡ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܘܕܗ.
ܰ ܒܗܘ
ܶܒܫܘܦ�ܐ M7 ܰ ܶܳ ܥܠܝܐ ܟܡܐ ܐܬܬܚܬܝ M7 ܰ 77 ܐܪܥܐ ܫܘܒܚܐ M7 ܶ 78 ܒܐܪܥܐ ܰܗܠܟ M7 ܰ ܳ 79 ܬܚܬܝܐ M7 80 ܰܕ ܰ �ܚܒܪܐ M7 ܳ 81 ܩܢܘܡܗ �ܥܠܡܐ M7 ܰ 82 ܪܒܘܬܗ M7 ܰ ܳ 83 �ܢܫܐ ܩܕܡܐ M7 75 76
36 135
140
145
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He set forth and walked on the earth like a human— He by whose span the earth was measured when it was created! 84 [He is] hidden in the heights from the legions of heavenly beings but revealed down below 85 to the crowds of people who follow Him. He blinds the watchers if they look at Him, so they cannot see Him; He gladdens human beings, and they tell Him to bandage them. Among the heavenly beings He is powerful, awesome, and terrifying, but among the lowly He is humble, sociable, and tolerant. For at one time, He even reclines among tax collectors at a feast, 86 and at another, they make Him a guest at a wedding banquet. 87 In one place, He asked a woman for water to drink; 88 in another part, a woman who approached Him kissed His feet. 89 At one time, they demand the poll tax from Him, 90 and there is another when they mingle with Him at suppers. He was accustomed to people and drew them near,
Cf. Isa 40:12. “down below”: lit. “in the depth.” 86 Matt 9:10–12; Mark 2:12–17; Luke 5:29–32. 87 John 2:1–2. 88 John 4:7. 89 Luke 7:37–38. 90 Matt 17:24. 84 85
37 135
140
145
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ ܐܝܟ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ 91܆ �ܒܟ ܐܘ�ܚܬܐ ܘܗܠܟ ܒ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܗܘ ܕܡܫܝܚܐ ܐܪܥܐ ܒܙܪܬܗ ܟܕ ܐܬܒܪ�ܬ. ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܫܡ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ܆ ܓܢܝܙ ܒܡ�ܘܡܐ ܡܢ ܠܓ�ܘ ܢܐ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܓ� ܽ ܶ ܺ ܘܡܩܐ ܶ ܒܥ ܳ ܘ �ܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫܐ ܰܕܢܩܝܦܝܢ ܠܗ. ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ �ܥܝ�ܐ ܡܓܗܪ ܐܢ ܳ 92ܚܝܪܝܢ ܒܗ ܘ� ܳ 93ܚܙܝܢ ܠܗ܆ ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܥܨܘܒ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ��ܢܫܐ ܡܦܨܚ ܘܡܡܠܝܢ ܠܗ ܢ ܽ ܺ ܶܒܝܬ ܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܶܐ ܰ� ܺܙܝܙ ܰܘ ܺ ܕܚܝܠ ܰܘܡܙܝܥ �ܗܘܢ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰ 94 ܚܠܝܛ ܰܘ ܺ ܚܬ�̈ܶܐ ܰܡ ܺܟܝܟ ܰܘ ܺ ܛܥܝܢ ܽ �ܗܘܢ. ܘܒܝܬ ܬ ܳ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܓܝܪ ܐ ܳ ܝܟܐ ܳܕܐܦ ܶܒܝܬ ܳ 95ܡܟ ܶܣܐ ܓܢܐ ܒܫܪܘܬ ܐ܆ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܺܙܡ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ 96ܥ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܺܘܐܝܬ ܬܘܒ ܐܝܟܐ ܕܒܡܫܬ ܒܕ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܒ ܳ ܚܕܐ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܶܫܐܠ ܶܡܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܬ ܐ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ ܕܢܶܫܬܐ 97܆ ܒܓ ܳܒܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܕܐ ܶ ܫܩܬ ܶ� ܰ ܪܒܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܢ ܰ ܕܩ ܰ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܳ ܘܗܝ .98 ܓ� ̱ ܺ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܝܫܐ ܬ ܺ ܐܝܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܐ ܳ ܝܟܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܟܣܦ ܪ ܳ ܒܥܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ܆ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܺ ܺ 100 ܚܠܝܛܝܢ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ. ܺܘܐܝܬ ܬܘܒ 99ܐ ܰܡܬ ̱ܝ ܕܒܚܫܡܝܬܐ ܶ ܰ�ܝܶܕ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܠ ܰ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܘ ܶܐܩܦ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆
ܰ ܰ ܳ
ܒܐܬܪܢ ܐܪܥܢܐܝܬ M7 92 ܶܘܐܢ M7 93 � M7 ܰ 94 ܘܥܡ M7 95 ܰܥܡ M7 96 ܣܡܝܟܐ M7 97 ܢܶܫܬܐ M7 ܶ� ܰ ܓ�ܘܗܝ ܰܢ ܰ 98 ܫܩܬ M7 99 ̱ܗܘ M7 ܰ ܕܒ ܳ 100 ܚܫܡܝܬܐ M7 91
38 150
155
160
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and He mixed them with Him through [His] words and deeds. He came after them to bring them to His Begetter; He came down to them to bring them up on high with Him. He was like them in order to make them like Him; He became like them so that they would consider Him and become like Him. All these things that are proper to us [humans] He perfected while redeeming us in every way so that we might live because of Him. He adopted the customs of humans when He lowered Himself, so that He even received a letter according to the custom of [our] place. The faith of Abgar advanced over the hills, for though he was a [mere] human, he wrote a letter to God. Love made bold, and boldness did not reflect whether he may make his way blamelessly. 101 There is never a blemish in the deeds of love— [love] is wholly 102 exalted above blemishes and faults.
Jacob addresses the question of whether it is presumptuous for a human being to write a letter to God, but he excuses Abgar’s bold action because he acted with love. 102 “is wholly”: lit. “all of it.” 101
39 150
155
160
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ܶ ܒܣ ܳ ܒܡ ܶ� ܰܘ ܽ ܘܥ� ܢܶܐ. ܚܠܛ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܘ ܶܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܐ̱ܙܠ ܒܬܪܗܘܢ ܕܢܝܬܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܨܝܕ ��ܘܕܗ܆ ܢܚܬ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܰܕܢ ܶܣܩ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰ �ܪ ܳ ܶ ܘܗܝ. ܘܡܐ ܶ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܶ ܟܘ ܽ ܐܟܘܬܗ ܢܶ ܶ ܬܗܘܢ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܐ ܳ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ �ܗܘܢ ܰܕ ܽܢܚ ܽ ܬܕ ܺܡܝ ܽ ܘܪܘܢ ܶܒܗ ܘܢܶ ܰ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܕ ܽܡܘܢ ܶܠܗ. ܝܠܢ ܰܫ ܺ �ܗܝܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܺܕ ܰ ܽܟ ܶ ܡܠܝ ܰܟܕ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܰܠܢ܆ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܒܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܽܦ ܶ ܘ�ܣܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܚܢܢ ܺܢ ܶ ܐܚܐ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ .103 ܶ ܰ ܺ ܥ� ̈ܕܶܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܳܪܕܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܟܕ ܐܬܬܚܬܝ 104܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܢ ܽܡܘ ܶܣܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܕܐܦ ܐܓ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܰ 105ܩ ܶܒܠ܀ ܰ ܳܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ ܕܐܒܓܪ ܦܣܥܬ ܥܠ �ܡܬܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܐ ܰܓܪܬ ܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܀ ܰܕܟܕ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܰܫܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܽܚ ܳ ܬܚ ܰ ܡܪܚ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܰ ܫܒܬ ܰܡ ܳܪ ܽܚܘܬ ܐ܆ ܕܫ ܺܠܝܛ ܽܗܘ ܶܠܗ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܘܪܚܗ ܳܕ� ܥܶ ܳ ܣܥܘܪ ܽܐ ܶ ܰ ܕ� ܳܝܐ. ̱ ܽ ܘܡܐ ܰܒ ܺ ܳ� ܺܐܝܬ ܽܡ ܳ ܕܚ ܳ ܥܒ ̈� ܳܕܬܶܗ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܶܡܡܬܘܡ 106܆ ܳܕܪܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܳܐܦ ܶܡܢ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܶ� ̈ܕ ܳ�ܝܶܐ܀
ܰ ܰܕܒܢ̈ܝ
ܶ ܶ ܽ ܒܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܥܡܗ M7 ܰܢܗܘܐ ܶ ܰ ܐܬܪܐ ܕܐܬܬܚܬܝ ܠܗ M7 ܰ 105 ܐܬܪܐ M7 106 ܶܡܢ ܡܬܘܡ M7 103 104
40 165
170
175
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Now, if an infant takes hold of the breast and his mother refuses to let him nurse, he cries, strikes, and tears at her. He scrapes her body and, if she allows him, even scratches her, but since she knows that love impels him, she laughs at his attack. As he makes a quarrel with her, she endures him, for he has her love even when he has a tantrum, and she does not hate him. Who can censure love wherever it is [found]? For whether one extols [it] or treats [it] shamefully, it is not to blame. In its anger is peace and in its quarrelling heartfelt joy; to the one who knows it, its honor is cherished and its smallness is not detestable. Everything proper to [love] 107 is above complaint, and no one can complain, censure, or revile it. With a great love that is higher and more exalted than blame, a human stepped forward 108 and wrote a letter to God. By the hearing of the ear faith crept near [and] entered,
107 108
“love”: lit. “it” (masc). “stepped forward” or “presumed.”
41 165
170
175
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ �ܒܘܟ ܰܠ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܕܫ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܢܶ ܽ ܶܐ ܽܢܗܘ ܰ ܝܘܗܝ ܐ ܶܡܗ܆ ܬܕܐ ܘܬܟܠ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܡܢܬܫ ܳܠ ̇ܗ. ܕܢܐܢܩ ܚ�ܒܐ ܡ�ܪܚ ܡܚܐ ܘ ܳ ܳ ܘܫܡ ̇ܗ ܶܘܐܢ ܳܫ ܳ ܳܚ ܶܪܛ ܽܓ ܳ ܒܩܐ ܶܠܗ ܐܦ ܬ ܰܠܚ ܳܠ ̇ܗ 109܆ ܽ ܡܙܝܥ ܶܠܗ ܳܓ ܳ ܰܘ ܳܕ� ܳ ܕܚ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܺ 110 ܕܥܐ ܶܠܗ ܽ ܚܟܐ �ܘܪܥܶܗ. ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܥ ܶܒܕ ܰܥ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ܰܘ ܺ ܛܥ ܳܝܢܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܐܝܟ ܡܨ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܕܚܘܒ ̇ܗ ܒܗ ̱ܗܘ ܐܦ ܟܕ ܢ� ܐ ܘ� ܣܢܝܐ ܠܗ. ܰ ܘܒܐ ܰܐ ܳ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ܰ �ܚ ܳ ܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܶ ܪܫܐ ܽ ܘܗܝ܆ ܝܟܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ ܐܦܢ ܰܡ ܶ ܳܕ ܶ ܘܪܒ ܳܐ ܶܦܢ ܰܡ ܰ ܙܥܪ ܳ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܓܢܶܐ. ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܒܡ ܽܨܘܬܗ ܰܚ ܽܕܘܬ ܳ �ܶ 111ܒܐ܆ ܒܪܘܓܙܗ ܫܝܢܐ ܘ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܪܚܝܡ ܺܐ ܳܝܩ ܶܪܗ ܳܘ� ܣܢܐ ܰܨܥܪܗ ܠ ܳ ܕܝ ܰܕܥ 112ܠܗ. ܽ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܕܝܠܗ �ܡܢ ܐܢܝܢ ܡܢ ܡܪܫܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܳܘ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܶܡ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܥܕܘܠ ܢܶ ܶ ܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܽ ܶ ܝܘܗܝ܀ ܝܘܗܝ ܐܘ ܕܢܨܚ ̱ ܪܫ ̱ ܡܥ ܰܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܥܶ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܳܕܪܡ ܰܘ ܰ ܒܚ ܳ ܽ ܕ� ܳܝܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܐ ܰܓܪܬ ܐ. ܘܨܝܕ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ ܦܣܥ ܒܪܢܫܐ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶܰ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܒܡܫܡܥ ܐܕܢܐ ܪܚܫܬ ܥܠܬ ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆
̇ ܠܒܘܫܗ ܳܣ ܶܕܩ M7 ܰܘ ܳܕ�ܕܥܐ ̇ ܠܗ ܽܚܘܒܐ M7 ܰܚ ܰ 111 ܕܘܬ M7 ܰ ܳ 112 ܠܕܪ ܶܚܡ M7 109 110
42 180
185
190
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and a door opened in Abgar’s soul, and he saw lights. His thoughts were enlightened, and he looked out and saw spiritually the Son who mightily performs miracles with His word. He saw Him and recognized Him, and though he did not [literally] see Him, 113 he regarded Him, for faith is accustomed to gaze upon hidden things. The man was enlightened by a movement of divine love, and though he was far away, he drew near to Christ and saw His light. And in a darkness that was full of love and faith, he wrote a letter and sent it to Him affectionately. At the beginning of the letter, he wrote “peace” 114 as a pledge, for peace is the gateway to all the virtues. “I have heard about the miracles that You do, my Lord, for the sick, and I am very amazed by Your wondrous ability to heal! For You do not heal diseases with herbs or with medicines, but, behold, by Your word 115 You perform all heroic acts.
The variant omits negative particle: “and when he saw him.” In the Abgar Legend, Abgar greets Jesus with the words, “My Lord, peace.” See G. Howard (trans.), The Teaching of Addai, 6–9, for the contents of Abgar’s letter. See also Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History I.13. 115 Eusebius notes that Jesus heals without herbs and medicines, and the Doctrine of Addai adds that he does so “by his word.” 113 114
43 180
185
190
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܶ ܬܚܬ ܰܬ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܒܢ ܶ ܘܦ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܘܚ ܳܙ ܐ ܽܢܘܗ�ܐ .116 ܽ ܳ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܺܐܕܝܩ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܚ ܳܢܐܝܬ܆ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܪ ܰܢܗܪ ̱ܘ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܰܒ ̱ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܳ ܒܡܠܬܗ ܰ 117ܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܳܪܐܝܬ. ܕܣ ܰܥܪ ܰܚ ̈ܝ� ܳ ܰ ܘ�ܕܥܶܗ ܰ ܘܟܕ � ܳ ܳ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ 118ܒܗ ܳܚܐܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܰܕܗ ܳ ܡ� ܳܕܐ ܰ 119ܕ ܺ ܬܕܝܩ ܰ 120ܥܠ ܰܟ ̈ܣ ܳܝܬܐ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ 121 ܘܒܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗ ܳ�ܐ܆ ܢܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܓܒܪܐ ܒܙܘܥܐ ܕܚ ܶ ܘܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܩܪܒ ܰܠܡܫܝܚܐ ܘܚܙ ܐ ܢܘܗܪܗ .122 ̱ ܰ ܶܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܘܒܚܫܘܟܐ ܕܡ� ܚܘܒܐ ܘܗ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܝܒܐܝܬ܀ 123 ܘܫ ܰܕܪ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ܟܬܒ ܐܓ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܒܪܝܫ ܐܓܪܬ ܐ ܟܬܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܫ�ܡܐ ܐܝܟ ܪܗܒܘܢܐ܆ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܽ ܘ�ܘ ܳ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰܬ ܳ �ܟ ܶ ܽܕܗ ܽ �ܗܝܢ ܰ 124ܫ ܺܦ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܕܣ ܰܥܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܰܒ ̈ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ܆ ܫܡܥܬ ܚܝ� ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ �ܝܬ ܬܶܗܪܐܳ. ܘܬܟ ܰܡ ܰ ܘܬܗܪܬ ܣܓܝ ܥܠ ܐܣܝ ܶ ܒܣ ̈ܡ ܳܡܢܶܐ ܺܟ ̈ ܐܒܐ ܰܡ ܶ ܳܕ� ܒܥܶ ܳܩ ܶ� ܐ ܳܘ� ܰ ܐܣܝܬ܆ ܰ ܶܳ ܶ ܳ ܒܡܠܬܟ ܳܗܐ ܳܣ ܰܥܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܽ 125ܟܠ ܶ�ܨ̈ ܳܚ ܺܢܝܢ. ܐ�
ܳ
ܶܐ ܰܓܪܬܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܰܕܪ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ
ܰܘܡ� ܢܘܗܪܐ M7 ܶ 117 ܒܡܠܬܐ M7 ܶ 118 ܚܙ ܐ ܠܗ M7 119 ̱ܗܝ M7 add. 120 ܰܕܬܕܝܩܝ M7 ܰ̈ 121 ܒܙܘܥܐ M7 122 ܫܘܒܚܗ M7 ܰ 123 ܠܡܫܝܚܐ Marg. ܽ ܶ 124 ܕܟ�ܗܝܢ M7 ܰ 125 ܳܣܥܪ ܰܚܝܠܟ M7 116
44 195
200
205
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
You heal diseases, and the sick are cured by You; You cleanse lepers, and You even open [the eyes of] the blind. The lame run [and] the deaf hear at Your command; evil spirits depart, and demons flee by Your authority. All who are afflicted are relieved by You when they look at You; all healings proceed from You to the one in need. You raise the dead and even resuscitate those who are [already] buried, so who is able to speak about the wonders of what You do? I heard these things, and I understood, my Lord, that You are God, for [only] God can do what You do. Heaven is Your place, yet You walked upon the earth by Your will; in the height is Your dwelling, but You descended to the earth from what is proper to You. 126 You are higher than the world, and Your love drew You to those below; You are a great and heavenly healer, and You do all [these things]. You are the Son of God—indeed truly God—
126
Cf. Phil 2:6–8.
45 195
200
205
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܺ ̈ܶ ܬܚ ܺ ܐܒܐ ܰ 127ܡ ܶ ܐܣܝܬ ܰܘ ̈ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܳܒܟ ܶܡ ܰ �ܡܝܢ܆ ܟ ܰ ܶ ܰܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܓ�ܒܐ ܡܕܟܝܬ ܘܡܦܬܚ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܐܦ �ܣܡܝܐ. ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܗܛܝܢ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ܶܓܐ ܳ 128ܫ ܺ ܡܥܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܩܕ ܳܢܟ܆ ܚܓܝ�ܐ ܪ ܳܳ ܶ ܶ ܳܢ ܺ ܺ ̈ ̈ ܳ ܦܩܝܢ ܰܕܝܘܐ ܘܥܪܩܝܢ ܺܫܐܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܫܘܠܛܢܟ. ܽܟܠ ܰܕ ܺܐܠ ܺܝܨܝܢ ܳܒܟ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܪ ܺ ܘܚܝܢ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܚ ܶܙܝܢ ܳܠܟ܆ ܽܟܠ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܡ ܺܢܝܢ ܳ 129ܪ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܣܢܝܩ. ܺ ̈ ܶ ܩܒ ܶ ܬܐ ܺ ܡܢ ܶܚܡ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܐܦ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܩܝܡ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܝ�ܐ܆ ܡܝ ܰܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܘܡܢܘ ܡܘܦܐ ܢܡܠܠ�ܬܗ� ܐ ܕܣܥܘܪܘܬܟ. ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܗܠܝܢ ܫܡܥܬ ܘܐܣܬܟܠܬ ܡܪ ̱ܝ ܕܐ�ܗܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ 130 ܰ ܕܣ ܰܥܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ. ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܓܝܪ ܡܫܟܚ ܣܥܪ ܡܐ ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ܗܘ ܰܐ ܳ ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܰܒ ܳ ܰ ܬܪܟ ܰܘܒܨܶ ܳ ܐܪܥܐ ܰܗ ܶܠܟܬ܆ ̱ ܪܥܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܕ ܳ ܘܡܐ ̱ܗܘ ܽܥ ܳ ܢܚܬܬ ܰ� ܳ ܰ ܒܪ ܰ ܘܡܪܟ ܰ ܘܕ ܶ ܝܠܟ ܺ ̱ܗܝ. ܰ ܳ ܓܕܟ ܽܚ ܳ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܥ ܰ �ܡܐ 131ܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܘܢ ܳ ܘܒܟ ܶܨܝܕ ܬܚܬ�̈ܶܐ܆ ܰ ܫܡ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܽ ܣܝܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܳܐ ܰ ܘܟܠ ܳ 132ܣ ܰܥܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ. ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܐܦ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰ 133ܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐܝܬ܆
ܟ�ܝܗܐ M7 ܰܚ�ܫܐ M7 ܽܕܟܠ ̈ ܚܘ ܳ 129 �ܡܢܶܐ M7 ܶ 130 ܢܣܥܘܕ M7 ܳ 131 ܥܠ� ܡܐ M7 ܽ 132 ܕܟܠ M7 ܰ ܰܳ 133 ܐܘ ܐܠܗܐ ܐܢܬ M7 127 128
46 210
215
220
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
as the miracles and wonders performed by You attest. So, because of these things, while worshipping, I have written and asked You to come to me so that You may also heal me, which is easy for You. In accordance with my faith, come and visit me, and I will be healed by You, for it is Your work to heal all who are ill every day. Also, I heard, my Lord, about the Jews, how rash they are, and every day they complain about Your good deeds when they are being done. They are constructing a cross, and, behold, they are eager to harm You; they are greatly threatening [You]—come to me and leave them! I have a small city, sufficient for both You and me— come, let us dwell in it in a peace that is far from the Jews. Leave the People who reject all these good deeds, and come to the Peoples who are waiting for You and visit them. Leave Jerusalem, which rashly abused You, and come to Edessa, which receives You lovingly.
47 210
215
220
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܺ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܣܬ ܳ ܥ�ܢ ܳܒܟ. ܘܣܗܕܝܢ ܚܝ� ܘܬܡܝܗܬ ܐ ܕܡ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܶ 134ܟ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܬܒܬ ܘܒܥܝܬ ܟܕ ܣܓܕ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܺ ܕܬܐܬܶ ܐ ܶܨ ܰܝܕܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܺ 135ܠܝ ܰܬ ܶ ܝܢܝ ܰܕ ܺ ܦܫܝܩ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ. ܐܣ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܗ ܳ ܐܬ ܶ ܐܣܐ ܳܒܟ܆ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ̱ܝ ܬ ܐ ܣܥܘܪ ܐܦ ܠܝ ܘ ܰ �ܝܘܡ ܽܟܠ ܰܕ ܺ ܕܬ ܶ ܟܪ ܺ ܳ ܚܠܡ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܗܝܢ. ܥܒ ܳܕܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܶܫܡܥܶܬ ܽܬܘܒ ܰܥܠ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܳ ܟܡܐ ܰܡ ܳܪ ܺܚܝܢ܆ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܣܬ ܳ ܥ�ܢ. ܘܟ�ܝܘܡ ܪܛܢܝܢ ܥܠ ܛܒܬܟ ܟܕ ܡ ܺ ܺܙܩ ܳ �ܡ ܰ ܝܦܐ ܰ ܟܒܝܢ ܰܘ ܶ ܡܪ ܺ ܣܪܚ ܳܒܟ ܳܗܐ ܰ� ܺܨܝܦܝܢ܆ ܶ ܓܙܡ ܳܓ ܺ ܙܡܝܢ ܳܬ ܐ ܳܠܟ ܶܨ ܰܝܕܝ ܰܘ ܽ ܶܡ ܰ ܫܒܘܩ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܽܙܥܘܪܬ ܐ ܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳܣ ܳ ܦܩܐ ܐܦ ܳܠܟ ܐܦ ܺܠܝ 136܆ ܳܡܕܝܢ̱ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܬ ܐ ܢܶܥܡܪ ܒ ̇ܗ ܒܫܝܢܐ 137ܕܪܚܝܩ ܡܢ ܝܘܕ�ܶܐ. ܳ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܦܐ ܰ �ܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܛ ܶܠܡ ܽ 138ܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ 139܆ ܳ ܶ ܡܣ ܶܟܝܢ ܳ 140ܠܟ ܰܘ ܽ ܘܬ ܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܣܥܘܪ 141ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܺ ܫܒܘܩ ܽ� ܺ ܘܪ ܶ ܡܨ ܳ ܽ ܝܫܠܡ ܰ 142ܕ ܰ ܥܪܐ ܳܠܟ ܰܡ ܳܪ ܳܚܐܝܬ܆ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܘܬ ܐ ܠܟ �ܘܪܗܝ ܕܡܩܒ� ܠܟ ܚܒܝܒܐܝܬ.
ܽ
ܶ
ܶܡܛ ܳ �ܗܠܝܢ M7 ܳ 135 ܐܦ M7 ܺ ܳ ܳ 136 ܠܝ ܐܦ ܠܟ M7 ܶ 137 ܒܫܠܝܐ M7 ܰ 138 ܕܛܠܡ M7 ܰ ܳ 139 ܫܦܝ�ܬܟ M7 ܶ ܕܗܐ ܰ 140 ܡܣܟܝܢ M7 ܶ 141 ܕܬܣܥܘܪ M7 ܶ 142 �ܘܪܫܠܡ M7 134
48 225
230
235
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Divorce the Daughter of the Hebrews who denies Your name, and come, betroth, and take for Yourself the Daughter of the Edessenes who longs to see You. 143 Go far away, my Lord, from the Jewish woman who is not content 144 with You, and come draw near to the Parthian woman who petitions You. Depart, my Lord, from the Daughter of the People who threatens You, and enter into a covenant with the Daughter of the Peoples for her to become Yours.” The mind is amazed at how much the Son of God humbled Himself, and all His humility is evident to me in all affairs. The countries and the cities belong to Him, [as do] the heights and the depths and all the outermost parts and their inhabitants. Everything is His, yet because He wished to lower Himself, He had no place where He could rest His head. 145 He fled to Egypt 146 and was persecuted in Judah, though it belonged to Him, and then the king of Edessa called Him to come to him. He had no place to dwell in our neighborhood—
Here Jacob anticipates the development of the theme of the “Two Daughters” later in the homily. 144 Reading ܪܥܝܐinstead of ܕܥܝܐ. 145 Matt 8:20; Luke 9:58. 146 Matt 2:13–15. 143
49 225
230
235
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
�ܒܪܬ ܥܶ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܽܕ ܳ ܒ��ܶܐ ܳܕܟܦ ܳܪܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܶ ܘ� ܳ� ܰ ܫܡܟ܆ ̱ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܽ ܘ�ܗ�ܶܐ ܳܕܪ ܳ ܡܟܘܪ ܰܣܒ ܳܠܟ ܰܒܪܬ ܽܐ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܚܙܝܟ. ̱ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܳܕ� ܰܕ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ ܥܝܐ ܳܒܟ܆ ܪܚܩ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܡܢ �ܘܕ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܡܦ ܳ ܝܣܐ ܳܠܟ. ܘܬ ܐ ܐܬܩܪܒ ܨܝܕ ܦܪܬܘ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܫ ܳܢܐ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܥܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܚܝܡܐ ܠܟ܆ ܗܘܐ ܺܕ ܳ ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܥܡ ܰܒܪܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܽܥܘܠ ܰܒ ܳ ܝܠܟ܀ 147 ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܟܡܐ ܐܬܬܚܬܝ܆ ܬܗܪ ܠܗ ܗܘܢܐ ܒܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ܰܕ ܽ ܒܟܠ�ܥܶ ܳܠ� ܢ ܽܟܠ ܽܡ ܳ ܘܟ ܶܟܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܶܘܐ ܺܠܝ. ܺ ܶ ܶܽ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܡܕ ̈� ܳܢܬܐ܆ ܕܝܠܗ ܐܢܘܢ ܐܬ�ܘܬ ܐ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܽ ̈ ܘܥ ̈ ܘܡܐ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܰ� ܶ ܘܡ ܶܩܐ 148ܘܟ�ܗܘܢ ܰܣܘܦܐ ܘܥܡܘ�ܝܗܘܢ. ܽܟܠ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܳ ܨܒܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܟܟ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܝܫܗ ܬ ܳܡܢ. � ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܕܘܟܬܐ ܕܢܣܡܘܟ ܪ ܝܗܘܕ ܰܟܕ ܺܕ ܶ ܶ �ܡ ܶ�ܪܝܢ ܳ� ܶܪܩ ܰ 149ܘ ܺܪܕܝܦ ܺܒ ܽ ܝܠܗ ܺ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܶ ܽ ܘܬܘܒ ܳܩ ܶܪܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܽܕ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܐܘܪܗܝ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܰܶ 150ܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܳ� ܺܐܝܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ܳ ܥܡܪ ܰܒ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܫܒ ܽܒܘܬܢ܆ ̱
ܶܫ ܰ �ܡܬ Marg. ܰ ܪܘܡܐ ܘܥܘܡܩܐ M7 ܰ 149 ܥܪܩ ܗܘܐ M7 ܺ 150 ܕܢܐܬܐ M7 147 148
50 240
245
250
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
the Son of the Mighty One through whom all the places were established! Zion, who persecuted Him though He healed her, injured [Him] and did not allow Him a resting place to abide with her. 151 The prince of this world 152 was jealous of the Son of God, who had come to His own, 153 and stirred up his forces against Him. The wicked shepherd made his dogs bark so that he may rip apart the Good Shepherd who came to rescue His flock 154 from him. The darkness arose [and] lifted up 155 its shadow against the light, and it drove off [the light] so that it will not remain in its vicinity. The Jews became the friends and kindred of the great serpent, and they rose up to capture the young Stag who hates creeping things. They hated Him, envied Him, reviled Him, [and] oppressed Him wickedly; they persecuted Him every day though His good deeds were many. They constructed a cross for Him to mount, while they raged because He had bandaged and cured the sick of their diseases.
Throughout the mimro, Jacob personifies Jerusalem and Edessa as young women, so I have kept the feminine pronoun. 152 Cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:2. See also lines 423–424. 153 Cf. John 1:11. 154 Cf. John 10:11. 155 ܙܩܦ: cognate forms are used for crucifixion in this passage. 151
51 240
245
250
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܐܝ ܰܕܘܗܝ ܽܟܠ ܰܐ ܰ ܕܣ ܺ �ܒܪ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܳܪܐ ܺ ܰ ܬ� ܳܘܢ. ܝܡܝܢ ܺܒ ̈ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܦܬܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܨܗ�ܘܢ ܣܪܚܬ ܕܪܕ ܐܣܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ 156܆ ܳ ܳܘ� �ܶ ܰ ܗܒܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܐܬܪ ܐ ܰ ܘܚܐ ܰ 157ܢܩ ܶܘܐ ܶܨ ܶ �ܢ ܳ ܝܕ ̇ܝܗ. ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܒܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܚܣܡ ܐܪܟܘܢܗ ܕܥ�ܡܐ ܗܢܐ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ �ܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܰܘ ܺ ܐܥܝܪ ܰ ܐܬ ܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܚܝ�ܘܬܗ. ܕ ܥ� ̱ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܪܥܝܐ ܒܝܫܐ ܐܒ ܘܗܝ ܕܢܒܣܒܣ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܚ ܟ�ܒ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ �ܪܥܝܐ ܛܒܐ ܕܐܬ ܐ ܕܢܦܪܘܩ �ܢܗ ܡܢܗ. ܳ ܳܩܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܟܐ ܰܙܩܦ ܶܛ ܳܠܶܗ ܽܠ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܽܢܘܗܪ ܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܫܒ ܽܒܘܬܗ. ܘܥܒܕܗ ܪܕܝܦܐ ܕ� ܢܟܬܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒ ܚܡܐ ܰܘ ̈ܶ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܳ� ܶ ܳ ܰ ܐܚܐ ܶ �ܚ ܳ ܘ�ܐ 158ܪܒܐ܆ ܳ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܰ 159ܕ ܽܢܨ ܽܘܕܘܢ ܰ� ܳܝ� ܰ ܥܠ ܳ ܝܡܐ ܳ ܕܣܢܶܐ ܰܪ ܳ ܚܫܐ. ܳܺ ܣܢ ܽܐܘܘܗܝ ܰ 160ܣ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܛ ܽ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܨ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰ� ܳܘ �ܝܬ܆ ܩܪ �ܡ ̱ ܚܝ ̱ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ ܰܟܕ ܛ ̈ܒܬܗ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ. ܪܕܦ ̱ ܰ ܰܪ ܶܟܒܘ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܪܟܒ ܰ 161ܟܕ ܶܡܫܬܢܶܝܢ܆ ̱ ̱ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܽ ܥܨܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘܐܚܠܡ ܟܐܒܐ ܰ 162ܕܟ� ܰ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܗܝܗܘܢ.
ܗܘܐ M7 ܰ ܘܢܘܚܐ M7 ܶ ܶ 158 �ܡܪܬܗ ܕܚܘܝܐ M7 ܳ 159 ܘܩܡ M7 ܰܽ 160 ܣܢܐܘܗܝ M7 ܕܢܶ ܰ 161 ܪܟܒ M7 ̈ 162 ܫܘܚܢܐ M7 156
ܰܚܒ�ܐ
157
52 255
260
265
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Who has seen a sick person who spat in the face of the healer, or a bruised person who strikes a blow to the one who bandages him? Who is there who was hungry and satisfied with bread by a benefactor, and [then] seized [him], treated him with contempt, and dishonored him again? Is there any blind person who saw the light that he had not seen, and [then] rises up to revile the good healer who bandaged him for free? In all these ways the People rejected our Lord, making itself a foolish sick person who flees every day from healing. And the wickedness of the People was made known in [other] regions so that even distant places became aware of their injustice. The iniquity in their soul became violently strong, and it grew branches that spread to the corners of the earth. Who revealed to King Abgar, who lived far away, that the People were seeking to crucify the Son, as he wrote to Him? 163 The chief priests and the scribes of the People, while raging,
Jacob’s curiosity about how Abgar learned about the secret plot against Jesus is unique. Eusebius just observes that many people far from Judea heard about Jesus and came to him for healing, and he illustrates his claim with Abgar’s story. In the Doctrina Addai, Abgar’s messengers stop in Jerusalem on their way home, hear about Jesus, and report what they have learned to the king. 163
53 255
260
265
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ̈ ܚܙ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܺ ܟܪ ܳ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶ ܝܗܐ ܰܕܪܩ ܶܠܗ ܳ �ܳ 164 ܘܗܝ܆ ܣܝܐ ܰܒܐܦ ̱ ܕܡ ܶܚܐ ܰܦ ܳܟܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܬܒ ܳ ܝܪܐ ܳ ܰܐܘ ܰܠ ܺ ܕ�ܨܶܒ ܶܠܗ. ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܕ ܶ ܣܒܥ ܰܠ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܙ ܽ� ܳ ܟܦܢ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܢܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܛܗ ܰ 165ܘ ܰ ܗܦܟ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰ 166ܠ ܰ ܘܐܚܕ ܫ ܡܨ ܳ� ܽܪܘ. ܥ� ̱ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܐܝܢܘ ܣܡܝܐ ܕܚܙ ܐ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܕ� ܚܙ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ܆ ܳ ܣܝܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܕܥ ܶ ܘܩܡ ܰܕ ܰܢܨ ܶܚܐ ܳ� ܳ ܨܒܗ ܰ 167ܡ ܳܓܢ܀ ܽ �ܗܝܢ ܰܛ ܶ ܒܟ ܶ �ܡܗ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳ �ܡ ܰܪܢ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܰܥܪ ܶܠܗ܆ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܟ� ܳ �ܝܘܡ ܶܡܢ ܽܚ ܳ ܕ� ܶܪܩ ܽܟ ܽ ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ. ܟܪܝܗܐ ܣ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ 168 ܘܐܬܓ�ܝܬ ̱ܗܘܬ ܒܝܫܬܗ ܕܥܡܐ ܒܐܬ�ܘܬ ܐ܆ ܳܽ ܽ ܶ ܳܕܐܦ ܰ� ܺܚ ܶ ܝܩܐ ܰܐ ܶ ܘܡܘܬܗ. ܪܓܫ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܒܛ� ܺ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܪ ܺܒܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܥ ܳܘ� ܰ ܒܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܰܥ ܺܫ ܳܝܢܐܝܬ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܬܦ ̈ܫ�ܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܀ ܘܥܒܕ ܣܘܟܐ ܕܠܦ�ܝܬܐ ܢ ܰܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܓ� ܶܠܗ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰܡ�ܟܐ ܕܪܚܝܩܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܡܢܘ ܰ ܰ ܕܢܶ ܽܙܩܘܦ ܳܒܥܶܐ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܐܝܟ ܰܕܟܬܒ ܶܠܗ. ܰ ܘܣ ܶ ܰ� ܰܒ ܳ ܦ�ܐ ܰ ܝܟܗܢܶܐ ܳ ܕܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡܫܬܢܶܝܢ܆
ܳܶ
ܕܪܐܩ M7 ܰ 165 ܥ�ܘܗܝ M7 ܳ 166 ܫܛܗ M7 ܰ 167 ܶ ܕܦܬܚܗ M7 ܰ 168 ܐ ܰ ܬܓ�ܝܬ M7 164
54 270
275
280
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
acted deceitfully in order to put the Savior on the cross. And the hidden conspiracy that they had forged—who revealed it in the [other] regions so that it was spoken before foreigners? The assembly 169 in Zion secretly whispered that they will crucify, and Edessa, though far away, was aware that they were planning their deceit. In secret, the People lay in wait to crucify the Good Healer, and from among the Peoples a letter arrived making it publicly known. While our Lord was doing miracles and wonders, and everyone worshipped and was full of wonder and praised [him], and there was no account of crucifixion on any side, but envy that whispers it in secret speech— at that time when the word was hidden from many, Abgar became aware and wrote a message like a wise person. The good friend wrote the secret of the enemies [and] exposed it, and though he was far away, he cared for his Friend as if he were near.
169
“assembly” or “synagogue.”
55 270
275
280
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܰ ܰ ܬܟܘ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܣܐ ܢܶ ܽ ܠܦ ܽܪ ܳ ܘܩܐ ܰ ܒܩ ܳ ܬܠܘܢ. ܐ ܬܠ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܘܪܐܙ ܐ ܟܣܝܐ ܕܚܫ� ̱ܘ ܗܠܝܢ ܡܢܘ ܕ ܓܠܝ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܰܒ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺ ܐܬ� ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ �ܥܝܢ ܰܒ ܳ��ܶܐ .170 ̱ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܗ�ܘܢ ܶܠ ܰ ܘܫܬܐ ܒܨܶ ܽ ܘܦܝ ܳܪ ܳܐܙ ܳܐܢܐܝܬ܆ ܟܢ ܚܫܬ ܕܬ ܽܙܩ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܽܘܐܘܪܗܝ ܪ ܰ ܓܫܬ ܕܟܕ 171ܪ ܺܚܝܩܐ ܬܦܪܣܐ ܙ ܐܦ ̇ܗ .172 ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ 173 ܣܝܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ܆ ܥܡܐ ܒܟܣܝܐ ܟܡܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܙܩܘܦ � ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܪܬ ܐ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܕܡܬܦܪܣܐ ܒ ̇ܗ. ܘܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܥܡܡܐ ܐ̱ܬܬ ܐܓ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܬܡܝ̈ ܳܗܬ ܐ܆ ܟܕ ܣܥܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܚܝ� ܡܪܢ ܘ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܬܶ ܳ ܗܪܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܣܓܕ ܟ�ܢܫ ܘ ܡܫ ܰܒܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ .174 ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 175 ̈ ܘ� ܐܝܬ ܫܪܒܐ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ ܒܚܕ ܡܢ ܓܒܝܢ܆ ܚܣ ܳܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܡ� ܶܚܫ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ 176 ܶܐ ܳ� ܳ ܡ� ܳ� ܰܟ ܳ ܣܝܐ. ܒܡ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܒܗܘ ܰܙ ܳ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܒܢܐ ܰܕܟ ܳ ܣܝܐ ܶ 177ܡܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ 178܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܰ 179ܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܐܪܓܫ ܐܒܓܪ ܘܟܬܒ ܡ ܝܡܐ 180܀ ܰ ܰ ܚܡܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܳ ܳܪ ܳ ܕܣܢ̈ܐܶܐ ܟܬܒ 181ܦ ܺ �ܪ ܳܐܙ ܐ ܳ ܪܣܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܰ ܝܒܐ ܳ 182ܕܪ ܶ ܘܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܩ ܺܪ ܳ ܚܡܗ ܺ�ܨܶܦ. ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ M7 ܰܟܕ M7 172 ܳܪ ̇ ܐܙܗ M7 173 ܠܗ ܢܶܙܩܘܦ M7 174 ܠܗ M7 175 ܰܫ ̇ ܪܒܗ M7 176 ܠܗ M7 177 ܰ ܕܓܢܝܐ M7 ܺ ̈ 178 ܰܚܟܝܡܐ M7 179 ܰܫ ̇ ܠܚܗ M7 180 ܰ ܒܝܒܐ M7 ܚ ܳ 181 ܓ� M7 182 ܰܩܪܝܒܗ M7 170 171
56 285
290
295
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Where indeed did Abgar, being in his own place, learn the evil secret that was spoken among the Jews? The People hated Christ very much while He was visiting them, and they slandered Him with all sorts of evil things though He was healing them. Their souls were full of envy, and it overflowed from their lips, and they were unable to hide the evil that they were devising. The priests whispered incessantly in secret to crucify the Son, and the message spread, and everyone knew about their malice. Every day they spoke maliciously against the Savior until [other] regions became aware of their blasphemy. They fought against His healing when it was manifested, and wherever our Lord healed diseases they repaid Him with dishonor. To the degree that His healings increased among the wounded, so they multiplied their blasphemies by treating [Him] shamefully. The crowds sang praise for the signs that were performed,
57 285
290
295
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܒܓܪ ܰܟܕ ܽܗܘ ܰܒ ܶ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܝܟܐ ܰܟܝ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ܰܐ ܰ ܐܬܪܗ܆ ̱ ܝܫܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܰ ܳܪ ܳܐܙ ܐ ܺܒ ܳ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ܀ ܣܓܝ ܳ ܣܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܐ ܺ ܝܚܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܰܥܪ ܶܠܗ܆ ܺ̈ܳ ܳ ܘܡ ܶܠܠ ܰ ܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܰ ܐܣܐ ܶܠܗ. ܘܗܝ ܽܟܠ ܒܝܫ �ܥ� ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ̈ܳ ܶ ܳ ܡܠܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܚܣܡܐ ܘܫܦܥ ܡܢ ܣܦܘܬܗ܆ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܕܡ ܰ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܰ ܝܫܬܐ ܶ ܬܪܥܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܫܟܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܟܣܐ ܒ ܒܪܐ ܶ �ܡ ܰܙܩܦ ܰܠ ܳ ܣܓܝܘ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܶ ܒܟ ܳ ܰ� ܶܚܫ ̱ܘ ܰܐ ܺ ܣܝܐ 183܆ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ �ܢܫ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܳܬ ܰܟ ܽ ܬܐ ܺܘ ܰܝܕܥ ܽܟ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ. ܘܦܪܚܬ ܡܠ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܝܫܐ ܰܥܠ ܦܪ ܳ ܰܡ ܶܠ ̱ܘ ܽܟ ܽ ܡ�� ܺܒ ܳ ܘܩܐ܆ �ܝܘܡ ܰܡ ܳ ̱ ܐܪܓܫܘ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓ ̈ܘ ܳܕ ܰܦ ܽ ܰ ܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ .184 ܥܕ ܳܡ ܳܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܶ ̱ ܣܝܘܬܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܫܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܰܥܡ ܐ ܽ ܕܡ ܰ ܬܟ ܺ ܬܕ ܳܢܚܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܺ ̈ܶ ܽ ܥܪܐ ܰܦ ܽ ܐܒܐ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܰܨ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܘܟܠ ܟܪ ܕܐܣܝ ܟ ܪܥ ̱ ܺ ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳ ܳ ܟܡܐ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܣ ܺܓܝܐܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܒ ̈ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ܆ �ܡ ܰܢ ̱ ܣܓܝܘ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܳܕ ܰܦ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܠ ܰ ܰܐ ܺ ܡܨ ܳ� ܽܪܘ. ܶ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܥ�ܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܆ ܟܢܫܐ ܡܫܒܚܝܢ ܥܠ ܐܬܘܬ ܐ ܕܡܣܬ
ܶ ܒܟܣܝܐ
ܰ
�ܡ ܰ ܶ ܙܩܦ ܠܒܪܐ M7 ̈ ܒ�ܘܬܟܝܗܘܢ M7
183 184
58 300
305
310
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
but the priests prepared to make a cross secretly. The mouth is wont to expose the heart and thoughts, for “from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” 185 every day. What the People thought in their hearts about the Savior poured forth from their mouths, and the earth perceived their bitterness. From the many whisperings of the chief priests, the word spread and went forth openly among the Peoples. And this just king who was a friend of the truth sent to his Friend what had been heard—that they were threatening Him. [It is] a wonder to speak of so much great faith, and wherever it is, offenses never draw near to it. Abgar believed that Christ the Son was God, and he heard about Him that they were also crucifying Him, and he did not doubt. 186 From His signs he believed that He was heavenly, and although He was reviled, he was not convinced that He was earthly.
Matt 12:34; Luke 6:45. The verb ܦܠܓcan mean “to doubt” or “to divide.” Jacob of Sarug pointedly observes that the paradoxical belief in the crucified Son of God did not cause Abgar to doubt, unlike Dyophysites who made sharp distinctions or divisions between the human properties and divine properties of the Incarnate Word. In Jacob’s account, Abgar becomes a model of Miaphysite faith.
185 186
59 300
305
310
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܝܒܝܢ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܶ ܡܛ ܺ �ܡ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܳܪ ܳܐܙ ܢܳܐܝܬ܀ ܘܟܗܢܐ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ 187 ̈ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܡܥܕ ̱ܗܘ ܦܘܡܐ ܢܦܪܣܐ �ܒܐ ܘ�ܚܘܫܒܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܬ ܰ�ܝ ܶ� ܳܒܐ ܰ ܘܡܐ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ. ܕܡܢ ܬ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽܡܘܢ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܰܫܒ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܒ� ܶܒܗ ܰܥܠ ܦܪܘܩܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܫܦܥ ܡܢ ܦܘܡܗ ܘܪ ܓܫܬ ܐܪܥܐ ܒܡܪܝܪܘܬܗ. ܶ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܕܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܆ ܡܢ �ܘܚܫܬܐ ܕ�ܒܝ ܟܗܢܐ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܠܬܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ �ܒܝܬ ܥܡܡܐ ܒܓ�ܝܐ ܢܦܩܬ. ܦܪܚܬ ܡ ܳ ܚܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܕܩܘܫܬܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܰܘ ܳܕܪ ܳ �ܟܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ܆ ܰ ܳ̇ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰ �ܚ ܺ ܡܥܬ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܡܝܢ ܶܠܗ܀ ܫ�ܚܗ �ܪܚܡܗ ܗܝ ܕ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܰܳܽ ܳ ܬܗܪܐ �ܡܐܡܪ ܕܟܡܐ ܪܒܐ ܗ�ܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܐܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܳ� ܳܩ ܺ ܪܒܝܢ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܶܟ ̈ܫ� ܡܡܬܘܡ .188 ܘܐܝܟܐ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܰܗ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܝܡܢ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܒܒܪ ܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܕܐ�ܗܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܥ�ܘܗܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܳܙ ܺ ܩܦܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܠܓ. ܫܡܥ ܶ ܰ ̱ ܶܡܢ ܳܐ ܳ ̈ ܬܘܬܗ ܰܗ ܶ ܝܡܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܫܡ ܳ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ �ܛ ܶܚܐ ܳ� ܰܡ ܰܫܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܪܥ ܳ� ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ. ܘܟܕ ܡ
ܶܟ ̈ܫ� ܶܡܡܬܘܡ �
ܰ
ܡܦ ܶ ܪܣܐ M7 ܳܩܪܒܝܢ ̇ ܠܗ M7
187 188
60 315
320
325
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He sent to Him to flee, but he did not doubt that He was God; he saw that they were crucifying Him, yet he believed that He was the Son of God. But if his soul had not been full of faith, he would have thought, “If He is God, He will not flee.” This man full of triumphs affirmed two things; he did not affirm that anything separated the two of them. He affirmed regarding the Son that He is the Son of God, as indeed He is, and he affirmed about Him that they also will crucify Him unless He flees. 189 You, O king, [are] an exemplar of the virtues of faith; I am amazed at how sound your faith is! Your word is superior to [that of] the wise and the debaters 190 and is not heard except by the ears of faith. From you the Peoples of the earth will learn the faith so that they will not stumble on the great way of crucifixion. Let your word go forth over thoughts and stun them
At various points in the homily, Jacob anticipates possible theological objections to the Abgar Legend. Here the issue is divine omnipotence: if Abgar confesses that Jesus is God but still worries that Jesus is at the mercy of those who seek his life, he contradicts himself. Instead, Jacob argues that Abgar was rightly holding together the paradox of the incarnation, divine and human at the same time. Thus, Jacob subtly presents the Miaphysite understanding of the “crucified God” as the original faith of the city of Edessa. 190 Cf. 1 Cor 1:18–25. 189
61 315
320
325
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܥܪܘܩ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܰ ܫܠܚ ܶܠܗ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܬܦ ܰܠܓ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܐ� ܳܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ. ܚܙ ܐ ܕܙܩܦܝܢ ܠܗ ܘܡܗܝܡܢ ܒܗ ܶܽ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܐܠܘ ܢܦܫܗ � ܡ�ܝܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܕܐܢ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ � ܳ� ܶܪܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܠܬ�ܬܝܢ ܐ ܰܫܪ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܡ� ܶ�ܨ̈ ܳܚܢܶܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܝܗܝܢ ܰܐ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܬ ܶ ܦܠܝܓ � ܰܡ ܰܫܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܕܠܬ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܐܫܪܗ ܠܒܪܐ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐܝܟ ܶܕܳܐܦ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܥ�ܘܗܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܳܙ ܺ ܐܫܪ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܩܦܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܐ � ܳ� ܶܪܩ܀ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐܘ ܠܟ ܡ�ܟܐ ܬܦܢܝܟ ܫܘܦ�ܐ ܕܗ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܬܗܪܬ ܠܝ ܒܟ ܕܟܡܐ ܚܠܝܡܐ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܟ. ܶ ܳ ܠܬܟ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܺܟܝ̈ ܶܡܐ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܳܕ ܽ� ܶ ܘܫܐ܆ ܳܪ ܳܡܐ ̱ܗܝ ܡ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܳ ܡܥܐ. ܘܐ� ܒܐܕ ܢܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ � ܡ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ 191 ܡܢܟ ܢܐܠܦܘܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܕܐܪܥܐ ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ. ܕ� ܢܬܬܩ�ܘܢ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܪܒܬܐ ܕܙܩ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶܽ 192 ܳ ܶܽ ܘܩܝ ܥܠ ܚܘܫܒܐ ܘܬܬܘܗ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܶܡܠܬܟ ܬܦ ̱
ܰܚ ܺܟܝ̈ܡܐ
̈
ܰܚܢܦܐ M7 ܰ ܘܬ ܶ ܬܡܗܝ M7
191 192
62 330
335
340
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
so that they may not doubt when they confess the crucified God. Let your faith become a light to our thoughts, [a faith] unhindered by thoughts of division. 193 Whoever has worldly wisdom thinks that if He is God, He will neither flee nor die. And whoever observes matters according to the natural order 194 perceives that the Son of God is fiercer than everyone [else], and if they hear that the People desire to crucify Him, they suppose that there is no way for anyone to approach Him. Nor is the Son of God weaker than the Jews, for if they approach Him, He [can] send forth His fire and consume them. If they induce Him to come to the wood of the crucifixion, He [can] signal to the earth, and opening its mouth, it will swallow them up. If they draw near to abuse Him, as they behave madly, He [can] signal to the ministers of fire and burn them up.
193 194
“division” or “doubt.” “according to the natural order”: lit. “naturally.”
63 330
335
340
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܐ� ܳܗܐ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܰ ܕܒ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܰܡ ܶ ܠܓܘܢ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܬܦ ܽ ܘܕܝܢ. ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܽܢ ܳ ܕܚ ܽܫ ܺ ܘܬܟ ܬܶ ܶ ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰܠ ܶ ܘܟܝܢ܆ ܗܝܡܢ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܕܥܠ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܶܒܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܓܘܬ ܐ � ܐ ܰ ܰ ܬܟ ܰ ܦܠ ܽ �ܝܬ܀ ܟܡܬ ܳܥ ܳ ܰܐ ܳܝܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܶ 195ܚ ܰ �ܡܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶܕܐܢ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ � ܳ� ܶܪܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ 196ܐܦ� ܳܡܐܬ܀ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ 197 ܥܒ ̈� ܳܕܬ ܐ܆ ܘܐܝܢܐ ܕܚܐܪ ܢܦܫܢܐܝܬ ܒ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ 198 ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ܩܫܐ 199ܡܢ ܟ�ܢܫ. ܡܣܬܟܠ ܗܘ ܕܒܥܶܐ ܰ 200ܥ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܶܘܐܢ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܕܠܗ ܢܶ ܽܙܩܘܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܪܣܐ ܕܐ ܳܢܫ ܢܶ ܽ ܩܪܘܒ ܶܠܗ. ܬܪܥܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܕ� ܐ ܳܝܬ ܦ ܶ ܳ ̱ ܰ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐܦ� ܳ 201ܚܐܒ ܶܡܢ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ܆ ܪܒܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܶܦܩ ܽܢ ܶ ܡܣܝܦ ܽ 202 ܶܕܐܢ ܳܩ ܺ ܘܪܗ ܰܘ ܺ �ܗܘܢ. ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐܢ ܢܓܕܝܢ ܠܗ ܢܐܬ ܐ �ܩܝܣܐ ܕܙܩ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ 203 ܽ ܥܝ ܐܢܘܢ. ܪܡܙ �ܪܥܐ ܘܦܬܚܐ ܦܘܡ ̇ܗ ܬܒܠ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܳܩ ܺ ܪܒܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܨ ܳ� ܽܪܘ ܐܝܟ ܶܕܐܬܦ ܰܩܪ ̱ܘ 204܆ ܡܫ ̈ܡ ܳܫܢܶܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܘܡ ܶ ܘܩܕ ܽ 205 ܘܪܐ ܳܪ ܶܡܙ ܰ ܰܠ ܰ �ܗܘܢ.
ܒܗ M7 ܳ ܳ ܶ ܐܦ� �ܪܩ M7 ܰ 197 ܐܝܢܐ M7 198 ܗܘܐ M7 199 ̱ܗܘ M7 add. 200 ̱ܗܘ M7 add. 201 ܳܘܐܦ� M7 ܰ ܶ 202 ܘܡܘܩܕ M7 ܶ ܰ 203 ܕܬܒܠܥܝ M7 204 ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܰܫܒܘ M7 ܳ ܶ 205 ܩܪ ܐ ܰܘܡܣܝܦ M7 195 196
64 345
350
355
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
If they will not cease blasphemy and hateful speech, it is easy for Him to signal and to destroy them in a blaze. He is the Son of God who came down to earth, and who is [so] rash [as] either to think of or consider mocking Him, whether the Jews—by what power do they seize Him?— or the cross itself—how can it hold Him? Those who judge according to nature, 206 who would be wise [and] learned if they believed, think about our Savior only in this way. Abgar’s mind considered him, and his intellect was spiritual, and he was not disturbed according to nature by [such] matters. He believed He was the Son of God and heavenly, and he petitioned Him both to flee and to come to him. He both warned Him that the Jews were threatening Him, and he believed that all created things were obedient to Him. He declared about Him that heaven is His place, and he bid Him
“those who judge according to nature”: lit. “the natural person” (singular). 206
65 345
350
355
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܘܕ ܳܦܐ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܳ� ܳ 207ܫ ܶܠܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܓ ܳ ܡ�� ܰܣ ܳܢܝܐ܆ ܘܡ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ 208 ܺ ܩܕ ܳܢܐ ܢܛ ܶܠܩ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܦܫܝܩ ܠܗ ܢܪܡܘܙ ܘܒܝ ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܡ ܰ ܢܚܬ ܰ� ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܰܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܶ ܡܪܚ܆ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ܰܐܘ ܢܶܬܪܢܶܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܐܘ ܢܶ ܰ ܢܒ ܰܙܚ ܶܒܗ. ܰܐܘ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܝܢܐ ܰܚܝ� ܳܐ ܺ ܚܕܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ܆ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܫܟܚ ܛܥܶܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ. ܐܘ ܗܘ ܙܩܝܦܐ ܐܝܟܢ ܡ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ 209 ܽ ܶ ܰ ܐ̱ܢܫ ܢܦܫܢܐ ܕܚܟܝܡ ܚܪܥ ܐܠܘ ܗܝܡܢ܆ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܥܠ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܰ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܰܒ ܽ �ܚܘܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܩܢ܀ ܐܒܓܪ ܶܪܢܝܶܗ ܰ ܘܡܕܥܶܗ ܽ 210ܪ ܳ ܰܗܘܢܶܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ 211܆ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ ܘ� ܶܡܬܬܙܺܝܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܦܫܢܐܝܬ ܥܠ�ܨܒܘܬ ܐ. ܒܪܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܡܢ ܰܒ ܳ ܰܗ ܶ ܐ� ܳܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܡ ܳ� ܳܢܐ 212܆ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܕܘܗܝ213 . ܰܘܡܦܝܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠܗ ܰܘܕܢܶܥܪܘܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܘܢܐܬ ܐ ܶܨ ܰ ̱ �ܚ ܺ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܙ ܰܗܪ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܡܝܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܝܡܢ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ˺ ܰܘ ܰ ��ܬܐ214 . ܕܠܗ ܶܡܫܬ ̈ܡ ܳܥܢ ܽܟܠ ܒ ܡܗ ܶ ̱ ܥ�ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܶ ܐܬܪܗ ܰ ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܙ ܶܡܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܰܣ ܰܒܪ ܰ ̱
ܶ
ܰ ܺ ܰ ܐܝܬܘܗܝ ܰܒܪ ܰܓ ܳ ܢܒ�ܐ ܐܫܪܗ ܕ
ܐ � M7 208 ̱ܗܘ ܕܢܶܪܡܘܙ M7 209 ܰܘܡܗܝܪ M7 ܶ 210 ܰܡܕܥܗ ܘܪܢܝܗ M7 211 ܳ ܪܘܚ ܳܢܝܐ ̱ܗܘ M7 212 ̱ܗܘ M7 add. ܳ ܶ ܰ 213 ܘܡܪ ܐ �ܘܡܐ܆ M7 add. 214 ˺M7 om. 207
66 360
365
370
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
come dwell in the one small city that he ruled. He knew that He is a healer who can revive the dead, and though he heard that they were crucifying Him, he did not treat Him with contempt. He was untroubled while standing amidst the troubles of the Son of God’s humility and feebleness. He did not reflect that his words may be contradictory to one another, for dispute cannot unravel faith. With the fact that he said that Christ our Lord is God was mixed the fact that they were also crucifying Him, and without offense. 215 His soul was enlightened, and he recognized regarding the Son that He is the Son of God, and then he learned that the People desired to harm Him. And he was not willing to say, “If He truly is the Son of God, who [could] draw near Him, and who [could] harm Him, as is reported?” He understood where His place is and who His Father is, and he was not scandalized by the crucifixion that was reserved for Him.
The meaning of this statement is ambiguous. While it could refer to Jesus dying despite being innocent of offense, it seems more likely with what follows that Jacob means that Jesus’s death did not cause theological offense to Abgar (see lines 383–388). 215
67 360
365
370
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܪܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ �ܒܟ .216 ܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܢܥܡܪ ܒܚܕܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܙܥ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܺ 217 ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܳܕ ܰ ܐܣܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܕܡ� ܐ ܕܢܐܚܐ ܡܝܬܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܘܟܕ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ 218ܕܙ ܺ ܰ ܩܦܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ � ܳܫܛܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ̱ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳܶ ܳ� ܐ ܰ ܘܘ ̈ܕ ܐ܆ ܬܕ ܰܘܕ ܰܟܕ ܳܩܐܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܝܬ ܕ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ 219 ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܕܡܟܝܟܘܬܗ ܘܙܥܘܪܘܬܗ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܘܗܝ ܕܚܕܐ ܒܚܕ ܐ ܡܫܬ��ܢ ̱ܗܘܝ܆ ܒܡ �� � ܪܢܐ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ 220 � ܓܝܪ ܡܫܟܚ ܕܢܫܪܐ ܕܪܫܐ �ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ. ܐܡܪ ܰ 221ܕ ܳ ܰܥܡ ܳܗܝ ܶܕ ܰ ܐ� ܳܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ܆ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܛܐ ܗ ܳܘܬ ܳܗܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܳܙ ܺ ܩܦܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܘܕ� ܶܟܫ� ̱ܗܝ. ܚܠ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܢܗܪܬ ܢܦܫܗ ܘ�ܕܥܗ ܠܒܪ ܐ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܽ ܶ �ܡ ܰ ܘܬܘܒ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܣܪܚ ܶܒܗ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܒܥܐ .222 ܒܪܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ 223ܕ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܶܕܐܢ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܪ ܳܪܐ ܰ ܳܘ� ܳ ܨܒܐ ܺܕܢ ܰ ܐ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰ ܡܥܬ. ܰܡܢ ܳܩ ܶܪܒ ܶܠܗ ܘܡܢ ܣܪܚ ܒܗ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܣܬ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܟܠܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܐܝܢܘ ܐܬܪܗ ܐ ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܐ ܽܒ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܘ� ܐܬܬܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ ܕܢܛܝܪܐ ܠܗ.
ܰܕܠܒܝܟ M7 ܰ ܕܢ ܶܚܐ M7 ܰ 218 ܘܕܫܡܝܥ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ M7 ܰ ܰ 219 ܨܶܝܕ ܪܒܘܬܗ ܘܙܥܘܪܘܬܗ M7 ܶ ܶ 220 ܢܫܪ ܐ M7 ܰܕ ܰ 221 ܐܫܪ M7 ܶ 222 ܳܒܥܐ ܰܥܡܐ M7 ܰ 223 ̱ܗܘ ܒܪܐ M7 216 217
68 375
380
385
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
In a hidden way he saw the very greatness of His divinity, and he did not doubt when he heard about the dishonor of His smallness. A faith that tramples offenses sprang up from him, and the frost that comes from investigations did not buffet it. Despite the belittling, mocking, and wicked talk that [came] from the Jews, and despite the preparation of the crucifixion which had been reported, his faith did not descend to doubts 224 so that he thought, “Why is the Son of God dishonored?” The People of Jesus drink His disgraces readily and bear the insults of the crucifiers without stumbling. 225 And with faith’s unchanging thought, they recognize our Lord, who was God even when He died. As for the great man [Abgar], he sent and acknowledged who the Son is, and without stumbling 226 he warned Him to flee from the Jews. So then, the faith that enlightened him was not darkened,
“doubts” or “divisions.” “stumbling” or “offense.” 226 “stumbling” or “offense.” 224 225
69 375
380
385
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܰ ܳܺ ܳ ܰܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ� ܽܗܘܬܗ܆ ܚܙ ܐ ܟܣܝܐܝܬ ܗܝ ܪܒܘܬ ܐ ܕ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܘ� ܐܬܦܠܓ ܕܫܡܥ ܨܥܪܐ ܕܙܥܘܪܘܬܗ. ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܕܕ ܳ �ܟ ̈ܫ� 227܆ ܝܫܐ ܝܥܬ ܡܢܗ ܗܝܡܢ ܺ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܦܚ ̇ܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܓܠ ܳ ܳܘ� ܰܩ ܳ ܝܕܐ ܳܕܗ ܶܘܐ ܶ 228ܡܢ �ܘܩ ܶܒܐ .229 ܒܨ ܳ ܝܫܐ ܶ 230 ܥܪܐ ܶ ܘܒ ܳܙܚܐ ܰ ܡ� ܳ� ܺܒ ܳ ܰ ܕܡܢ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ܆ ܘܡ ܳ ̱ ܽ ܘ� ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܰ ܰܘܒܛ ܳ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܗ ܶܨܝܕ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ܳܠ ܶܓܐ܆ � ܢܚܬܬ ̱ܗܘܬ ܗ ܰ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽ ܕܢܶ ܰ �ܡܘܢ ܶܡ�ܛ ܰܥܪ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ .231 ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܝܡܐܝܬ܆ ܘܗܝ ܒܣ ܰܥ ܳ ܶܡܗ ܳܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܐܫܬܝ ܰܨܥ� ̱ ܶ ܽ ܳ̈ ܳ ܬܐ ܶ ܰܘܕ� ܶܟܫ� ܛܥܢ ܨܘܚܝ ܕܡܢ ܳܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ. ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܠܦ܆ ܘܒܚܘܫܒܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ ܕ� ܡ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ�ܕܥܶܗ ܳ �ܡ ܰܪܢ ܳܕܐܦ ܰܟܕ ܳܡܐܬ ܐ�ܗܐ ̱ܗܘܐ .232 ܺ ܰ �ܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܫܠܚ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘ�ܕܥܶܗ ܰ 233ܒܪ ܰܡܢ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܫ� ܰܙ ܶ ܗܪܗ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܥܪܘܩ ܶܡܢ ܽܝ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ. ܘܕ� ܟ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰܗ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ ܕܢܶܗܪܬ ̱ܗܘܬ ܒܗ ܬܘܒ � ܶܚܫܟܬ܆
ܶ
ܒܨܥ�ܐ ܶ ܰ ܘܒܙ̈ܚܐ
ܟ ̈ܫ� M7 ܰܕܗܘܐ M7 ܳ 229 ܥܘܩܒܐ M7 ܰ ̈ ̈ 230 ܘܡܡ�� ܒܝܫܐ M7 ܰ ܰ ܳ 231 ܟܕ ܐܠܗܐ ̱ܗܘ M7 ܰܳ 232 ܰܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ ̱ܗܘ M7 233 ܰ ܕ�ܕܥܗ M7 227 228
70 390
395
400
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
for its degree is higher than doubts, 234 and it never descends. With faith that was full of love, he wrote a letter, and Christ received it with the same love with which it was written. The great Teacher of the heavenly beings read the letter, although He did not need to read a book in order to learn. 235 Abgar’s heart and thoughts at the time that he wrote it [the Son] had observed, who like His Begetter is the examiner of the heart. He listened to the king while he was thinking about what to write, yet He took the letter from the ambassador as if He did not know. For the moment that [the king] believed, He saw the truth of his faith, and He wrote his [name] in the Book [of Life] 236 with the blessed children of the Kingdom. And when his letter was read in the land of Judea, He revealed his blessing so that the earth 237 would learn that he was blessed. He received the letter though He knew it before it came, and He answered the king who sent it with faith [with] a blessing.
“doubts” or “divisions.” Jacob anticipates another potential theological challenge to the Abgar Legend. By writing Jesus a letter to inform him of certain events, one may object that Abgar does not believe that Christ is omniscient. Jacob argues instead that the Incarnate Word acted with humility and love by receiving a letter according to human custom. 236 Cf. Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15. 237 “earth” or “land.” Since the homily argues that Abgar and Edessa have primacy in faith among the nations, there may be a notion of the blessing of Abgar being made known to the whole earth, not just a particular region or country. For example, see lines 447–448. 234 235
71 390
395
400
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܕܪܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ 238ܕ ܳ ܪܓ ̇ܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ܳܠ ܶܓܐ ܘܬܘܒ � ܢܶܚܬܬ܀ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ �ܝܐ ܽܚ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܟܬܒ ܐ ܰܓܪܬ ܐ܆ ܒܗܝܡܢ ܺ ܘܩ ܳ ܰ ܘܒܐ ܰܕܟܬ ܳ ܒܗܘ ܽܚ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܒܠ ̇ܗ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܝܒܐ ܶܒܗ܀ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܫܡ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ܆ ܩܪ ̇ܗ � ܰܓܪܬ ܐ ܣܦܪܐ ܪܒܐ ܕ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܟܬ ܳܒܐ ܶ ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܺ ܘܟܢ ܳ� ܶܠܦ ܶܠܗ. ܣܢܝܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܩܪܐ ܶ ܶ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܘ ܽ ܒ� ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܳܟܬܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܒܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܰܒ ̱ ܶܒܗ ܳܚܐܰܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܕܒ ܰܚܪ ܶ� ܰܒܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܐܝܟ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܘܕܗ. ܽ �ܡ ܳ ܳܨܬܶܗ ܰ �ܟܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܫܒ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܶܟܬܘܒ܆ ܰ ܳ ܳܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܫܩܠ ܐ ܰܓܪܬ ܐ. ܘܐܝܟ � ܝܕܥ ܡܢ ܐܝܙܓܕܐ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܡܢ ܟܕ ܗܝܡܢ ܚܙ ܐ ܗܘܐ ܫܪ ܪܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̱ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܘܟ ܶ ܬܒܗ ܒܣܦܪܐ ܥܡ ܛܘܒܢܐ ܒܢܝ ܡ�ܟܘܬ ܐ. ܪ�ܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܒ ܳ ܘܟܕ ܶܐ ܰܓܪܬܶܗ ܶܐ ܰ ܰ ܬܩ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ ܺܕ ܽܝܗܘܕ܆ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܦܝ ܰܐ ܳ ܕܬ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܽܕܛ ܳ ܘܒ ܳܢܐ ̱ 239ܗ ܳܘܐ܀ ܐܠ ܓܠܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠܛܘܒܗ ̱ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܫܩܠ ܐ ܰܓܪܬ ܐ ܳܕܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܥܕ� ܬܐܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 240 ܰ ܘܦ ܺܢܝ ܽܛ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܀ 241 ܘܒܐ �ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܫܕܪ ̇ܗ ܒܗ
ܗܘܐ M7 ܳ ܛܘܒܢܐ M7 240 ܰܕܟ ̇ ܬܒܗ M7 241 ܰܡܠܟܐ Marg. 238 239
ܶ ܳ ܘܦܘܢܝܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܰܕܪ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰ �ܒܓܪ ܐ ܰܓܪܬܐ
72 405
410
415
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He began His words to the ambassador, 242 saying to him, “Go and say to your master the king who sent you to Me: Blessed are you, Abgar, who although you have not seen Me, you believe in Me, 243 and though you are far away, you recognize Me as if you were near. Blessed are you, Abgar, who, although the books of Moses had not been read by you, you recognized Me—that I am the Lord of the great Moses. Although they are nearby, the scribes of the People are far from Me, but you—from a distance—are near to Me in faith. Those who know the scriptures do not recognize Me because they do not desire Me, but because your will loves Me, you recognize Me. The task for which I came is finished, and the journey that I have undertaken among the earthly ones is completed. The will of the Father has been fulfilled in the way of His Son, and it was the task for which I descended to the earth. Evil spirits are expelled, demons are bound, the sick are healed,
In Eusebius’s account, Jesus himself writes a letter in response to Abgar. In the Doctrina Addai, the ambassador is Abgar’s archivist, Hanan, who subsequently paints a picture of Jesus and deposits it in Edessa’s archives. It is not unusual for Jacob to use anonymous supporting characters in his mimre even when they are named in other traditions. 243 Jesus’s response in other versions of the Abgar Legend also allude to John 20:29. 242
73 405
410
415
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶܨܝܕ ܺܐ ܰ ܝܙܓ ܳܕܐ ܰܟܕ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ܆ ܫܪܝ ܒܡ ܰ� ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܕܙܶܠ ܘܐܡܪ 244ܠܗ �ܡܪܟ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܫܕܪܟ ܨܝܕܝ܀ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܝܡܢ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܺܒܝ܆ ܚܙܝܬ ̱ܢܝ ܡܗ ܛܘܒܝܟ ܐܒܓܪ ܕܟܕ � ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܐܝܟ ܩܪܝܒܐ ܝܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܠܝ܀ ܩܪܝܢ ܳܠܟ ܶܣ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰ 245ܕܟܕ ܳ� ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܦ�ܝ ܽܡ ܶ ܘܒܝܟ ܰܐ ܰ ܘܫܐ܆ ܺܰ ܳ ܥܬ ̱ܢܝ ܺܠܝ ܳ ܕܡ ܶܪܗ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܕܪ ܳܒܐ ܽܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ .246 ܝܕ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܢܝ܆ ܳܣܦ�ܐ ܕܥܡܐ ܟܕ ܩܪܝܒܝܢ ܪܚܝܩܝܢ ܡ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰܘܐܢ̱ܬ ܶܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ .247 ܘܚܩܐ ܰܩ ܺܪܝܒ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܺܠܝ ܒܗ ܳ ܳܝ ̈ܕ ܰܥܝ ܶܣ ܶ ܦ�ܐ ܳ� ܳ� ܺ ܕܥܝܢ ܺܠܝ ܕ� ܳܨ ܶܒܝܢ ܺܒܝ܆ ܰ ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܺܕ ܳ ܝܠܟ ܰܪ ܰ ܰܘ ܶܕܨ ܳ ܢܝ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܺܠܝ. ܚܡ ̱ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܥܒ ܳܕܐ ܶܕܐܬܝܬ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ ܶܠܗ܆ ܬܓ ܳ ܐܪܡܝܬ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܽܘ ܳ ��ܢܶܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܡܪܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ. ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܺ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܡܠܝ ܶܠܗ ܶܨ ܳ ܒܝܢ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܽܒ ܳ ܒܪܗ܆ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܳܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܗܘܐ ܥܒܕܐ ܕܡܛܠܬܗ �ܪܥܐ ܢܚܬܬ. ܰ ̈ܶ ܺ ܺ ܺ ̈ܶ ܝܪܝܢ ܰܡ�ܥܶܐ ܺ ܦܟ ܺ ܐܕ ܐ ܺ ܺ ܚܠܝܡܝܢ܆ ܕܝܘܐ ܛܪܝܕܝܢ ܫ
ܶ
ܐ ܰܡܪ M7 ܰ 245 ܡܗܝܡܢܐ M7 ܰ ܶ 246 ܕܡܘܫܐ ܪܒܐ M7 ܒܗ ܳ ܰ 247 ܝܡܢܘܬܟ M7 244
74 420
425
430
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
the dead [receive] hope, and sinners the forgiveness of transgressions. The blind see, the deaf hear, lepers are cleansed, the poor are treated with justice, and the debtors’ bond is torn up. The prince [of this world] 248 is bound, and death is dismissed from its authority; the adversary has fallen like lightning, 249 and he saw his downfall. The garden is opened, and the way for Adam to enter is clear; the cherub 250 has departed so that the heirs may arrive at their borders. Every [reason] for which I came is finished, and I am ascending on high to My Father as I was sent. But when I have ascended, behold, I will send and visit you through a disciple who will heal your disease and strengthen you. I have appointed an apostle to come to you, and when he is sent, he will heal you and will give salvation to the members of your household. Your city will be blessed because of you, Abgar, and the enemy shall never have authority over it.”
For the “prince of this world,” see also lines 243–244. Luke 10:18. 250 Gen 3:24. 248 249
75 420
425
430
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܶ �ܚ ܳܛܝ̈ܶܐ ܽܫ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܒܩܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ. ܣܒܪܐ �ܡܝ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܣܡܝ̈ܐ ܳܚ ܶܙܝܢ ܕܘܓܐ ܫܡܥܝܢ ܓ�ܒܐ ܡܕܟܝܢ܆ ܶ ܳ ܕܚ ܳܝ ̈ܶܒܐ ܺ 251 ܳܡ ̈ܟ ܶܣܐ ܰ ܡܙ ܺܕܩܝܢ ܰܘ ܰ ܬܠܝܚ ܐܫܛ ܳܪܐ. ܳ ܳ ܺ ܘܢܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܦܟܝܪ ܰܐ ܽܪܟ ܳ ܫܪ ܐ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܫܘܠܛܢܶܗ܆ ܪ� ܐ ܰ ܚܙ ܐ ܶܫ ܶ ܢܦܠ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܒ ܳ ܳܘ ܶܐܟ ܰ �ܩ ܳ ܪܩܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܦܠܗ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܪ�ܐ ܽܐ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܰ ܦܬ ܳ ܘܫ ܳ ܘܪܚܐ ܕ�ܶ ܽܥܘܠ ܐ ܳܕܡ܆ ܓܢܬܐ ܽ ܳ ܰܺ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܟܪܘܒܐ ܫܢܝ ܕܢܐܬܘܢ ��ܬ ܐ ܠܬܚܘܡܝܗܘܢ. ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ ܶ 252ܠܗ ܽܟܠ ܡܐ ܕܐܬܝܬ ܡܛܠܬܗ܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐܫܬ ܶ �ܚܬ. ܒܝ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܘܣ ܶܠܩ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܺܠܝ �ܪܘܡܐ ܨܝܕ ܐ ̱ ܕܣ ܶ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܳ �ܩܬ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܗܐ ܰ ܘܣ ܰܥܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܳܠܟ܆ ܒܝܕ ܰܬ ܺ ܐܣܐ ܺܟ ܳ ܕܡ ܶ ܝܕܐ ܰ ܰ ܐܒܟ ܰܘ ܰ �ܡ ܳ ܡܫ ܰܪܪ ܳܠܟ. ܰ ܺ �ܘ ܳܬܟ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܳܣ ܶܡܬ ܺܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܳ ܫܠ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܶ 253ܕܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽܗܘ ܰܡ ܶ ܘܠܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܒܝܬܟ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳ� ܶܗܒ. ܐܣܐ ܳܠܟ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܬܟ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܟ܆ ܬܗܘܐ ܒܪܝܟܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰܘܒܥܶ ܳ ܠܕܒ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܗ܀ 254 ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܥܠܡ � ܢܶܫܠܛ ܳܒ ̇
ܳ
ܰ ܰ ܕܚܛܝ̈ܐ M7 ܶܘ ܰ ܰ 252 ܐܫܬܠܡ M7 253 ܡܐ M7 ܶܫ ܰ 254 �ܡܬ Marg. 251
76 435
440
445
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Blessed be the Son of the Good One who granted the king a beautiful crown and gave great peace as a reward for his faith. Blessed be the One who desired to be with us for our sake and to become like us in every way 255 though He is our Lord. Blessed be the One who became a brother and associate of the earthbound, and even received from them a letter that was written to Him. Blessed be the One who rewards the good for their deeds and preserves His love for a thousand generations for those who love Him. 256 Blessed be the True One who keeps His promises 257 to His friends and never consented to dissolve His covenant with those who worship Him. Blessed be the One who has just friends who are loved by Him and for whose sake He keeps His covenant with those who come after them. Blessed be the One who gave a blessing to the king who was worthy of it and revealed the excellence of his faith to the whole world. Blessed be the Exalted One who wished to be among the lowly,
Cf. Heb 2:17. Exod 20:6; Deut 7:9. 257 “His promises”: lit. “His words.” 255 256
77 435
440
445
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܰܒܪ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܺ ܟܠܝ� ܰܦ ܳܐ�ܐ 258܆ ܕܦ ܺܢܝ �ܡ�ܟܐ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ 259 ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܗ ܰ 260ܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܀ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܠ ̇ܗ ܐܓܪܐ �ܗ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܨܒܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܥ ܰܡܢ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܢ܆ ܰܘ ܽ ܒܟ ܶ �ܡ ܶܕܡ ܢܶ ܰ ܬܕ ܶܡܐ ܰܠܢ ܰܟܕ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܺ ܘܚ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܰ� ܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ 261ܕ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܐ ܳܚܐ ܰ 262 �ܥ ܳ�ܝܶܐ܆ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܰ ܐܬܟ ܰ ܬܒܬ ܶܠܗ 263܀ ܘܩ ܶܒܠ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܐܦ ܐܓ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ̈ ܶ ܒ� ܳܛ ̈ܶܒܐ ܳ �ܥ ܽܒ ̈ܘ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ܆ ܒܪܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕܦܪܥ ܚܘ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܶ ܳ ܠܦܐ ܳܕܕ � ܐ ܰܠܕܪ ܶܚܡ ܶܠܗ܀ ܘܢܛܪ ܚܘܒܗ � ܶ ܺ ̈ ܒܪܝܟ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܚ ܺܒܝ̈ ܰܒ ̱ ܕܡ ܰܫܪ ܡ ܰ� ̱ ܳ ܽ ܡܬܘܡ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܩܝ ܶܡܗ ܰ ܫܪܐ ܳ ܘܗܝ܀ ܘ� ܕܥܡ ܳܣ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܒܪܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕܐܝܬ ܠܗ �ܚܡܐ ܟܐܢܐ ܰ ܕܚܒܝܒܝܢ 264ܠܗ܆ ܰ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳܠ ܽ ܶ ܩܝ ܶܡܗ ܰ 265ܠ ܳ ܬܗܘܢ ܳܢ ܰܛܪ ܳ ܕܒܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ܀ ܺ �ܡ ܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܳ ܕܫ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܰ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܶܗ ܳ ܓ� ܽܫ ܳ ܒܥ ܳ ܕܗ ܳ ܘܦܪܐ ܰ �ܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܀ ܘ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܥ�ܝܐ ܕܨܒܐ ܕܢܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܬܚܬ�ܐ܆
ܰ
ܪܒܐ M7 ܠܗ M7 ܕܗ ܳ ܰ 260 ܝܡܢܘܬܗ M7 ܽ 261 ܗܘ M7 ܳ 262 ܶ ܪܚܡܐ M7 ܕܠܗ ܐ ܰ ܰ 263 ܬܟܬܒܬ M7 ܰ 264 ܕܩܪܝܒܝܢ M7 ܰ ܳ 265 ܩܝܡܗ ܳܢܛܪ M7 258 259
78 450
455
460
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and with all sorts of pretexts He brought them to His Begetter. Blessed be the One who gave to a great city great peace, and it became the envy of the regions and their inhabitants. Blessed be the One who gave us a message and a mouth to speak it and an ear to hear as well as a tongue to be stirred with praise. Blessed be the One who gave us the story of the king that I may speak it, who, because of his virtues, speech is inadequate to express his praises. How shall I draw out one of his triumphs that are so full of virtues that the sea of his story has overtaken me by its waves, drenching me? What shall I call him? I do not know because of his virtues, for no single name is good enough to be given to him. Shall I call him a king or a friend of the crucifixion, a leader of a people or a preacher of the faith, one who wears a crown or a divine trumpet, a master of [one] place or a teacher of [all] places,
79 450
455
460
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰܘ ܽ ܒܟܠ�ܥܶ ܳܠ� ܢ ܰܩ ܶܪܒ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܨܝܕ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܘܕܗ܀ ܺ �ܟ ܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܪܟܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ 266ܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܆ ܘܥ ܽܡ ܰ ܝܡܐ ܰ� ܰ ܬ� ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܳ 267 ܚܣ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܘ� ܽܝܗܘܢ܀ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܽ ܺ ܘܦ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰ 268ܕ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܳܒ ̇ܗ 269܆ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܢ ܡ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܫܒܘܚܬܐ 270܀ ܥܝ ܐܦ �ܫܢܐ ܢܙܝܥ ܬ ܘܐܕܢܐ ܕܬܫܡ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ 271 ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܢ ܫܪܒܗ ܕܡ�ܟܐ ܐܡܠܠ ܒܗ܆ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ273܀ ܘܗܝ ܳܚ ܰܒܬ ܶܡ ܶܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܩ ̈ܘ ܳ� ܰܣ ̱ ܕܡܛ ܶܠ ܶܽ 272ܫܘܦ� ̱ ܝܟܢ ܐܫ� ܶܡܢ ܶ�ܨ̈ ܳܚ ܰܢܘܗܝ ܰ 274ܕܡ� ܽܫ ܶ ܰܐ ܰ ܘܦ�ܐ܆ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܫ ܰ ܕܫ ܶ ܰܕ� ܳܡܐ ܰ ܢܝ ܰܠܡܛ ܽܦܘܬ ̱ܢܝ. ܪܒܗ ܩ� ̱ ܒܓܠ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰܐ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܝܘܗܝ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܛܠ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܝܟܢ ܐܩܪ ̱ ܫܡܐ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ ܝܪ ܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܰ ܕܠܘ ܰܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܬܟܢܶܐ ܶܒܗ. ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ �ܟܐ ܶܐ ܶ ܰܡ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ܆ ܝܘܗܝ ܐܘ ܚܒܝܒ ̇ܗ ܕܙܩ ܩܪ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܪܝܫܐ ܕܥܡܐ ܐܘ ܟܪܘܙ ܐ ܕܗ ܰ ܝܦ ܳ ܳܩ ܰܛܪ ܳܬ ܳܓܐ ܰܐܘ ܺܫ ܽ ܘܪ ܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗ ܳ�ܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ 275 ܐܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ. ܡܪܗ ܕܐܬܪ ܐ ܐܘ ܡ�ܦܢܐ ܕ
ܒܪܝܟܐ M7 ܰܠ ܺ ܡܕ ̈� ܳܢܬܐ M7 ܦܘܡܐ ܶ 268 ܘܡܠܬܐ M7 269 ܒܗ M7 270 ܰܕܡܙܝܥ ܫܘܒܚܐ M7 271 ܠܝ M7 ܶ ܽ 272 ܘܡܛܠ M7 ܶ ܶ 273 ܐܫ� ܶܡܢܗ M7 ̈ ܩܘ ܳ� ܰ 274 ܣܘܗܝ M7 ܳ 275 ܡ ̇ ܪܗ M7 266 267
80 465
470
475
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
a master of armies or a disciple of the Son of God? For speech and the mouth are too feeble to narrate his story! I will call him a great apostle who had a crown and a king whose mouth was full of the Gospel like the apostles. [He was] an apostle and a king, who was excellent in both ways, for both kingship and apostleship are found in him. By proclamation he was a “son of thunder” like John, 276 and by kingship he was a just king like David. His virtues are like those famous [virtues] of Melchizedek who was both a priest and a righteous king. 277 So Abgar also was a great priest and a just king: an apostle who preaches the faith and an upright king. I call him a companion of Simon, the chief of the disciples, who also truly received blessing from our Savior. “You are blessed, Simon,” 278 [and] “You are blessed, Abgar,” said our Lord—
Mark 3:17. Gen 14:18; Heb 7:1. 278 Matt 16:17. 276 277
81 465
470
475
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ 279 ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܡܪܐ ܕܚܝ� ܐܘ ܬ�ܡܝܕܗ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܦܘܡܐ ܕܢܬܢܐ ܫܪܒܗ .280 ܕܙܥܘܪ ̱ܗܘ ܠܗ ܡ ܳܳ ܰ ܳܩ ܶܪܐ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܺ ܫܠ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܪ ܳܒܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܬܓܐ܆ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ 281 ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܘܡ�ܟܐ ܕܡ�ܝܐ ܣܒܪܬ ܐ ܦܘܡܗ ܐܝܟ ܕܫ�ܝܚܐ. ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܝܗܝܢ ܰܟ ܺܫ ܳ ܒܬ�ܬ ܶ ܝܪ ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܘܡ�ܟܐ ܕ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܘܫܟܝܚܐ ܠܗ ܐܦ ܡ�ܟܘܬ ܐ ܘܫܠܝܚܘܬ ܐ. ܳܽ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܒܪ ܰ 282ܪ ܳ ܥܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܽ� ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܢ܆ ܒܟܪܘܙ ܒܡ ܽ ܕܡܘܬ ܰܕ ܺܘܝܕ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܘܬܐ ܰܒ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ �ܟܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ .283 ܳ ܳܕ ܶܡܝܢ ܽܫ ܰ ܕܡ ܺ �ܟ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܠ ܰ ܝܙܕܩ ܰܕ ̈ܫ ܳܡ ܳܗܬ ܐ܆ ܘܦ� ̱ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽ 284ܟ ܳ ܘܡ ܳ ܘܡܪܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܰܕܙ ܺܕ ܽܝܩܘܬ ܐ. ܳܕܐܦ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܽܟ ܳ ܘܡ ܳ ܘܡܪܐ ܰ 285ܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܕܐܦ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ܆ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܡ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܬܪܝܨ. ܫܠܝܚܐ ܕܡܟܪܙ ܗܝܡܢ ܳܩ ܶܪܐ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܚ ܶ ܕܫܡ ܽܥܘܢ ܺܪܝܫ ܰܬ ܺ ܒܪܗ ܶ 286 �ܡ ̈�ܕܐ܆ܶ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܕܐܦ ܗܘ ܩܒܠ ܛܘܒܐ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ܡܢ ܦܪܘܩܢ܀ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ܆ ܘܒܝܟ ܫܡܥܘܢ ܛܘܒܝܟ ܐ
ܰ
ܪܒܐ M7 ܫܘܦܪܗ M7 ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܦܘܡܗ ܰ 281 ܣܒܪܬܐ M7 ܕ ܰ 282 ܕܒܪ M7 ܰܚܒܪܗ ܰ ܺ ܰ 283 ܕܕ ܺܘܝܕ ܺܟܐܢܐ ܪܒܐ M7 ܰ 284 ܗܘ ܐܝܬܘܗܝ M7 ܳ 285 ܟܗܢܐ M7 286 ܰ ܚܒܪܐ M7 279 280
82 480
485
490
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
two men to whom the Lord of blessings gave a blessing. By the faith of Simon Peter, Abgar spoke, who like [Simon] also received blessings from our Savior. The same doctrine that Simon, the chief of the disciples, had, this king, lovely with triumphs, [also] had. Because of his love, Peter, the chief of the disciples, wished to make a booth on the mountain and remain in it. 287 And, because the same love was in the soul of Abgar, he invited [the Lord] to his city to dwell with him if He heard him. Heaven is [too] small, but Simon prepares a booth for Him; 288 the [whole] earth is unworthy, but Abgar offers Him a city. One invites Him to a booth and one to a city— the Master of creation, to whom all of creation is inferior! The Son of the Rich One came down to our place that we might walk with Him, and He revealed Himself as a poor person when He set forth.
Matt 17:4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33. Compare Jacob’s homily On the Transfiguration. Thomas Kollamparampil (ed. and trans.), Jacob of Sarug’s Homily on the Transfiguration (Gorgias Press, 2008). For a French translation see P. Emmanuel Khoury, “Mimro de Jacques de Saroug sur la transfiguration de NotreSeigneur, Parole de l’Orient 15 (1988–1989) 65–90. 287 288
83 480
485
490
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܽ ܰ ܶ ܬ�ܝܢ ܰܓ ܺ ܒ�ܝܢ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ 289ܡ ܶܪܐ ܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ. ܠ ܰ ܳܽ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ ܕܫܡܥܘܢ ܟܐܦܐ ܡܠܠ ܐܒܓܪ܆ ܟܘܬܶܗ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܽܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܶ 290ܡܢ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܰ ܳܕܐܦ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܩܢ. �ܫ ܽ ܡܥܘܢ ܺܪܝܫ ܰܬ ܺ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ܰܗܘ ܶܪ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ܆ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܽܗܘ ܺܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ �ܟܐ ܺ ܪܚܝܡ �ܶ 291ܨ̈ ܳܚܢܶܐ. �ܫ ܽ ܡܥܘܢ ܺܪܝܫ ܰܬ ܺ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܽܚ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ 292܆ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܒܛ ܳ ܨܒܐ 293ܕܢܶ ܶ ܘܪܐ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰܢܩ ܶܘܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܡܛܠܬܐ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܗܘ ܰܗܘ ܽܚ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰ ܒܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ 294܆ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܬܗ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܥܡܪ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܐ ܽܠܘ ܰܫܡܥܶܗ. ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܠܡܕܝܢ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܶܫ ܽ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܡܥܘܢ܆ ܘܪ�ܐ ܰܘܡܛܝܶܒ ܶܠܗ ܡܛ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰܐ ܳ ܒܨ ܳܝܪܐ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܺ ܬܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ. ܘܡ ܶܫܐܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠܗ ܡܕܝܢ̱ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܳܩ ܶܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܚܕ ܠܡܛܠܬܐ ܘܚܕ ܠ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܪ�ܐ ܠܗ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܟܠ ̇ܗ܀ �ܡܪܐ ܒܪ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܬ ܳܝܪܐ ܶ ܢܚܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ �ܬܪܢ ܰܕ ܰܢܗ ܶܠܟ ܶܒܗ܆ ܒܪ ܥ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܡܣܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܚܘܝ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܒ ܳ �ܒܟ.
ܰܚܕ ܛܘܒܐ ܰ�ܗܒ M7 ܛܘܒܐ M7 ܶ 291 ܦܐܐ M7 ܨܶܝܕ ܳܦ ܰ 292 ܪܘܩܢ M7 293 ܒܥܐ M7 ܺ 294 ܒܟܐܢܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ M7 289 290
84 495
500
505
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
And those who loved Him prepared places for Him, and with a good will they invited Him to their homes. The apostle prepared for Him a booth and the king a city, and although they thought little of their love, they demonstrated [it] as they were able. A good will is one that is full of love [and] that honors the One who loves it as much as it is able. Whether it be in Simon’s place or a kingdom, for the [place’s] 295 sake he asks our Lord to come and to dwell in it. And if Abgar gains heaven while in his kingdom, for its sake he invites the Son of God to come to him. To the degree that he was able he lovingly showed honor, and he was not blamed because he could not do even more. So, for this reason, the upright friends received a blessing, who by their good will were bold to show honor. Simon invited Him to a booth on the mountain that he would prepare for Him,
295
“the place’s” or “the kingdom’s”; lit: “its” (fem.).
85 495
500
505
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܰܕ ܽ ܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܛܝܶܒ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܠܗ ܐ ܐܚܒ ̱ ܒ� ܳܢܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܳ �ܰ 296ܘ ̈ܘ ܰܢ ܽ ܰܘܒܨܶ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ. ܩܪ ܽܐܘ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܫܠ ܳ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܛܝܶܒ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ܆ ܝܚܐ ܡܛܠܬܐ ܘܡ�ܟܐ ܳ ܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܛܒ ܰܐ ܰܙܥܪ ̱ܘ ܽܚ ܽ ܘܒܗܘܢ ܰܚ ܺܘܝܘ ܰܐ ܳ ܐܫܟܚ ̱ܘ. ܶ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܽܚ ܳ ܘܒܐ܆ ܨܒ�ܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܛܒܐ ܗܢܐ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܟܡܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܰܚܝ� ܡܝܩܪ ܠܕܪܚܡ ܠܗ. ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ �ܟܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐ ܽܠܘ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܐܪܬ ܐ �ܫܡܥܘܢ ܐܘ ܡ ܝܗ ܽܗܘ ܺ ܶ ܥܠ ̇ ܡܦܝܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܕܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܰܘ ܰܢܩ ܶܘܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܩܢܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܐ ܰ �ܟܘܬܗ܆ ܒܓܪ ܶܒܝܬ ܡ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝ. �ܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܺܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ܠ ̇ܗ ܩܪܐ ܗܘܐ ̱ ܳ ܺ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܟܡܐ ܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܗ ܚܝ� ܒܚܘܒܐ ܥܒܕ ܐܝܩܪܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܬ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܳ� ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܘ� ܐܬܓܢܝ ܕܬܘܒ � ܽ ܳ ܶ̈ ܺ ܶ ܳ 297 ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܩ ܶܒ� ̱ܘ ܛܘܒܐ �ܚܡܐ ܟܐܢܐ܆ ܢܗܘܢ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܝ ܽ ܰܕܒܨܶ ܳ ܡܪܚ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܝ ܳܩ ܽܪܘ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܒܛ ܳ ܘܪܐ ܶܫ ܽ ܳ ܡܥܘܢ ܰܕܢܛܝܶܒ ܶܠܗ܆ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܠܡܛܠܬܐ
ܰ
ܩܪܘ ܠܗ M7 ̈ ܛܘܒܐ M7
296 297
86 510
515
520
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
but a cloud brought a shelter of light, spread [it] out, [and] proclaimed Him. 298 He taught Simon that if he wants to proclaim His riches, all of creation is too small to contain His virtues. “If you desire a booth, Simon, look, I have one— luminous clouds to receive Me in which I may dwell! Do not prepare for Me a booth on a mountain—Me, for whom the vast sky is too small for me to be contained or dwell in it!” By one pleasant, luminous cloud Simon learned that a booth, as he had asked Him, is also not necessary. Likewise, then, to King Abgar, when he invited Him to come to Edessa, He announced that His path was to heaven. The king prepared a city to meet Him, but He sent to him that He was ascending to His heavenly abode, to His Begetter. The love of Abgar urged and invited Him to come to him, and He taught him to know that He was being raised up to His Father.
298
Matt 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34–35.
87 510
515
520
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܺ ܰ ܡܛܠܰܬ ܽ 299ܢ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܐܝܬܝ ܳ ܦܪܣ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܶܠܗ. ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܘ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܐܠܦܗ �ܫܡܥܘܢ ܕܐܠܘ ܒܥܐ ܢܚܘܶܐ ܥܘܬ� ̱ ܺ ܳ ܥܪܐ ܽܫ ܰ ܘܪ�ܐ ܗ ܳܘܬ ܶܠܗ ܬ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܗܝ .300 ܒܪ ܘܦ� ̱ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܠܡܛܠܬܐ ܺ ܪܓܝܓ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܶܫܡܥܘܢ ܳܗܐ ܐܝܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܠܝ܆ ܥ�ܢ̈ܶܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܩ ܽ ܒܗܘܢ ܶ 301ܐ ܶ ܢܝ ܰܕ ܽ ܳ ܒ� ܳ ܫܪܐ. ܘܢ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܒܛ ܳ ܘܪܐ ܰܕ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܪ�ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܺܠܝ܆ � ܬܛܝܶܒ ܺܠܝ ܡܛܠܬܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܣܬ ܰ�ܟ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰ 302ܐܘ ܶܐ ܶ ܫܪܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܫܡܝܐ ܪܒܬܐ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܪܓܝܓܬܐ ܽܕܢܘܗܪܐ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ܶܫ ܽ ܚܕܐ ܳ ܰܒ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܺ ܡܥܘܢ܆ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺ ܐܦ ܶ ܝܣܗ܀ ܕܐܦ� ܐ�� ܐ ܕܬܗܘܐ ܡܛ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳܗ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܽܬܘܒ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰܡ�ܟܐ ܟܕ ܩܪܐ ܠܗ܆ ܐܘܪܚܗ ܰܠ ܰ ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܽ�ܘܪ ܳܗܝ ܰ 303ܚ ܺܘܝ ܽܕ ܶ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܰܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܽ�ܘܪܥܶܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܠܚ ܶܠܗ ܽܗܘ܆ ܛܝܒ ܡ�ܟܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ ܽ ܶ ܰܕ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܳ� ܶܡܐ ܣܠܩ ܨܝܕ ��ܘܕܗ. ܕ� ܰ� ̱ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܦܛܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܚܘܒܗ ܕܐܒܓܪ ܚ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܶ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܡܬܥ� ̱ܗܘܐ. ܘܐܠܦܗ ܕ�ܕܥ ܕ�ܘܬ ܐܒ ̱
ܰ ܰ
ܡܛܠܬ M7 300 ܫܘܦܪܗ M7 ܰܕ ܰܢܩ ̈ܒ ܳ� ܳܢܢܝ ܰܕ ܶ 301 ܒܗܝܢ M7 ܰ ܶ ܰ 302 ܰ ܐܘ ܐܣܬ�ܟ M7 303 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܘܗܝ M7 299
88 525
530
535
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
“I am ascending to my Father on high,” 304 He sent to him, for through this [statement] He made known to him where His place is. The beloved king, whose city was sufficient for two, desired that he and his Lord would be well honored in it. Not even heaven is sufficient to hold [the Lord] alone, yet to a single city He and others were summoned! King Abgar, like a wise man, sent [and] petitioned Him, and he was blameless in what he asked. 305 Though he knew that the Son of God is unconfined, he reasoned that because He willed [it] the bounds could hold Him. He heard that a young virgin contained Him, and He entered and dwelled in her; for this reason, he said that a city is also sufficient for Him. For the One whom a small womb held so that He could grow in it, a great city is sufficient for Him to be honored in it. He observed how humble the way that was set for Him was,
Cf. John 20:17. Again, in this passage Jacob anticipates a theological problem with the legend: Abgar’s invitation to escape to Edessa, which is “big enough for two,” implies that the Son can be confined to physical space. Jacob instead emphasizes how this maintains the paradox of the Incarnation of the Word. He also compares Abgar’s invitation to his city to the Word’s dwelling within the Virgin (line 537), a comparison with strong Christological resonance for a Miaphysite audience. 304 305
89 525
530
535
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܒܝ ܰ �ܪ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܳ 306ܫ ܰܠܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܳܣ ܶܠܩ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܺܠܝ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ̱ ܐܝܢܘ ܰܐ ܶ ܘܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܒܝܕ ܳܗ ܶܕܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܡ ܰ ܰ ܬܪܗ .307 ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܰܠܬ�ܝܢ ܐ ܺܦܝܣ܆ ܡ�ܟܐ ܪܚܝܡܐ ܕܣܦܩܐ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܠܗ ܘ�ܡܪܗ ܕܢܬ�ܩܪܘܢ ܒ ̇ܗ ܫܦܝܪܐܝܬ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ �ܚ ܰ ܶܠܗ ܰܒ ܽ ܦܩܐ ܕܬ ܽܚܘܕ ̱ܝ 308܆ ܘܗܝ ܐܦ� ܫܡܝܐ ܣ ܘܕ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܽܗܘ ܰܘ ܳ ܐܚ� ܢܶܐ ܶ 309ܡ ܰܙܕ ܰܡܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܘܠܚܕܐ ܡܕܝܢ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̱ܳ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܐܝܟ ܚܟܝܡܐ ܫܠܚ ܐܦܝܣܗ܆ ܘܠܘ ܥܶ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܝܕܐ ܶܕ ܶܫܐܠ. ܕ� ܳܝܐ ܳܫ ܶܪܟ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ 310 ܰ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ � ܶܡܣܬ ܰ�ܟ܆ ܰܟܕ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܝܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܳ ܶܡ ܰ ܨܒܐ ܳܣ ̈ܶܟܐ ܐ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܚܕ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܥܠ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܠܬܐ ܳ ܥܪܬܶܗ ܰ ܫܪ ܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܫܡܥ ܕܛܠܝܬܐ ܒܬ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܐܦ ܳܣܦܩܐ ̱ܗܝ ܠܗ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܐܡܪ. ܘܡܛ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ �ܝܢܐ ܕܐܚܕܗ ܡܪܒܥܐ ܙܥܘܪܐ ܕܢܬܪܒܐ ܒܗ܆ ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܟܪܟܐ ܰܪܒܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ ܶܒܗ. ܳܚܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܕܪܡܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܶܠܗ ܟܡܐ ܰܡ ܺܟܝܟܐ܆
ܰܕ ܰ ܐܝܢܘ
ܰ
ܳ
�ܪܘܡܐ ܨܶܝܕ ܐܒܝ M7 ܰܐܬܪܗ ܰܡ ܰ 307 ܗܘܐ ܠܗ M7 ܢܗܪ ܶ 308 ܕܬ ܐܚܘܕܝ M7 ܺ 309 ܰܘܐܚܪܢܐ M7 310 ܠܗ M7 306
90 540
545
550
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and according to His way, like a wise man, he invited Him to his city. Instead of disgraceful Jerusalem, which was threatening [Him], he gave Him the devoted Edessa in which to dwell. He knew that His place is in heaven, but because He desired to be in our place, he invited Him to his city so He would not be dishonored. “You are heavenly, but You desired to become earthly; do not make Your dwelling in Jerusalem that dishonors You. Come to me, that I may understand where You are from until You ascend to the place on high with Your Begetter. The city I have is sufficient to hold both me and You: me as king, but You will be glorified as God. [My city] knows to give the king’s due to the king 311 when it is fitting for him and to repay God with the praise by which He is honored. 312 A king of the Peoples, so that the Son of God would not be dishonored, invited Him to his place so that in it He would be honored until He ascended.
Cf. Matt 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25; Rom 12:7. Compare The Julian Romance, in which the people of Edessa rebuff the emperor Julian and declare that Christ is their king, drawing on the Abgar Legend to support this claim. Sokoloff, ed. and trans., The Julian Romance, esp. 260–263. 311 312
91 540
545
550
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܽ ܘܪܚܗ ܳ ܠܦܘܬ ܽܐ ܶ ܡܕܝܢܬܗ ܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡܐ. ܩܪܝܗܝ ܠ ܚܠܦ ܽܐ ܶ ܘܪ ܶ ܡܨ ܳ ܳ ܫܠܡ ܰ ܥܪ ܺܢܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܚܝܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܡܝ ܳ ܰ�ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܽܐ ܳ ܩܪ ܺܢܝܬܐ ܳ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܢܶ ܰ ܘܪܗܝ ܰ ܥܡܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܶ ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܬܪܗ ܰ ܨܒܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܒܐܬܪܢ ܩܪܝܗܝ ܠܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ ܕ� ܢ�ܛܥܪ. ܗܘܐ ܰܐ ܳ ܨܒܝܬ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܐܢܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܪ� ܳܢܝܐ܆ � ܽܒ ܶ ܐܘܪ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܽܥ ܳ ܡܨܥܪܐ ܳܠܟ ܢܶ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܡܪܟ. ܳ ܶ ܰܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܐܢܬ܆ ܶܨ ܰܝܕܝ ܬܐ ܠܟ ܕܐܣܬܟܠܬܟ ܡܢ ܐ ܰܥܕ ܳܣ ܶܠܩ ܰܐܢܬ ܰ�ܬܪܐ ܳ 313ܪܡܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܳ� ܽ� ܳ ܘܕܟ. ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳܣܦܩܐ ܕܬ ܽܐܚܘܕܝ ܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܐܦ ܳܠܟ܆ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ 314 ܰ ܺܠܝ ܐܝܟ ܰܡܠܟܐ ܘܠܟ ܬܬ�ܩܪ ܐܝܟ ܐܠܗܐ. ܕܡܠܟܐ ܰ ܳ�ܕܥܐ ̱ܗܝ ܕܬܶܬܶܠܝ ܰ �ܡܠܟܐ ܡܐ ܳ ܕܚ ܰܫܚ ܶܠܗ 315܆ ܳܐܦ ܰ� ܳܠܗܐ ܬܶ ܽ ܦܪܘܥܝ ܽ 316ܫܘܒܚܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ ܶܒܗ܀ ܰ ܰ ܰܡܠܟܐ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܕ� ܢܶ�ܛ ܰܥܪ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܰ ܩܪܝܗܝ ܗ ܳܘܐ � ܶ ܳ ܬܪܗ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ ܶܒܗ ܰ 317ܥܕ ܳܣ ܶܠܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ̱
�ܬܪܟ M7 ܰܘܐܢܬ M7 315 ܰܐܟܡܐ ܳ ܕܚ ܰܫܚ M7 ܶ 316 ܕܬܦܪܘܥܝ M7 317 ܕܒܗ ܢܶ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ M7 313 314
92 555
560
565
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He came to His own [people], but they did not receive Him in their regions, 318 so those who were not His [people] petitioned Him to dwell with them. A foreigner who was far from the Father’s household, instead of the members of the household, wished to honor His Only Begotten. He had not read the prophets or understood interpretations of them, but from his mind the teaching of true things sprang up. He had not received the written law to be enlightened by it, so faith was naturally stirred up from within him. Indeed, the natural disposition is wise, upright, and full of virtues, and if sin does not meet with it, it is enlightened. A molded piece of clay 319 has need of its Fashioner, and it seeks His companionship, 320 and it seeks Him [even] while it worships dead images. It set out to seek Him, and while it was searching to find its Lord, the evil one introduced [and] set up idols for it, 321 and it took hold of them. He arranged stones for it, and when it stumbled, it grasped for them,
John 1:11. Cf. Gen 2:7. 320 “his companionship” or “the sound of his voice” (cf. lines 575–586). 321 “for it”: lit. “in it.” 318 319
93 555
560
565
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܒ�ܘܗܝ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܒ ܰ ܝܠܗ ܶܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܘ� ܰܩ ܽ �ܕ ܶ ܐܬ� ܳܘ ܽ ܺ ܬܗܘܢ 322܆ ̱ ܝܠܗ ܺ ܰܘܕ� ܺܕ ܶ ܕܥ ܽ ܝܣܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܡܦ ܺ ܡܗܘܢ ܢܶ ܰ ܥܡܪ .323 ܰ ܰܚܕ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܟܪܝܐ ܰܕܪ ܺܚܝܩܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ܆ ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܬ�ܶܐ ܳ ܨܒܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܝ ܰܩܪ ܺܠ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܒܝ ܝܕ�ܶܗ .324 ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ̈ � ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܩܪܐ ܺ ܢܒܝܐ ܘ� ܐܣܬܟܠ ܦܘ ܳܫܩܝܗܘܢ܆ ܶ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ .325 ܘܡܢ ܪܥ�ܢܗ ܢܒܥ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰܠܘ ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܟܬܝܒܐ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܢܬܢܗܪ ܒܗ܆ ܰ ܳܳܺ ܳܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܀ ܕܟ�ܢܐܝܬ ܙܥܬ ܡܢܗ ܗ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳܐܦ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳ ܟ� ܳܢܐ ܰܘܬܪܝܨ ܰܘܡ� ܽܫܘܦ�ܐ 326܆ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܫܟܚܬܗ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܚܛܝܬܐ � ܐ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܩܐ ̱ܗܝ ܰܥܠ ܳ�ܓ ܽܒ ܳ ܣܢ ܳ ܝܠܬܐ ܺ ܥܝܐ ܰܨܘܬܗ܆ ܘܠ ̇ܗ ܘܒ ܓܒ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܺ ܶ̈ ܰ 327 ܘܠܗ ܒܥܝܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܟܕ ܣܓܕܐ ̱ܗܘܬ �ܨ�ܡܐ ܡܝܬܐ. ܦܩܬ ܬܶܒܥܶ ܝܫܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܬܶ ܰ ܝܘܗܝ ܰ 328 ܢܶ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܚܝ ܳܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ܆ ܫܟ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ ܰ 329 ܦܬ ܶ ܟ�ܐ ܰܘ ܽ ܒܗܘܢ ܶ 330ܐ ܰ ܐܥܠ ܒܝܫܐ ܣܡ ܒܗ ܚܕܬ. ܺ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ܶ ܟܐܦܐ ܣܕܪ ܠܗ ܘܟܕ ܡܬܬܩ� ܠܒܟܬ ܐܢܝܢ܆
̈
ܰܒܐܘܘ ܢܰܝܗܘܢ M7 ܕܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܰܥܡܗܘܢ M7 ܳ 324 ܠܝܚܝܕܝܐ M7 ܰ ܳ 325 ܕܫܦܝ�ܬܐ M7 326 ܢܘܗܪܐ M7 ܳ 327 ܐܦ ܰܟܕ ܳܣܓܕܐ M7 ܺ ܳ 328 ܣܡܬ ܰܒܚܛܝܬܐ M7 329 ̇ ܠܗ M7 330 ܰܘܠܗܘܢ M7 322 323
94 570
575
580
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and, being blind, it seemed to it that they were gods. Being deceived, it took them as gods, but when the true God shone forth, it left them. Though Abgar’s city was far away and full of idols, he heard that God had come to creation, and he broke them. In the land of Jebus, 331 a Shepherd spoke, seeking His flock, and from Mesopotamia a sheep heard Him and recognized His voice. 332 It smelled His scent and asked Him to come to it, and it perceived His voice, His word, and His sweetness. Moses’s flock became leprous 333 [and] were lost in the land of Judah, and the Good Shepherd came down after it to gather [the flock]. And He spoke there, as He was seeking the lost [sheep], but other sheep heard Him and rushed to take refuge with Him. The flock of God’s household had fled from Jerusalem, and its Lord came to gather it from the wastelands.
Jebus: an ancient name for the city of Jerusalem. John 10:3–4, 16. 333 The variant may be better: “fled” ()ܥܪܩܬ. 331 332
95 570
575
580
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ� ̈ܗܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ .334 ܘܕܣܡܝܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܡܣܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠ ̇ܗ ܕ ܶ ˺ ܰܟܕ ܳܛ ܳ ܥܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰ� ܳ� ̈ܶܗܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܚܕܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ 335܆ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܒܩܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܘܟܕ ܐ�ܗܐ ܕܢܚ ܕܫܪ ܪܐ ܫ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܡ� ܦܬܟ�ܐ ܟܪܟܗ ܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ܆ ܰܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܘܬ ܰܒܪ 336ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܫܡܥ ܕܐ�ܗܐ ܐ̱ܬ ܐ ܠ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܒ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܐܪܥܐ ܳܕ� ܽܒܘܣ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܪܥܝܐ ܕܢܒܥܐ �ܢܗ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܪܒܐ ܳ ܗ�ܝܢ ܳܨܬܶܗ ܥܶ ܳ ܘܩ ܶܠܗ ܺܝ ܰܕܥ. ܘܡܢ ܒܝܬܢ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܡܚܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܪ ܶ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܝܚܗ ܘܠܗ ܳܒܥܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܺܕܢ ܽܐܬ ܶܐ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܠܬܗ ܰ ܘܗ ܺܢܝܐܘܬܗ. ܶܘܐܫܬ ܰܘܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܘܡ ܒܕܬ ܰܒ ܳ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܗ ܽ ܘܫܐ ܶܓ ܰ ܕܡ ܶ ܪܒܬ ܶ 337ܐ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ ܺܕ ܽܝܗܘܕ܆ ܢܚܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܒ ܳ ܬܪ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ܰ ܳܘܪ ܳ ܥܝܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܶ ܡܟ ܳܢ ܽܫܘ. ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܘܡ ܶܠܠ�ܬ ܳܡܢ ܰܟܕ ܳܒܥܶܐ ̱ 338ܗ ܳܘܐ � ܺܒ ̈� ܳܕܬ ܐ܆ ܶ �ܒܐ ܐ ܳ ܘܫ ܽ ܚ� ܢܶܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܥܶ ܶ ܰ ܛܘ ܐ ܰ ܬܓ ܰܘܣ ̱ܘ ܶܒܗ. ܡܥ ܪܗ � ̱ ̱ ܽ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܶ ܘܪ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܶܦ ܰܪܕܬ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ ܶ ܕܒܝܬ 339ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ̇ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̇ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ �ܒܬܐ. ܘܐܬ ܐ ܡܪܗ ܕܢܟܢܫܝܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܚ
ܐܢܘܢ M7 ˺M7 om. ܰܘ ܰ 336 ܬܒܪ M7 ܥܶ ܰ 337 ܪܩܬ M7 ܳ ܶ 338 ܦܩܕ M7 ܳ ܰ 339 ܥܢܗ ܕܒܪ M7 334 335
96 585
590
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Then, from Edessa, the chief of the sheep who were there heard and bleated to his Master, recognized His voice, and sought to see Him. King Abgar was intelligent and full of light; he knew who the Son was and whose Son [He was] and what He was seeking. He knew that He is the Bridegroom whose bride is all of creation, and he prepared himself so that he might enter the wedding feast first. The synagogue, 340 which was the bride of the Only Begotten, acted deceitfully, so in her place, the king prepared another [bride] who was wise. 341 The Daughter of the Hebrews was first in the household of God, and though she [herself] had been invited, she did not desire another to enter also. 342
“synagogue” or “assembly.” This section is very similar to Jacob’s homily On Edessa and Jerusalem; Jonathan Loopstra, ed. and trans., Jacob of Sarug’s Homily on Edessa and Jerusalem. The theme of “two brides/daughters” also appears in Jacob’s homily On the Church and the Synagogue, a disputation between the church and synagogue about who is the true bride of the household of God. On the Church and the Synagogue and On Edessa and Jerusalem were frequently transmitted next to each other in the manuscript tradition. For the Syriac text and a French translation of On the Church and the Synagogue, see “Homélie VI contre les Juifs” in Micheline Albert (ed. and trans.), Homélies contre les Juifs par Jacques de Saroug; Patrologia Orientalis 38 (Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1976–1977) 160–181. 342 “and though she [herself] had been invited, she did not desire another to enter also” or “and when she was invited, no other desired to enter also.” In support of the given translation, see the passage in lines 799–808 where Jacob alleges that Israel misunderstood “firstborn” to mean “only begotten.” 340 341
97 585
590
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܳ 343 ܕ�ܢ̈ܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܬ ܳܡܢ܆ ܘܨܬ ܡܢ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܪܝܫܗ ܶ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܳ ܦܥܐ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܝܘܗܝ 344܀ �ܡ ܶܪܗ ܺܘ ܰܝܕܥ ܩܠܗ ܘ ܒܥܐ ܕܢܚܙ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܘܠܬ ܳܢܐ ܰܘܡ� ܽܢ ܳ ܒܓܪ ܰܡ ܳ ܰܐ ܰ ܘܗܪܐ܆ �ܟܐ ܰܣ ܽܟ ܺܝ ܰܕܥ ܰ 345ܠ ܳ ܘܒܪ ܰܡܢ ܽ 346 ܒܪܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܽܢܘ ܰ ܘܡܘܢ ܳܒܥܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܺ ܳ ܬܢܐ ܗܘ ܰܕ ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܕܚ ܰ ܰ�ܕܥܶܗ ܰ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܝܪ ܐ ܶ 347ܠܗ ̱ ܰܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܒܩ ܳ ܕܡܐ �ܶ ܽܥܘܠ. ܘܙܡܢ ܢܦܫܗ ܕ�ܡܫܬ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܘܫܬܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܓܠܬ 348ܕܗܝ ܡܟܝܪܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܠܝܚܝܕ�ܐ܆ ܟܢ ܳ ܰ ܶ �ܟܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܬ ܐ ܳ ܘܛܝܶܒ ܰܡ ܳ ܕܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܝܗ ܰ ܚ�ܦ ̇ ܝܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܀ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܕܡܝܬܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܒ ̱ܪܬ ܥܒ��ܐ ܩ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܟܕ ܶܐ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬܩ ܰ ܘܠܝ ̱ 349ܗܘܬ. ܪ�ܬ ܐܦ� ܐ̱ܚܪܝܬܐ ܨܒܬ ܬܥ ̱
ܪܝܫܐ M7 ܢܶ ܶ ܚܙܝܘܗܝ M7 345 ܰ �ܕܥܗ M7 ܳ 346 ܘܡ ܰܢܘ M7 347 ܰܘܡܟܝܪܐ M7 ܶܪ ܰ 348 ܓܙܬ M7 ܶ 349 ܕܬܥܘܠܝ M7 343 344
98 595
600
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The holy Father had betrothed the synagogue 350 to His Only Begotten, since His loving kindness required Him to bring His kind into relationship with humans. He called the famous Daughter of the Righteous out of Egypt, 351 and He made a way for her in the sea, drew her out, and [made her] cross over. 352 He filled her table with delicious food from the mists, and He set out cakes of manna in the wilderness for her to eat. 353 He cast down a stick of wood at Marah and sweetened the waters for her to drink; 354 He split the solid rock and made rivers [of water] gush out before her. 355 He made a solemn procession for her in the way of palm trees and springs, 356 and he piled up meat, which she also greedily desired, before her to eat. 357
“synagogue” or “assembly.” Cf. Hos 11:1, Matt 2:15. 352 Exod 14:21–22. 353 Exod 16:13–15. 354 Exod 15: 23–25. 355 Exod 17:5–6. 356 Cf. Exod 15:27. 357 Cf. Exod 16:3, 13. 350 351
99 595
600
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܫܬܐ ܰ ܡܟܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܠ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܝܕ�ܶܗ܆ ܐ̱ܒܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ ܟܢ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ 358 ܽ ̈ ܶ ܰܕ� ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܕܢܛܗܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒ ̱ܐ ܢܫܐ ܓܢܣܗ. ܘܗܝ ܬܒܥ ܚܡ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܡܫ ܰܡܗܬ ܐ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܰܙ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܩܐ܆ ܩܪ ̇ܗ ܡܢ ܡ�ܪܝܢ ܠ ܓܕ ̇ܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܪܚܐ ܰ ܒܝ ܳܡܐ ܰܘܢ ܳ ܥܒܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽܐ ܳ ܥܒܪ. ܶ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܰܓ ܳܐ�ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܥ ܶ ܡ� ܳܦ ܽܬ ܳܘܪ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ܳ �ܦ� 359܆ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ 360 ܘܠܝ .361 ܘܣܕܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠ ̇ܗ ܓ�ܝ� ܐ ܕܡܢ̱ܢܐ ܒܚ ܘܪܒܐ ܕܬ ܽܟ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܒܡ ܰ ܝܣܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܪܡܝ ܽ ܰܐ ܺ ܘܪܬ ܰܩ ܳ ܚܠܝܘ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ ܕܬܫܬܐ 362܆ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܒܙܥ ܰ 363ܛ ܳܪ ܳܢܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܐܓܝܚ ܩܘܕܡ ̇ ܗ� ܳܘܬ ܐ. ܝܗ ܢ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ 364 ܕ� ̈� ܳܢܬܐ܆ ܥܒܕ ܠܗ ܙܘܚܐ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܕܩ� ܘ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܘܟܫܐ ܩܘܕܡ ̇ ܝܗ ܒ ܘܠܝ ܳ 365ܕܐܦ ܰ�ܥܢܐ ̱ܗܘܬ. ܣܪܐ ܕܬ ܽܟ ̱
ܰ
ܰܚܠܝܐ
ܕܢܶܬܛ ܰܗܡ M7 ܶ 359 ܰܥܪܦ� M7 ܶ 360 ܩܘܕܡ ̇ ܝܗ M7 ܶ 361 ܐܟܘܠܝ M7 ܬ ܶ ܶ 362 ܰ ܘ�ܗܒ ̇ ܠܗ ܬܫܬܐ M7 363 ܒܕܥ M7 364 ܒܐܪܥܐ M7 ܶ 365 ܕܬ ܐܟܘܠܝ ܶܒܣܪܐ M7 358
100 605
610
615
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The mountains skipped in the ways of the bride of God’s household, and the hills leaped greatly for joy at the ranks of young women. 366 The sea fled 367 and gave her the place where she was led; the creatures, 368 knowing who her master is, laughed with her. The fiery pillar preceded 369 the young 370 woman, and its light poured out within the camp [so that] she would delight in it. A beautiful bridal chamber was woven for her at Sinai from the mists, 371 and He entered into a covenant with her 372 for her to belong to His Only Begotten. Moses and Joshua led the bride to come to her place, and Aaron the priest delighted her with the incense of his censer. The faithful of the household showed honor to the bride of the King in order to rejoice with her when she is given to the Bridegroom, her Master. She crossed over the Jordan 373 and overthrew Jericho with a shout; 374 she destroyed kings and inherited the lands of the Peoples. 375 The sun and the moon stood still, 376 gazing on how great she had become; Cf. Ps 114:4. The whole psalm celebrates the exodus from Egypt. Ps 114:3. 368 “creatures”: lit. “natures.” 369 Exod 13:21–22. 370 “young” or “proud.” 371 Cf. Exod 19:9, 16. 372 Exod 19:1–6. 373 Josh 3:14–17. 374 Josh 6:20. 375 See esp. Josh 10–12; this is a succinct summary of the book of Joshua. 376 Josh 10:12–13. 366 367
101 605
610
615
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ 377 ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܪܩܕ ̱ܘ ܛܘ�ܐ ܒܐܘ�ܚܐ ܕܟܠܬܐ ܳ̈ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܘܕ� ̱ܝ �ܡܬܐ ܛܒ ܡܢ ܓܘܕ ܐ ܕܥ�ܝܡܬܐ. ܶ ܘ�ܗܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ 378ܐ ܳ ܰ ܬܪ ܐ ܺܕܗܝ ܬ ܰܙܕ ܰ�ܚ܆ ܥܪܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ� ܳܡܐ ܰ ̱ ܟ�ܢ̈ܶܐ ܳܕ� ܺ ܶ ܓܚܟ ̱ܘ ܳ 379ܠ ̇ܗ ܳ ܕܥܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ. ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ 380 ܪܗܛ ܥܡܘܕܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ ܩܕܡ ̇ ܝܗ ܕܡܚܬܪܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܡܝ ܒܗ. ܘܙܠܚ ܢܘܗܪܗ ܒܓܘ ܡܫܪܝܬܐ ܬܬܒܣ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܒܣ ܰܝܢܝ ܽ ܩܛܪ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܺ ܓܢ ܳ ܘܢܐ ܰܦ ܳܐ�ܐ ܶ 381ܡܢ ܥ�ܦ� 382܆ ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܰܥ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܰܒ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܺܠ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܝܕ�ܶܗ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܕܬܐܬܶ ܐ � ܳ ܘܫܐ ܘ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܕ ܽ ܽܡ ܶ ܒܪ ̇ ܬܪ ̇ܗ܆ ܘܗ �ܟܠܬܐ ܰܘ ܽ ܛܪܐ ܺ ܗܢܐ ܒܥܶ ܳ ܕܦ ܶ ܐܗܪܘܢ ܳܟ ܳ ܝܪܡܗ ܰ ܡܒ ܶܣܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ. ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ 384 ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ 383 ܥܒܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ܳܝܩ ܳܪܐ܆ ܡܗ�ܡܢܐ ܕܒܝܬܐ �ܟܠܬܐ ܕܡ�ܟܐ ܳ ܚܕܘܢ ܰܥ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܳ ܬ� ܳ �ܚ ܳ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܗܒܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܰ ܬܢܐ ܡܪ ̇ܗ. ܒܩ ܳ� ܶܣ ܰ ܝܚܘ ܳ ܘܪܕܢܢ ܥܶ ܰ ܒܝ ܳ ܽ ܒܪܬ ܰܘ � ܺ ܺܝܪ ܽ ܚܦܬ 385܆ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ �ܶܪܬܬ. �ܡ�ܟܐ ܚܪܒܬ ܘ � �ܥ ܘܣ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܗܪܐ ܳܩܡ ̱ܘ ܳܚܝܪܝܢ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܕܟܡܐ �ܶ ܰ ܡܫܐ ܰ ܶܫ ܳ ܪܒܬ܆
ܒܐܘܪܚܐ M7 ܠܗ M7 379 ܳ ܓܚܘ M7 380 ܕܢܘܗܪܐ M7 ܰ 381 ܪܒܐ M7 ܶ 382 ܰܥܪܦ� M7 ܰ 383 ܕܡܠܟܐ M7 ܰ 384 ܕܒܝܬܐ M7 385 ܰܥܩܪܬ M7 377 378
102 620
625
630
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
they ceased [their] journey so that her own journey would not cease. She came to Jerusalem, 386 the bridal chamber of kings and the righteous, where the Father had purposed to gladden her with the brightness of His Son. She dwelt in a land where priests and kings were acquired for her, and the day came for the triumphant marriage feast to occur. The Son of the King arose to come to His own 387 when He was ready, but the bride was insane—she hated [Him], defamed Him, and fled from Him. Her upright Fiancé had brought provisions from His Father’s house; He bore cures from illness, and He came in, setting them before the sick [woman]. For where the fruit made sweet by health is He showed her in order to assure her that He is the Son of God. The ill bride tasted the good things that the Bridegroom brought, but they were not sweet to her who was consumed with paganism. He beckoned the waters, and they became wine, 388 and He gave [it] to her to drink, and she took [it] to drink, but she did not accept that He was her Fiancé.
Cf. 2 Sam 5:6–9. John 1:11. 388 John 2:1–10. 386 387
103 620
625
630
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܺ ̇ ܳ ܽ 389 ܠܝ .390 ܒܛ� ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܐܘܪܚܗ ܕܝܠܗ � ܬ ܬܒܛ ̱ ܽ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܡܛܬ ܽ� ܶ �ܟܐ ܰܘ ܰܕܙ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܩܐ܆ ܘܪܫܠܡ ܓܢܘܢܐ ܕܡ ܰ ܒܕ ܳܢܚܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܕܬ ܳܡܢ ܳܣܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܕ ̇ܝܗ ܶ 391 ܒܪܗ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ ܽ 392 �ܟܐ ܰܐ ܶ ܬܩܢ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ �ܬܒܬ ܒܐܪܥܐ ܕܟܘܡ�ܐ ܘܡ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܡܛܐ ܽ 393 ܶ ܳ ܚ�ܘ� ܕܡ ܰܙܕ ܰ�ܚ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܡܛܐ �ܘܡܐ ܕܢ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ 394 ܰ ܶ ܰ ܕܠ ܒܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܢܐܬ ܐ �ܕܝܠܗ ܐܝܟ ܕܐܙܕܡܢ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܡܢܶܗ ܥܶ ܰ ܣܢܬ ܰ 395ܫ ܰܟܪܬܶܗ ܶ ܠܬܐ ܳ ܪܩܬ. ܘܦܩܪܬ ܟ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܡܟ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܒܘܗܝ܆ 397 ܝܪ ̇ܗ ܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܳܙܘ ̈ܕ ܐ ܐܝܬܝ ܶ 396ܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܽ ̱ ܝܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܥܠ ܳܣܡ ܽܩ ܶ �ܡܢܶܐ ܰ ܟܪ ܳ ܛܥܶܢ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳ ܘܕܡ ̇ ܝܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܰܐ ܳ ܕܒ ܺܣܝܡ ܶܡܢ ܽܚ ܳ ܕܫܐ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܺܐܝܬ ܳܐ ܳ ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܰܢܫ ܺ ˺ ܰ ܗܐ ܗܘ398 . ܪܪ ̇ܝܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܰ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܐܝܬܝ ܰܚ ܳ ܬܢܐ܆ ܟܠܬܐ ܟܪܝܗܬ ܐ ܛܥܡܬ ܛܘܒܐ ܕ ܳ ܒܚ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܳܘ� ܶ ܒܣܡܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܦܘܬ ܐ ܰܒܠܝܥܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܶ ܶ ܗܘܘ ܰܚ ܳ �ܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܪܡܙ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܰ ܡܪܐ ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܬܫܬܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܩܠܬ ܰ 399ܘܕ ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܫܬܐ ܶܫ ܰ ܝܪ ̇ܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ � ܰܩ ܶܒܠܬܗ. ܘܬ
ܶ
ܠܗ ܰܕ ܰܢܫ ܺ ܰ ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ܗܘܐ ̇ ܪܪ ̇ܝܗ ܗܘܐ
ܪܗܛܐ M7 ܶ ܰ ܒܛܠܝ ܳ ܗܘܬ M7 ܬ ܰ 391 ܰܢܚ ̇ ܕܝܗ ܐܒܐ M7 392 ܰܒܐܬܪܐ M7 ܕܢܶ ܶ 393 ܗܘܐ M7 394 ܶܘܐܬܐ M7 ܳ 395 ܫܢܬ M7 396 ܕܒ�ܐ ܰܕܐܝܬܝ M7 ܰ ܰܳ 397 ܕܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ ̱ܗܘ M7 add. 398 ܶ˺M7 om. ܶ ܶ ܰ 399 ܘܫܩܠܬ ܕܬܫܬܐ M7 389 390
104 635
640
645
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He multiplied bread in the wilderness 400 to remind her that He was with His Father when He gave her bread in the wilderness without bakers. 401 He formed clay and made eyes 402 to show her that she should not doubt the Son of the Fashioner [of all] at his advent. He made the paralyzed stand up before her and strengthened them 403 so that because of them she would be glad and rejoice that her Master had come. He resuscitated the dead 404 so that she would recognize that He is the Son of the Creator, and be puffed up with pride at Him who was her Fiancé and rejoice in Him. All of these things she knew, all of these things she scorned, all of these things she rejected; she denied all of these things, but one thing she seized upon: to crucify the Son. And while the Daughter of the Hebrews conspires to harm [and] to crucify, a certain Daughter of the Peoples desired to be with the Bridegroom. And when Jerusalem pushed to leave the Father’s household, Edessa entered to belong to the Only Begotten in her place. The Daughter of Abraham, who was vicious, deserted her bridal chamber,
Matt 14:13–21; Mark 6:32–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–13. Exod 16:13–15. 402 Cf. John 9:6–7. 403 Cf. Matt 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26. 404 Cf. Matt 9:18–19, 23–25; Mark 5:22–24, 35–43; Luke 7:11–17; 8:41– 42, 49–56; John 11:38–44. 400 401
105 635
640
645
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܰ ܣܓܝ ܰܠ ܳ ܘܪܒܐ ܰܕܢ ܺ ܒܚ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܽ ܰܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܥܗܕ ̇ܝܗ ܕܥܡ ܐ ܽܒ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܶܗܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܚ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܽ ܘܪܒܐ 405ܕ� ܰܢܚܬ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ. ܓܒܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܛ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܰ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ 406ܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܕܒܪ ܳܓ ܽܒܘ� ܗܘ � ܬ ܰ ܰ ܬܦ ܺ ܠܓܝܢ ܰ 407ܥܠ ܶܡܬܝܬܗ. ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽܶ ܐܩܝܡ ܩܘܕܡ ̇ ܝܗ ܠܡܫ��ܐ ܘܫܪܪ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ 408 ܳ ܳ ܕܒܥܠܬܗܘܢ ܬܚܕ ܐ ܘܬܪܘ �ܙܝ ܕܐܬ ܐ ܡܪ ̇ܗ. ܰܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܳ� ܳ ܬܐ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܕܥܐ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܳܒ ܽܪ ܰ ܘ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܢܚܡ ܡܝ ܰ ܺ ܚܬ ܳܝܪܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܝܪ ̇ܗ ܽܗܘ ܳ ܘܚ ܳ ܕ�ܐ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ. ܘ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ �ܗܝܢ ܳܫܛܬ ܟ ܶ ܕܥܬ ܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ �ܶ ܰ ܽܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ܛ� ܰܡܬ܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܚܕܐ ܶܠ ܰ �ܗܝܢ ܶܟ ܰ ܒܟ ܶ ܦܪܬ ܰܘ ܳ ܒܟܬ ܕܠ ܘܦܝ 409܀ ܒܪܐ ܬ ܽܙܩ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܣܪܘܚܝ ܬܶ ܽܙܩܘܦܝ ܰ 410ܒܪܬ ܥܶ ܳ ܒ��ܶܐ܆ ܘܟܕ ܡܬܠ ̱ ܬܟܐ ܬ ܽ ̱ ̱ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܚܕܐ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܰܥܡܡܐ ܪ ܓܬܗ �ܚܬܢܐ ܕܥܡܗ ܬܗܘܐ .411 ܰ ܘܟܕ ܽ 412ܐ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܶܚ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܘܪ ܶ ܰ ܘܩܝ ܶ 413ܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܒܐ܆ ܒܨܬ ܬܦ ̱ ܗܘܐ ܳ 414 ܘܪܗܝ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܬܶ ܶ ܽܐ ܳ ܝܗ ܺܠ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܚ� ܶܦ ̇ ܝܕ ܳ�ܐ. ܒܩܬ ܰܕ ܺ ܰܒܪܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܢ ̇ܗ ܶܫ ܰ ܒܪ ܳܗܡ ܽ ܓܢ ܳ ܣܪ ܳ ܝܚܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ̱
ܰ ܒܕܒܪܐ M7 ܶ ܰ ܰܕܢܚܘܐ M7 ܶ ܰ ܰ 407 ܬܬܦܠܓܝ M7 ܰ ܘܬ ܶ 408 ܘܕ ܐ M7 ܶ 409 ܙܩܘܦܝ ܰܚܬܢܐ M7 ܶ ܬ ܶ 410 ܕܬܙܩܘܦܝ ܶ ܬܣܪܘܚܝ M7 ܕܬ ܶ 411 ܗܘܐ ܰܥܡܗ M7 ܰ 412 ܶ ܟܕ M7 413 ܳ ܦܘܩܝ M7 ܚܒ�ܐ ܕܬ ܶ ܶ 414 ܕܬܗܘܐ M7 405 406
106 650
655
660
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and Abgar hastened to bring his Daughter in to the Holy One. Rachel, [who] loved idols, 415 left the house of Jacob, and Leah, whose sons inherited though she was hated, 416 entered. 417 She [who had] lovely eyes, who was betrothed, went out, and since she was not ready, [she who had] weak eyes 418 received her bridal chamber. 419 He entered Jerusalem, the mistress of the land who had been betrothed, but though she was not betrothed, Edessa entered and received a name. The magnificent bride hated the Bridegroom to whom she was betrothed, so the Daughter of Foreigners came in [and] arranged to become His. The chosen fiancée, whom Moses had retrieved with the plagues that he performed, saw her Fiancé and spat in His face because she hated Him. And the Daughter of the Edessenes, though uninvited, desired her spot, and she was convinced, “If she leaves, I will enter.” “The marriage feast is prepared for You, but the bride left the banquet in anger, so if she does not wish to be reconciled with You, take me and leave her! Cf. Gen 31:19–35. Gen 29:31–35. 417 There is a striking contrast between Jacob’s interpretation of Rachel and Leah here, and in his homily On our Lord and Jacob, on the Church and Rachel, and on Leah and the Synagogue. Here Jacob associates Rachel with the synagogue and Leah with the church; in the other homily, he takes the opposite position. See Dana Miller (trans.) and Mary Hansbury (ed.), Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Jacob (Gorgias Press, 2020) 54– 85. 418 “weak eyes”: “weak of light.” 419 Cf. Gen 29:16–17. 415 416
107 650
655
660
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰܘ ܶ ܒܓܪ ܰܐܥܶܠ ܰܒܪܬܶܗ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܩ ܺܕ ܳ ܪܗܛ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܫܐ. ܚܡܬ ܰ 420ܨ �� ܶܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܰ� ܽ ܢܶ ܰ ܦܩܬ ܳܪ ܺܚܝܠ ܳܪ ܰ ܥܩܘܒ܆ ܺ ܘܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܺ� ܳܝܐ ܰܕ ̈ܒܢܶ ̇ ܝܗ ܳ�ܪܬܝܢ ܰܟܕ ܰܣ ܳܢܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܦܩܬ ܰ 421ܕ ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܝܪܬ ܰ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܳܗܝ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܰ ܝܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܝܣܬ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܢ ̇ܗ ܶܫ ܰ ܘܗܪܐ ܽ ܝܒܐ ܺ ܡܛ ܳ ܓܢ ܳ ܢܣ ܰ ܩܠܬ܀ ܘܟܕ � ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܥܠ ܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܪܒܬ ܐܪܥܐ ܕܗܝ ܐܬܡܟܪܬ܆ ܘܟܕ ܳ� ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܘܪܗܝ ܰ 422ܘ ܳ ܝܪܐ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܽܐ ܳ ܫܡܐ ܶܫܩܠܬ. ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܐܬܡ ܰ ܬܢܐ ܶܕ ܰ �ܚ ܳ ܬܗ ܰ ܟܪܬ ܶܠܗ܆ ܟܠܬܐ ܕܙ ܘܚܐ ܣܢ ܶ ܘܒܪܬ ܽܢ ܳ ܶ ܘܟ��ܶܐ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܳܩ ܰܡܬ ܬ ܶ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܺ 423ܕܝܠܗ. ̱ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܢܚܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܰ ܕܣ ܶܒܠ ܽ 424ܡ ܶ ܒܓ ̈ܘ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܽ ܥܒܕ܆ ܡܟܝܪܬ ܐ ܓܒ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܘܪ ܰܩܬ ܰܒ ܰ ̈ ܝܪ ̇ܗ ܳ ܚܙܬ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܟ ܳ ܳ ܣܢܬܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܘܗܝ ܕ ܐܦ ̱ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܟܬ ̇ܗ ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܰܩ ܳ ܪ�ܐ܆ ܘܒܪܬ ܐܘ�ܗ�ܐ ܪ ܓܬ ܕ ܰ ̱ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶܳ ܶ ܽ ܘܡܦܝܣܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܕܐܢ ܢܦܩܐ ܗܝ ܐܢܐ ܐܥܘܠ. ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܚ� ܳܘ� ܺ ܠܬܐ ܺ ܪܓ ܳܝܙ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢ ܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ܆ ܥܒܝܕ ܳܠܟ ܘܟ ܒܝܐ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܬܪܥܶܐ ܳ 425ܠܟ ܺܠܝ ܰ 426ܣܒ ܰܘ ܳ ܶܘܐܢ ܳ� ܳܨ ܳ ܐܪܦ ̇ܗ .427
ܰ
ܰܚܒܪܬ M7 ܳ ܦ ܰܫܬ M7 ܳ ܶ ܰ 422 ܐܘܪܗܝ ܥ ܶܠܬ M7 ܶ 423 ܕܬܗܘܐ M7 ܓܐܺܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܶ 424 ܐܣܩ M7 ܶ ܰ 425 ܬܬܪܥܐ M7 426 M7 om. 427 ܰܘ ̇ ܐܪܦܝܗ M7 420 421
108 665
670
675
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Look, the Hebrew woman is constructing a cross in order to crucify You, my Lord; come to me and leave the barren woman who has not accepted You! Great is Your feast that is prepared for the Daughter of the Hebrews, and since she does not desire [You], cause me to enter instead of her, for I desire [You]. Your bridal chamber will not be devoid of a noble woman because You are the King— since Zion was angry, Edessa will become intimate with You. I will become the chief for the assemblies of the Peoples of the earth— since one left, many will enter in her place. You are beloved, O Bridegroom, and the young women desire Your beauty; the devotee of the calf 428 hated You 429—depart from her alone! Draw me after you, 430 O Son of the Rich One, to Your Father’s place; I will run with You, for Your fragrance is sweeter than spices. Your name is an oil of myrrh 431 that perfumes the assemblies, and whoever does not wish to be perfumed by it, leave her putrid! The ranks of virgins beg You for a whiff of Your fragrances;
Cf. Exod 32:1–35. Reading ܣܢܬܟwith the variant to maintain the second person; the main text reads “she hated him.” 430 Song 1:4. 431 Song 1:3. 428 429
109 665
670
675
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܟܒܐ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܳ 432 ܝܬܐ ܰ ܡܪ ܳ ܘܦܝ 433܆ ܗܐ ܥܒܪ ܕܠܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܬ ܽܙܩ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ̇ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܬ ܐ ܠܟ ܨܝܕܝ ܘܐܪܦܗ ܒܝܪܐ ܕ� ܩܒܠܬܟ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܡܛ ܰܝܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ �ܒ ̱ܪܬ ܥܶܒ��ܶܐ܆ ܰܪܒ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܣܡܟܟ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܕ� ܒܥܝܐ ܠܝ ܕܒܥܝܐ ܐܢܐ ܚ�ܦ ̇ ܝܗ ܐܥܶܠ. ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ̱ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܓܢܘܢܟ � ܢܒܘܪ ܡܢ ܒ ̱ܪܬ ܚܐ� ܐ ܟܕ ܡ�ܟܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܗܘܐ ܒܢܶ ܳ ܘܪܗܝ ܬܶ ܶ ܗ�ܘܢ ܽܐ ܳ ܶܕܪ ܰ ܓܙܬ ܶܨ ܽ ܩܦܐ ܰܥ ܳܡܟ. ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܬܐ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ܆ ܐܗܘܐ ܪܝܫܐ ܠܟ�ܘܫ ܳ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ ܚܕܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ ܦܩܬ ܚ�ܦ ̇ ܝܗ �ܥܠܢ ܣܓܝܐܬ ܐ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰ� ܳܓܝ ̱ܗܝ ܽܫ ܳ ܺ ܘܦܪܟ܆ ܪܚܝܡ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܚܬܢܐ ܘܥ�ܝܡ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܬܗ ܰ 434ܒ ܽ ܽ �ܚܘܕ ܰܫ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ. ܪܚܘܡܬܗ ܕܥܶܓ� ܣܢ ܰ ܺ ܬܪܟ ܰܒܪ ܰܥܬ ܳܝܪܐ � ܶ ܶܓ ܰܕܝܢܝ ܳܒ ܳ ܬܪܗ ܰܕ ܽܐܒܘܟ 435܆ ܰ ܳ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ 436 ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶܽ ܶ ܥܡܟ ܐܪܗܛ ܕܚ� ̱ܗܘ ܪܝܚܟ ܡܢ ܗ�ܘܡܐ. ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܟ� ̈ܘ ܳܫܬܐ܆ ܡܫܚܐ ܕܡܘܪܐ ܫܡܟ ܕܡܒܣܡ ܠ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ܳܕ� ܳ ܨܒܬ ܬܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܶ 437ܒܗ ܰܐܪܦ ̇ܗ ܳ 438ܣ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܽ ܳ ܶ ܺ �ܪܝܚ ܶܒ ̈ܣ ܳܡ ܰܢܝܟ ܰܚ ܽܕܪܘܟ ܶܣܕ�ܐ ܰܕܒܬ ̈ܘ ܳܠܬܐ܆
ܨܠܝܒܐ M7 ܬܶܙܩܘܦܝ ܳ ܗܘܬ M7 ܳ 434 ܣܢܬܟ M7 435 ܰܕܐܒܘܟ ܰܒܪ ܰܥܬܝܪܐ M7 ܢܶ ܰ 436 ܪܗܛ M7 ܬܒ ܰ ܬܶ ܰ 437 ܣܡܝ M7 ܰ 438 ܐܪܦܐ M7 432 433
�ܬܪܐ
110 680
685
690
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
there is one who hated You, but, behold, many love You! Behold, the whole human world thirsts to see You; why were You despised in Jerusalem by the harlot? Behold, the queens of the Peoples wait for You to visit 439 them, and the young women ardently long for Your bridal chamber that is full of light. Behold, the islands and the cities lie open before You: go out from Judea, the companion of the calves, 440 who despises you.” The church of the Peoples drew near by the faith of the king to ask Christ to come to her [and] be with her. Abgar, who was beloved, was the mouth of the church, and through him she sent to the Son of God to come to her. Though He was despised by the Jews who were His kindred, by the household of the Peoples, who were outsiders, He was honored. Edessa was the first among the cities to confess the Son, and through her king she condemned Zion who treated Him unjustly.
439 440
“visit” or “command.” Cf. Exod 32; 1 Kgs 12:25–33.
111 680
685
690
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬܟ ܳ ܳ ܘܗܐ ܰܡ ̈ܚ ܳܒܢ ܳܠܟ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܬ ܐ. ܚܕܐ ̱ܗܝ ܕܣܢ ܳ ܳܰ ܳ ܗ�ܐ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܪܬ ܐ ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳ ̈ܫܐ ܽ 441ܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܨ ܳ ܗܐ ܥܡ ܚܙܝܟ 442܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳܺ ܳ ܽ �ܡܘܢ ܽܒܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܡ�ܛܥܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܡܢ ܙ ܢܝܬܐ. ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܽ ̈ܶܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܡܣܟܝܢ ܬܦܩܘܕ ܐܢܝܢ܆ ܗܐ ܡ ��ܟ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܥ�ܝ̈ ܳܡܬܐ ܓܢܘܢܟ � ܳܓܢ ܰܕܡ� ܢܘܗܪܐ ̱ܗܘ .443 ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܺ ܦܬ�̈ ܳܚܢ ܽܩ ܰ ܘܕܡܝܟ܆ ܗܐ ܓܙ�ܬ ܐ ܘܡܕ�ܢܬܐ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽܦܘܩ ܶܡܢ ܺ� ܽܗܘܕ ܰܕ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܡܨܥܪ ܐ ܠܟ ܚܒܪܬ ܥܓ� 444܀ ܺ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܕܡ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܶܩ ܰ ܪܒܬ܆ ܥ ̱ܕܬ ܐ ܕܥܡܡܐ ܒܗܝܡܢ ܶ ܺ ܝܕ ̇ܝܗ ܢܶ ܶ ܝܣܝ ܰܠ ܺ ܝܚܐ ܺܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܶܨ ܶ ܡܫ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰ 445ܥ ܳܡ ̇ܗ. ܬܦ ̱ ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܺ ܪܚ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܳ ܽܦ ܳ ܒܓܪ ܰܕ ܺ �ܥܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ̱ ܺ �ܚܬ ܰ ܘܒ ܰ ̈ �ܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܶܨ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶܫ ܰ ܝܕ ̇ܝܗ .446 ܐܝܕ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ 447 ܕܒܝ̈ܬ�ܶܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܟܕ ܡ�ܛܥܪ ܡܢ ܝܘܕ�ܐ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܶܡܬ�ܩܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܒ��ܐ ̱ܗܘܘ܀ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ܰ 448ܒ ܳ ܕܬ ܶ ܒܪܐ܆ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܒܟܪܬ ܒܡܕ�ܢܬܐ ܶ ܒܝܕ ܰܡ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ �ܟ ̇ܗ �ܨܶ ܽ ܗ�ܘܢ ܶܒܣܪܬ ܰܕܛܠܡܬܗ ̱ 449ܗܘܬ.
ܳ ܕܐܢ ܳܫܐ M7 ܬܶ ܶ ܚܙܝܟ M7 443 M7 om. 444 ܰܨ �ܠܡܐ M7 ܘܢܶ ܶ 445 ܗܘܐ M7 ܰܳ 446 ܰܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ M7 ܶ ܳ 447 ܥܒ�ܝܐ M7 ܬܗ ܶ ܰ 448 ܝܡܢܝ M7 ܳ 449 ܰܕܣܢܬܗ M7 441 442
ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܨܶ ܶ ܝܕ ̇ܝܗ
112 695
700
705
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
However, she is [only] the firstborn of the cities in the faith, and for this reason, her early faithfulness is beloved. The taste of all the fruits and of the first-ripe fruits is the same, even if one is the beloved first-ripe fruit for the laborers. It receives kisses [and] is cherished since it is the first-ripe; it is more honored than all the fruits, although it [too] is a fruit. The first-fruits also is a messenger for the laborer, and by it, it is announced [that] the time for the harvest of fruits has come. Therefore, the farmer also eagerly desires to meet it, for it ushers in the season of the fruits when they draw near. Abgar was first, and he held out the fruits of faith from the household of the Peoples to the Lord of Eden, who had come to Judea. And although the faith of the cities was deemed worthy, Abgar’s [faith] is [more] beloved, which like a first-ripe fruit came in through the king. The king seized [faith] 450 from between the branches of the crucifixion,
450
“faith”: lit. “it” (fem.).
113 695
700
705
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ 451܆ ܒܪܡ ܰܒ ܳܟܪܬ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܕܡܕ�ܢܬܐ ܒܗ ܪܚܝܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳ ܶ ܕܫ ܳ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܺ ܫܪ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ܰ ܪܘ ܳ�ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܥܡܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܰܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܛ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܺܦ ܶܐ� ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܒ ܳܟ ܶ�ܐ܆ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܰܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܺ ܪܚܝܡ ܰܒ ܳܟ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܦ ܳ� ̈ܶܚܐ .452 ܬܚ ܰܒܒ ܰܟܕ ܰ 453ܫ ܳ ܽܗܘ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܢ ܰܫܩ ܽܗܘ ܶܡ ܰ ܪܘ ܰ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܬ� ܰܩܪ ܽܗܘ ܶ 454ܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܺܦ ܺܐ�ܝܢ ܰܟܕ ܽܗܘ ܺܦ ܰ ܶܡ ܰ ܐܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ. ܺ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ ܡܣ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܒܪ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܥܠ ܰ 455ܦ ܳ� ܳܚܐ܆ ܪܝܫ ܥ� ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܬܟ ܳܪܙ ܐ ܰ ܘܒܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܶ ܥ�ܬܐ ܕܦܐ� ܐ ܰܕܡܛܐ ܰܙ ܳ ܒܢ ̇ܗ. ܽ ܳ ܰ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܳܣ ܰܘܚ � ܳ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܪܥ ̇ܗ 456ܐܦ ܐ ܳܟ ܳܪܐ܆ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܒܢܐ ܺ 457 ܕܦ ܶܐ� ܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܩܪܒܘ ܽ ܝܬܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܙ ܳ �ܗܘܢ܀ ܕܗܘ ܡ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ 458 ܐܒܓܪ ܒܟܪ ܘܐܘܫܛ ܦܐ� ܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܳ ܽ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܳ �ܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܶ ܥܕܝܢ ܶܕܐܬ ܐ ܺܠܝܗܘܕ. ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܰܫ ܳ ܡܕ ̈� ܳܢܬܐ܆ ܘ�ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܪܚ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܝܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܒܟ �ܟܐ 459ܥܶ ܰܠܬ. ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܚ ܳ ܰܡ ܳ ܛܦ ̇ܗ ܶ 460ܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܣܘܟܐ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ܆
ܒܗ ܳ ܰ ܝܡ ̇ ܢܘܬܗ M7 ܰ ܳ ܦܠܚܐ M7 453 ܰܒܕ M7 454 ܽܗܘ ܶܡ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ M7 ܶ 455 ܨܝܕ M7 456 �ܘܪܥܗ M7 457 ܰܣܒܪܐ M7 ܰܐ ܶ 458 ܘܫܛ M7 ܰ 459 ܒܩܕܡܐ M7 460 ܰܩ ̇ ܛܦܗ M7 451 452
114 710
715
720
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and reached out [and] gave it to the Lord of kings, who took delight in it. From the mind of the king, it sprouted like a cluster of grapes, 461 and he sent it to his Lord that it might come in before Him as the first-fruit. 462 And as the beloved first-ripe fruit the Son of God received it, and He rejoiced in it and sent a present to the one who had sent it. He received the first-fruit and gave a priceless gift: in exchange for the offering, great peace for generations to come. The way of the Peoples hastened to come to God, for Abgar had opened it for the hosts to advance in it. That first man confessed that our Lord is God, and without [taking] offense, 463 he received the news of the crucifixion. The great way of faith that had been shut he broke through and crossed over and made room for the Peoples to come. The world was unaware of our Lord when He came to it, but that first one became aware and revealed [it] and enlightened himself.
Cf. Isa 65:8; see also Aphrahat, Demonstration 23. “first-fruit” or “beginning.” 463 That is, without the notion of a crucified God being an offense to him. 461 462
115 710
715
720
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܗܒ ̇ܗ ܳ ܐܘܫܛ ܰ� ܳ �ܡ ܶܪܐ ܰܡ �� ܶܟܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܶ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܕܡ ܳ ܥ�ܢܶܗ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܶܪ ܳ �ܟܐ ܺܝ ܳܥܬ ܐܝܟ ܛܘܛܝܬܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܘܫ ܳܕܪ ̇ܗ ܳ ܘܠܝ ܽܩ ܰ ܰ ܝܫܝܬܐ. ܘܗܝ ܐܝܟ ܪ �ܡ ܶܪܗ 464ܕܬ ܽܥ ̱ ܘܕܡ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܝܡܬܐ ܰܩ ܳ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܒ ܳܟܪܬ ܐ ܺ ܒܠ ̇ܗ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܪܚ ܚܕܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰ ܡܫ ܳܕܪ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܳܕ ܳ ܰܘ ܺ ܘܠ ܰ ܫܢܐ ܰ 465ܫ ܰܕܪ. ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܒܬܐ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܰ ܕܠܝܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܛܝ̈ ܶܡܐܐ 466܆ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܡܘܗ ܫܩܠ ܪܝܫ ܳ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܚܠܦ ܩܘܪܒܢܐ ܫܝܢܐ ܪܒܐ �ܕ � ܐ ܕܐܬܝܢ܀ ܰ ܘܪܚܐ ܰ ܚܫܬ ܺܬܐܬܶ ܐ ܳ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܶܒ ܰ ܽܐ ܳ �ܘܬ 467ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܳ ܬܚ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܰܢܗ ܽ ܐܒܓܪ ܰ 468ܦ ܳ ܰܕ ܰ �ܟܘܢ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܰ� ܳܘܬ ܐ. ܰ ܒܡ ܰܪܢ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܕܝ ܳ ܽܗܘ ܰܩ ܳ ܕܡ ܳܝܐ ܐ ܺ ܐ� ܳܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 469 ܝܦܘܬ ܐ. ܘܕ� ܟܫ� ܩܒܠ ܛܐܒ ̇ܗ ܕܙܩ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܣܟ ܳ ܝܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܪܒܬܐ ܕܗܝܡܢ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܬܪܥ ̇ܗ ܘܥܒܪ ܘܥܒܕ ܐܬܪ ܐ �ܥܡܡܐ ܢܐܬܘܢ. ܶܳ �ܡܐ ܳ ܪܓܝܫ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܒܗ ܳܥ ܳ ܳ� ܺ ܒܡ ܰܪܢ ܰܟܕ ܐܬ ܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܓ� ܘܢܶ ܰ ܗܪܬ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ 470܀ ܘܗܘ ܩܕܡܝܐ ܐܪܓܫ ܘ
ܳ �ܡ ̇ ܪܗ M7 ̈ ܺ ܳܕܫܢܐ M7 466 ܛܝ̈ܡܐ M7 ܶ 467 �ܒܝܬ M7 ܰ 468 ܰ ܐܒܓܪ M7 ܘ ܶ 469 ܛܰ ̇ ܒܗ M7 470 ܐܪܥܐ M7 464 465
ܺ ܶ ܕܬܐܬ ܐ
116 725
730
735
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The Exalted One came down and associated His being with things below, and in His journey, He humbly dwelled in the house of the earthly. He dwelled in the Virgin 471 and came to infancy and suckled milk, and He became a young man and grew up in our place, 472 He fasted and was tempted. 473 And He was hungry 474 and thirsted, 475 He grew weary on the road and asked for water, 476 He slumbered and slept, 477 He prayed and sweated 478 and carried a heavy load. 479 And He was persecuted, tired, harassed, beaten, driven away, abused, and hated, drinking disgrace and mockeries every day. And amid these things Abgar recognized that He is God, and in his mind, he observed who He is, and he was undisturbed. Faith was his lamp that was full of light, and he disregarded the offenses and came to meet the Son of God. The radiance of the Father showed itself to him gently, and it broke through the thick darkness in him and came [and] cleaved to him. The mystery of the faith shone on him who had drunk disgrace,
Matt 1:18–23; Luke 1:26–38. Cf. Luke 2:41–52. 473 Matt 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13. 474 Matt 4:2; Luke 4:2. 475 John 19:28. 476 John 4:6–7. 477 Matt 8:24; Mark 4:38; Luke 8:23. 478 Luke 22:39–44; cf. Matt 26:36–44; Mark 14:32–42. 479 Cf. John 19:17. 471 472
117 725
730
735
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܰ ܳ ܢܚܬ ܥܶ ܳ� ܳܝܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ ܚܠܛ ܳ�ܬܗ ܰ 480ܥܡ ܬܚܬ�̈ܶܐ܆ ܐܘܪܚܗ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܡ ܺܟ ܳ ܰ ܝܟܐܺܝܬ ܰܫ ܺܪܝ ܽܒ ܶ ��ܢܶܐ. ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ �ܕܐ ܺܘܝܢܶܩ ܰܚ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܰ �ܝ ܳ �ܒܐ܆ ܫܪܐ ܒܛܠܝܬܐ ܘ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ �ܝܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܨܡ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܒܐ ܰܒܐܬܪܢ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܛ ܳ ܐܬ� ܺܣܝ. ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܶ ܟܦܢ ܰܘ ܺܨܗܝ ܰܘ �ܝ ܽܒ ܳ ܘܫܐܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ܆ ܘܨ ܺܠܝ ܰܘܕܥܶܬ ܰܘܛܥܶܢ ܽ� ܳ ܳܘܢܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܕܡܟ ܰ ܘܩܪ ܐ. ܰ ܡܛ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܺܪܕ ܳ ܪܦܐ ܺ ܫܚ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܰ� ܳ�ܐ ܺ ܛܪ ܳܝܕܐ܆ ܝܩܐ ܰ ܳ ܺܳ ܳ ܶ ܬܐ ܰܨ ܳ ܥܪܐ ܶ 481 ܘܒܙ̈ ܶܚܐ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ. ܡܨܚܝܐ ܣ�ܝܐܐ ܘܫ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܘܒ ܳܝܢܬ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰ�ܕܥܶܗ ܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰܕܐ� ܳܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰܘ ܶ ܥ�ܢܶܗ ܳܕ ܶܩܗ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ 482ܘ� ܐ ܰ ܒܪ ܳ ܬܕ ܰܘܕ܀ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܡ� ܽܢ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ܆ ܗܘܬ ܶܠܗ ܫܪܓܐ ܕ ܗܝܡܢ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܘܕܫ ܥܠ ܟܫ� ܘܐܬ ܐ �ܘܥܕܗ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ. ܰܺ ܳܺ ܰ ܶܨ ܶ ܝܟܐܝܬ܆ ܘܗܝ ܪܟ ܡܚܗ ܰܕ ܳܐܒܐ ܐ ܺܕܝܩ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܶܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܩܦܗ. ܘ�ܚܫܘܟܐ ܥܒܝܐ ܬܪܥ ܒܗ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ 483 ܶ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܕܫܬܐ ܰܨܥܪܐ 484܆ ܕܢܚ ܒܗ ܪܐܙ ܐ ܕܗܝܡܢ
ܰܢܦܫܗ M7 ܰܨܥ�ܐ M7 ܳܕ ܳܩ ̇ܗ ܰ 482 ܕܡ ܽܢܘ M7 ܳ 483 �ܐܙܐ M7 ܳ 484 ܕܫܬܝܐ ܰܨܥ�ܐ M7 480 481
118 740
745
750
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and he did not stumble at the smallness of the Son of God. A sick man with feeble feet 485 ran first on a road full of all stumbling blocks, and he was not disturbed. His place was far away but his faith was near— weak feet and a whole heart in the running of his way. The soul is near in faith to God, and a weak body does not disturb it when [the soul] dwells in it. It was by Abgar’s good will that he was made well; he passed even the swift in [his] running in the way of the Son. His soul was enlightened by the rays of a great light, and he saw the Son and called Him by His name: the Son of God. Though the way of the Son was not smooth, Abgar journeyed on it, and though its fearful precipice was unsettling, he crossed over on [the way] and was safe— though the great hedge that the serpent had built was not [yet] broken down, 486 nor had the great viper 487 been crushed by the crucifixion,
The same construction is used in line 654 to describe Leah’s eyes. Cf. Eph 2:14–15. 487 I.e., the devil. 485 486
119 740
745
750
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ 488 ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܶ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܬܬܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܙܥܘܪܘܬܗ ܶ ܶ ܒܪܐ ܺ ܰܓ ܳ ܓ� ܶ ܪܗܛ ܰܩ ܳ ܟܪ ܳ ܝܗܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܕܡ ܳܝܐ܆ ܢܣܝܣ � ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܘܕ. ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܡ�ܝܐ ܟܠ�ܬܘܩܠ ܰܐ ܶ ܘܗ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܶܗ ܰܩ ܺܪ ܳ ܬܪܗ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ܰ ܝܒܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܡܚ ̈ܝ ܳܠܢ ܰܘ ܺ ܗܛܐ ܽܕ ܶ ܓ� ܺ ܐܘܪܚܗ܀ ܚܠܝܡ �ܒܐ ܒܪ � ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰܢܦܫܐ ̱ܗܘ ܩܪܒܐ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ �ܘܬ ܐ�ܗܐ܆ ܳ ܰܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝ� ܳܡܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶܒܗ. ܘ� ܡܕ ܘܕ ܠ ̇ܗ ܦܓܪܐ ܡܚ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܕ ܺ ܚܠ ܳ ܰ ܒܗܘ ܶܨ ܳ ܒ�ܢܶܗ ܳ 489ܛ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܘܪܚܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܛܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܩ ܺ�ܝ̈� ܽܒ ܶ ܒܪܐ. ܥܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܪ ܳ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܢܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܽ ܰܢ ܶ ܗܪܬ ܡܢ ܰܙ�ܝܩܐ ܕܢܘܗܪܐ 490ܪܒܐ܆ ܰ ܒܪܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܠ ܳ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܒ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܡܗ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܘܪܚܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܝ� ܽܐ ܶ ܒܪܐ ܳ 491ܪܕܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ܆ ܟܕ � ܢܩ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܘܟܕ � ܡܫܝܢ ܢܐܪܒ ̇ܗ 492ܕܚܝ� ܥܒܪ ܒ ̇ܗ 493ܘܬܟܝܠ. ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܺ ܣܝ ܳܓܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܬܪܝܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܒܢܐ ܶܚ ܳ ܘ�ܐ܆ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 494 ܘܬ ܐ ܳܓ ܳ ܪܣܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ .495 ܘ� ܪܨܝܨ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒ ̇ܗ ܒܙܩܝܦ
ܰܒ ܳ ܙܥܘ��ܬܗ M7 ܳ ܨܶܒܝܢܐ M7 ܶ 490 ܕܕܢܚܐ M7 ܰ 491 ܕܡܠܟܐ M7 ܺ 492 ܢܐܪܒܐ M7 493 ܰܥܒܪܗ M7 ܶ 494 ܟܢ M7 ܺ 495 ܠܝܛܐ M7 488 489
120 755
760
765
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and the gate was not opened for the Peoples 496 to come in to God, nor had the good news gone out to the cities to reconcile them, and the cross had not appeared on Golgotha, nor had He Himself demonstrated to the People 497 where His place is, and the regions of the Peoples of the earth had not been enlightened 498 by the crucifixion, which is the glory of the faith, while the point of the cherub’s sword 499 had not been broken in the side of the Heir 500 to make space for those who enter, while the regions had not been distributed for apostleship, and tongues of fire had not been divided among all of the disciples, while the whole world was [still] darkened by idolatry, Abgar was enlightened by his mind without a preacher! Although he was not invited, he prepared himself for the wedding banquet, and though [she was] not engaged, he brought a bride in to the Bridegroom, her Master! The apostles betrothed the cities to the Son of God,
Cf. Acts 14:27. Variant: “to the world” ()ܠܥܠܡܐ. 498 Variant: “while the Son of God had not yet been glorified” (� )ܥܕܟܝܠ ܐܫܬܒܚ ܗܘܐ ܒܪܐ ܕܐܠܗܐ. 499 Cf. Gen 3:24. 500 Cf. John 19:34. 496 497
ܟܕ
121 755
760
765
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܳ ܺ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܦܬܝܚ ܰܬ ܳ ܥ�ܘܢ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܘ� ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ 501 ܺ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܘ� ܢܦܝܩܐ ܣܒܪܬ ܐ �ܟ�ܟܐ ܬܫܝܢ ܐܢܘܢ. ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ 502 ܳ ܝܦܐ ܐ ̈ܦܐ ܰ 503ܥܠ ܳ�ܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ܆ ܘ� ܚܘܝ ܗܘܐ ܙܩ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ 504 ܶ ܘ� ܚܘܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܥܡܐ ܢܦܫܗ ܕܐܝܢܘ ܐܬܪܗ. ܳܘ� ܰܢ ܺܗ ܺܝܪܝܢ ܰܐ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܬ� ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ 505܆ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 506 ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܒܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ ܕܐܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܕܗ ܪܒܐ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܽ ܬܒ ܳ ܝܪ ܐ ܳ ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܺ ܟܪ ܳ ܕܚ ܳ ܫ� ܳܢܐ ܰ ܘܒܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ �ܥ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶ� ܰܐ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ. ܒܕܦܢܗ ܕ� ܰ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܟܕ � ܦܪܝܫܝܢ ܐܬ�ܘܬ ܐ ܠܫܠܝܚܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܳܘ� ܶ� ܳܫܢ̈ܶܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ܰ ܠܓܝܢ ܽ ܺ ܡܦ ܺ �ܟܠ 507ܬ�ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ. ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܟܪܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰܟܕ ܶܚ ܽܫܘܟ ̱ܗܘܐ ܥ�ܡܐ ܟܠܗ ܒܦܬ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܥ�ܢܶܗ ܕ� ܳܟ ܽܪ ܳܘܙ ܐ .508 ܢܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܒܓܪ ܡܢ ܪ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰܟܕ ܳ� ܶ ܶ ܶ ܩܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܙ ܶܡܢ ܰܢܦܫܗ �ܒܝܬ ܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ �ܚ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܰ ܘܟܕ � ܡܟܝܪܐ ܐܥܠ ܟ ܬܢܐ ܳܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ 509܀ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܶܚܐ ܰ ܳ ܡܟܪ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܠܡܕ�ܢܬܐ �ܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ܆
ܰ ܬܙ ܶܡܢܝ M7 ܰ ܐܪܝܡ M7 503 ܰܢܘܦܐ M7 ܳ 504 �ܥܠܡܐ M7 ܳ 505 ܒܪܐ ܰܕܐܠܗܐ M7 506 ܫܘܦܪܐ M7 507 ܰܥܠ M7 ܳ 508 ܟ�ܘܙܐ M7 ܳ 509 ܡܪܗ M7 501 502
ܶ ܰ ܰܟܕ � ܰ ܥܕܟܝܠ ܐܫܬ ܰܒܚ ܗܘܐ
122 770
775
780
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and they brought them to God by their teachings. Abgar gave his own city without intermediaries, and before an apostle had come to him, he sent a letter. He wrote the Bridegroom, “I have a daughter, and she is very beautiful; take her for Yourself, my Lord, to become Yours with her companions. I have a small assembly, and it is suitable for You, O my Lord the King; mingle it with the rank of young women who are joined to You.” The great believer loved the city as himself, and he gave his city and himself to God by faith. He found a treasure, and because he had a good heart, he did not desire that he alone should grow rich and not others. He wanted the riches that he had found to belong to him and to his city, for the riches of the Son suffice for the whole world. Since he had perceived the Son of God and recognized who He is, he labored diligently for all of creation to see His excellence.
123 770
775
780
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܶܶ ܝܗܘܢ ܐܝܬܝܘ ܐܢ̈ܝܢ .510 ܘܨܝܕ ܐ�ܗܐ ܒ�ܘܠܦܢ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܬܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܽܗܘ �ܗܒ ̇ܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕ� ܡܨ�ܝܐ 511܆ ܡܕܝ ܳܢ̱ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܥܕ� ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܺ ܰ ܫܠ ܳ ܝܚܐ �ܘܬܗ ܫܠܚ ܐܓܪܬ ܐ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܬܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܰܒܪܬ ܐ ܘܛܒ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ �ܚ ܳ ܟܬܒ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܝܪܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳܳ ܰܣ ܶܒ ̇ ܒ�ܬ ̇ܗ. ܝܗ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܬܗܘܐ ܕܝܠܟ ܥܡ ܚ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܫܚܐ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܰܡ ܳ ܘܚ ܳ ܘܪܬ ܐ ܺܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳ �ܟܐ 512܆ ܟܢܘܫܬܐ ܙܥ ܽ ܶ ̇ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܰ 513 ܳ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܚ�ܘܛܝܗ ܒܣܕܪ ܐ ܕܥ�ܝܡܬܐ ܕܢܩܝܦܢ ܠܟ܀ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܰ 514ܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ �ܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ܆ ܡܗܝܡܢܐ ܪܒܐ ܪܚܡ ܠܡܕܝܢ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ̱ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ��ܗܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ ܘܢܦܫܗ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ. ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܝܡܬܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܰ ܳ ܘܥܠ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ �ܒܐ ܛܒܐ܆ ܺܣ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܕܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܳ ܥܬܪ ܽܗܘ ܰܒ ܽ ܐܚ� ܢܶܐ .� 515 � ܨܒܐ ܕܢ �ܚ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶܠܗ ܘܠܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ ܒܥܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܗܘܐ ܥܘܬܪ ܐ ܕܐܫܟܚ܆ ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܽܗܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܽܥ ܶ ܒܪܐ ܳ ܘܬܪܗ ܰܕ ܳ �ܥ ܳ �ܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ. ܐܪܓܫ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܒܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ ܘ�ܕܥܶܗ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ܆ ܳ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܺ ܳ ܚܙ ܐ ܽܫ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܬܶ ܶ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܦܪܗ .516 ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܟܠܗ ܒܪ
ܳ
ܰ
ܶ ̈ܶ
ܰܘ ܽ ܒܝܘܠܦܢܗܘܢ ܐܝܬܝܘ ܐܢܝܢ ܨܶܝܕ ܰܩܕܝܫܐ M7 ܳ ܶ 511 ܡܨܥܝܐ M7 512 ̱ܗܝ ܠܟ ܰܩܕܝܫܐ M7 ܶ 513 ܒܣܕ�ܐ M7 ܰ 514 ܠܡܕܝܢܬܗ M7 ܺ ܰ 515 ܐܚܪܢܐ M7 ܘ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܫܘܦܪܗ ܬܶ ܶ 516 ܚܙ ܐ M7 510
124 785
790
795
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The love of divine salvation 517 was stirred up in him, and he longed for the Son so as to be satisfied by Him and all His benefits. He drank in His tidings and became drunk on the report of His kindness, and his soul also longed for the sight of the One who is full of virtues. Israel was the beloved firstborn of Adonai’s household and was named “my firstborn Israel” by God. 518 He created the People of Isaac to be first in faith, and “the firstborn of the Father” was said with thanksgiving. And the Father was proud of him, but during his upbringing he became idle, and he grew and became strong and grew fat and kicked 519 and acquired possessions. So the foolish heir became rich and increased in strength and forgot his Father, and he again reviled the Guardian who had preserved him. And when the rebellious son wronged his Begetter, a brother who was better than him sprang forth—King Abgar! The wise Father called [Israel] 520 His firstborn in order to show him
“salvation” or “life.” Exod 4:22. 519 Cf. Deut 32:15. 520 Lit.: “him.” 517 518
125 785
790
795
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܶܐܬܬܙܺ ܰ ܝܥܬ ܶܒܗ ܶܪ ܰ ܚܡܬ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗ�̈ܶܐ܆ ܘܡܢ ܽܥ ܳ ܰ ܘܪ ܶܓܗ ܰܠ ܳ ܣܒܥ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶ ܒܪܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ .521 ܘܕ� ܰܢ ̱ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ 522 ܝܡܘܬܗ܆ ܐܫܬܝ ܛܐܒܘ ̱ܗܝ ܘܪܘܝ ܒܫܡܥܐ ܕܒܣ ܶ ܶ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ ܦܫܗ ܳܐܦ ܰܠ ܳ ܘܪ ܰܓܬ ܰܢ ܶ �ܝܐ ܽܫܘܦ�ܐ܀ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܕ ܰܘܢܝ܆ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܘܟܪܐ ܪܚܝܡܐ ܐ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܘܒܘܟܪ ̱ܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܡܫܬܡܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܐ�ܗܐ. ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ 523ܥ ܶܡܗ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܚܩ܆ ܒܪܐ ̱ܗܘ ܩܕܡܝܐ ܒܗܝܡܢ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܽ 524ܒ ܶ ܘܟܪܗ ܰܕ ܳܐܒܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܒܬܘܕ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܚ ܶ ܬܪܗ ܐ ܳܒܐ ܰ 525ܘܒܬ ܺ ܰ ܪܒܝܬܗ ܐܫܬ ܰܡܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܫܡܢ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܫܢ ܰܘ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܒܥܛ ܰܘ ܳ ܪܒܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܩܢܐ ܢܶ ̈ܟ ܶܣܐ. ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܳ�ܪܬ ܐ ܰܣܟ�܆ ܘܥܬܪ ܘܬܩܦ ܘ ܛܥܐ � ܽܒ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ 526 ܶ ܳ ܘܐܚܕܪ ܨܚܝ ܠܡܪܒ�ܢܐ ܕܢܛܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ. ܘܕܗ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܥ ܰܫܩ ܰܥܠ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܒܪܐ ܳܡ ܽܪ ܳܘܕܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܢܒܥ ܠܗ ܐܚܐ ܐܒܓܪ ܡ �ܟܐ ܕܛܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ 527ܡܢܶܗ܀ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܘܟܪܐ ܐ̱ ܳܒܐ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܚܘܐ ܠܗ܆ ܫܡܗܗ ܒ
̈
ܚܘ ܳ �ܡ ܰܢܘܗܝ M7 ܶ ܰ̈ ܰ ܛܒܘܗܝ ܘܪܘܐ M7 ܕܗ ܳ ܰ 523 ܝܡܢܘܬܐ M7 ܰ ܺ 524 ܘܒܐܘܪܝܬܐ M7 ܰ 525 ܐܒܘܗܝ M7 ܰܠ ܰ ܡܪ ܳ 526 ܒܝܢܗ M7 527 ̱ܗܘ M7 521 522
126 800
805
810
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
that he has siblings [and] should not be swollen with pride because of his Begetter. [Israel’s] 528 Lord never called the People “only begotten,” for He alone is the Only Begotten, 529 and He has no siblings. He named him “firstborn” so that like a wise person he would understand that all the Peoples are his siblings in God’s household. But the People supposed that they were the only begotten because they were the firstborn, and they scorned [their] siblings and, departing, forgot their Father. The true Only Begotten they were bold to despise, since they supposed that the People themselves were the only begotten. And this man whose story is narrated by me now arose as the foremost to fill the place of the firstborn who had left. What Jacob did to Esau from birth 530 the Peoples have done to [Jacob] and requited him with thanksgiving. For he was small and overstretched himself to become the firstborn, and that natural birthright arose.
“[Israel’s]”: lit. “his.” Cf. John 1:18. 530 Gen 25:24–26. 528 529
127 800
805
810
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ̈ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܚܬܝܪ ܰܥܠ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܘܕܗ. ܕܐܚܐ ܐܝܬ ܠܗ � ܢܗܘܐ ܽ ܳ� ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ ܺ� ܺܚ ܳ ܳ ܝܕ�ܐ �ܥܡܐ ܡܡܬܘܡ 531܆ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܽܗܘ ܰ �ܚ ܰ ܝܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰܒ ܽ ܺܕ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܘܠܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܐ ̈ܶܚܐ. ܘܕ ̱ ܰ ܽܒ ܳ ܘܟܪܐ ܰܟܢܝܶܗ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܝܡܐ ܢܶܣܬ ܰܟܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰܰ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. �ܗܘܢ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܐ ̈ܚ ̱ ܝܕ ܰ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܟܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܣܒܪ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܺܕ ܺ ܝܚ ܳ ܘܟܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܛܥܐ � ܳܒܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡܫܬܢܶܐ. ܘܫܛ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܚܐ ܘ ܺ ܺ ܳܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܫܬܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܡܪܚ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܨ ܳ� ܽܪܘ܆ ܠܝܚܝܕ�ܐ ܕܩ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܰܒܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܕܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܺ� ܺܚ ܳ ܝܕ ܰ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܘܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܳܕܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܫ ܶ ܳ ܪܒܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܺܒܝ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ 532 ܘܟܪܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܟܬܗ ܽܕܒ ܳ ܢܦܩ܀ ܩܡ ܐܝܟ ܛܪܩܐ ܢܡ� ܕ ܥܒܕ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ �ܥ ܽ ܰ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܝܣܘ �ܥܩܘܒ ܡܢ ܡܘ�ܕܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܥܒܕܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰ ܘܦ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܽܚ ̈ܘܒ� ܶܡܢ ܬ ܺܘܕܝܬܐ. ܰ ̱ ܪܥ ̱ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܪܐ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܘ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܽܒ ܳ ܐܬܦ ܰܪܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܘܟܪܐ܆ ̱ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܕܕ ܳ ܟ� ܳܢܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܺܗܝ ܳܩ ܰܡܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܘܗܝ ܒܘܟܪ
ܶܡܢ
ܡܬܘܡ M7 ܰ ܐܚܐ M7
531 532
128 815
820
825
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
By forceful seizure, he captured the birthright of the Peoples, 533 but without tearing it, for he captured it from him by faith. The truth arose and through Abgar returned to the Peoples that birthright that had been plundered and gave it [back] to them. Nature joined with faith, and he was strengthened by it, and he demanded what belonged to him and became the chief 534 as he confessed. By his deceit Jacob took the blessings of the Peoples 535 and increased, but they captured it back again, and the deceitful one remained in his smallness. He had deceived his brother, taken his place, and become the chief, and later he cast Reuben down from [his] birthright. 536 Jacob took his brother’s birthright and his son’s birthright down from their places, and he took primacy away from them. And on Joseph’s sons he changed his hands in a [certain] way 537 so that Manasseh, the firstborn, was changed and became small. 538 In order to hide that birthright that was seized by him from view,
Cf. Gen 25:29–34. “chief”: lit. “head.” 535 Cf. Gen 27:1–41. 536 Gen 49:3–4. 537 “in a [certain] way” or “in the shape [of a cross].” Jacob crossing his arms over the heads of Manasseh and Ephraim is often interpreted as a type of the cross. 538 Gen 48:8–20. 533 534
129 815
820
825
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܫܩܠ ܒܚܛܘܦܝܐ ܗܝ ܒܘܟܪ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܘ� ܩܕ� ̇ܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܫܩܠ ̇ܗ ܡܢܗ ܒܗ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܐܦܢܝ ܰ 539 ܘܫܬܐ ܳܩܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘ ܺ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܺܒ ̈ ܐܝܕܝ ܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ܆ ܩ ܳ ܽ ܒܙ ܳܝܙ ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܘ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܰ� ܳ ܳܗܝ ܽܒܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܗܒ ̇ܗ. ܳ �ܗ ܳ ܟ� ܳܢܐ ܶܢܩܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܰܝܠ ܳܒ ̇ܗ 540܆ ܰ ܰ ܬܒܥ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܫܐ ܐܝܟ ܶܕܐܫܬ ܺܘܕܝ .541 ܽ ܳ ܳ ܟܠܗ ܰ� ܽ ܒܢܶ ܶ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܺܘ ܶ ܥܩܘܒ ܰ ܬܐ ܰ 542 ܝܪܒ܆ ܫܩܠ ܒܘ�ܟ ܰܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܗܦܟ ̱ܘ ܰܫ ܽ ܩ� ̇ ܘܪܘܬܗ. ܘܗ ܘܩܘܝ ܢܟܝ� ܒܙܥ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܘܟܬܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܫܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܘܫܩܠ ܕ ܢܟܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ � ܽܚ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܘܒܝܠ ܐ ܶܦܠ ܶܡܢ ܽܒ ܽ ܒܢܐ ܽ �ܪ ܶ ܬܪ ܰܙ ܳ ܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ .543 ܘܒ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܒܘܟܪܐ ܘܠܒܪܗ ܒܘܟܪܐ ܐܚܬ ܰ�ܥܩܘܒ܆ � ܽܚ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶܡܢ ܽܕ ̈ ܬܗܘܢ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܟ ܳܝ ܽ ܝܫ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܫܩܠ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܪ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܝܕܘܗܝ ܶܒܗ ܶܒ ܺ ܐܣܟ ܳ ܘܒ ̈ܒ ܰܢܝ ܰ� ܶ ܰ ܝܡܐ܆ ܘܣܦ ܰܫܚܠܦ ܐ ̈ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܡܢ ܶܫܐ ܽܒ ܳ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܠܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܘܢܶ ܶ ܘܪܐ ܰ ܕܢ ܘܟܪܐ .544 ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܕܢܚܦܐ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܗܝ ܒܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ ܕܚܛܝܦܐ ܠܗ܆
ܰ
ܘܦܢܝ M7 ܗܘܐ M7 ܰ 541 ܺܕܐܝܬܘܗܝ ܗܘܐ M7 542 ܰܫ ̇ ܩܠܗ ܒܘܪܟܬܐ M7 543 ܒܘܟܪܘܬܗ M7 ܰ 544 ܡܢܫܐ ܙܥܘܪܐ ܒܪܝܟܐ M7 539 540
130 830
835
840
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
he endeavored [so that] all of [these other] small ones would become firstborn. He resisted nature and made the heel above the head, and Christ came and he put every limb in its place. He gave the birthright to the Peoples of the earth to keep possession of it, and that natural smallness was left to the People. He caused Reuben to go out from the birthright and made Moses enter it to teach the People that even what belongs to them is revoked. The Lord of Moses converted the Peoples and brought them in so that they might become firstborn in the Father’s household since [that is what] they are. Now if the word of Moses has stopped, since he was a servant, who will force the heir to construct the Father’s house? Reuben was expelled and became like a dead man among 545 his brothers, and Moses came and spoke in order to revive, and he saved and restored. And the Peoples and foreigners had been rejected from the household of God, but the Only Begotten accepted them, and who [can] resist 546 Him?
545 546
“among” or “from the house of.” “resist” or “compel.”
131 830
835
840
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܽ ܶ ܗܘܘܢ ܽ 547ܒ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܢܶ ܽ ܘ�ܐ ܽܟ ܽ ܘܟ�ܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ̱ 548ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܙܥ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܥܨܝ ̱ܗܝ ܠܟ�ܢܐ ܘܥܒܕ ܥܩܒܐ �ܥܠ ܡܢ ܪܝܫܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰܳܳ ܽ ܶ ܝܚܐ ܽ ܐܬ ܐ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܒܕܘܟܬܗ ܳܣ ܶܡܗ. ܘܟܠ ܗܕܡܐ ܘ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܽܒܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ �ܥܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕܐܪܥܐ ܰ 549ܕܢܩ ܽܕ ܳܘܢ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܟ� ܳܢܐ ܰ 550 ܘܬ ܐ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܳ �ܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܦ ܰܫܬ. ܘܙܥܘܪ ܰܶ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ �ܪܘܒܝܠ ܐܦܩ ܡܢ ܒܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ ܘܐܥܠܗ ܡܘܫܐ܆ ܰ ܐܠܦ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܐܦ ܳܗܝ ܺܕ ܶ ܺܕܢ ܰ ܝܠܗ ܶܡܫܬ ܳܪ�ܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܰ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ ܽ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܐ ܺ ܕܡ ܶ ܦܢܝ ܰܘܐܥܶܠ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܐܝܬ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ܕܒܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ ܢܗܘܘܢ ܒܘܟ�ܐ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܠܬܗ ܽ ܳ ܕܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܳܩ ܰܡܬ ܟܕ ܥ ܳ ܒܕܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܘܐܢܗܘ ܕܡ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܘܗܝ. ܰܡܢ ܳܥ ܶ� ܐ ܶܠܗ �ܝܪܬ ܐ ܕܢܬܩܢ ܒܝܬܗ ܕܐܒ ̱ ܳ ܰܰ ܺ ܛܪܝܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܪ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܒܝܠ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܺܡܝܬܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ̈ܚ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܚܝܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܬ ܐ ܽܡ ܶ ܐܡܪ ܺܢ ܶ ܐܚܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܬܩܢ. ܘ ܳܰ ܘܡ ܶ ܣܠܝܢ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܽܘܢ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܪ ܺ�ܝܢ ̱ 551ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܝܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰ ܘܩ ܶܒܠ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܺ� ܺܚ ܳ ܘܡܢ ܳܥ ܶ� ܐ ܶܠܗ܀
ܕܢܶܗܘܘܢ M7 ܰ ܰ ܶܡܬܦܪܣ M7 ܰ ̈ ܰ ̈ 549 ܕܥܡܡܐ �ܥܡܡܐ M7 ܰ 550 ܰܘܙܥܘܪܘܬܗ ܕܥܡܐ ܢܟܝ� M7 ܳ 551 ܘܢܘܟ� ܺ�ܝܢ M7 547 548
132 845
850
855
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Our Lord came to earth as an upright judge and gave to the Peoples the birthright which had been captured from them. The faith of King Abgar, who was from the Peoples, to which no one could subtract or add, [our Lord] sealed with a blessing. He publicly confessed the Son of God who had come to earth, and by his confession he made the Peoples that had gone out come [back] in. His soul was enlightened by a faith that is full of life, and by his supplication the Peoples were stirred up to give praise. He scorned the idols by which the great city had been taken captive and invited the Lord of the earth to come reign in its boundaries. He shook his hands free of the created things that were being worshipped, and he made supplication to the Creator who had formed the worlds. He condemned the images which error had painted in the cities, but the Fashioner of infants he asked to adorn his land. He cried woe upon the idolatry in which he had stood
133 845
850
855
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܺ ܬܪ ܳܝ� ܐ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܶܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܳ �ܰ 552 ܪܥܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ 553 ܬܚ ܰ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܽ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܶ ܢܗܘܢ ܶܐ ܰ ܛܦܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܀ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܒܘܟܪ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܕ ܰ �ܗ ܳ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܶܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܳ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰܚ ܳ ܒܨܘܪ ܰܐܘ ܰܢ ܶ ܒܛ ܳ ܬܡ ̇ܗ ܕ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܢܶ ܽ ܘܣܦ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܰ� ܳ ܪܥܐ܆ ܐܘܕܝ ܒܓ�ܝܐ ܒܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰܘܒܬ ܺܘܕܝܬܗ ܐܥܶܠ ܰ�ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܕܢܦܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ �ܝܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܢܗܪܬ ܢܦܫܗ ܒܗܝܡܢ ܒܒ ܽܥܘܬܶܗ ܶܐ ܺ ܰܘ ܳ ܬܬܥܝܪ ̱ܘ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܫ ܳܒ ܽܚܘ. ܳ ܰ ܰ ܦܬ ܶ ܒܗܘܢ ܰ 555ܟ ܳ �ܒܝܟ ̱ 554ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽ ܟ�ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܪܟܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ 556܆ ܫܛ ܠ ܶ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܩܪܐ ܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܡܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕܐܪܥܐ ܢܩܘܡ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܬܚܘܡ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ 557 ܕܡܣܬ ̈ܓ ܳܕܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܡܢ ܒ��ܬܐ ܢܦܨ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܝܕ ̱ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܰ �ܒ ܽܪ ܳ ܘ�ܐ ܰܕ ܺܐܟܝܢ ܥ�ܡܐ 558ܡܬܟܫܦ ̱ܗܘܐ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܡܕ ̈� ܳܢܬܐ܆ ܒܣܪ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܨ ��ܡܐ ܕ�ܪܬ ܛܘܥܝܝ ܒ ܰ ܕ� ̈ܘ ܶ� ܺ �ܨ ܳ� ܳܪܐ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܦܝܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܢܨ ܶܒܬ ܐܪܥܶܗ. ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܦܬ ܽ ܟܪܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܳܩܐܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܝܐ ܠ
ܶܕܐܬܐ M7 ܰ�ܗܒ M7 554 ܰܕܚܛܝܦ M7 555 ܠܗܘܢ M7 ܰ 556 ܠܒܝܟ M7 ܕ ܺ ܶ 557 ܐܝܕܗ M7 ܳ 558 �ܥܠܡܐ M7 552 553
ܶܕܐܬܐ
134 860
865
870
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and gave thanksgiving to the Lord of creation who had come to earth. By faith he opened the gate for the Peoples of the earth, 559 for all of those who had gone out to come to God. By his repentance he broke the yoke of the Israelites from the shoulders of all the Peoples and united them. He turned from the way of idolatry in which he had traveled, and entering, he stood in the way of the Lord of Moses to walk in it. Isaac had bound the shoulder of the Peoples with the yoke of the People, 560 and by his birthright the younger became greater than the elder. 561 But because he ardently desired for the Peoples to have an entrance eventually, 562 he made a contract of repentance with the great one who had been brought low. 563 He did not complete the downfall of the firstborn who had gone out because he knew that repentance releases bonds. “If you repent [and] remove your brother’s yoke from yourself” 564— the whole statement is the raising up of the one who has fallen.
Cf. Acts 14:27. See the blessing of Esau: Gen 27:39–40. While Isaac confirms that Esau will serve his younger brother, he also says that Esau will “break his yoke” from his neck. 561 A reference to Jacob and Esau. 562 “eventually”: lit. “in time,” “sometimes.” 563 While the verb ܬܘܒin Isaac’s blessing of Esau can simply mean “to turn, return,” Jacob of Sarug interprets it as “to repent,” thus Isaac offers Esau “a contract of repentance.” 564 Gen 27:40. 559 560
135 860
865
870
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܰ� ܳ ܰ ܪܥܐ. ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܬܘܕܝܬܐ �ܡܪܐ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ 565 �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܦܬܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܬ ܳ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ ܐܪܥܐ 566܆ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܺ �ܗܘܢ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܕܢܦ ܺ ܐܬܘܢ ܽ 567ܟ ܽ ܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܕܢ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܬ� ܽܒܘܬܗ 568ܬܒܪܗ ܺ �ܢܝܪܐ ܺܕ ܰ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܝܣ��ܝܶܐ 569܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶܽ 570 ܡܢ ܟܬܦܬܐ ܕܟ�ܗܘܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܘܚܝܕ ܐܢܘܢ. ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܳܪ ܶܕܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܬܒ ܡܢ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܦܬܟܪ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܥܠ ܳܩܡ ܽܒ ܳ ܕܡܪܗ ܕܡܘܫܐ ܕܢܗܠܟ ܒ ̇ܗ. ܰܟ ܳ ܒܢ ܶ ܝܪܗ ܰ ܬܦܐ ܰ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܺ ܟܕܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܐ ܳ ܕܥ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܝܣܚܩ܆ ܘܟܪܘܬܶܗ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܒܒ ܽ ܰܘ ܽ ܘܪܐ ܺ� ܶܪܒ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܺܫ ܳ ܝܫܐ. ܐܪܓܫ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܰܡ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܰ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܰܕ ܶ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܒ ܰܙܒܢ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ 571 �ܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܙܥܪ. ܳܣܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܬܢܘܝ ܕܬ�ܒ ܳ ܘܟܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܠܬܐ ܽܕܒ ܳ ܳ� ܰܓ ܳ ܡܪ ̇ܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܢܦܩ܆ �ܗܝ ܰܡ ܽܦ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶܩ ܶ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܫ ܳ ܰܒ ܳ ܛ�ܐ. ܕܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܬ�ܒ ܥܒܪ ܺܢ ܶ ܶܐܢ ܰܠܡ ܬܶ ܽܬܘܒ ܢܶ ܰ ܝܪܗ ܰܕ ܽܐܚܘܟ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ܆ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ̇ ܳ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܽ 572 ܩܝܡܬܐ ܰܠ ܳܕܢ ܶܦܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ .573 ܡܠܬܐ ܕܐܝܬܝܗ ܟܠܗ
M7 om. ܒܗ ܳ ܰ ܝܡܢܘܬܐ M7 add. ܶ 567 ܕܢܥ�ܘܢ M7 568 M7 om. 569 ܰܒ ܳ ܬ�ܒܘܬܐ M7 add. ܰ 570 ܰ ܚܪ ܪ M7 571 ܰܠ ܳ ܬ�ܒܘܬܐ M7 ܰ 572 ܕܡܠܝܐ M7 ܰ 573 �ܝܢܐ ܰܕܢܦܠ M7 565 566
136 875
880
885
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The younger [son] took the blessings as well as the birthright, but his father made a contract of repentance for the elder [son]. He showed by his statement that his blessings were also for a time, and the time has come when the birthright shall return to its owner. For the one who had fallen from blessings and from the birthright he appointed a time to return and repent so that he would keep possession of what is his. When he gave, he did not allow his gift also to be temporary, and even while taking [it] away, he left hope for the one who was deprived. He bound his statement with repentance towards God, who is able to change the times 574 and cause them to pass. The Lord of the times showed Himself during the time of Abgar, and during his days the time of the Peoples was renewed. By repentance He caused a raising up for those who had been cast down, and by thanksgiving the outsiders who had gone out entered. By his faith the birthright that had been taken was returned,
574
Cf. Dan 2:21.
137 875
880
885
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ 575܆ ܫܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܙܥܘܪܐ ܐܦ ܒܘ�ܟܬܐ ܐܦ ܒ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ. ܘܗܝ ܬܢܘܝ ܕ �ܪ ܳܒܐ ܐ ܽܒ ܘܣܡ ܶܠܗ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܘ�ܟܬܗ܆ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܒܡܠܬܗ ܕܕܙܒܢܐ ̱ܗܘܝ ܐܦ ܒ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܳܘܐܬ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܐܦ ܒܘܟܪ ܘܟܝ. �ܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ 576ܬܗܦ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܳ �ܗܘ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ 577܆ ܢܦܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܒܘ�ܟܬܐ ܘܡܢ ܒ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܦܢܐ ܰܢܩ ܶܕܐ ܺܕ ܶ ܕܬܒ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܠܗ. ܙܒܢܐ ܣܡ ܠܗ ܕܡܐ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܟܕ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ � ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܕܕܙܒܢܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܐܦ ܡܘܗܒܬܗ܆ ܽ ܘܬܘܒ ܰܟܕ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ܰܐ ܺ ܪܦܝ ܰܣ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܰ �ܗܘ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܓ ܺܙܝ. ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰܐ ܳ ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ ܶܕܨܝܕ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܣܪ ̇ܗ �ܡܠܬܗ ܒ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܥܒܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܕܫ ܺܠܝܛ ̱ܗܘ ܠܗ ܢܫܚܠܦ ܙܒܢܐ ܘܢ ܶ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܰܢ ܶ ܳܡ ܳܪܐ ܰܕܙܒܢ̈ܐ ܰ ܒܙܒܢܶܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܦܫܗ 578܆ ܰ ܰ̈ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܠܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܘܒ�ܘܡܬܗ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܥܡܡܐ ܐ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܡܬܐ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܥܒܕ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܕܣܚܝܦܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ܆ ܒܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ ܩܝ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰܥ� ̱ܘ ܰܒ��ܶܐ ܰܕܢܦ ܺ ܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܘܒܬܘܕ ܰ ܳܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ ܦܢܬ ܒܘܟܪܘܬ ܐ ܕܫܩܝ� ̱ܗܘܬ܆
ܳ
ܒܘܟܪܘܬܐ ܐܦ ܒܘ�ܟܬܐ M7 ܳ �ܡ ܶ� ̇ ܝܗ M7 ܳ ܒܘܟܪܘܬܐ ܶ 577 ܘܡܢ ܒܘ�ܟܬܐ M7 ܰ ܰܚܘܝ ܰܢܦܫܗ ܰ 578 ܰ ܒܙܒܢܗ ܕܐܒܓܪ M7 575 576
138 890
895
900
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and the younger remained in his place [as] younger, the elder [as] elder. The blessings did what is inherent in them 579 and passed with their times, and the time of repentance arrived and seized them. The one who had been blessed became angry at him and left his Father’s house, and his brothers, who fervently desired blessings, arrived. The cursed Peoples received the blessing and were blessed by it, for it was their possession that had been snatched away, and it waited for them. Christ, the Blessing, shown forth from the offspring of the house of Abraham, and all the Peoples were blessed by Him, as it was said [in scripture]: “By you all of the Peoples of the earth will be blessed,” said the Lord to Abraham 580—not one people and no other! The blessing proceeded from Abraham, as was said, and it went to the house of all the Peoples, as was promised. The time of repentance that Isaac set arrived, and the Peoples came [and] received the blessing of the house of Abraham.
579 580
“what is inherent in them”: lit. “their own.” Gen 12:1–3.
139 890
895
900
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰܺ ܽ ܶ ܘܪܐ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܟܬܗ ܽܙܥ ܳ ܘܪܐ ܰ ܘܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ. ܘܩܘܝ ܒܕ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܣܥ� ̱ܝ ܒܘ�ܟܬܐ ܕܝ�ܗܝܢ ܘܥܒ� ̱ܝ ܥܡ ܙܒܢܝܗܝܢ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶܶ ܩܠܬ ܐܢ̈ܝܢ. ܘܡܛܐ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ ܘܫ ܳܰ ܰ ܰܗܘ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܒ ܰܪܟ ܶ ܪܓܙ ܶܠܗ ܰܘܢܦܩ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܬܐ ܰ� ܺܐ� ܺ ܝܒܝܢ ̱ 581ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܘܗܝ ܕ�ܒܘ�ܟ ܰܘܡܛܘ ܐ ̈ܚ ̱ ܳ ܰܫ ܽ ܘܗ ܽ ܘܪܟܬܐ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܶܛܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܩ� ̇ ܐܬܒ ܰܪܟ ̱ܘ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܆ �ܒ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܚܛ ܳ ܝܦܐ ̱ 582ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܘ ܽ ܺܕ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܳܦ ܰܫܬ .583 ܝ�ܗܘܢ ̱ܗܘܬ ܓܝܪ ܕ ܳ ܕܒܝܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܡܢ ܰܙ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܶ ܘܪܟܬܐ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܒܪ ܳܗܡ܆ ܽܒ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܬ ܰ ܘܟ�ܗܘܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܐܬܒܪܟܘ ܒܗ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܐܡܪܬ .584 ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ ̱ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܶ 585 ܰ ܒܟ ܢܬܒܪܟܘܢ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܕܐܪܥܐ ܐܡܪ܆ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ �. ܡܪ�ܐ �ܒܪܡ ܠܘ ܚܕ ܥܡܐ ܘܐ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̱ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܢܶ ܰ ܦܩܬ ܽܒܘܪܟܬܐ ܡܢ ܐܒܪܗܡ ܐܝܟ ܕܐܬܐܡܪܬ܆ ܐܬܡ ܰ �ܒܝܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܽܟ ܽ ܰܘ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܶܐ ܰܙ ̱ܠܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰ �ܟܬ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳ ܕܣܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܐ ܳ ܝܣܚܩ܆ ܡܛܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܬ�ܒ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܬܘ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܫ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܩ� ̇ ܘܗ �ܒܘܪܟܬܐ ܕܒܝܬ ܐܒܪܗܡ. ܘ
ܰ� ܺ ܐ�ܒܝܢ M7 ܰ ܢܛܝܪܐ M7 ܘ ܳ ܰ 583 ܬܒܬ M7 ܰܐܟܡܐ ܰܕ ܳ 584 ܗܘܬ M7 585 ܒܗ M7 581 582
140 905
910
915
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The blessing of the Father is the beloved Son, and the Peoples received Him— who had come to His own [people], but they did not receive Him 586—and they were blessed. The regions and the cities of the Peoples earnestly desired Him, and though they were far away, they asked Him to come to their dwellings. Zion expelled [Him], scorned [Him], fled [from Him], and even denied Him; Edessa opened the gate before Him to be blessed by Him. She who was near attacked and hated [Him] rashly, and from the distant [woman] a petition to see Him was sent. “Dance for joy, O Daughter of Zion,” 587 the prophets called out to her, and she did not dance, but Edessa heard their voice, and she was awakened. They struck her gates to awaken the Daughter of the Hebrews, and the distant places heard, but she did not hear. The preachers shouted in the ear of the People to awaken them, and the Peoples who [lived] beyond the rivers heard and came. From the islands, thanksgiving to the Son of God came,
586 587
John 1:11. Zech 9:9.
141 905
910
915
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܝܒܐ ܰ ܽ ܘܪܟܬ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܽܒ ܰ ܒܪܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ 588܆ ܘܫܩ� ̱ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܘܗܝ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܬܒ ܰܪܟ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ .589 ܕܐܬ ܐ �ܕܝܠܗ ܘ� ܰܩܒ� ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰܐ ܰ ܡܕܝܢ̈ܬܐ ܰ 590 ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰ ܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܣܘܚ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ 591܆ ܝܩܝܢ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܺ 592ܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܰ� ܳܘ ̈ܘ ܰܢ ܽ ܐܠ ܝܗܘܢ܀ ̱ ܪܩܬ ܳܐܦ ܶܟ ܰ ܗ�ܘܢ ܶܛ ܰܪܕܬ ܳܫ ܰܛܬ ܥܶ ܰ ܶܨ ܽ ܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ܆ ܬܚܬ ܰܬ ܳ ܽܐ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܬܶ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܳ ܘܪܗܝ ܶ 593ܦ ܰ ܟܝ ܶܒܗ. ܩܕ ܰܡ ܬܒ ܰܪ ̱ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܒܬܐ ܶܣ ܰ ܒܟܬ ܰܘ ܳ ܣܢܬ ܰܡ ܳܪ ܳܚܐܝܬ܆ ܗܝ ܩܪ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܕܬ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩܬܐ ܳ ܝܘܗܝ ܶܡܫܬ ܰܕܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܚܙ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܺܶ ܳ ܽܕܘ� ̱ܝ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܶܨ ܽ ܢܒܝ̈ܐ ܘ� ܳܕ ܰܨܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܗ�ܘܢ ܩܥܘ ܠ ̇ܗ ܽ ܘܪܗܝ ܶܘ ܺ ܳ ܐܬܬܥ ܰ ܘܩ ܳ� ܳܕܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܶܫ ܰ ܡܥܬ ܐ ܳ ܝܪܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. �ܒܪܬ ܥܶ ܳ ܰ ܛܪܦ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܬ�ܥܶ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܒ��ܶܐ܆ ܝܗ ܕܢܥܝܪܘܢ ̇ܗ ܳ ̱ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܰ� ܺܚ ܶ ܘܗܝ � ܶܫ ܰ ܝܩܐ ܺ ܐܬ� ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ ܡܥܬ. ܕܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܕ ܺܢܥ ܽ ܰܙܥܩ ̱ܘ ܳܟ ܽ�ܘܙܶ ܐ ܶܒܐܕܢܶܗ ܰ ܝܪ ܳܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܗ� ܳܘܬ ܐ. ܘܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܘܡܛܘ ܥܡܡܐ ܕܒܥܒܪ ܢ ܶ ܳ ܳܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ܒܪ ܐ ܳ�ܗܐ܆ ܡܢ ܓܙ�ܬ ܐ ܐ̱ܬܬ ܬܘܕܝܬܐ
̈
ܰ ̇ ܩ�ܘܗ M7 ܘܥܡܡܐ ܰܫ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܕܥܡܡܐ ܣܘܚܘ ܠܗ M7 590 M7 om. ܰ 591 ܶ ܣܓܕܘ ܠܗ ܰܟܕ ܪܚܝܩܝܢ M7 ܳ ̈ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܰ 592 ܘܡܕ�ܢܬܐ ܫܐ�ܝܗܝ M7 ܶܟ ܰ ܦܪܬ ܥܶ ܰ ܪܩܬ ܶܡܢܗ܆ ܽܘ ܳ 593 ܐܘܪܗܝ M7 588 589
142 920
925
930
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and the circumcised 594 People denied and rejected the Savior. The cities of the Peoples sent a petition for Him to visit them, and from the city of Jerusalem they expelled Him although it is His. The chief priests cast down [and] removed the Lord of holiness from the Father’s house so that He would not enter into His inheritance. And this king, of praiseworthy life and rich in blessings, opened the gate for Him and invited Him to dwell within his palaces. For this man I will speak his blessing as I marvel, for he is blessed and full of blessings and new life! Blessed be he who became a great spokesperson 595 for the Peoples of the earth, and his faith was chanted in a loud voice. Blessed be he who knew [how] to recognize who the Son of God is, and though he was far away, he was near in faith. Blessed be he who perceived that the Great Healer had come down to earth and was the first to Him and made Him his Friend until He ascended.
There is a play on words here: “island” and “circumcised” are based on the same triliteral root. 595 “spokesperson”: lit. “mouth.” 594
143 920
925
930
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܓܙ ܳܝܪܐ ܰ ܐܬ� ܺ ܟܪܝ ܶܡܢ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ ܰ ܟܦܪ ܶܘ ܰ ܘܥ ܳܡܐ ܺ ܘܩܐ. ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰܟ ܶ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܰ ܣܥܘܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܫܠܚ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ܦܝܣܐ ܕܢ ܘܡܢ ܽܐ ܶ ܪܟܐ ܰܛ ܽܪܕܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܺܕ ܶ ܘܪ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܰܟ ܳ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ .596 ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ 597 ܣܚܦ ̱ܘ ܐ ܶܦܩ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ �ܒܝ ܟܗܢܐ �ܡܪܐ ܩܘܕܫܐ ܶ ܶ ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ ܕ�ܝܪܬܘܬܗ � �ܥܘܠ ̱ܗܘܐ. ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܰ 598 ̈ ܘܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܶ �ܟܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܥܬܝܪ ܛܘܒܐ܆ ܫܒܝܚ ܕܘܒ�ܐ ܰ ܫܪܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܩܪܝܗܝ 599ܢܶ ܶ ܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܦܬܚ ܶܠܗ ܰܬ ܳ ܘܗܝ܀ ܒܓܘ ܐܦ ̈ܕ ܰܢ ̱ ̱ ܳ �ܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܬ ܰܗܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܒ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܘܡ� ܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰ ܘܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܚ ̱̈ܕܬ ܐ܀ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܐܪܥܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳܳ ܒܩ� ܳܪ ܳܡܐ܀ ܘܐܙܕܡܪܬ ̱ܗܘܬ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥ �ܶ ܰܕܥ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܒܪ ܐ ܕܐ�ܗܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܀ ܘܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܗܘܐ ܩܪܝܒܐ ܒܗ ܣܝܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰ� ܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܢܚܬ ܳܐ ܳ ܐܪܓܫ ܰܕ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܶ ܪܥܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܒܕܗ ܳܪ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰ ܘܥ ܶ ܚܡܗ ܰܥܕ� ܢܶ ܰܣܩ܀ ܘܩ ܶܕܡ ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ̱
ܳ �ܡ ܳܪܐ
ܗܘܐ M7 ܕܩܘܕܫܐ M7 ܳ 598 ܕܘܟܪܢܐ M7 599 ܰܘܩܪܐ M7 596 597
144 935
940
945
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Blessed be he whose voice lit the lights of faith, and he became a lamp in the loathsome night of idolatry. Blessed be he who shone out amid the shadows of impiety, and in his place he became like the day that is all light. Blessed be he who was worthy to write [and] to send [a letter] and to receive a great blessing from the Giver of new blessings. Blessed be he who had a public crown and a hidden blessing: dominion and an incorruptible good name. Blessed be he who reigned richly in two worlds: here a king and there great like the disciples. Blessed be his soul whose eye became the neighbor of the Light, the receiver of the great Sun of righteousness. Blessed be his body that became a stringed harp in the world, and it played on ten [strings] new praise to the great King. Blessed be he who opened the gate of his city and invited to enter
145 935
940
945
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ 600 ܽܛ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܕܐܕܠܩ ܩܠܗ ܢܘܗ� ܐ ܕܗ ܘܒ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܟܪܘܬ ܐ܀ ܫܪ ܳܓܐ ܒܠ�ܝܐ ܣܢܝܐ ܕܦܬ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܶܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܪܘܬ ܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܒܝܬ ܛ ��� ܕܟܦ ܘܒ ̱ ܗܘܐ ܰܒ ܶ ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܢ ܰ ܐܬܪܗ ܰܐܝܟ ܺܐ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܟܬܘܒ ܢܶ ܽ ܽܛ ܰ ܫ�ܘܚ ܰܘ ܰܢܩ ܶܒܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܕܫܘܐ ܕܢ ܘܒ ̱ ܽ ܳ ܰܳ ܶ ܳܽ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܘܒܐ ܕܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰܚ ̱̈ܕܬ ܐ܀ ܛܘܒܐ ܪܒܐ ܡܢ �ܗ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܠܗ ܬܓܐ ܓ�ܝܐ ܘܛܘܒܐ ܟܣܝܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܺ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܡܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܳܕ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܒܠ܀ ܪܝܫܢ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ̈ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܕܐܡܠܟ ܒܬ�ܝܢ ܥ�ܡܝܢ ܥܬܝܪܐܝܬ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܳܗ ܳܪܟܐ ܰܡ ܳ �ܗܠ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܬ ܺ �ܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ 601܀ ܫܒ ܰܒܬ ܽܢ ܳ ܦܫܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܘܬ ܰܥܝܢܶܗ ܳ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰ �ܢ ܶ ܘܗܪܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܕܫ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܶ 602 ܡܫܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕܙ ܺܕ ܽܝܩܘܬ ܐ܀ ܡܩܒ�ܢ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܠܦܓܪܗ ܕܗܘܐ ܒܥ�ܡܐ ܩܝܬܪ ܡܢܐ܆ �ܡ ܳ ܘܒܚܐ ܰܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ 603܀ ܽܘܙܡܪ ܒܥܣܪ ܰܫ ܰ ̱ ܪܟܗ ܰ 604ܘ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰܕܟ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܦܬܚ ܬ ܳ ܛ ܰ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ �ܶ ܽܥܘܠ܆ ܘܒ ̱
ܶ
ܽ
ܰܕܕܠܩ ܟܠܗ ܒܢܘܗܪܐ M7 ܰܬ ܺ �ܡܝܕܐ M7 ܰ ܳ 602 ܡܩܒ�ܢܝܬܗ M7 ܶ 603 ܕܐܬܐ M7 ܰ 604 ܕܟܪܟܐ M7 600 601
146 950
955
960
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
that One for whom all of creation is [too] small to be His dwelling place. Blessed be he who built his city on the Stone that the People rejected, and, behold, on Him he placed the corner of the city that had been constructed by him. 605 Blessed be he who set a hidden wall over its wall, a new deed that none of the kings had ever done. Blessed be he who knew [how] to give praise in two classes [of people]: [as] chief among kings and well-loved among disciples. Blessed be Abgar when he sits [as] the judge of kings, 606 and without [their] crowns kings enter for judgment before him. Blessed be the great one when he confesses the Son of God before His Begetter as he confessed Him before earthly ones. Blessed be he when the beauty of his faith arises and shines, and the heavenly beings welcome him and receive him with their hosannas. Blessed be he who passed over his temporal crown with all the kings and has a new crown preserved in the new world.
Cf. Ps 118:22; Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7. Jacob has compared Abgar to the disciples throughout, and this perhaps parallels Jesus’s statement that the twelve disciples will sit enthroned in judgment over the twelve tribes of Israel. Cf. Matt 19:28; Luke 22:30. 605 606
147 950
955
960
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܽ 607ܥ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܬܶ ܶ ܘܡܪܗ܀ �ܗܘ ܕܙܥܘܪ�ܐ ܒܪ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܽܛ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܕܒܢܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ ܒܟܐܦܐ ܕܐܣܠܝ ܥܡܐ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰ ܟܠܠ ܶܒܗ܀ ܘܗܐ ܪܡܐ ܒܗ ܩܪܢܗ ܕܟܪܟܐ ܕ ܳ ܐܚܕܪ ܽܫ ܳ ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܪܐ ܰܟ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܣܝܐ � 608ܥܠ ܶܡܢ ܽܫܘܪ ̇ܗ 609܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܽ ܳ ܡܬܘܡ ܳ� ܰ 610ܥ ܶ ܥܒ ܳܕܐ ܰܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ ܒܕܗ܀ ܕܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ �� ܶܟܐ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܬ�ܝܢ ܬܶ ̈ܓ ܺܡܝܢ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܫ ܳܒ ܽܚܘ 611܆ ܘܗܝ ܕܝܕܥ ܒ ܘܒ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ܀ ܒܡ ��ܟܐ ܛܪܩܐ ܘܒܬ�ܡ�ܕܐ ܪ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܗܝ �ܒܓܪ ܡܐ ܕܕ�ܢܐ ܕܡ ��ܟܐ �ܬܒ܆ ܘܒ ܳ ̱ ܰܘ ܳܕ� ܬ ̈ܶܓܐ ܳ 612ܥ ܺ �ܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܽܩ ܰ ܐܠܝܢ ܰܡ �� ܶܟܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ܀ ܘܕܡ ̱ ܰ ܕܡ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܕܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ 613܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܩܕܡ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܕܗ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺ ܩܕܡ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܐܘܕܝ ܶܒܗ ܳ 614 ܳ ��ܢܶܐ܀ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܶ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܡܐ ܕܩܡ ܘܨܡܚ ܫܘܦܪܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܚܕܝܘ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܽ ܥܢ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܽ 615ܒ ̈ܐܘ ܰܫ ܰ ܫܡ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐ ܺ ܝܗܘܢ܀ ܘܩܒ� ̱ ܥܒܪ ܳܬ ܶܓܗ ܰܕܙ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܽܛ ܰ ܒܢܐ ܰܥܡ ܽܟܠ ܰܡ �� ܺܟܝܢ܆ ܘܒ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܝ� ܰܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܳ 616 ܒܥ ܳ �ܡܐ ܰܚ ̱ܕܬ ܐ܀ ܺܘܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܕܢܛܝܪ ܟܠ ̱
ܶ
ܕܬ ܶ ܗܘܐ M7 ܰ ܳ 608 ܟܣܝ̈ܐ M7 ܫܘ�ܐ 609 ܫܘ�ܐ M7 610 � ܡܬܘܡ M7 ܰ 611 ܨܝܚܐ M7 ܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܳ 612 ܬܓܐ M7 ܳ 613 ܒܪܐ ܰܕܐܠܗܐ M7 ܽ 614 ܗܘ M7 ܰ ܘܩ ܽ 615 �ܣܘܗܝ M7 ܺ 616 ܐܚܪܢܐ M7 607
148 965
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Blessed be he who is joined with the blessed sons of the kingdom; blessed be He who crowned him with the blessing that He gave to him when he believed in Him. The end of [the homily] on Abgar the king of Edessa
149 965
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ABGAR
ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܒܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܺ ܽܛ ܰ �ܟܘܬ ܐ܆ ܚܠܝܛ ܥܡ ܛܘܒܢܐ ܒܢܝ ܡ ̱ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܰܟܕ ܰܗ ܶ ܒܛ ܳ ܝܡܢ ܶܒܗ܀ ܒܪܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕܟܠܗ ܶ ܒܓܪ ܰܡ ܳ ܫܠܡ ܰ �ܟܐ ܽܕ ܳ ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܶ ܺ ܬܫܥ̈ ܳܡܐܐ ܶܘ ̈ ܬܓ ̈ܡܐ ܰ ܶܦ ܳ ܓ�܀ 617 ܐܫܬܝܢ ܘ�� � � �
ܶ ܫܠܡ ܰ ܕܥܠ
ܰ
ܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ M7
617
ON THE APOSTLE ADDAI WHEN HE CAME TO EDESSA AND ON 1
5
10
KING ABGAR
O Son of God, who gave His gospel to His disciples, fill me with Your teaching, [that] I may proclaim Your riches among the poor. O King of Life, 1 who opened His treasury among mortals, open Your door to me [that], entering, I may see You and take delight in You. O Clear Sea that is full of riches for the one who dives in it, by You the soul of the one who loves Your story gains life. O Riches of the Father, who freely came to the poor, fill also my own lack with You, and I will tell Your story. O Treasure of Treasuries, who scattered itself among beggars, let me receive from You alongside the poor who are enriched by You. O Good One, who opened His door to the wicked 2 to do good to them, in mercy also bring me in to You that I may sing Your praise. O Gift that is itself sufficient for those who partake,
1 2
“life” or “salvation.” ܳ ܳܒinstead of Or ‘the destitute,’ if reading ܝܫܐ
150
ܒ ܻܝ ܳܫܐ.
151
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܝܫܐ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܰ� ܽ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܰܕܩ ܺܕ ܳ ܕܥܠ ܐ ܰܕܝ ܥܩܘܒ ܡ ܰܐܡܪ ܐ ܺ ܒܓܪ ܰ ܳ ܘܪܗܝ ܰ ܝܚܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܽ� ܳ ܫܠ ܳ ܘܥܠ ܐ ܰ ܡ�ܟܐ 3 1
5
10
ܶ ܰ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܳܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܆ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܰ ܰܠܫ� ̈ܝ ܰܚ ̱ ܟܪܙ ܽܥ ܳ ܡܠܝܢܝ ܽ� ܳ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܟ ܐ ܶ ܘܬܪܟ ܶ 4ܒܝܬ ܶܡ ̈ܣ ܺܟܢܶܐ. ܺ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰ ܕܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܕܦܬܚ ܰܓ ܶܙܗ ܶܒܝܬ ܳܡ ܽ� ̈ܘܬ ܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܦܬܚ ܺܠܝ ܬ ܳ ܚܙܝܟ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܥܟ ܐ ܽܥܘܠ ܐ ܶ ܐܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܳܒܟ. ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܽܥ ܳ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰ 5ܠ ܳܕܢ ܶܚܬ ܶܠܗ܆ �ܡܐ ܫܦܝܐ ܕ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܦܫܐ ܕܪ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܰܫ ܳ ܬܬ ܰܓܪ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ ܰ �ܢ ܳ ܪܒܟ. ܒܟ ܐ ܳ ܽܥ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܘܬܪܗ ܰ 6ܕܐܒܐ ܕܐܬ ܐ ܡ ܳܓܢ ܨܝܕ ܡܣܟܢܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܐܬ�ܐ ܰܫ ܳ ܝܠܝ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܶܘ ܶ ܪܒܟ. ܢܝ ܐܦ ܺܕ ̱ ܡ� ܣܘܢܩ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܝܡܬܐ ܰ ܕܓܙ ܐ ܕܕܪܬ ܗܝ ܠ ̇ܗ ܒܝܬ ܚܕܘ�ܐ܆ ܺܣ ܶܰ ܶܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܺܶ ܰ ܺ ܟܝ. ܟܝ ܥ ܰܡ ܡܣܟܢܐ ܕܥܬ ܶܺܝܪܝܢ ܶܒ ̱ ܐ ܳܣܒ ܡܢ ܺ ̱ ܶ ܽ ̈ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰܛ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܳܦܬܝܚ ܬܪܥܗ �ܒܝܫܐܳ ܕܢܐܛܐܒ � 7ܗܘܢ܆ ܐܥܶܠ ܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܰ ܒ� ܶ ܚܡܐ ܳ �ܘܬܟ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܙܡܪ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܒܚܟ. ܳ ܽ ̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܕܣ ܰ ܒܬܐ ܰ ܦܩܬ ܰ 8ܢ ܳ ܦܫ ̇ܗ ܰܥܠ ܫܩܘ�܆ ܐܘ ܡܘܗ ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܰ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܰ ܕܝܠܗ ܰܕܩܕܝܫܐ ܳܡ ܰ ܛܘܒܢܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰ ܪܝ �ܥܩܘܒ ܡܐܡܪܐ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܕܝܠܗ ܰܕܩܕܝܫܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ�ܥܩܘܒ ܡܐܡܪܐ ܕܥܠ ܐܕ ܰܝ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܘܥܠ ܐܒܓܪ ; Dܡܠܟܐ ܕܐܘܪܗܝ ܕܥܠ ܐ ܰܕܝ ܰ ; M5ܡܠܟܐ ܽܕ ܳ ܰܕܩܕܝܫܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ�ܥܩܘܒ ܡܐܡܪܐ܆ ܰ ܐܘܪܗܣ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܰ ܡܒ ܰܪܟܬܐ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܘܥܠ ܐܒܓܪ ܡܠܟܐ ܰ 4 ܫܪܒܟ D 5 ܥܘܬ�ܐ BD 6 ܥܘܬܪܐ D ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ 7 ܕܢܛܐܒ BCDM5 ܕܢܐܛܒ ; U ܕܣ ܰ ܐܫܕܬ ܰ ; U ܚܦܬ ܰ ; CM5ܕ ܳ 8 ܶܕ ܰ ܫܕܬ BD Title A
3
152
15
20
25
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
bend down to me so that You may also gladden me with Your recipients. O Beloved Son, who when they crucified Him the stones spoke, 9 give me a word that I may sing Your praise instead of a stone. Speechless natures become eloquent if You command them, and if You signal to those endowed with speech, they become silent. A revealed word in admonition from a donkey Your will gave when there was need for rebuke. 10 To the high priest [You gave] a great silence in the Holy of Holies; 11 the eloquent one was silent and those endowed with speech became wordless. Zechariah was silenced and the word thunders from a donkey; a beast of burden speaks, but the priest is muzzled, unable to speak! 12 Your will, my Lord, gives a word or does not give [it], and nature can neither be silent nor speak. [Both] silence and speech are Yours—take silence from me,
Cf. Matt 27:51; Luke 19:40. Num 22:21–35. 11 Luke 1:19–22. 12 Num 23:1–24:25. 9
10
153
15
20
25
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰܐ ܶ ܐܝܕܝ ܳ 14ܕܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܰ ܢܝ ܰ �ܶ 13 ܝܟܝ. ܝܢܝ ܰ 15ܥܡ ܳܢ ܽܣ ̈ܘ ܰܒ ̱ ܬܚ ܶܕ ܶ ̱ ܪܟ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܐܦܐ ̈ܡ ܶܠܝ 16܆ ܒܪܐ ܚܒܝܒܐ ܕܟܕ ܙܩܦܝܢ ܠܗ ܟ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܺܟ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܦܐ ܽ 17ܫ ܳ ܘܒܚܟ 18ܐ ܰܙܡܪ .19 ܗܒ ܠܝ ܡ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܟ�ܢܐ ܚ�ܫܐ ܡ�ܝ� ܐܢܘܢ ܐܢ ܦܩܕ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܶ ܝܩܐ 20ܐ̱ ܽܢܘܢ. ܘ�ܡ�� ܐܢ ܪܡܙ ܐܢܬ ܫܬ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ 21 ܡܢ ܐܬ�ܐ ܡܠܬܐ ܓܠܝܬܐ ܒܡܟܣܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܰܐ ܳ ܐ�ܨܬ ܰܠ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܨ ܳ ܡܟ ܳܘ ܽܢܘ. ܳ ܗܢܐ ܰ 22ܪ ܳܒܐ ܶܫ ܳ ܩܕܘܫ ܽܩ ̈ �ܟ ܳ ܬܩܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܕ ܺܫܝܢ 23܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܳ ܶ ܚܪܫ ܡ�� ܘܕ� ܡܠܬܐ ܗܘܘ ܡ��. ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܬܝܩ ܳܘܪ ܳ ܥܡܐ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܐܬ ܳ�ܐ܆ ܙܟܪ�ܐ ܫ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܒܥܝܪܐ ܡܡ�� ܘܒܠܝܡ ܟܗܢܐ ܕ� ܢܡܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶܨ ܳ ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܳ� ܶܗܒ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܐܘ � ܳ� ܶܗܒ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܫ� ܳܘ� ܰܕ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ. ܘ� ܡ� ܐ ܟ�ܢܐ ܐܦ� ܕܢ ܳ ܺܕ ܳ ܢܝ ܶܫ ܳ ܝܠܟ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܫ ܳ ܬܩܐ ܶ ܬܩܐ 24܆ ܘܡܠܬܐ ܰܣܒ ܶܡ ̱
ܰ ܶ
ܐܪܟܢ DU 14 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܝ CDM5U ܶ 15 ܰ ܬܚܕܝܢ DU ܶ 16 ܰܡܠܘ U ܺ ̈ 17 ܟܐܦܐ BCDM5U ܰ 18 ܫܪܒܟ CM5U ܰ ܶ 19 ܐܟܪܙ BDU ܳ 20 ܫܬܩܝܢ BD ܰ ܳ 21 ܒܡܦܩܢܐ BM5 in marg. 22 ܒ�ܘܩܐ BM5 in marg. ̈ 23 ܩܘܕܫܐ BD 24 ܰܗܒ ܠܝ ܶܡܠܬܐ U 13
154
30
35
40
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and give me speech that lavishes Your treasures on those who are needy. The door is opened for whoever knocks at the house of God 25— come, you who are needy, enter [and] freely receive what you need. The way is straight for whoever desires to walk in it, but whoever ceases from the journey, it is his own choice. The good news of the Son went out to a land that was rebellious, and by it the dreadful precipice was tamed for all wayfarers. The apostolic teaching shone forth in the regions, and the difficult place became a plain and yielded harvests. The Son of the King travelled on the difficult mountains and lowered them, and the rugged [terrain] became level, and the way of His Father was established. 26 The Son’s disciples bore good news from the Father’s house, and they went out [and] distributed riches to the Peoples who were in need. The servants of the King collected great riches from His treasury to restore with it the world, which was ravaged by idolatry. The apostles became architects in a land that was ruined, and by their teaching they repaired the breaches of the ruin.
25 26
Matt 7:7–8; Luke 11:9–10. Cf. Isa 40:4.
155
30
35
40
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܳ 27ܕܕ ܳܪ�ܐ ܰܓ ܰܙ̈ܝܟ ܰܥܠ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܶ ܝ�ܐ .28 ˺ܘܗܒ ܠܝ ܡ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܦܬܝܚ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܬ ܳ ܪܥܐ � ܳܝܢܐ ܳܕܢܩܫ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܰܬܘ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܶ ܝ�ܐ ܽܥܘܠ ̱ܘ ܰܣܒ ̱ܘ ܰܡ ܳܓܢ ܽܣܘܢ̈ ܳܩ ܰܢ ܽ ܝܟܘܢ. ܺ ܳ ܘܪܚܐ ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ܳ ܝܛܐ ̱ܗܝ ܽܐ ܳ ܕܒܥܶܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܗ ܶܠܟ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܦܫ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܘܐܝܢܐ ܕܒܛܝܠ ܡܢ ܡܪܕܝܬܐ ܡܢ ܕܝܠܗ ̱ܗܝ܀ ܣܒܪܬܶܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܦܩܬ ܰ� ܳ ܒܪܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܰ ܕܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܕܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܶ ܰܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝ� ܽ �ܟܠ ܰܗ ܳ� ̈ܟܐ. ܘܐܫܬ�ܢ ܒ ̇ܗ ܢܐܪܒܐ ܕܚ ܰ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܕܢܚ �ܘܠܦܢ ̇ܗ ܕܫܠܝܚܘܬ ܐ ܒܐܬ�ܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ 29 ܥܬܐ ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܥ�ܬܐ. ܘܐܬܪ ܐ ܥܣܩܐ ܗܘܐ ܠܦܩ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܪܕܐ ܒܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܒܛܘ�ܐ ܥܣܩܐ ܘܡܟܟ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܗܘܐ ܰܥ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܦܝܐ ܘܬܶ ܰ �ܫ ܳ ܩܢܬ ܽܐ ܶ ܪܡܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ. ܘܪܚܗ ܰܕ ܽܐܒ ̱ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳܳ ܺ ܒ�ܬ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܒܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܕܒܪܐ ܛܥܢ ̱ܘ ܣ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܰܚ ̱ ܢܦܩܘ ܰܦ ܶܠܓܘ ܽܥ ܳ ܰ ܣܢ ܺ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰ �ܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ̱ ܰܘ ̱ ܣܦܘ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܶܙܗ ܽܥ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰ ܰܥ ̈ܒ ܰܕܝ ܰܡ ܳ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܆ ܰ ܰܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܟܪܘܬ ܐ. ܕܢܒܢܘܢ ܒܗ ܥ�ܡܐ ܕܚܪܒ ܒܦܬ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܝܟ� ܺ 30 ܫ� ̈ܝ ܶܚܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܐܪܥܐ ܕܣܚܝܦܐ ̱ܗܘܬ܆ ܗܘܘ ܐ�ܕ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ 31 ܒܝ ܳ ܘܠܦ ܽ ܰܘ ܽ ܢܗܘܢ ܳܣܓ ̱ܘ ܬܘ�ܥܬܐ ܕܡܣܚܦܬܐ.
˺U om. ܰ ܘܣܒ ܶܡܢܝ ܶ ܫܬܩܐ U add. 29 ܒܐܫܥܝܐ ܰܘܒ�ܘܩܐ BM5 in marg. ܰܐ ܺ 30 �ܕܟ� M5 ܳ 31 ܬܘ�ܥ ̇ ܬܗ B 27 28
156 45
50
55
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The apostles renewed the world that had grown old through idolatry; by them it was tamed and turned to the way that is full of light. They bore the cross [as] a good companion, and by it they tamed the desolate borderlands that were deprived of praise. The word of the Son was the apostles’ great key, and it opened the door of light to the Peoples who were in darkness. 32 By baptism they opened the treasury that had been locked, and the poor entered [and] acquired abundantly rich treasures. In creation, they were like stars in the darkness, and they chased away the shadows of error from the corners [of the earth]. The disciples were salt in a world 33 that was putrid, and from them it acquired a healthy taste and sweetness. By their instruction the Peoples were stirred up in the regions that were rebelling against God by [their] paganism. With their voices they summoned the distant ones who had been scattered,
32 33
Cf. Isa 9:2. Cf. Matt 5:13.
157 45
50
55
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ 34 ܘܬ ܐ ܺ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܶܚܐ ܰܚ ܶܕܬ ̱ܘ܆ �ܥ�ܡܐ ܕܥܬܩ ܒܦܬܟܪ ܽ ܶ ܰ �ܝܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐܳ. ܘܪܚܐ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ�ܢ ܰܘ ܳ ܕܡ ܳ ܦܢܐ ܽ� ܳ ܒܗܘܢ ܐ ܳ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܘ�ܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ ܶ ܝܦܐ ܛܥܶܢ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠ ܳ ܘܒܗ ܰܫܝܶܢ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ 35 ܫܒܘܚܬܐ. ܬܚܘܡܐ ܚ�ܒܐ ܕܡܓܙܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܡܢ ܬ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܒܪܐ ܺ ܠܬܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܕܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܳ ܩܠ ܳ ܗܘܬ ܰܠܫ� ̈ܝ ܶܚܐ܆ ܡ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܘܦ ܰ ܬܚܬ ܬܪܥܐ 36ܕܢܘܗܪܐ �ܥܡܡܐ 37ܕܚܫܘܟܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ. ܳ ܰ ܒܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ ܰ ܘܕܝܬܐ ܦܬܚ ̱ܘ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܓ ܳܙ ܐ ܰ 38ܕ ܺܐܚ ܳ ܝܕܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܶ ̈ ܺܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܕܥ ܳ ܬܐ ܽ ܰ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ. ܘܥ� ̱ܘ ܡܣܟܢܐ ܩܢܘ ܣܝܡ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܒܓܘ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ�ܐ ܰ 39 ܘܟܐ 40܆ ܗܘܘ ܒܒܪ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳ ܘܠܛ ��� ܕܛܘܥܝܝ ܐܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܦ�ܝܬܐ. �ܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܶ �ܚܐ ܳ ܗܘܘ ܰܬ ܺ ܳ ܒܥ ܳ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ ܶܡ ܳ ܣܪܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ܆ ܳ ܥܡܐ ܺ ܩܢܐ ܶܡ ܽ ܚܠ ܳ ܢܗܘܢ ܰܛ ܳ ܝܡܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗ ܺ� ܽܝܐܘܬ ܐ .41 ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܒܡ ܳ ܘܬܗܘܢ ܶܐ ܺ �ܦ ܽܢ ܽ ܰ ܐܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ܆ ܬܬܥܝܪ ̱ܘ ܥܡܡܐ ܒ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܕܒܚ ܢܦܘܬ ܐ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܺܝܕܝܢ ̱ 42ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶܡܢ 43ܩܠܝܗܘܢ ܳܨܒ ̱ܘ � ܺܚܝܩܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܒ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆
ܶ
ܰܕܐܥܬܩ DU 35 ܛܘ�ܐ B ܰ 36 ܬ �ܥܐ CM5 ܠܢܘܗܪܐ ܰ ̈ 37 ܕܥܡܡܐ B 38 ܰܡܠܟܘܬܐ ܰ ; M5 in marg.ܡܠܟܘܬܐ BDU 39 ܰܢܗܝܪܐ B ̈ 40 ܶܚܫܘܟܐ CM5 ܳ ܰ 41 ܘܗܢܝܘܬܐ ܰ in marg. ܘܓܢܒܪܘܬܐ C ܰ 42 ܕܡܝܟܝܢ BDM5U ܶ 43 ܘܡܢ BU 34
158 60
65
70
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and an assembly came into being, singing praise with a loud voice. They broke the bow of the evil one who had captured the Peoples, and the faction of the left side 44 fell from victory. They were fishers, 45 and they caught all of creation for salvation; by the bait 46 that was in their nets it 47 was turned back. They were farmers and they went out to a land full of thorns, and they worked [and] weeded it with a plough—the cross— and it bore a crop. Since I am unable to narrate the excellence of their heroic deeds, I will tell now [only] one of the stories of their teachings. I will weave a crown for Addai today, though I am certain that I am inferior to him [whose] virtues are innumerable. I will depict his virtues not because I am able to perfect them, but in order that I be a cause of praise for the one who hears me. Let his story be brought forward and let it stir up from those who hear praise to the Son of God who has given us the riches of His proclamation.
“The faction of the left side” refers to those whom the Lord will place on his left at the final judgment. See Matt 25:31–46. 45 Cf. Matt 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11. 46 “bait”: lit. “slain food”; an allusion to the Eucharist. 47 The pronoun is masculine; it may refer to “world” as a synonym for the feminine “creation” in the previous line. 44
159 60
65
70
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ 48 ܒܩ� ܳܪ ܳܡܐ. ܘܗܘܐ ܟܢܫܐ ܕܙܡܪ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ 49 ܽ �ܩܫܬܗ ܕܒܝܫܐ ܕܫܒܬ ܥܡܡܐ ܗܢܘܢ ܬܒܪ ̇ ܘܗ܆ ܳ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܢܦܠ ܰ�ܓ ܳܒܐ ܶ ܕܒܝܬ ܶܣ ܳܡ� ܶܡܢ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ �ܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳ� ܽܕ ̇ ܘܗ܆ ܗܘܘ ܨܝܕܐ ܘܟܠܗ ܒܪ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܝ� ܰ ܕܒܡܨ ̈ܝ ܳܕܬܗܘܢ ܡܬܗܦܟ ̱ܗܘܐ. ܒܐܘܟ� ܩܛ ܰ ܰܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܗܘܘ ܐܟ�ܐ ܘܢܦܩܘ �ܪܥܐ ܕܡ�ܝܐ ܟܘܒܐ܆ ܰ ܽ ̱ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ 51 ܳ ܺ 50 ܰܘ ܰ ܰ ܦܠܚ ̱ܘ �ܕ ̇ ܘܗ ܒܩܝܩܢܐ ܨܠܝܒܐ ܘܦܐ� ܐ ܛܥܢܬ܀ ܬ�ܐ ܽܫ ܳ ܕ�ܨ̈ ܳܚ ܰܢ ܽ ܘܦܪܐ ܶ 52 ܳܕ� ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ܆ �ܒܐ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘ ܳ ܠܦ ܰܢ ܽ ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ. ܺ ܳ ܓܕܘܠ ܰ� ܳ ܝ� ܰ� ܰܕܝ ܶܐ ܽ ܘܡܢ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܰܫܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܆ ܟܠ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰܕܡܒ�ܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ̱ܗܘ 53ܡܢܗ ܫܘܦ�ܐ ܕ� ܡ ܳ ܢ�ܢܐ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܓܡܘܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܘܗܝ ܠܘ ܕܡ� ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐ ܶܐ ܽܳܨܘܪ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܐ � ܶܕ ܶ ܘܒܚܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܐܗܘܐ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܽܫ ܳ ܕܫ ܰܡܥ ܺܠܝ. ܢܶܬܬܙܺܝܥ ܰܫ ܶ ܪܒܗ ܰܘ ܺܢܙܝܥ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܒܚܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܫ ܽܡ ̈ܘܥܶܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ 54 ܰ ܰ �ܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܢ ܥܘܬܪ ܐ ܕܟܪܘܙܘܬܗ܀
ܰܘ ܰ ܗܘܘ B ܶ �ܩܫܬܐ M5 ܰ 50 ܥ ̇ ܒܕܘܗ U ܺ 51 ܒܩܩܢܐ M5 52 ܫܘܦ�ܐ U 53 B om. 54 ܠܗ B 48 49
160 75
80
85
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The apostle Addai was one of the rays of the great light by whom one region that had fallen to him was lit up. The eastern region—the place of the sun—[even] in the sun was darkened by the smoke of the sacrifices of the sun that were numerous. But this apostle of the light came to the house of those in darkness, and the environs of the sun that had been darkened were lit up by him. The sun had grown dark, and the apostle came—and the light with him— and instead of the sun, he gave light to those who were in darkness. There is no light that is light except our Lord, and [it is] not the day but Christ who is unchangeable. If the light of the sun is bright, it gives light to people so that they do not go astray through [idolatrous] sacrifices. But without the true [light], the darkness overshadowed its environs, so the apostle came [and] made it day through his preaching. The eye of the soul is lit up by the true light
161 75
80
85
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܝܚܐ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܰܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܶܨ ̈ܡ ܶܚܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܺ ܫܠ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܡܛܬ ܗ ܳܘܬ ܶܠܗ ܶ 55ܡܢܶܗ ܢܶ ܰ ܗܪܬ. ܕܚܕܐ ܦܢܝܬܐ ܕ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܡܫܐ ܶܚ ܰ ܡܫܐ ܶ ܒܫ ܳ ܕܫ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܐܬܪܗ ܶ ܫܟܬ܆ ܡܕܢܚܐ ܦܢ ܺ ̈ ܡܫܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܳ ܶܡܢ ܬܶ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶܕܕܒ ܶܚܐ ܶ ܕܣ ܺܓܝܐܝܢ ̱ 56ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܶ ܳ ܝܚܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܺ ܘܗܪܐ ܶ ܫܠ ܶ �ܒܝܬ ܶܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ܆ ܘ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܢܗܪܬ ܡܢܗ ܫܒܒܬܗ ܕܫܡܫܐ ܕܚܫܘܟܐ ̱ܗܘܬ. ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܽܘܢ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܺ ܫܠ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ܆ ܐܚܫܟ ܫܡܫܐ ܘ ܰ ܕܚ ܽܫ ܺ ܰܘ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܶܫ ܳ ܡܫܐ ܽܗܘ ܐ ܰܢܗܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܠ ܶ ܘܟܝܢ .57 ܽ ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܳ� ܺܐܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܐ � ܳܡ ܰܪܢ܆ ܘܗܝ ܢ ܘܗܪܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܠܦ. ܘ� ܐܝܡܡܐ ܐ � ܡܫܝܚܐ ܕ� ܡ ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܰܢ ܺܗܝܪ ܽ 58ܢ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܕܫ ܳ ܘܗܪܗ ܶ ܡܫܐ ܗܘ ܡܢܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܽ ܰܠ ܰ ܥ� ̈ܘܬ ܐ. ܛܥܘܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒ ܰ ܳ ܰܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܫܒ ܽܒܘܬܗ܆ ܘܕ� ܫܪܝܪ ܐܓܢ ܚܫܟܐ ܒ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳܽ ܽ ܶ ܘܐܬ ܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܥܒܕ ܐܝܡܡܐ ܒܟܪܘܙܘܬܗ. ܦܫܐ ܳܢ ܳ ܽܢ ܳ ܕܫ ܺܪܝܪ ܰܥ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܕܢ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܗܪ ܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ܆
ܳ ܶ
ܰܕܡܛܬܗ ܳ ܗܘܬ B ܰ ܺ 56 ܕܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܝܢ CM5U ܰܠ ܶ ̈ ܺ 57 ܕܚܫܘܟܝܢ CM5 ܰ 58 ܫܪܝܪ BDU 55
162 90
95
100
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and knows to flee from created things so that they are not worshiped. Error had entered, made it night, and darkened the place, and if the gospel had not brightened it, it would not have light. This apostle shone forth in a region that was in darkness, and by his teaching he made a day of bright light. By his preaching, he cleared the shadows from our lands and drove away the night and established the light in a place that was dark. Like a merchant he brought a pearl to our place— the gospel of salvation 59—and all gloom fled from it. He was a lamp [lit] from the flame of the crucifixion; he took the light and came [and] made the house of the darkened ones bright. He bore the gift that the Son of God had freely given him, and he came [and] distributed [it] among the poor and made them rich. He was an evangelist for the Peoples of the land, and he circumcised them spiritually, and they became heirs in God’s household.
59
“salvation” or “life.”
163 90
95
100
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ 60 ܰ ��ܬܐ ܕ� ܢܶܣܬ ̈ܓ ܳܕܢ. ܘ�ܕܥܐ ܕܬܥܪܘܩ ܡܢ ܒ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܘܥܝܝ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܥܶ ܰ ܽܛ ܰ ܒܕܬ ܺܠ�ܝܐ ܘܚܫܟ ܐܬܪ ܐ 61܆ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܣܒܪܬ ܐ � ܐ ܰܢܗܪܬܗ � ܳܢ ܰܗܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ 62܀ ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܳܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕܚ ܽܫ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܶ ܘܟܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܗܢܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܕܢܚ ܒܦܢ ܳ ܰ ܒܝ ܳ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܺܐ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܘܠܦܢܶܗ ܰ ܰܘ ܽ ܝܡܡܐ ܕܢܘܗܪܐ ܪܒܐ. ܳ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܶ 63 �ܥܬܢ܆ ܒܟܪܘܙܘܬܗ ܢܩܠ ܛـ�� ܡܢ ܐ ܘܗܪܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܛܪܕ ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ܽܢ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܕܚܫܟ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܪܓ ܺܢܝܬܐ܆ ܐܝܟ ܬܓܪܐ ܐܝܬܝ �ܬܪܢ ܡ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܕܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܘܥܶ ܰ ܪܩܬ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܟܠ ܰܟ ܽ ܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܣܒ ܡܗܘܬ ܐ .64 ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 67 ܳ ܰ ܰ 66 ܶ 65 ܗܘܐ ܠܡܦܐܕ ܐ ܡܢ ܓܘܙܠܬܐ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ܆ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܪܐ ܶܘܐܬ ܐ ܐ ܰܢܗܪ ܶܒܝܬ ܶܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ. ܫܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܒܬܐ ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܳܓܢ ܰ 68ܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܛܥܢ ܡ ܶ ̈ ܺܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶܘܐܬ ܐ ܰܦܠܓ ܒܝܬ ܡܣܟܢܐ ܘܐܥܬܪ ܐܢܘܢ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ 70 ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ 69 ܓܙܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܗܘܐ ܡܣܒܪ ܢܐ �ܥܡܡܐ ܕܐܪܥܐ ܘ ܶ ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܐܺܝܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܽܪ ܳ ܗܘܘ ܳ��ܬ ܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ.
ܶ
ܕܬܥܪܘܩܝ DM5 ܶ ܰ ܰ 61 ܫܟܬ ܐܪܥܐ U ܘܚ 62 ܶܚܫܘܟܐ ܗܘܐ BDU ܰ 63 ܫܩܠ B ܶܡܢܗ ܰܕܣܢܝܩܐ ܳ 64 ܗܘܬ BDU ܰ 65 ܠܡܦܝܕܐ U ܶ 66 ܕܡܢ BDU ܰܓ ܰ 67 ܘܙ ̇ ܠܬܗ BCDM5 ܰ ܳ 68 ܡ ܪܢ B ܰ ܳ 69 ܡܣܒܪܢܐ ܗܘܐ B 70 ܥܘ�� BDU 60
164 105
110
115
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Baptism [is] the new circumcision not [done] by hands; 71 the apostle circumcised the heart 72 of the Peoples and discipled them. By faith he placed the law in their minds on the tablets of the soul for the spiritual person. He bore the cross of disgrace and brought [it] to our environs, lifting up his voice and preaching the death of the Son of God. He boasted in the suffering of his Lord and His crucifixion, 73 for the crucifixion is all the glory of apostleship. He uprooted the idol shrine 74 and wild thyme from our place and planted and filled it with magnificent cedar and aromatic myrtle, the smell of which is sweet. He cast down the gods and goddesses that were worshipped and preached the Trinity in the land with a loud voice. He overthrew the house of Fortune and the shrines for the idols of goddesses, and he built temples for the Being that is one with His Beloved. 75 He condemned the carved idols and banished their worshippers from them, Cf. Col 2:11. Cf. Deut 30:6; Rom 2:29. 73 Cf. Gal 6:14. 74 With different vocalization, the word ܚܓܬܐmeans “thorns.” Given the reference to other plants, a play on words is likely intended. 75 The overthrowing of idolatry is an important feature of Addai’s preaching in this homily. Compare Jacob’s homily On the Fall of the Idols, where Jacob mentions Abgar and Addai in passing. Armando Elkoury and Robert Kitchen, eds. and trans., Jacob of Serugh: Selected Metrical Homilies, Vol. 1 (The Hidden Pearl Press, 2021); see also Daniel L. Schwartz, “Discourses of Religious Violence and Christian Charity: The Christianization of Syria in Jacob of Sarug’s On the Fall of the Idols,” in Motions of Late Antiquity: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Society in Honour of Peter Brown, eds. Jamie Kreiner and Helmut Reimitz (Turnhout: Brepols, 2016), 129–49. 71 72
165
105
110
115
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ 76 ܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܳܕ� ܺܒ ̈ ܘܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܐܝ ܰܕ ܳ�ܐ܆ ܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ ܓܙ ܰ ܶܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ 77 ܓܙܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ �ܒܐ ܕܥܡܡܐ ܘܬ�ܡܕ ܐܢܘܢ. ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܣܐ ܶ ܥ� ܰܢ ܽ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܣܡ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ ܒ� ܳ ܝܗܘܢ܆ ܒܗܝܡܢ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܒ� ̈ܘ ܶܚܐ ܕܢܦܫܐ �ܗܘ ܒܪܢܫܐ ܪ ܳ ܘܚ�ܝܐ. ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܫܒ ܽܒܘܬܢ܆ ܙܩܝܦܐ ܕܚܣܕ ܐ ܛܥܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘܐܝܬܝ ܠ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ 78 ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ .79 ܰܟܕ ܳܪܡ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܘܡܟܪܙ ܡ ܰܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܦܘܬܗ܆ ܒܚܫܐ ܕܡܪܗ ܡܫܬܒܗܪ ܗܘܐ ܘܒܙܩ ܽ ܶ ܽ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 80 ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܟܠܗ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܕܫܠܝܚܘܬ ܐ. ܕܙܩ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܥܩܪ ܡܢ ܐܬܪܢ ܶ 81ܚܓܬܐ ܰ ܘܨܬܪ ܐ 82ܘܫܬܠ ܘܡܠܝ ̱ܗܝ 83܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ 84 ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܪܬ ܐ ܳܘ ܳ ܚ� ܺܪ ܶ ܝܚܗ. ܐܣܐ ܡܒܣܡܐ ܕ ܒܪܘܬ ܐ ܗܕ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܣܚܦ ܐ ܳ�ܗܐ ܘܐ�ܗܬ ܐ ܕܡܣܬܓܕܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ 85܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ 86 ܒܩ� ܳܪ ܳܡܐ. ܘܐܟܪܙ ܒܐܪܥܐ ܬܠܝܬ�ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܫܕܐ ܶ 87ܒܝܬ ܓܕܐ ܘ�ܘܣܐ ܨܝ�ܐ ܕܐ�ܗܬ ܐ܆ ܶ ܺ ܒܢܐ ܰܗ ̈ ܕܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܥܡ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܟ� � ܳ ܝܬ�ܐ ܰ ܝܒܗ .88 ܒܣܪ ܰܠ ܺ ܓ�ܝ̈ ܶܦܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܢܗܘܢ ܳܣ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܰܕ ܽ ܐܥܪܩ ܶܡ ܽ ܰ ܝܗܘܢ܆ ܰ ܒܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ BDU ܳ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܒܗܝ ܕܦܝܠܝܦܝ̈ ܳܣܝܶܐ BM5 in marg. ܰ 78 ܡܘܬܗ BDM5U ܳ 79 ܕܝܚܝܕܝܐ B 80 ܫܘܒܚܗ ̇ ܰ ; DU ̇ ܥܘܬܪܗ B ܐܫܥܝܐ ; BM5 in marg.ܐ ܰ ܶܒ ܰ 81 ܪܥܢ B ܰ ܶ 82 ܨܬܪܐ ܘܚܓܬܐ D ܳ 83 ܰܘܡܠ ܳ ̇ܗ BU 84 ܛܒܐ B ܶ ܰ ܣܬ ̈ ̈ 85 ܓ ܳܕܢ ܗ ܰܘܝ D ܕܡ 86 ܰܒܐܬܪܐ BD 87 ܫܪܐ BDU 88 ܳ��ܘܕܗ BDU 76 77
166
120
125
130
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and he taught them who the Lord of all acts of worship is. Through Addai, from the True One to us was sent that gift that comes freely to those who are needy. Through this man who is worthy of great praise that promise of the Son of God was fulfilled. This apostle brought Abgar that gift that Jesus promised He would send to His friend. He is the one who came and brought baptism with him, the washing of light for the bride who had been darkened by idolatry. He is the scribe whom the Bridegroom sent, [and] he wrote the marriage agreement for her on whose behalf the king had petitioned the Son of God. This [man] opened the great door of baptism in Edessa, a city full of blessings for those who are discerning. This [man] brought glorious garments from the Father’s house; he washed [and] adorned the Daughter of the Arameans since she was receptive.
167 120
125
130
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܶ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܠܦ 89ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳ 90ܡ ܳܪܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܶܣ ̈ܓ ܳܕܬ ܐ܀ ܺ ܰ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܒ ܐܝܕܝ ܐ ܰܕܝ ܐܫܬ ܰܕܪܬ ܰ 91ܠܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܬܬ ܰܡ ܳܓܢ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܚ ܺܣܝ�ܐܶ. ܗܝ ܡܘܗܒܬܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܕܫ ܶܘܐ ܽ ܺܒ ܰ ̈ ܐܝܕܝ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܳ �ܫ ܳ ܘܒܚܐ ܪ ܳܒܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܺ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܡܠܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܗܘ ܫܘܘܕ�ܗ ܐ ܳܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܗܢܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܐܝܬܝ �ܒܓܪ ܗܝ ܡܘܗܒܬܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܪ ܶ ܐܫܬ ܺܘܕܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܚܡܗ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ. ܕ ܳܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܗܢܘ ܕܐܬ ܐ ܘܐܝܬܝ ܥܡܗ ܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܕܚ ܰ ܠܬܐ ܶ ܣܚܬܐ ܕܢܘܗܪ ܐ �ܟ ܫܟܬ ܰܒܦܬܟܪܘܬ ܐ .92 ܳܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܗܢܘ ܣܦܪܐ ܕܫܕܪܗ ܚܬܢܐ ܟܬܒ ܦܪܢܝܬܐ܆ ܰ ܰ �ܗܝ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ �ܟܐ ܳ ܐܦܝܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܚ� ܶܦ ̇ ܝܗ �ܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ 93 ܰ ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܦܬܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܬܪܥܗ ܪܒܐ ܕܡܥܡ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܕܦ ܽܪ ܺ ܒܐܘܪܗܝ ܟܪܟܐ ܡ� ܒܘ�ܟ ܘܫܝܢ .94 ܳܰ ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܝܬܝ ܽ ܗܢܐ ܐ �ܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ ܓܐ ܳ�̈ܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐܒܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܬܢ ܳ ܣܚܝ ܰܨܒܬ ̇ܗ ܰ 95 �ܒܪܬ ܐ�ܡܝܶܐ ܟܕ ܡ ܰ ܰܐ ܺ ܣܒܐ. ̱
ܶ
ܰܘܐܦܠ D ܳ ܩܕܡ ܰܗܘ D ܶ ܰ ܰ 91 ܐܫܬܕܪ BU ̈ ܰ 92 ܰܒܥ� ܳܘܬܐ BDU ܰ 93 ܬܪܥܐ B ܰ ܳ 94 ܠܕܦ�ܘܫܝܢ CM5 ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܺ 95 ܐܣܚܝ ܨܒܬ BDU 89 90
168 135
140
145
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
This [man] purified, scoured, [and] polished the one who had been defiled— the beloved of the Bridegroom—when she was given to the Bridegroom, his Lord. King Abgar is worthy of divine blessings; he sent an appeal for the Son of God to come to his city. He opened his city and affectionately invited Him to come [and] be the healer and teacher 96 of true things for his people. He betrothed his city to the Only Begotten who had come to earth, and the Bridegroom promised the king that He will accept her. [The Bridegroom] made a pledge that when He had ascended to His Begetter, he would marry the bride whom He had summoned and sanctify her. He made a pledge that when He had ascended, He would send her a salvation-bearing 97 disciple to her father’s house. And when the glorious Bridegroom ascended to His place on high, He desired to send [someone] as He had lovingly promised to Abgar. So He chose Addai from among his brothers to fulfill
96 97
“teacher” or “scribe.” “salvation-bearing” or “life-bearing.”
169 135
140
145
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̇ ܳ ܰ 98 ܡܟܬܡܬܐ܆ ܗܢܐ ܚܠܠ ܐܫܝܓ ܡܪܩܗ ܠ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܬ� ܳ ܳ ܕܚ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܬܢܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܡܬܗ ܰ ܗܒܐ �ܚܬܢܐ ܡܪܗ 99܀ ܪܚ ܰ ܽ ܒܓܪ ܰܡ ܳ ܰܐ ܰ �ܟܐ ܳܫ ܶܘܐ ܠܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗ�̈ܶܐ܆ ܒܪܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܪܟܗ ܳ �ܟ ܶ ܰ ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܺܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܰ 100 ܫܠܚ ܰܒ ܳ ܐ� ܳܗܐ .101 ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܬܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܒܐܝܬ܆ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܢܐܬ ܐ ܚܒ ܦܬܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܕܝܢ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ. ܢܗܘܐ �ܥܡܗ ܐܣܝܐ ܘܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܗ ܐܡܟܪ ܠܝܚܝܕ�ܐ ܕܐܬ ܐ �ܪܥܐ܆ ܶ ܰ �ܡ ܳ ܬܢܐ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܺܘܕܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܚ ܳ �ܟܐ ܳܕܢ ܶܣܒ ܽܗܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ .102 ܘ ܽ ܺ ܕܡܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܰܬ ܰܢܘܝ ܳܣܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ 103 ܐܬܥܠܝ ܶܨܝܕ ܳ�� ܶ ܘܕܗ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܐܝܬܝ ܰ 105ܘ ܰ ܡܩ ܶܕܫ ܳܠ ̇ܗ. ܬܚܬܢ ܳ 104ܠ ̇ܗ �ܟܠܬܐ ܕ ܡ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܬܢܘܝ ܣܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܡܐ ܕܐܬܥܠܝ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܗܘ ܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܽܐܒ ̇ ܘܗ .106 ܚܕ ܬ�ܡܝܕܐ ܕܛܥܝܢ ܚܝܐ �ܒ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ 107 ܶ ܳ ܳ ܘܟܕ ܐܬܥܠܝ ܚܬܢܐ ܫܒܝܚܐ �ܬܪܗ ܪܡܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܰܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܒܚ ܳ ܐܫܬ ܺ ܘܕܝ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ. ܨܒܐ ܕܢܫܕܪ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܰܢܫܠܡ ܒܗ܆ ܓܒܝ ̱ܗܝ � ܰܕܝ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܐ ̈ܚ ̱
ܰܘܐܫܝܓ D ܳܡ ܶ ̇ ܪܗ BDU ܺ 100 ܕܢܐܬ ܐ BDU ܰ ܰ ܳ 101 ܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ D 102 ܠܗ U 103 ܠܗ BDU 104 ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܝܢ BDU ܰ 105 ܕܪܒܝ BDU �ܒܝܬܗ ܽܟܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰ 106 �ܒܪܬ BDM5U ܰ ܰ ܰ ) ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܶ ̇ ܠܗ ܰ; M5ܕܡܫܕܪ ܠܗ (DUܥܡܗ ܶ ܰ 107 ܰ ܐܫܬܡܠܝ ܘܣܠܩ ܚܬܢܐ B 98 99
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬܘܕܝ ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܐܢܐ ܰܚܕ ܬܠܡܝܕܐ܆ ܰܕܛܥܝܢ ܐ
170 150
155
160
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
that unchangeable promise that had been put in writing. 108 The Spirit of the regions distributed apostleship, and for Addai He reserved the city of Edessa to be perfected 109 by him. Tongues of fire descended, settled on the disciples, and gave the speech of the regions to their apostles. 110 By their language each one of them perceived in what place the Spirit had appointed him to speak. Rome was given to Peter, [and] to Thomas India, and the city of Addai was reserved for him to go visit. By speech [the Spirit] appointed him and by a new language ordained him whom the Spirit sent to Mesopotamia to perfect Abgar. The wisdom-granting and light-filled fire of the Father sent the apostles of his Son into the [whole] earth to act wisely in it. The Holy Spirit, the great Teacher of the heavenly beings, taught them all the languages of all the regions.
In Jacob’s homily On Abgar, Jesus’s reply to Abgar’s letter is given orally to the king’s ambassador. According to the Doctrina Addai, while Jesus gives his reply orally, the archivist Hanan wrote it down afterward. 109 I.e., perfected in baptism. 110 Acts 2:1–4. 108
171 150
155
160
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ 112 ܫܬ ܰ ܘܘܕ ܳ�ܐ ܺ 111 ܰܗܘ ܽܫ ܳ ܚܠܦ. ܕܣܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܣܦܪܐ ܕ� ܡ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 113 ܝܚܘܬ ܐ܆ ܦܠܓ ܪܘܚܐ ܕܐܬ�ܘܬ ܐ ܠܫܠ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܪܗܝ ܰܟ ܳ ܢܛܪ ܰ� ܰܕܝ ܽܐ ܳ ܪܟܐ ܕܢܶܫܬܡ� ܶܒܗ. ܘ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܢܚܬ ̱ܘ � ܳܫܢܐ ܽܕܢܘܪܐ ܺ�ܬܒ ̱ܘ ܰܥܠ�ܬ ܺ ܶ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܘ�ܗܒܘ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܡܡ�� ܰܕ ܰ ܐܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ ܰܠ ܺ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܰܚ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ̱ ܰ ̱ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܰܚܕ ܰܚܕ ܶܡ ܽ ܢܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܶ� ܳܫܢܶܗ ܶܡܫܬ ܰܘܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܐܝܢܐ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܚܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܽܪ ܳ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܶܒܗ. ܽ ܺ ܳ 114 ܶ ܠܦ ܽ ܬ� ܳ ܠܬ ܰ ܐܘܡܐ ܶܗ ܽܢܕܘ ܶܡ ܰ ܗܒܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܛܪܘܣ ܪܘܡܐ ܰ ܺ ܪܟܗ ܰܕ ܰܐܕܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܶܠܗ ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܢܶ ܽ ܢܛܝܪ ܰܟ ܶ ܘ ܣܥܘܪ .115 ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ 116 ܰ ܶ ܰ ܡ�� ܦܪܫܗ ܘܒ�ܫܢܐ ܚ ̱ܕܬ ܐ ܪܫܡܗ܆ ܒܡ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰܕ ܶ ܰ ܰ �ܒܝܬ ܢܗ�ܝܢ ܰܫܕܪܗ ܪ ܳ ܘܚܐ ܢܫܡ� � ܰ ܒܓܪ. ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ �ܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ ܘܡ ܰ ܘܗܪܐ܆ ܢܘܪܗ ܕܐܒܐ ܡܚܟܡܢ ܺ ܶ ܰܫ ܰܕܪ ܰ� ܳ ܬܚ ܽ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܪܥܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܟܡܘܢ ܒ ̇ܗ ܫ�ܝܚܐ ܕܒܪܗ. ܘܕܫܐ ܳܣ ܳ ܘܚܐ ܽܕܩ ܳ ܽܪ ܳ ܦܪ ܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ̈ܫ ܰܡ ܳ�ܢܶܐ܆ ܰܐ ܶܠܦ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܽܟܠ ܶ� ܳܫ ܺܢ̈ܝܢ ܽ 117ܕܟܠ ܰܐ ܰ ܬ� ܳܘܢ܀
ܳ ܫܘܘܕܝܗ DU ܘ� BDU ܰ ܰ 113 ܐܬ� ܳܘܬܐ BDU ܽ 114 ܰ �ܪܘܡܝ BDM5U ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ 115 � ܕܝ ܢܫܬܕܪ ܠܗ BDU ܰ 116 ܒܡܡܠܗ B ܶ ܳ ̈ܶ 117 �ܫܢܐ BDU 111 112
ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ
172 165
170
175
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
[The Spirit] gave Addai the speech of Edessa while he was in Judea, and from his language they knew where his place is. His speech appointed him and that new language that he had learned taught his companions that the Spirit was sending him to Abgar. And when each of them had set his face toward the place that had fallen to him, Addai directed his course so that he too went to his [allotted] place. The promise of the Son of God itself urged him to come fulfill this contract between Him and Abgar. So, the apostle came, with heroism accompanying him, and carrying salvation 118 to distribute in the place where he was sent. And his mouth was full of the new gospel, which is full of wonder, and his voice thundered with the teaching of the crucifixion. And every kind of cure proceeded from him to the wounded, and every grace and hope showered whoever met him. He carried help and he carried salvation on every side of him:
118
“salvation” or “life.”
173 165
170
175
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܺܒ ܽ ܡܠ ܳ ̇ܗ ܽܕ ܳ ܝܗܘܕ 119܆ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ � ܰܕܝ ܰܡ ̱ ܐܝܢܘ ܰܐ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܶ� ܳܫܢܶܗ ܳ� ܺ ܶ ܕܥܝܢ ̱ 120ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܬܪܗ. ܘܗܘ ܳ �ܶ 121ܫ ܳܢܐ ܰܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܺܕ ܶ ܪܫܗ ܰ ܡܠܶܗ ܰܦ ܶ ܝܠܦ܆ ܰܡ ̱ ̱ �ܚ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܐ ܶܠܦ ܰܕ ܳ ܒܓܪ ܰܫ ܶ �ܚܗ ܽ 122ܪ ܳ ܰ �ܘܬ ܰܐ ܰ ܒ� ܘܚܐ. ̱ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܢܗܘܢ � ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܚܕ ܰܚܕ ܶܡ ܽ ܬܪ ܐ ܰ 123ܕܡܛܝ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܘܟܕ ܳܣܡ ܐ ̈ܦ ̱ ܘܪܚܗ ܰ 124ܐ ܰܕܝ ܳܕܐܦ ܽ 125ܗܘ ܰ� ܶ ܰ ܬܪܨ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܐ ܶ ܬܪܗ ܺ 126ܢ ܰܐܙܠ. ܘܘܕ�ܶܗ ܰ ܰܗܘ ܽܫ ܳ ܕܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰ ܡܚ ܶܦܛ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܢܶ ܽ ܓܡܘܪ ܰܬ ܰܢܘܝ ܳܗ ܶܕܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ 127܀ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܺ ܫܠ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܠ ܳ ܘ�ܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܽܪܘܬ ܐ܆ ܘ ܰܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܘܛܥܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ ܢܦܠܓ ܰܒܐܬܪ ܐ ܕܐܫܬܕܪ ܠܗ. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ �ܝܐ ܬܶ ܳ ܡ� ܽܦ ܶ ܚܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ ܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܗܪܐ 128܆ ܘܡܗ ܣܒ ܘ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܘܪܥܡ 129ܩܠܗ ܒܡ�ܦܢܘܬ ܐ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ. ܳܘܪ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܽܟܠ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܡ ܺܢܝܢ ̈ �ܰ 130ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ܆ ܘܣܒܪܐ ܰ 131ܠ ܳ ܳܘܪ ܶܣܡ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܚܢܢܐ ܰ ܕܦ ܰܓܥ ܶܒܗ. ܛܥܝܢ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܕ� ܢܶܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܺ ܛܥܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ�ܓ ܰܒ ̈ܘܗܝ 132܆ ܺܒܐܝܗܘܕ BC ܳ ܦܪܫܝܢ B ܰ 121 ܗܘ U ܰ 122 ܫܕܪܗ D 123 �ܬܪܗ CM5 124 ܰܡܪܕܝܬܗ B ܳ 125 ܐܦ B 126 ܕ�ܬܪܗ BD ܰܕ ܳ 127 ܗܘܬ ܶܒܝܬ ܠܗ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ ܰܡܠܟܐ BDU 128 ܢܘܗܪܐ BCDM5U ܶ 129 ܰܘܪܥܡ CM5U ̈ ܳ 130 ܚܘ�ܡܢܐ B ܰ 131 ܘ�ܚܡܐ B ܳ ܳ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ ܰ ̈ 132 �ܓܒܘܗܝ ܐܦ ܥܘܕ�ܢܐ U 119 120
ܰ ܕܢܶܓܡܘܪ ܬ ܰܢܘܝ
ܰܘܛܥܝܢ
174 180
185
190
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
bandages for bodies and forgiveness of sins for souls. His soul was full of a spirit of holiness 133 to cleanse with it the unclean Peoples and to bring them in to the Holy One. He carried white garments from the great wardrobe of the Father so that the bride may be clothed within the waters when she is received. In his mouth [was] fire and on his tongue a flame; in his word [was] salvation 134 and in the laying on of his hand holiness. He was carrying riches for the one who lacks to take from it— from that treasure store that the spear opened on Golgotha. 135 He was a font bringing forth compassion in the whole place and giving everyone who thirsts and comes to him salvation to drink. He came and arrived at the city, the haven of faith, and he entered before Abgar, [bringing] the gift of the Spirit with him. The chosen apostle and the upright king met one another— the good friend and the disciple full of triumphs.
“a spirit of holiness” or “the Holy Spirit.” Elsewhere in this homily, “the Holy Spirit” is treated as grammatically masculine (for example, lines 151–152), but here the pronoun is feminine. 134 “salvation” or “life.” 135 John 19:34. 133
175 180
185
190
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ 136 ܬܐ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܒܩܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ. ܥܨܒܐ ܠܦܓ�ܐ ܘ�ܢܦܫ ܶ ܳ ܰ �ܝܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܰܡ ܳ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܽܪܘܚܐ ܽܕܩܘܕܫܐ ܕܢܕܟܐ ܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܶ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܛ ̈ܶܡܐܐ ܰ 137 ܘ�ܥܶܠ 138ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܩ ܺܕܝܫܐ. ܺ ܛܥܝܢ ܶܚ ܳܘ ܶ�ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܗܘ ܰܥ ܶ ܝܒܗ ܰܪܒܐ ܰܕܐܒܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ 139 ܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܬܢ ܳ ܕܡ ܰ ܣܒܐ. ܕܬ�ܒܫ ܟ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܒܦܘܡܗ ܢܘܪܐ ܘܒ�ܫܢܗ ܫ�ܗܒܝܬܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܒܡܠܬܗ ܚܝܐ ܘܒܣܝܡ ܐܝܕܗ ܩܕܝܫܘܬ ܐ. ܽܥ ܳ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܺ ܛܥܝܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܣܢܝܩ ܕܢܶ ܰܣܒ ܶ 140ܡܢܶܗ܆ ܳ ܶܡܢ ܰܗܘ ܰܓ ܳܙ ܐ ܶ ܬܚܬ ܽܪ ܳ ܕܦ ܰ ܘܡܚܐ ܰܥܠ ܳ�ܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ. ܒܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ܳ ܚ� ܳܢܐ ܽ 141 ܰܡ ܽܒ ܳ ܕܓ ܶܣܐ ܳ ܘܥܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܫܩܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܽ 142 ܘܡ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܟܠ ܡܢ ܕ ܨܗܐ ܳܘ ܳܐܬ ܐ ܶ 143ܨ ܰܝܕ ̱ ܶܳ ܰ ܳ �ܟ ܳ ܡܛܐ ܰ ܪܟܐ ܺ ܕܗ ܳ �ܡ ܳܐܢܐ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐܬ ܐ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܥܠ�ܨܝܕ ܐܒܓܪ ܟܕ ܡܘܗܒܬܐ ܕܪܘܚܐ ܥܡܗ. ܦܓܥ ̱ܘ ܰܒ ̈ܚ ܳܕ ܶܕ ܐ ܺ ܘܡ ܳ ܒܝܐ ܰ ܝܚܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܫܠ ܳ ܰ �ܟܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܚܡܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ ܐܦ ܬ ܺ ܳܪ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܝܕܐ ܡ� ܶ�ܨ̈ ܳܚܢܶܐ.
ܳ ܥܨܒܐ DU ܰ ̈ ܛܡܡܐ A ܰܶ 138 ܕ�ܥܠ M5 ܕܬܶ ܰ 139 �ܒܫܝ M5 ܢܶ ܰ 140 ܣܒ D ̈ 141 ܰ ܚ ܝܐ B ܳ ܘܪ ܶܕܐ ܰ ܶ 142 ܘܡܫܩܐ B ܶ 143 ܰܕܨܒܐ ܘܐܬܐ BDU 136 137
176 195
200
205
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The believer looked at that preacher of the faith and opened himself to receive from him the salvation he carried. The wise one looked at that messenger who was looking [back] at him, and his soul rejoiced at that promise that was fulfilled by him. 144 The blessed field looked at the light-filled cloud and stretched itself out to receive a drink of kindness. Abundant watering was sent to the good land, and it opened its mouth and was satisfied with the salvation that it eagerly desired. The king, full of faith and great love, saw his apostle and his heart rejoiced that he was looking at him. 145 And so, these things were said affectionately by that friend to that disciple who had come to him: “Come in peace, O apostle of the Light, who has been sent to me, who will also enlighten me along with the many who are made radiant by him.
In the Abgar Legend, when Abgar first looks at the face of Addai, he sees a vision in the face of the apostle, and the king prostrates himself before him to everyone’s astonishment. Jacob’s lingering description of Abgar’s gaze may reflect this scene in the legend; there is no act of prostration in Jacob’s version. 145 One variant reads: “his apostle, who was looking [back] at him, and his heart rejoiced” ()ܫܠܝܚܗ ܕܚܐܪ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܘܚܕܝ ܠܒܗ, which mirrors the expression in line 198. 144
177 195
200
205
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܚܙ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܗܝܡܢܐ �ܗܘ ܟܪܘܙ ܐ ܕܗ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܬܚ ̇ܗ ܰ ܰ ̈ �ܢ ܶ ܘܦ ܳ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܰ 146ܢܩ ܶܒܠ ܶܡܢܗ ܚܝܐ ܕܛܥܝܢ. ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳܰ ܚܙ ܐ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܳ ܕܚܐܪ ̱ 147ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܝܡܐ �ܗܘ ܐܝܙܓܕܐ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܺ ܡܠܝ ܶܠܗ. ܘܪܘܙܬ ܢܦܫܗ ܒܗܘ ܫܘܘܕ�ܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܚܙܬ ܰܠ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܕܡ ܳ ܝܟܬܐ ܳ �ܝܐ ܢܘܗܪܐ܆ ܚܩ� ܒܪ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܘܦܫܛܬ ܢܦܫ ̇ܗ 148ܬܩܒܠ 149ܫܩܝܐ ܕܒܣܝܡܘܬ ܐ .150 ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰܕܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ 151ܫ ܳ ܩܝܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܆ �ܪܥܐ ܛܒܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܘܣ ܰ ܬܚܬ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡ ̇ܗ ܶ ܒܥܬ ܰ 152ܚ ̈ܝܐ ܰܕ�ܐ ܳ ܘܦ ܰ ܝܒܐ ̱ 153ܗ ܳܘܬ܀ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܘܚ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܽ ܘܒܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ܆ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܡ� ܗܝܡܢ ܰ ܚܙ ܐ ܰ 154ܠ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܫܠܝ ܶܚܗ 155ܘ ܺ ܚܕܝ �ܒܗ ܳ ܕܚܐܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ 156܀ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܘܐܟܡܐ ܕܗܠܝܢ ܡܬܐܡ�ܢ ̱ܗܘܝ ܚܒܝܒܐܝܬ܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶܡܢ ܰܗܘ ܳܪ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܶ� ܰ ܘܗܝ 157܀ ܚܡܐ �ܗܘ ܬ�ܡܝܕܐ ܕ ܐܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܝܚܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܺ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܠ ܶ ܘܗܪܐ ܶ 158ܕܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ܺܠܝ܆ ܢܗܪ ܰܥܡ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܶܐܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܳܕܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܰ 159ܢ ܰ ܦܨ ܺ ܝܚܝܢ ܶܒܗ܀ ܰ
ܰ �ܢܦܫܐ ; M5ܘܦܬܚܗ ܠܦܘܡܗ D ܳ ܶ ܕܪܚܡ U 148 ܰܢܦܫܗ M5 ܰ 149 ܬܩ ܶܒܠܝ DM5 ܕܒܣܝܡܘܬܗ ܰ ; CM5 ܰ 150 ̇ ܣܝܡܘܬܗ BDU ܕܒ 151 ̇ ܠܗ BDU ܰ 152 ܶܣܒܥܬ BDU ܺ 153 ܰ ܕ�ܐ�ܝܒܐ D ܳ 154 ܚܙܝܗܝ D ܰ 155 ܠܫܠܝܚܐ BDU ܳܰ ܶ ܰ 156 ܕܚܐܪ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܘܚܕܝ ܠܒܗ D 157 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܘܗܝ CDM5U ܰ 158 ܕܒܪܐ BDU ܰ 159 ܠܢ U 146 147
178
210
215
220
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Come in peace, O table of the good things at which I have gazed, that I may recline at it and from it eat new life. Come in peace, O sweet drink that has come to me— I who am thirsty for you will drink from you [and] be delighted by you. Come in peace—uprooting, building, restoring, pulling down 160— uproot the shrine of Fortune and build a place for your Lord to dwell. Come in peace, O bringer of peace, to a place that is angry at God by the error that governs the places. Come in peace, O farmer of salvation who has come to our land; plant in us your seed—what is dearly cherished will be received! Come in peace, O teacher who teaches true things; be our master and make your instruction flow for us disciples. Come in peace, you who are savory salt— let the city that lost its flavor through burnt sacrifices be seasoned by you. Come, renew us, teach, make wise, [and] strengthen us in the faith of your great Master of the heavenly ones.
160
Cf. Jer 1:10.
179
210
215
220
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܳܦ ܽܬܘܪ ܽܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܶ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܕܠܗ ܳܚܐܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘܝܬ 161܆ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܡܢܶܗ ܐ ܽܟܘܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܚ ̱̈ܕܬ ܐ܀ ܘܗܝ ܐܓܢܐ ܥ� ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܶ� ܰ ܐܝܕܝ 162܆ ܬ ܐ ܒܫ�ܡܐ ܫܩܝܐ ܚ�ܝܐ ܕ ܶ ܶܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܫܬܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܨܗܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘܝܬ ܳܠܟ 163ܐ ܰ ܡ ܢܟ ܐ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܠܟ܀ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒܫ�ܡܐ ܥܩܪ ܒܢܐ ܰ ܡܫܟܠܠ ܣܬܪ 164܆ �ܡ ܳܪܟ ܰܐ ܳ ܽ ܬܪ ܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܒܢܝ ܳ ܥܩܘܪ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܓ ̈ܕܶ ܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܫܪܐ܀ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰ� ܳ ܝܬܐ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܪܓܝܙ܆ ܬ ܐ ܒܫ�ܡܐ ܡ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܘܥܝܝ ܶܕ ܰ ܒܛ ܰ ܐܚܕܬ ܐܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ 165܀ ܡܢ ܐ�ܗܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܐ ܳܟܪ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ ܶܕܐܬ ܐ � ܰ ܪܥܢ 166܆ ܪܥܟ ܶܡ ܰ ܫܕܝ ܰܒܢ ܰܙ ܳ ܬܩ ܰܒܠ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ ܺ ܕܣ ܺܓܝ ܰܚ ܺܒܝܒ 167܀ ܳ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܳܣ ܳ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܦܪܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܶܠܦ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ 168܆ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܽ ܬܪܘܥ ܽ� ܳ ܗܘܝ ܰܠܢ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ ܘܠܢ ܰܬ ܺ ܺ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܟ܀ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܥܡ ܺܢܝܬܐ܆ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰܕܐܢ̱ܬ ̱ܗܘ ܡ�ܚܐ ܛ ܳ ܬܡ ܰܕܟ ܰܟ ܳ ܪܟܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܳܒܟ ܢܶ ܰ ܦܟܗ ܰܒܥ̈ ܰ� ܳܘܬ ܐ܀ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܬ ܐ ܰܚ ܶܕܬ ܰܠܢ ܐ ܶܠܦ ܰܚ ܶܟܡ ܐܦ ܰܫ ܰܪܪ ܰܠܢ܆ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܒܗ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ ܰ 169ܕܪ ܳܒܟ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰ 170ܕ ̈ܫ ܰܡ ܳ�ܢܶܐ܀ ܰ
ܶܕܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ܠܝ BDU 162 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܝ CDM5U 163 ܠܝ B ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ 164 ܡܫܟܠܠ ܳܒܢܶܐ ܰܥ ܰܩܪ ܳܣܬܪ B ܰ ܳ 165 �ܬ�ܘܬܐ BDU ܰ 166 �ܬܪܢ M5U ܰ 167 ܰ ܕܚܒܝܒ ̱ܗܘ ܠܢ BDU ܳ ܰ 168 ܫܦܝ�ܬܐ U ܒܗ ܳ ܰ 169 ܝܡܢܘܬܗ CDM5U ܳ 170 ܡܪܐ BDU 161
180 225
230
235
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Come, you who bring rivers of living water— from you let a blessed drink flow for us, a thirsty place. Come, O spring, so that love, bursting forth, may come to me that I may drink of salvation and conquer the death that dwells in me. Come, O true one who was sent to us by the True One— expel from [this] place the falsehood that is worshipped here. Behold, before you is the place and its nobles and inhabitants; disciple and teach, take possession and make wise, instruct and confirm. Heal bodies and plant your teaching in souls; sins and sores wash from us, for it is easy for you.” The apostle rejoiced at the king who was full of faith and the one who was chosen began to speak by the power of the Spirit: “Peace be with you, 171 O king, who received the blessing in faith and became a friend to the Sun that shone forth among those in darkness. In the name of Jesus whom you recognized though you were far away,
171
“Peace be with you” or “Greetings.”
181 225
230
235
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܕܡܝ̈ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܬ ܐ ܠܟ ܕܐܝܬܝܬ ܢܗ�ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܶܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܬܪܘܥ ܠܢ ܡܢܟ ܫܩܝܐ ܒܪܝܟܐ �ܬܪ ܐ ܨܗ�ܐ܀ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܘܒܐ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܶ 172ܨ ܰܝܕܝ 173܆ ܬ ܐ ܡܒܘܥܐ ܕܬܪܥܗ ܚ ܳ ܰܕܢ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܝܢܝ ܰ 174ܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܶܘܐܙܟܐ ܰ �ܡܘܬ ܐ ܕܥ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܒܝ܀ ܫܩ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܬ ܐ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܶܕܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ܰܠܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ 175܆ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ 176 ܣܬ ܳ ܓܕܐ ܶܒܗ. ܛܪܘܕ ܡܢ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܕ ܓ�ܘܬ ܐ ܕܡ ܳ ܰ ܩܕ ܰܡܝܟ ܽܗܘ ܰܐ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳܗܐ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܐܦ ܥܡܘ� ̱ ܘܡ� ̱ ̱ �ܡܕ ܰܘ ܶ ܰܬ ܶ ܐܠܦ ܰܘ ܺ ܘܚ ܶܟܡ ܰܘ ܺܪܕܝ ܰ 177ܘ ܰ ܩܢܝ ܰ ܐܫܪ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܽܙܪܘܥ ܽ� ܳ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܟ 178܆ ܐ ܳܣܐ ܠܦܓ�ܐ ܘܒܢܦܫ ܳ ܘܫ ̈ܘܚܢܶܐ ܰܐ ܺܫܝܓ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ ܰܕ ܺ ܚܛ ̈ܶܗܐ ܽ ܦܫܝܩ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ܀ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܚܕܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܒܡ�ܟܐ ܕܡ� ܗ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܒܝܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܫ ܺܪܝ ܰܓ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܒܚܝ� ܕܪܘܚܐ܀ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܫܠܡ ܠܟ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕܩܒܠ ܛܘܒܐ ܒܗ ܗܘܐ ܳܪ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܶ �ܫ ܳ ܡܫܐ ܰܕ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܒܝܬ ܶܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ .179 ܰ ܳ ܰܒ ܶ ܫܡܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܗܘ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܰܪ ܺܚܝܩ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆
ܶ
ܰ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܠܡܐ ܡܥܝܢܐ ܕܬ ̇ ܪܥܗ ܚܘܒܐ
ܺ ܕܢܐܬ ܐ BCDU ܶ 173 ܰ ܨܝܕܝܢ U ܳ ܰ ܶ 174 ܶܘܐܬܬ܆ ܐܫܩܝܢܝ ܰ ; M5ܢ ܶܫܩܝܢܝ BDU ܰ ܶ ܕܡܢ ܰ 175 ܫܪܝܪܐ ܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ܠܝ B ܰ ܰ 176 ܐܬܪܢ D ܰܘܪܕܝ ܰܘܩܢܝ ܰ ܶ 177 ܘܚܟܡ BCDM5U ܳ 178 ܝܘܠܦܢܐ CM5 179 ܶܚܫܘܟܐ B 172
182 240
245
250
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
gain healing, receive help, and inherit salvation! In the name of the Son whom you love though you have not seen Him, the door is opened to you to see both Him and his Begetter. Your truth is in you, and just as you recognized Him, so He is, and your faith cannot receive [any] addition. The name of Jesus [is] high and deep, broad and long— the key of the height and the pillar of the deep and the far end of [all] sides. By Him everything exists and everything is lifted up in Him and He is above everything 180— [He is] the companion of human beings and the revered Lord of the angels. He is sanctified by the legions of flame; He [is] blessed among the rational angels. 181 He is borne [by] that chariot of varied forms, 182 and the cherubim bless Him with the movement of their hovering. Before Him the seraphim pour forth holiness from their mouths, and the voices of the watchers by their shouting cry out to Him.
Cf. Col 1:15–17. � ܓܝܓliterally means ‘wheel,’ but it is used metaphorically for angels. Cf. Ezek 1:15–21. 182 Cf. Zech 6:1–8. 180 181
183 240
245
250
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܘܣܒ ܽܥ ܳ ܩܢܝ ܽܚ ܳ ܺ ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰ 183 ܘܕ� ܢܶܐ ܺ 184ܘ ܰܝܪܬ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܚܙܝܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܶܠܗ܆ ܒܫܡܗ ܕܒܪܐ ܕܟܕ � ܶ ܺ ܦܬܝܚ ܳܠܟ ܰܬ ܳ �ܝ ܽ� ܶ ܪܥܐ ܳܕܐܦ ܶܠܗ ܬ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܕܗ. ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܫܪ ܪܟ ܰ ܳܒܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܐܝܬ ̱ܳ ܶ ܳ ܦܬܐ ܰܡ ܳܨ�ܐ ܰ 185 ܰ ܬܩ ܶܒܠ ܰ 186ܗ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܟ. ܘܠܘ ܬܘܣ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܽ 187 ܦܬ ܳ�ܐ ܽܘ ܳ ܘܥ ܳ ܶ ܫܡܗ ܽܗܘ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܪ ܳ ܐܘܪܟܐ܆ ܘܡܩܐ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ 188 ܕܓ ̈ܒܐ .189 ܩܠܝܕܐ ܕܪܘܡܐ ܘܣܡܟܐ ܕܥܘܡܩܐ ܘܣܟܐ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܥܠ ܽܟܠ܆ ܶܒܗ ܳܩܐܡ ܟܠ ܰܘ ܰܬ� ܶܒܗ ܟܠ ܺܘܐܝܬ ̱ ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳ ̈ܫܐ ܰܚ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܡ� ̈ܶܟܐ ܳܡ ܳܪܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܕܚܝܠ. ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ �ܗ ܺܒܝܬܐ܆ ܗܘ ܡܬܩܕܫ ܡܢ ܠܓ�ܘ ܢܐ ܕܫ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܺ 191 ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ 190 ܗܘ ܡܬܒܪܟ ܒܝܢܬ ܓܝܓ� ܡ�ܬܐ. ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܦܬ ܰ ܝܟܬ ܶܚܙ̈ ܶܘܐ܆ ܠܗ ܗܘ ܛܥܝܢܐ ܗܝ ܡܪܟܒܬܐ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܡܒ ܺ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܪܟܝܢ ܶ 192ܠܗ ܟ�ܘܒܐ ܒܙܘܥܐ ܕ�ܘܚܦܝܗܘܢ. ܫܕܝܢ ܳ ܘܕܫܐ ܶ 194ܡܢ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ܽ ܣ� ܶܦܐ ܽܩ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܳ 193ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ܆ ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱ ܥܩܝܢ ܳ ̈ܩ ܰܠܝ ܺܥ ܶ ܘܨ ܰܝܕܘܗܝ ܳܙ ܺ ܒ� ̈ܘ ܳܒ ܰܒ ܽ ܝ�ܐ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ .195 ܶ ̱ ̈
ܳ ܒܗܝ
ܚܘ ܳ �ܡܢܐ CM5 ܳ ܥܘܕܪܢܐ BDU 185 ܳܒܥܝܐ B ܰ 186 ܬܩ ܶܒܠܝ DM5 ܶ ܶ ܰ 187 ܶܕܐܦ ܳܣܝ̈ܐ ; BM5 in marg.ܕܪܘܡܐ BDU ܳ 188 ܣܡܟܐ U 189 ܰ ܕܓܒܐ B ܽ 190 ܘܗܘ BDU ܰ 191 ܒܙܘܥܐ B ܰܕ ܰ 192 ܡܒܪܟܝܢ U ܰ 193 ܩܘܕܡܘܗܝ M5U ̈ 194 ܩܘܕܫܐ M5U ܺ ܳ̈ ܰ ̈ 195 ܥܝ�ܐ ܩܠܝ ܝܘ ܳܒ ܰܒܝܗܘܢ B 183 184
184 255
260
265
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Before Him that sphere of the house of Gabriel stands, and the great company of the house of Michael is His servant. By Him angels are also sent to give 196 good tidings, and His signal makes the heavenly beings set out on [their] ways. Through Him salvation went out to the world from His Father’s household, and by Him [all] created things, the ends [of the earth], and the regions are moved. He is the radiance and brightness of the Father, 197 and everything is illuminated by Him; His great likeness and the image of His glory are boundless. He is the riches and great treasury that is not empty, and from Him all petitions go out on behalf of their petitioners. He is the raising and resurrection of all the dead, and from Him life comes to the race that death had caught. He sent fire and a quenching 198 Spirit to us, 199 and He gave us the word to subdue the wild ones with it. He opened our mouths and put the gospel that is full of salvation in them
“to give”: lit. “for.” Cf. Heb. 1:3. 198 Variant: “a purifying Spirit” (ܡܕܟܝܢܝܬܐ 199 Acts 2:1–4. 196 197
)ܪܘܚܐ.
185 255
260
265
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܺܶ ܝܡܐ ܳܗܝ ܶܐ ܺ ܣܦ ܳ ܝܪܐ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܳ 200ܩ ܳ ܳ ܒܪܐܝܠ܆ ܕܒܝܬ ܓ ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܒܬܐ ܶ ܝܟܐܝܠ. ܕܒܝܬ ܡ ܘܠܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܡܫܡܫܐ ܓܘܕܐ ܪ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܒ�ܬ ܐ܆ ܒܗ ܡܫܬܕܪܝܢ ܐܦ ܡ�ܟܐ ܥܠ ܣ ܳ ܡܙܝܥ ܶܪ ܶ ܰܘ ܺ ܡܙܗ ܰ� ̈ܫ ܰܡ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܰܥܠ ܽܐ ܳ ܘ�ܚܬܐ .201 ܽܰ ܰ ܐܝܕܘܗܝ ܳܢ ܺ ܦܩܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳ �ܥ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ �ܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒ ܳܝܬ ܐܒ ̱ ܺܒ ̈ ̱ ܘܣ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܒܗ ܶܡܬܬܙܺ ܺ ܶ ܝܥܝܢ ̈ܗ ܰܘ ܳ�ܐ ܰ ܐܬ� ܳܘܬ ܐ .202 ܡܚܐ ܶ ܘܕ ܶ ܽܗ ܽ ܘ�ܘ ܶܨ ܳ ܢܚܗ ܰܕ ܳܐܒܐ ܳܘܢ ܰܗܪ ܶܒܗ ܽܟܠ 203܆ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܘܨ ܳ �ܡܐ ܽ ܒܬܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܶ ܕܡܘܬܗ ܪ ܘܒܚܗ ܶ 205 � 204ܡܣܬ ܰ�ܟ. ܽ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ 206 ܰ ܗܘ�ܘ ܥܘܬܪ ܐ ܘܓܙ ܐ ܪܒܐ ܕ� ܡܣܬܦܩ܆ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳ �ܫ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܰܠ ܶ ܶ ܬܐ ܳ ܝܗܝܢ .207 ܘܡܢܶܗ ܳܢ ̈ܦ ܳܩܢ ܽܟܠ ܫܐܠ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܬܐ ܳܐܦ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܚ ܳܡܐ܆ ܗܘ�ܘ ܩܝܡܬܐ ܕܟ�ܗܘܢ ܡܝ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܡܢܗ ܪ ܕܝܢ ܚܝܐ ܠܓܢܣܐ ܕܚܒܫܗ ܡܘܬ ܐ. ܽ ܰܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܥܟ ܺܢܝܬܐ 208܆ ܗܘ ܫܕܪ ܠܢ ܢܘܪܐ ܘܪܘܚܐ ܡܕ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܠܬܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܟ ܶܒܫ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰ 209 ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܢ ܡ �ܒܥܪܝ��ܶܐ .210 ܳ ܰ ܣܒܪܬ ܐ ܰ ܘܡܢ ܳ ܦܬܚ ܽܦ ܰ ܘܣܡ ܶ 211ܒܗ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ �ܝܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ 212܆ ܽܗܘ ܰ ܩܘܕܡܘܗܝ BU ܳ ܳ ܘ���ܢܝܐ B ܳ ܶ ̈ 202 ܐܦ ܦ� ܳܝܬܐ BDU ܽ 203 ܘܨܶܡܚܗ ܰܕܐܒܐ ܪܒܗ ܳܢ ܰܗܪ ܟܠ BDU ܳ ܶ ܳ 204 ܒܗܝ ܕܥܒ�ܝܐ BM5 in marg. 205 ܕ� BCDM5U 206 ܰܡܠܝܐ BDU �ܫ ܾܐ ̈ܘ ܰ ܘܠ ܶ ܳ 207 ܝܗܝܢ D ܳ 208 ܰ ܡܕܟܝܢܝܬܐ BDU ܰ ܰ ܳ 209 ܠܡܟܒܫܘ B ܺ ܳ 210 ܰܒܥܪܝ��ܶܐ D 211 ܰ ܘ�ܗܒ B 212 ܢܘܗܪܐ BDU 200 201
ܽܟܠ ܒܗ ; M5ܢܘܗܪܐ
186 270
275
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
so that we would go out to preach His great manifestation in all the world. The virgin bore Him, 213 the womb was sufficient for Him, the manger held Him, 214 knees supported Him, breasts nursed Him, arms embraced Him. In Bethlehem [was] His birth, 215 to Egypt His journey, 216 in Nazareth His dwelling place; 217 His baptism [happened] in the river, 218 His fasting in the desert, along with His temptations. 219 On the Sabbath and [in] synagogues [was] His teaching, full of salvation, and His visitations among the wounded [happened] in the land of Judea. His compassion on the infirm and His power among the dead were triumphant; envy encountered Him, and the chief priests delivered Him to death. He stood before the tribunal and was questioned like a guilty person;
Matt 1:23; Luke 1:26–38. Luke 2:7. 215 Matt 2:1–6; Luke 2:4–7. 216 Matt 2:13–15. 217 Matt 2:23. 218 Matt 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22. 219 Matt 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13. 213 214
187 270
275
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܕܢܶ ܽܦܘܩ ܰܢ ܶ ܢܚܗ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܳ ܒܥ ܳ ܟܪܙ ܶܕ ܶ �ܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ. ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܪܒܥܐ ܰ ܢܬܗ ܰ 220ܡ ܳ ܘܪ�ܐ ܰܛ ܶ ܣܦܩ ܶܠܗ ܽܐ ܳ ܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܛܥ ܥܢܗ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽܒ ܶ ܘ�ܟܐ ܰܫ ̈ܩ ܳܠܝ ̱ܗܝ̈ 221 ܬܕ ܳ�ܐ ܪ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܘܗܝ ܽܕ� ܶܥܐ ܰܥܦܩ ̱ ܒܝ ̱ ܒܢ ܰ�ܪܬ ܽܥ ܶ �ܕܗ ܶ ܶ ܘܪܚܗ ܳ �ܡ ܶ�ܪܝܢ ܐ ܶ �ܚܡ ܶ �ܰ 222 ܒܒܝܬ ܶ ܘܡܪܗ܆ ܒܢ ܳ ܘܨ ܶ ܳ ܒܚ ܳ ܥܡ ܶܕܗ ܰ ܗܪܐ ܰ ܘܪܒܐ ܰܥܡ ܢܶ ܽ ܘܡܗ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܣ� ̈ܘ ܰܢ ̱ ܘܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܒܫ ܶܒܐ ܶ ܰ̈ �ܦ ܽܢܘܬܶܗ ܰܡ ܰ �ܝܬ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܘ�ܘܬܗ ܰ 223ܒ ̈ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ. ܘܒܐܪܥܐ ܕܝܗܘܕ ܣܥ ܶ ܘܚ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܺ ܳ ܚ�ܢܶܗ ܰ ܒܡܝ̈ܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܒܡ�ܥܶܐ ܰ ܬ� ܰܨܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ 224 ܘܬ ܐ ܰ� ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܚܣܡܐ ܦܓܥ ܒܗ ܘ�ܒܝ ܟܗܢܐ �ܡ ܗܒ ̱ ܰܰ ܳ ܳܩܡ ܶܒܝܬ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܳܝ ܳܒܐ ܶܡܫܬܐܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆
ܳ
ܥܪܬܗ D ܰ ܫܩ�ܘܗܝ U ܶ 222 ܶܒܝܬ �ܚܡ CM5U 223 ܳܣܥܘܪܘܬܗ BDU ܰ 224 ܢܒܚ BDU 220 221
188 280
285
290
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He was struck on his cheek, 225 yet He liberated slaves who had been confined. He endured blows so that weak Adam would not be beaten; He went up on the cross and healed the race that the snake had bitten. 226 In His food [was] gall 227 and vinegar in His drink [offered] by the crucifiers; 228 in His side [was] a lance 229 in order to open the garden to all who would enter. He raised His voice and destroyed the tall walls of Sheol; He summoned the entombed, 230 and they came out from perdition to meet Him. He deposed the ruler from his position of authority and caused his crown to fall, and He stripped the leaders naked and put them to shame by His crucifixion. 231 He drank the cup of death and slept courageously, and He entered the cave of the great viper and there He crushed him. He died on the cross and entered to do [His] work in Sheol, and the house of the departed, whom he visited, He urged forward. He loosened the bonds and shackles from Adam within perdition, and helped him 232 stand up [and] return to his original place.
John 18:22. Cf. Num 21:1–9. 227 Matt 27:34. 228 Matt 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36. 229 John 19:34. 230 Cf. Matt 27:51–53. 231 Cf. Col 2:15. 232 “helped him”: lit. “gave him a hand.” 225 226
189 280
285
290
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܘܚ ܰܪܪ ܰܥ ̈ܒ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܰ ܒܠܥ ܰܥܠ ܰܦ ܶܟܗ ܰ ܐܠ ܺܝܨܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܡܚܝܠ ܳ� ܢܶ ܰ ܰ ܣܒܠ ܰܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܳܕ ܳܐܕܡ ܰܕ ܺ ܒܠܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܣܠܩ ܰܠ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܶ ܝܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܟܬܗ ܶܚ ܳ ܘ�ܐ. ܐܣܝ ܠܓܢܣܐ ܕܢ ܳ ܽܒ ܶ ܐܘܟܠܗ ܳ ܘܚ� ܶ ܡܪ ܶ� ܐ ܰ 233 ܒܫܩܝܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܳܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܢܬܐ ܽ 234 �ܟܠ ܳ�ܥ ܽ� ̈ܘ�. �ܕܦܢܗ ܪܘܡܚܐ ܕܢܦܬܚ ܓ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰܐ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܪܡܝ ܳ 235ܩ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܗܓܡ ܽܫܘ� ̇ܝܗ � 236ܡܐ ܕܫܝܘܠ܆ ܩܒ ܶ ܝ�ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܩܪܐ ܰܠ ܺ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܽ�ܘܪܥܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܒܕ ܳܢܐ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܘܠܛܢܶܗ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܦܠ 237ܬ ܶܓܗ܆ ܫܪܐ �ܪܟܘܢܐ ܡܢ ܫ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶܽ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܘܦ ܺ ܪܣܝ ��ܝܫܐ ܘܐܒܗܬ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܙܩܝܦܘܬܗ. ܺ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܕܡܟ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܳܪܐܝܬ܆ ܐܫܬܝ ܟܣܗ ܕܡ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܘܥܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ �ܢܶܩܥܗ ܳ ܕܓܪܣܐ ܪܒܐ ܘܬܡܢ ܪܨܗ .238 ܺܡܝܬ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܢܶ ܶ ܥܒܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܥܒ ܳܕܐ ܰ 239ܒ ܽ ܫܝܘܠ܆ ܰܺ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰܘ ܺ ܣܥܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܐܪܡܝ ܳܪܗܒܬܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܥ��ܕܐ ܕ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܶ ̈ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܒܓܘ ܐܒ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ܆ ܫܪܐ ܡܢ ܐܕܡ ܟܒ� ܘܣܘܛܡܐ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܺܐ ܳܝܕܐ ܰܕ ܽܢܩܘܡ ܢܶܦܢܶܐ �ܬܪܗ ܩ ܳ ܰ ܕܡܐ .240
ܳ
ܡܪܪܐ U ܰ ܬܪܥܐ B ܰ 235 ܐܪܝܡ BDU 236 ܫܘ�ܐ D ܰ 237 ܰܘܢܦܠ U ܰ ܰ ܳ 238 ܘܪܨܶܗ ܬܡܢ M5 ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܳ 239 ܥܒ ̈ܕܐ U 240 ܳ ܰ ܠܓܘ �ܪܬܘܬܗ B 233 234
190 295
300
305
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He took from Eve that veil of darkness that was over her, and opened the door of light before her so that she could return to Eden. The voice that calls, “Return to your land,” departed from Adam, and another came, calling, “Come out like Lazarus! 241 Depart from your tomb and enter your earlier bridal chamber, for the Father has commanded the heirs to come to their borders.” That Noble One was in the place of the dead for three days, and He turned the path from [going] into the grave to [going] into Paradise. By His resurrection He divinely drew Himself out with power, and He raised up with Him all the families that had been overthrown. He was the beginning of the resurrection of the dead, and like first-ripe fruit, He came up from the earth, which was broken up for crops. They buried Him in the dust like a seed, and He broke through and came up, and He became the Bread of the Presence, 242 an offering before His Begetter.
241 242
John 11:43. “Bread of the Presence” or “shewbread.” Exod 25:30.
191 295
300
305
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ 243 ܫܟܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܕܚ ܳ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܶ ܥܠ ̇ ܝܗ 244܆ ܫܩܠ ܡܢ ܚܘܐ ܗܝ ܬܚܦ ܰ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܦܬܚ ܰܬ ܳ ܝܗ 245ܬܶܦܢܶܐ ܰ 246ܠ ܶ ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳ ܩܕ ܶܡ ̇ ܥܕܝܢ. ܘ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ 248 ܳ ܰ 247 ܽ ܥܒܪ ܡܢ ܐܕܡ ܩ� ܕܩܪܐ ܕ�ܪܥܟ ܬܗܦܘܟ܆ ܳ ܰ ܐܬ ܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܳܕܩ ܶܪܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ 249 �ܒܪ 250ܐܝܟ ܳ� ܳ� ܳܙܪ. ܶܘ ̱ ܒܪܟ ܽ 251 ܽܦܘܩ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ ܘܢܟ ܰܗܘ ܰܩ ܳ ܘܥܘܠ ܰ�ܠ ܽ ܓܢ ܳ ܕܡ ܳܝܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰܳ ܺ ܽ ܬܚ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ܽ ܐܬܘܢ ܳ��ܬܶ ܐ ܰܠ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ܕܦܩܕ ܐܒܐ ܕܢ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܺܡܝܬܐ ܬܠܬܐ ܝܘܡܝܢ ܗܘ ܒܪ ܚܐ� ܐ 252܆ ܘܪܚܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܩ ܳ ܘܗ ܳ ܠܓܘ ܰܦ ܰܪܕ ܳ ܰ ܦܟ ̇ܗ ܽܐ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܰ ܝܣܐ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܡܬܗ ܰ 253ܢ ܶ ܒܚܝ� ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐܝܬ 254܆ ܦܫܗ ܢܓܕ ܒܩܝ ܺ ܽ ̈ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ܰܥܡܗ �ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܶܓܢܣܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܣܚܝܦܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ. ܶ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ �ܚ ܰܝܬ ܺܡܝ̈ܬܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܒ ܳܟ ܳܪܐ܆ ܗܘܐ ܪܝܫ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܰ 255 ܣܠܩ ܡܢ ܐܪܥܐ ܕܟܒܝܫܐ ̱ܗܘܬ ܡܢ ܥ�ܬܐ. ܒܥ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܒܙܥ ܰܘ ܶ �ܙ ܳ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܣܠܩ܆ ܦܪܐ ܰܛ ܶܡܪ ̱ �ܚܡ ܐ ̈ܦܐ ܳ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܰܘ ܶ ܩܘܪܒ ܳܢܐ ܳ 256 ܗܘܐ ܘܕܗ. ܳ
ܰܗܘ ܰܒܪ ܺܚܐ�ܐ
ܐ ܳܕܡ BDU ܰ 244 ܰܕܥ�ܘܗܝ BDU ܰ ܳ 245 ܩܕܡܘܗܝ BDU ܶ ܶ 246 ܢܶܦܢܶܐ ; DUܕܢܦܢܐ B 247 ܰܕܩܪܐ M5 248 �ܪܥܐ M5 249 ܕܬܐ BDU 250 ܠܟ BU 251 ܰܩܒܪܐ BDU ̈ ܳ 252 ܬܠܬܐ ܰܝܘ ܺܡܝܢ BCDM5U ܰ ܳ 253 ܒܩܝܡܬܐ BD ܰܳ 254 ܐ� ܳܗܝܐ B 255 ܰܥܠ BDU ܳ 256 ܠܩܘܪܒܢܐ BDU 243
192
310
315
320
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
They guarded His tomb, 257 but the Sleeper was awakened and reproved them, and He scattered them like smoke in a gust of wind. 258 The angels descended from His Father’s house in their white garments, 259 and they delighted in His resurrection with His male and female disciples. Mary saw Him like a gardener after he was resurrected, 260 and through her He sent to Simon Peter to come to Him. 261 And though the doors were not opened He came in to the disciples, 262 and He invited Thomas, and he touched His wounds that were present. 263 He walked on the road and joined the two while they were traveling, and He explained to them the prophets and Moses who had written about Him. 264 Then Simon saw Him with the disciples, and He set before them a fire and fishes—a new catch that [was] not from the water. 265 We all saw Him when He was raised up from the Mount of Olives, and a luminous cloud was harnessed for Him, and He was carried away on it. 266 He stretched out His right hand and sealed, blessed, and sanctified us, and He gave us His word so that we would preach His faith in the earth. Matt 27:62–66. Cf. Matt 28:4. 259 Matt 28:2–3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12. 260 John 20:15. 261 Luke 24:9–12; John 20:1–10. Cf. Matt 28:10; Mark 16:6–7; John 20:17–18. 262 John 20:19. 263 John 20:24–29. 264 Luke 24:13–35. 265 John 21:1–14. 266 Acts 1:9. 257 258
193
310
315
320
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ 267 ܰ ܒܣܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܢܛܪ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܩܒܪܗ ܘܐܬܬܥܝܪ ܕܡܟܐ ܘ ܶ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܬܶ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܽ ܒܥ ܳܘܙ ܐ ܽܕܪ ܳ ܘܚܐ ܰ 268ܒ ܰܕܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶ ܶ ܒܚ ܳܘ ܰ� ܽܝܗܘܢ 269܆ ܢܚܬ ̱ܘ ܰܡ� ̈ܟܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܒ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳܳ ܘܕ� ̱ܘ ܒܩܝܡܬܗ ܥܡ ܬ�ܡ�ܕܐ ܘܬ�ܡ�ܕܬ ܐ. ܪ�ܡ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܕ ܰ ܳ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܰܡ ܰ ܐܬ� ܰܚܡ܆ ܶ ܡܥܘܢ ܺܟ ܳ �ܫ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܝܕ ̇ܗ ܶ 270 ܫܠܚ ܺܒ ܳ ܐܦܐ ܺܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܶ� ܰ ܘܗܝ .271 ܐܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܳ 272 ܝܚܝܢ ܰܬ�ܥܶܐ ܰܥܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܬ ܺ ܦܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ 273܆ ܘܟܕ � ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ ̈ܰ ܰܘ ܳ ܩܪܐ ܠܬܐܘܡܐ ܘܓܫ ܡܚܘܬܗ ܕܩܝܡܢ ̱ܗܘܝ. ܳ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܘ ܶܢܩܦ ܰܠ ܶ ܰܗ ܶܠܟ ܽܒ ܳ ܬܪܝܢ ܰܟܕ ܐ ܺܙ ̱ܠܝܢ ̱ 274ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܘܫܐ ܰ 275ܕ ܰ ܢܒܝ̈ܶܐ ܽ ܘܦ ܶܫܩ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܺ ܘܡ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܐܟܬܒ ̱ܘ. ܥ� ̱ ܚܙܝܗܝ ܽܬܘܒ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܕܡ ܽ ܡܥܘܢ ܰܥܡ ܰܬ ܺ ܘܣܡ ܽܩ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ ܳ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ܆ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽܢܘܪܐ ܽ ܘ� ̈ܘ ܢܶܐ ܰܨ ܳܝܕܐ ܰܚ ̱ܕܬ ܐ 276ܕ� ܶܡܢ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ. ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܚܙ ܳܝܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܟܠܢ ܟܕ ܡ ܬܥ� ܶܡܢ ܛܘܪ ܰܙ�̈ܬܐ 277܆ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܪܐ ܶ ܓܕܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܡܦ ܳ ܘܡ ܰܙܕ ܰ�ܚ ܳܒ ̇ܗ .278 ܳ ܰ ܰ ܦܫܛ ܰ� ܺܡܝܢܶܗ ܰܘܚܬܡ ܰܒ ܶܪܟ ܐܦ ܰܩ ܶܕܫ ܰܠܢ܆ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܶ ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܢ ܡܠܬܗ ܕܢܟܪܙ ܒܐܪܥܐ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ. ܰܩܒܪܐ BD ܒܪܘܚܐ ܕܕܝܢܐ B ܰ ܰܐܒܐ ܰ ܶ ; DU 269 ܒܚ ܳܘ�ܝܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܒܘܗܝ BCM5 ܺܒ ̈ 270 ܐܝ ܶܕ ̇ ܝܗ BU 271 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܘܗܝ CDM5U ܰ 272 ܟܕ BCDM5U ܰܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈ 273 � ܰܕܘܗܝ D ܳ 274 ܪ ܶܕܝܢ BCDM5U ̈ ܶ 275 ܡܘܫܐ ܘܢܒܝܐ CU ܰ 276 ܠܚܡܐ ܘܢܘܪܐ ܘܢܘܢܐ ܰܨ ܶܝܕܐ B ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ 277 ܶܡܢ ܛܘܪ ܙ�ܬܐ ܟܕ ܡܬܥ� M5 ܕܒܗ ܢܶ ܰ 278 ̇ ܙܕ ܰ�ܚ B 267
ܶ ܒܚ ܳܘ ܰ�ܝܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ
268
194 325
330
335
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
He entrusted our hands with the great key of baptism so that we could open the door to the house of pardon for all Peoples. He ascended to His Father and again sent us the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit in living fire for baptism. 279 We heard Him with our ears, we saw Him with our eyes, we grasped Him with our hands; 280 in the bread and the wine we all ate and drank Him. He sent me to you as He promised that He would send to you, and in His name I am giving you the salvation that I have brought.” Abgar says, “I worship Him and His Begetter; blessed is your discernment, 281 O scribe who teaches what is true. Salvation pours from your lips to all who hear you, and your word bears great riches for the one who listens to it. Light shines from your words upon [everything that] surrounds you; the sun is in your mouth, and when you open it, the world is illuminated! Brightness and splendor and mercy are poured out by your lips;
Acts 2:1–4. 1 John 1:1–3. 281 “discernment”: lit. “taste.” 279 280
195 325
330
335
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ 282 ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܐܓܥܠ ܒܐܝܕܢ ܩܠܝܕܐ ܪܒܐ ܕܡܥܡ ܶ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܽ ܦܬܚ ܰܬ ܳ �ܟ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ �ܒܝܬ ܚܘܣܝܐ. ܕܢ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܣܠܩ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ܽܒܘܗܝ ܘܦܐܪ ܺ ܶ ܩܠܝܛܐ 283ܗܦܟ ܰܫ ܰܕܪ ܰܠܢ܆ ̱ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܘܕܝܬܐ. ܪܘܚܐ ܕܩܘܕܫܐ ܒܢܘܪܐ ܚܝܬܐ �ܡܥܡ ܶ ܥܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰ ܶܒ ̈ ܺ ܳ ܫܡ ܳ ܐܕ ܢܶܐ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܒ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ܰ ܚܙ ܳܝܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܒܐܝܕܐ �ܒܟܢܝ ̱ܗܝ 284܆ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܘܚ ܳ ܰ ܒܠ ܳ ܡܪܐ ܶܐ̱ ܰܟ ܳ ܚܡܐ ܰ �ܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܽܟ ܰܠܢ ܐܦ ܐܫܬ ܳܝܢܝ ̱ܗܝ܀ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܺܘܕܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܕܪ ܳܠܟ܆ �ܘܬܟ ܫܕܪ ̱ܢܝ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܘܒܫܡܗ ܕܝܠܗ �ܗܒ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܠܟ ܚܝܐ ܕܐܝܬܝܬ܀܀ �ܝ ܽ� ܶ ܒܓܪ ܳ 285ܣ ܶܓܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܐ ܰ ܘܕܗ܆ ܳ ܺ ܥܡܟ ܳܣ ܳ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܛ ܳ ܦܪܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܶܠܦ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ .286 ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳܢ ܺ ܒܥܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܣ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ܳܬܟ ܽ �ܟܠ ܳ 287ܫ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܰܥܝܟ܆ ܽ ܳ ܰܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܶ ܕ� ܐܬ ܳ 288ܠ ̇ܗ. ܘܥܘܬܪ ܐ ܪܒܐ ܛܥܝܢܐ ܡܠܬܟ ܠ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ 289 ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܬܓ ̈ܡܝܟ ܥܠ ܕܚܕ �ܝܟ܆ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܕ ܢܚ ܡܢ ܦ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܡܫܐ ܳ ܒܦ ܳ ܘܡܟ ܶܫ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܕܦܬܚܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܢܶܗܪܬ ܬ ܶܒܝܠ .290 ܳ ܢܣ ܺ ܘܗ ܳܕܪܐ ܰܘ� ܶ ܺܙ ܳܝܘܐ ܶ ܚܡܐ ܺ ܝܟܝܢ ܰܥܠ ܶܣ ̈ܦ ܳܘܬܟ܆
̇ ܩܠܝܕܗ BDU ܦܪܩܠܝܛܐ BCM5U ܳ ܳ 284 ܫܢܝܗܝ D ܓ ܳ ܰ 285 ܰܐ ܰ ܒܓܪ ܐܡܪ U ܰ ܳ 286 ܫܦܝ�ܬܐ U 287 ܰܥܠ BDU ܰܠ ܳ 288 ܕܫ ܰܡܥ U 289 ܰܕ ܢܺܝܚ BDU ܻܬ ܶ 290 ܐܒܝܠ BU 282 283
196 340
345
350
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
light collects in you [and] it rouses your word to light up our place. My city is yours and, behold, all my dominion is before you— sow the teaching and reap faith from us. My crown adores you, and my throne [and] my kingdom will be yours so that I may become a servant for the servant of your Master, [with you] being my master. If an apostle wears a crown, I have worn my crown for you, O rich one, whose gift [even] kings need. As the master of the whole city—behold, it is yours—command that no one chirps or raises a wing to speak before you. You have authority over me, so how shall my dominion not listen to you? You are my master, and who is the servant who resists you? Behold, the gods of the city are before you—cut them down! Overthrow their shrines and set fire to their buildings. Destroy their temples, and lay waste and demolish their idols; break down their statues and vehemently condemn their worshippers.
197 340
345
350
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܺ ܶ ܳ ܢܗܪ ܰܐ ܰ ܠܬܟ ܢܶ ܰ ܬܪܢ. ܢܘܗܪܐ ܩܒܐ ܒܟ ܐ ܙܝܥ ܡ ܶ ܽ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬ ̱ܝ ܺܕ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܝܠܟ ܺ ̱ܗܝ 291ܘܐܘܚܕ ̱ܢܝ ܟܠܗ ܗܐ ܩܕܡܝܟ ̱ܗܘ 292܆ ܽ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܽ ܶܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܙܪܘܥ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܘܚܨܘܕ ܡܢܢ ܗ ܳ ܽ ܓܝ ܳܣ ܶܓܕ ܳܠܟ ܽ ܳ ܘܪܣܝ ܰܡ�ܟܘܬ ̱ܝ ܢܶ ܶ ܘܟ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܺܕܝܠܟ܆ ܬ ̱ ܒܕܐ ܰ ܶܕ ܶ ܒܕܗ ܳ 294 �ܥ ܶ ܐܗܘܐ ܰ 293ܥ ܳ ܕܡ ܳܪܟ ܰܟܕ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܺܠܝ. ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܓܝ ܳܣܐܡ ̱ 295ܗ ܺܘܝܬ܆ ܐ ܽܠܘ ܳܣܐܡ ܫܠ ܝܚܐ ܬ ܳܓܐ ܬ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܒܬܟ. ܠܟ ܥܬܝܪܐ ܕܡ ��ܟܐ ܣܢܝܩܝܢ ܥܠ ܡ ܽ ܪܟܐ ܳܗܐ ܺܕ ܳ ܦܩܘܕ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܡ ܳܪܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܟ ܳ ܝܠܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܳܕ� ܐ ܳܢܫ ܳܢ ܰ�ܪ ܰ 296ܘ ܺ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܽܩ ܰ ܡܪܝܡ ܶܓ ܳܦܐ ܰ ܘܕܡܝܟ. ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܢܝ � ܳܫܡܥ ܠܟ܆ ܥܠܝ ܰܫܠܝܛ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܘܐܝܟܢ ܽܫܘܠܛ ̱ ܒܕܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܠܝ ܳܡ ܳܪܐ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܝܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ 297ܥ ܳ ܡܥ ܶ� ܐ ܳܠܟ. ܺܕ ̱ ܶ ܳܗܐ ܰܐ ܳ� ̈ܶܗܐ ܰܕܟ ܳ ܪܟܐ ܳ ܩܕ ܰܡܝܟ ܰܓ ܶܕܡ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܐܪܡܐ ܽܢ ܳ ܒܒ ̈� ܳ� ܰܢ ܽ ܣܚܘܦ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܰܣ ܽ ܘܪܐ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܘ ܳ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ܐܘܒܕ ܰܠ ܰ ܥܩܘܪ ܰܗ ̈ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܘ ܶ ܽ ܦ� ܰܟ ܽ ܝܟ ܰܠ ܽ ܐܚܪܒ ܰ 298ܘ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ299܆ ܗܓܘܡ ܳܩ ̈ܝ ܳܡ ܽ ܬܗܘܢ ܰܘ ܽ ܣܓܐܳ 300 ܽ ܒܣܘܪ ܰܐ ܳ �ܣ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ.
; M5 om.ܕܝܠܟ ܗܝ ܡܕܝܢܬܝ B ܰ ܐܝܬܘܗܝ B ܶܘ ܶ 293 ܐܗܘܐ D ܰ 294 �ܥܒܕܐ BDU ܶ 295 ܳ�ܗܒ BDU ܶܒ ܰ 296 ܐܫܥܝܐ BM5 in marg. ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ 297 ܐܝܢܘ ; Dܘܐܝܢܘ BU ܶ 298 ܰܘܐܚܪܒܘ M5 ܰ ܰ ܰ 299 ܠܦܬܟ�ܝܗܘܢ DU 300 ܰܘ ܳ ܐܣܓܐ U 291 292
198 355
360
365
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Break the idols, scrape the images, spoil the painted idols, trample 301 deceit, and reveal the truth in the whole place. Set up the cross of your Lord in the place like a light, and go out and gather up all acts of worship for Him from every side. Pour out destruction in the palaces of the goddesses so that [only] One is worshipped: the Son who is of the Trinity with His Begetter. Cut down all the images that error introduced and raise up the image of faith for your Master the King. Open for us the door of baptism and establish [and] renew us so that we may strip off from ourselves the old habits with which we are clothed.” 302 Then, like the steward of a treasure house, Addai opened his treasure to enrich everyone with his gift. He solemnly stirred up the water by the power of the Father, he invoked the Son, and the Spirit descended for baptism. He performed the washing for the bride so that in the water she would put on
301 302
“trample”: lit. “the sole of the foot to.” Cf. Col 3:5–17.
199 355
360
365
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܟ�ܐ ܬ ܰܒܪ ܰܨ �� ܶܡܐ ܰܩ ܶܠܦ ܺܨ ܶܝ�ܐ ܰܚ ܶܒܠ܆ ܦܬ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰܦܪܣܐ �ܙܐܦܐ 303ܘܓܠܝ ܫܪ ܪܐ ܒܐܬܪ ܐ ܟܠܗ. ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺܙܩ ܶ ܝܦܗ ܳ ܐܬܪ ܐ 304ܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪܐ܆ ܕܡ ܳܪܟ ܺܣܝܡ ܒܗ ܒ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܘܦܘܩ ܰܟܢܶܫ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ�ܓ ̈ܒܝܢ ܽܟܠ ܶܣ ̈ܓ ܳܕܬ ܐ. ܳ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 305 ܰܐ ܳ ܐ� ̈ܗܬ ܐ܆ ܪܡܐ ܰܚܪܒܐ ܒܐܦܕ ܢܝܗܘܢ ܕ ܺ ܳ ܳ̇ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܠܬܐ ܰܥܡ ܳ� ܽ� ܶ ܰ ܘܕܗ. ܕܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܣܓܝܕܐ ܒܪܗ ܕܒܬ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽܶ �ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܨ ��ܡܐ ܕܐܥܠܬ ܛܘܥܝܝ ܦܣܩ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ 306 �ܟܐ ܳܡ ܳܪܟ .307 ܘܐܩܝܡ ܨ�ܡܐ ܕܗܝܡܢ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܦܬܚ ܰܠܢ ܰܬ ܳ ܕܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ ܪܥܐ ܰ ܘܕܝܬܐ 308ܘܩܘܡ ܰܚ ܶܕܬ ܰܠܢ܆ ܶ ܰ ܶܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܒ ܺ ܝܫ ܰܝܢܢ܀ ܕܢܫܠܚ ܡܢܢ ܥܬܝܩ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܗܝܕܝܢ ܐܕܝ ܐܝܟ ܪܒ ܒܝܬܐ ܕܣܝܡܬ ܓܙ ܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܥܬܪ ܽܟ ܳ �ܢܫ ܶܡܢ ܰܡܘܗܒܬܗ .309 ܦܬܚ ܣܝܡܬܗ ܕܢ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܐ ܙܝܥ ܡܝܐ ܒܚܝܠܗ ܕܐܒܐ ܩܕܝܫܐܝܬ܆ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܩܪܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܢܚܬ ܽܪ ܳ ܘܚܐ �ܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ. ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܠܬܐ ܕܬ ܰ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܰܡ ܽ �ܒܫ ܶ 310ܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ܆ ܣܚܘܬ ܐ �ܟ
ܺ ̈
�ܟܐܦܐ B ܰ ܒܟܪܟܐ BDU ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈ 305 ܳܒܐܦܕ ܢܝܗܝܢ CD 306 B om. ܰ 307 ܫܪܝܪܐܝܬ B add. ܳ ܰ 308 ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬܐ BU ܳ 309 ܥܘܕ� ܢܰܘܗܝ ܶ ; Dܒܝܬ ܰ ܓ ܶܙܗ BU ܶ ܰ 310 ܕܬ�ܒܫܝ CM5 303 304
200 370
375
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
a robe of light, become radiant, [and] enter the household of God. Fire and Spirit were mixed in the water imperceptibly so that a new womb that gives birth to immortals would come into being. He invoked the Trinity upon the water and sanctified it so that the impure might go down and be cleansed from [idolatrous] sacrifices. He opened the door of baptism and summoned Abgar, and the king came [and] went down first; he washed and was made holy. [Abgar] trod out the way on the shore of the living to the world of light, and he became the first for his hosts to imitate him. The good shepherd drew the flocks to the spring,
201 370
375
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܘܬ ܶ ܦܪܓ ܬܶ ܽܥܘܠ ܶ 311 �ܒܝܬ 312ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ. ܐܣܛܠ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܳ ܰ ܳ̈ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܚܠܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܡܝܐ ܢܘܪܐ ܘܪܘܚܐ ܕ� ܡܬܓܫܫܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ �ܕܐ � ܳܡ ܽ� ̈ܘܬ ܐ. ܕܬܗܘܐ ܟܪܣܐ ܚܕܬ ܐ ܕ� ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽܶ ܩܪܐ ܥܠ ܡܝܐ ܬܠܝܬ�ܘܬ ܐ ܘܩܕܫ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܶ ܽ ܰ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ 313 ܕܢܚܬܘܢ ܛܡܐܐ ܘܢܬܕܟܘܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܡܢ ܕܒܚܬܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܩܪܐ ܰ� ܰ ܒܓܪ܆ ܦܬܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܬܪܥܐ ܕܡܥܡܘܕ ܶ ܳ ܐܬ ܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܣܚܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܢܚܬ ܰܩ ܳ �ܟܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܳܝܐ ܳ ܐܬܩ ܰܕܫ .314 ܘ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܕܚ ̈ܝܐ ܳ ܘܪܚܐ ܒܥܶ ܳ ܕܪܫ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ ܳ ܒܪ ܐ ܰ 315 �ܥ ܰܠܡ ܽ 316ܢܘܗܪܐ 317܆ ܰܘ ܳ �ܚ ̈ܝ ܰ� ܳܘܬܶܗ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܫܐ ܰ ܬܕ ܽܡܘܢ ܶ 318ܒܗ .319 ܳ ܓܕ ̇ܗ ܳ ܥܝܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܡ ܽܒ ܳ �� ܳܢ̈ܐ ܳ 320ܪ ܳ ܰܢ ܳ ܘܥܐ܆
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܦܪܓܝ ܰ ; Dܬ ܶ ܦܪܓܝ ܘܬܶܥܘܠܝ ; Mܕܬܶܥܘܠ ܰ�ܬ ܶ ; ܰܬ ܶ ܦܪܓ 5 ܰ ܶ ܬܥܘܠ�ܬܦܪܓ U 312 ܶܒܝܬ BDU ܘܢܶ ܰ 313 ܬܩܕܫܘܢ B ܕܡܝܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܣܚܐ ܰܩ ܳ 314 ܐܬܩ ܰܕܫ ̇ ܒܗ B 315 ܰ ܒܓܒܪܐ U ܳ 316 �ܥܠܡܐ BM5 317 ܢܘܗܪܗ ; Uܕܢܘܗܪܐ B 318 ܕܢܕܡܘܢ B ܕܒܗ ܢܶ ܰ 319 ܬܕܡܘܢ M5 ܳ 320 �ܥܢܐ BU ܘܬܥܘܠ ; Cܘܬܥܘ ܶܠ�ܬܦܪܓ B
311
202 380
385
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and all [the flock] rested at the stream of life to refresh itself with it. The city of the king watched the king as he was being baptized, and that great assembly also came to the Holy of Holies. The good thing that had come from God and was prepared— King Abgar was its cause, and he received a blessing. He drew up and brought the rivers of the water of life, and he made his whole city enter and drink a new drink. The apostle stood at the crossing of the new world, and he made a bridge of fire in the waters to the household of the Kingdom. He carried white garments, far more beautiful than the thick darkness,
203 380
385
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܘܣ ܰ ܶ ܕܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܡܟܬ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ �ܝ ܳܪܕܐ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ܶ 321ܒܗ. ܺ ܶ ܒܡ ܳ ܕܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰ ܬܗ ܰ �ܟܐ ܳܚ ܰܪܬ ܰܟܕ ܳܥ ܶܡܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܡܕܳܝܢ̱ ܳ ܰ ܢܫܐ 324ܪ ܳܒܐ ܶ �ܒܝܬ ܽ 325ܚ ܳ ܶܘܐܬ ܐ 322ܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܶ 323ܟ ܳ ܘܣ ܳܝܐ. ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܛܒܬܐ ܶܕܐܬܬ ܶ 326ܡܢ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܘܥܬ ܳܝܕܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ 328 ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 327 ܘܛ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ. ܐܒܓܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܗܘܐ ܠ ̇ܗ ܥܠܬܐ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܕܡܝ̈ܐ ܰܚܝܐ܆ ܗܘ ܢܓܕ ܘܐܝܬܝ ܢܗ�ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܺ 329 ܘܐܥܠ ܘܐܫܩܝ ܡܕܝܢܬܗ ܟܠ ̇ܗ ܫܩܝܐ ܚܕܬ ܐ. ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܳ 330 ܳܩܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܥܠ ܡܥܒܪܬ ܐ ܕܥ�ܡܐ ܚ ̱ܕܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܝܫܪܐ ܽ 331ܕܢ ܳ ܥܒܕ ܺܓ ܳ ܒܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܶ ܘܪܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ �ܟܘܬ ܐ. �ܒܝܬ ܡ ܶ ܶܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶܶ ܛܥܢ ܚܘ�ܐ ܕ ܓܐܝܢ ܣܓܝ ܡܢ ܥ�ܦ�܆
ܶ
ܶ
ܶ
ܬܒ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܣܡ CU ܬܬܒܣܡܝ ; M5ܕܬܬܒܣܡܝ ; Dܬ ܶ ܳ 322 ܘܐܬܬ BDU 323 ܺܗܝ BDU ܶ 324 �ܟܢܫܐ BDU ܶ 325 ܝܬ ܳ BD ܕܒ ܶ 326 ܐܬܬ D 327 ܰܘ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ D 328 ܥܶܠܬܐ ܰܗܘܐ ̇ ܠܗ M5 329 ܐܫܩܝ BDU ܰܡ ܰ 330 ܥܒܪܬܗ B 331 ܓܫܪܐ U 321
204 390
395
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
and the assembly of the house of “the Black” 332 put [them] on and became white. The filthy were washed in the water of baptism, and they became radiant and whiter 333 than snow and pure wool. The pure disciple had fixed the cross in the courses of the water, and the flocks teemed 334 to put on its color and become like it. [Thus] was explained the mystery of Jacob, the son of the Hebrews, who also put rods in the drinking troughs 335 before his flock. 336 Jacob’s streams [were] in Aram, and Addai was sent [there] to fulfill both new and old things. Jacob went down, carrying in his hand the staff of mysteries 337
The word used here is Abgar’s cognomen, Ūkkomo: “the Black.” ܰ “( ܰܘthey tarried”), all the other manuThough main text reads ܐܘܚܪܘ ܰ ܰ scripts read “( ܘܚܘܪܘthey became white”), which makes much more sense in the context. An accidental transposition of letters seems likely. 334 “teemed” or “grew hot, were in heat,” like Jacob’s flocks in Gen 30:38. ܳ ܳ 335 ܳ ܶI use different vocalization from the main text here: ܪܗܛܐinstead of ܪܗܛܐ. 336 Gen 30:25–43. 337 Cf. Gen 32:10; Heb 11:21. Jacob’s staff is often taken to be a type of the cross. 332 333
205 390
395
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܕܒܝܬ ܽܐ ܳ ܢܫܐ ܶ 339 ܰܘ ܶ �ܒܫ ܶ 338ܟ ܳ ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܶ 340ܘ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܰܘܪ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܰ 341 ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܐܬܚܠ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ � ܐܐ ܒܡܝܐ ܕܡܥܡ ܰܘ ܶ ܘܥ ܳ ܠܓܐ ܰ 343 ܡܪܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܦܪܓ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܘܚܪ ̱ܘ ܳ 342ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܰܬ ܳ ܟܝܐ. ܶ ܩܒܥ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܕܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܺ ܒ�ܗܛܐ ܰ ܝܦܐ ܰ ܝܚܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܫܠ ܳ ܟܝܐ 344܆ ̱ ܘܚ ܰܡܬ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ 345ܕܬܶ ܰ �ܒܫ ܰ 346ܓܘܢܶܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ ܬܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܒܗ܀ ܥܩܘܒ ܰܒܪ ܥܶ ܳ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܫܩ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܪܐܙܶܗ ܰܕ� ܽ ܒ��ܶܐ܆ ̱ ܳ ܶ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܪܥܝܬܗ. ܳܕܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܳܣܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܙܩܬܐ ܒ�ܗܛܐ ܩܕܡ ܡ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܗ�ܝܢ ܽ �ܰ 347 ܥܩܘܒ ܰܘ ܰܐܕܝ ܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ � ܪܡ ܢ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ ܽ ܰܕ ܰܢܫܡ�ܘܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܐܦ ܚܕܬܬ ܐ ܘܥܬܝܩܬܐ. ܥܩܘܒ ܰܘ ܺ ܢܚܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ� ܽ ܐܝܕܗ ܽܚ ܳ ܛܥܝܢ ܺܒ ܶ ܘܛܪܐ ܳܕ�ܐܙܶ ܐ܆ ܶ ̱
ܰܘ ܶ �ܒܫܘ BCDM5U ܶ ̈ ܟܢܫܐ BDU ̈ܳ 340 ܐܘܟܡܐ BU ܰ 341 ܰ ܶܘܐܬܚܠܘ U ܶ ܚܘܪܘ ܰ ; DM5Uܘ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ 342 ܚܘܪܘ ܰܘܐܦܪܓܘ B ܰ ܳ ̈ 343 ܡ ܝܐ U ܰ 344 ܪܒܐ BDU ܳ 345 ܥܢܐ U ܕܬܶ ܰ 346 �ܒܫܝ M5 347 ܰܢܗܪܝܢ C 338 339
206 400
405
410
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
that drove away the wolves and gathered the flock at the spring. By the waters he became engaged to the young daughters of the Harranians, 348 and he gave his flock a mark with white rods. 349 Now, Addai also came to the same place—the house of the Arameans— so that these types that Jacob depicted would be perfected by him. He opened the great fountain of saving water in Edessa, and he drew up [water and] made the great flock drink from the spring. But instead of rods, he put the saving cross in the fount from which flowed red [and] white in the blood and the water. The color of the rods with the two colors of the crucifixion 350 were explained by the fulfillment of baptism. The flock saw the cross of light in the saving water, and it gathered in, teemed, thronged, and pressed forward to glimpse its beauty. In Harran [was] the image, the likeness, the type, and shadows; but in Edessa [was] the whole—the likeness and the type without a veil.
Gen 29:1–30. Gen 30:37. Jacob peels the bark from fresh-cut tree branches to make white stripes on the rods. 350 John 19:34. 348 349
207 400
405
410
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܶ ܺ ̈ܶ ܐܒܐ ܳ ܘܟܢܶܫ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶ 351ܨܝܕ ܰܡ ܽܒ ܳ ܘܥܐ. ܕܛܪܕ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܡܟܪ ܡܢ ܡܝܐ ܠܥ�ܝܡܬܐ ܒܢܬ ܚ��ܝܐ܆ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܶ 353 ܳ ܽ 352 ܰ ܘ� ̱ܗܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ��ܢܐ ܪܘܫܡܐ ܒܙܩܬܐ ܚܘ�ܬ ܐ܀ ܰ ܶܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܶܕܝܢ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܳܐܦ ܽܗܘ � ܳ ܕܒܝܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܬܪ ܐ ܶ �ܡܝܶܐ 354܆ ̱ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܕܗܠܝܢ ܛܘܦܣܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܪܫܡ ܰ�ܥܩܘܒ ܒܗ ܢܫܬܡ�ܘܢ .355 ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܺ ܦܬܚ ܽܒ ܳ ܕܡܝ̈ܐ ܰ 356ܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܡܥ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܪܒܬܐ ܘ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܰ 357 ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܘܢܓܕ ܐܫܩܝ ��ܢܐ ܪܒܬܐ ܡܢ ܡܒܘܥܐ. ܰ ܳ ܶ̈ ܶ ܡܥ ܳܝܢܐ ܺܙܩ ܳ ܬܐ ܳܣܡ ܰܒ ܺ ܝܦܐ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ܆ ܘܚܠܦ ܙܩ ܳ ܳ ܘܡܝ̈ܐ ܶ ܘܡܩ ܶܚ ܳܘܪ ܰܒ ܳ ܕܣ ܳ ܽ ܕܡܐ ܰ ܕܡܢܶܗ ܪ ܶܕܝܢ. ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܶ 358 ܓܘܢܐ ܕܙܩܬܐ ܒܬ�ܝܢ ܓܘ ܢ ̇ ܝܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ 359 ܶܐ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܫܩ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܡܢ ܫܘܡ�ܝܐ ܕܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ. ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ ܰ 360ܠ ܺ ܳ ܒܡܝ̈ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܨܠܝܒ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܚܙ ܐ ܽ 361ܫ ܶ ܘܚ ܰ ܒܨܬ ܙܶ ܰ ܪܒܬ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܡܠܬ ܶܚ ܰܡܬ ܶܚ ܰ ܶ ܘܦܪܗ. ܶ ܳܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܛ ܳ ܘܦܣܐ 362ܘܛ ܳ� ̈� ܳܝܬܐ 363܆ ܒܚܪܢ ܨܘܪܬ ܐ ܕܡܘܬ ܐ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ 364 ܘܒܐܘܪܗܝ ܓܘܫܡܐ ܕܡܘܬ ܐ ܘܛܘܦܣܐ ܕ� ܬܚܦܝܬܐ. ܳ ܳ̈
�ܢܐ D ܳ 352 �ܥܢܐ BCU 353 ܪܘܫܡܐ D 354 ܶܚ ܳ ��ܢܐ B ܰ 355 ܢܶܫܬܠܡܘܢ ܒܗ BU ܰ 356 ܕܡܠܝܐ B ܳ 357 �ܥܢܐ BDU ܰ ̈ 358 ܓܘܢܐ BDU ܳ 359 ܫܘܠܡܐ D ܳ 360 ܶ ܥܢܐ BU ܬ ܶ 361 ܚܙ ܐ BDU 362 ܘܨܘܪܬܐ ܕܡܘܬܐ D ܛܘܦܣܐ ܶܳ 363 ܘܛ�ܢܝܬܐ BDU ܘܚܬܝܬܘܬܐ ܳ ; D 364 ܰ ܫܪܪܐ ܰ ܓܠܝܐ B 351
208 415
420
425
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The vision in the water gave the ewes children in order to prefigure a child for baptism, which gives birth to salvation. [There were] speckled 365 and spotted lambs in the flock of Jacob so that there may also be an inquiry about these things without contestation. The [sheep that was] entirely white from birth [became] not white, and the entirely black [became] not black, and why indeed? Jacob’s flock clearly represents the People of Jacob, who every day mix the truth with iniquity and impurity. Speckled lambs that are neither black nor white are like the People who neither believe nor are lost. Believing and idolatrous, holy and impure in their actions, 366 they worship the Lord, [but] they adore the calf all the more. 367 They uphold the Torah and uphold the image of four faces, 368 the books of Moses and the golden 369 calf 370 of the house of Jeroboam. Whether you find the divine law
“speckled”: lit. “bald.” The word can indicate a sheep with a white mark on the forehead, which fits this context well. 366 The pronouns are singular, referring to the People. I have used the plural in the translation to avoid confusion about subjects. 367 Exod 32:1–6. 368 2 Chr 33:7 (Peshitta). Compare the idol with five faces in 2 Bar 64:3; P-M. Bogaert, L’Apocalypse syriaque de Baruch. Introduction, traduction du syriaque et commentaire 1 (Sources chrétiennnes 144; Paris 1969), 304–310. 369 “golden”: lit. “forged, cast.” 370 Some of the other witnesses have the plural, corresponding to the two golden calves that Jeroboam set up in Bethel and Dan (1 Kgs 12:28–30). 365
209 415
420
425
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ 371 ܢܩ ̈ܘܬ ܐ܆ ܚܙܬ ܐ ܒܡܝܐ �ܗܒܬ � ��ܕܐ ܠ ܳ ܶ �ܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ �ܕܐ ܰ 372 ܕܢܶ ܺ ܘܕܝܬܐ ܳܕ� ܳ ܬܬܨܝܪ ܰ� ܳ �ܕ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ܀ ܶܐ ܶ ܒ�ܢ̈ܶܗ ܰ 373ܕ� ܽ ܣܟܝܶܐ ܳ �ܚܐ ܳܐܦ ܰܦܝ̈ ܳ ܡ�ܐ ܰܩ ܶ ܥܩܘܒ܆ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ 374 ܬܐ ܳܕ� ܶܚ ܳ ܪ� ܳܢܐ. ܕܐܦ ܥܠ ܗܠܝܢ ܬܗܘܐ ܒܥ ܳ� ܶܚ ܳܘ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܚ ܳܘܪ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܳ ܘ� ܳܕܐ܆ ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܽܐ ܳ ܳܘ� ܽܐ ܳ ܘܟܡ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܳ �ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܟܝ. ܺ ܒ�ܢ̈ܶܗ ܰ 375ܕ� ܽ ܥܩܘܒ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܰܕ� ܽ ܳ ܥܩܘܒ ܺܨܝܪ ܰܓ� ܳܝܐܝܬ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܽ 376 ܘܫܬܐ ܰ ܒܥ ܳܘ� ܳܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܶܟܐ. ܕܚܠܛ ܟ�ܝܘܡ ܩ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ �ܚܐ ܕ� ܐ ̈ܘ ܳܟ ܶܡܐ ܘ� ܶܚ ܳܘ�ܐ 377܆ ܐܡ�ܐ ܩ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ �ܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܡܐ ܳܕܐܦ� ܰ ܡܗ ܰ ܝܡܢܐ ̱ܗܘ 378ܘ� ܐܒ ܳ ܝܕܐ. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܥܒ ̈� ܳܕܬܗ܆ ܡܗܝܡܢ ܘܚܢܦ ܩܕܝܫ ܘܛܡܐ ܒ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ �ܡ ܳ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܳܣ ܶܓܕ � 379ܥܶܓ� ܳܪ ܶܚܡ 380ܘܡܣܓܐ ܠܗ. ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰܺ �ܒܝܟ ܐܘܪܝܬܐ ܘ�ܒܝܟ ܨ�ܡܐ ܕ ܐ�ܒܥ ܐ ̈ܦܝܢ܆ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ 381 ܳ ܕܒܝܬ ܽ�ܘܪ ܰ ܝ� ܶ 382 ܒܥܡ. ܣܦ�ܐ ܕܡܘܫܐ ܘܥܓ� ܚܫ ܶ ܳܽ ܳ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܐܢ ܢܡܘܣܐ ܐ�ܗ�ܐ ܠܗ ܡܫܟܚ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܰ�ܠܕܐ BDU ܰܨܠܡܐ BDU ܳ 373 ܒܥܢܗ BDU ܳ 374 ܘܐܦ M5 ܳ 375 ܒܥܢܗ BDU ܰ 376 ܰܕܚܠܛ CDM5 ܳ ܳ ܶ 377 ܐܘܟܡܐ ܘ� ܚܘܪܐ BDU 378 BCDM5U om. ܳ 379 ܪ ܶܚܡ BDU 380 ܶ ܳܣܓܕ BDU 381 ܶܣܦܪܐ U ܶ 382 ܘܥ ̈ܓ� ܚܫܝ̈� BDU 371 372
ܶ ܐܡܪܐ ܰܩܪܚܐ ܕ�
210 430
435
440
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
or the teaching of idolatry—behold, it is with them. They have Levi, who offered up sacrifices lawfully, 383 and they have 900 other [priests] of Baal and idols. 384 They keep the Sabbath while also setting tables for Fortune; they pay tithes to the Lord while making feasts for Tammuz. 385 Theirs are the tablets that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai, 386 and theirs the divinations and magicians that are sought out by them. Whether the commandments of the Lord Sabaoth are with them or the errors of pagan Peoples are found among them, they have borne the tabernacle and the tent of Molech in procession, being circumcised like Abram 387 while eating the sacrifices of the Jebusites. 388 They teach the great fast of Moses and of Elijah, 389 but they have another [fast] of Jezebel, [who] lay in wait for innocent blood. 390 Believing in the Father while hating the Son—so what shall I call them except a lamb that is half kid 391 for those who are discerning?
Cf. Num 3:1–13. 1 Kgs 18:19; in the Peshitta, Elijah competes with 900 prophets “of Baal and idols” rather than the 850 of the Hebrew text. 385 A Mesopotamian god of fertility. 386 Exod 34:29. 387 Gen 17:1–27. 388 The Canaanite inhabitants of Jerusalem. The book of Joshua observes that the Israelites failed to drive the Jebusites out of the land during the conquest, so they lived side-by-side with the Israelites (Josh 15:63; Judg 1:21). David captured Jerusalem from them and made it his capital (2 Sam 5:6–7). 389 Deut 9:9; 1 Kgs 19:8. 390 1 Kgs 21:1–14. 391 “kid”: i.e., a young goat. 383 384
211 430
435
440
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܶ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܗܐ ܶ� ܰ ܘܗܝ ̱ ܽ 392ܗܘ. ܐܝܕ ܘܐܢ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܕܦܬܟܪ ̱ ܺ ̈ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܶ� ܺܘܝ ܰ ܶ ܕܡ ܶܣܩ ܕܒܚܐ ܢܡܘܣܐܝܬ 393܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ 394 ܳ ܕܒܥ� ܰܘ ܶܕܕ ̈ܚ ܳܠܬܐ. ܺܘܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܐ̱ܚ� ܢܐ ܬܫܥܡܐܐ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܠܓ ̈ܕܐ ܳܣܐܡ 395܆ ܫܒܐ ܢܛܪ ܐܦ ܦܬܘ�ܐ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܡܥ ܰܣܪ ܰܘܠܬܡ ܳܘܙ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܓܐ ܥܒܕ. ܽ ܺܕ ܶ ܐܚܬ ܽ 396ܡ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܚܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܶܡܢ ܛܘܪ ܺܣ ܰܝܢܝ܆ ܺ ܶ ܶ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳܽ ܶ ܘ�ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܫܟ ܺ ܝܚܝܢ ܶܠܗ. ܘܕܝܠܗ ܩܨܡܐ ܐܦ ܙܟ ܶ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܶܽ 398 ܰ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ 397 ܘܗܝ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܐܢ ܦ ܳܘܩܕ ܢ ܳܐ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܨܒܐܘܬ � ܐܝܕ ̱ ܰ ܥܝܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܶܘܐܢ ܛ ܽ ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܚܢ̈ ܶܦܐ ܶܒܗ ܶܡܫܬ ܳ ܟܚܐ. ܕܡ ܽ ܰܡ ܰ ܘܡܫܟܢܶܗ ܰ ܒܢܐ ܰ ܫܟ ܰܢܙ ܳ �ܟܘܡ ܽܗܘ ܰ ܡܙ ܰ�ܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܓܙܝܪ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܐ ܳ ܺ ܒܪܡ ܳ 399ܘ ܶܐܟܠ ܶܕ ̈ܒ ܶܚܐ ܳܕ� ܽܒ ̈ܘ ܳܣܝܶܐ. ܘܫܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܳܐܦ ܶܕ ܺ ܘܡܐ ܽ ܰܡ ܶܠܦ ܰܨ ܳ ܕܡ ܶ ܐ� ܳܝܐ܆ ܺܘܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܐ ܺ ܡܢܬ ܰܠ ܳ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܺ 400ܕ ܶ ܐܝܙܒܠ ܳ 401ܟ ܰ ܕܡܐ ܰܚ ܳ ܣܝܐ. ܰ ܶ ܰ ̱ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܝܘܗܝ܆ ܶ ܳܡܗ ܶܝܡܢ ܒܐܒܐ ܘܣܢܐ ܠܒܪܐ ܘܐܝܟܢ ܐܩܪ ̱ ܡܪ ܐ ܶ ܕ�ܐ ܗܘ ܰܠ ܳ ܐ� ܐ ܳ ܕܦ ܽ� ܺ ܕܦ ܶ ܘܫܝܢ .402 ܠܓܗ ܰܓ ܰ ̱
ܰ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܐ ܒܢ̈ܝ
ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܗܘܝ CDM5U ̈ ܶ ܶ� ܳܘ�̈ܶܐ ܰ ܕܡܣܩܝܢ ܕܒܚܐ BDU ܳ ܰ 394 ܐܚ�ܢܐ ܬܫܥܡܐܐ DU 395 ܳܡ� BCDM5U ܰܕ ܶ 396 ܐܚܬ D ܳ 397 ܦܘܩܕܢܗ U 398 ܨܶ ܰ ܝܕܘܗܝ ; CDM5Uܕܝܠܗ B ܰ ܳ 399 ܥܡܪܡ D ܳ 400 ܐܚ�ܢܐ M5 401 ܕܐܝܙܒܝܠ CDU ܰ ܳ 402 ܠܕܦܪܘܫܝܢ BDU 392 393
212 445
450
455
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
White and black, and their darkness mixed with their light, and they are like the lambs that Jacob separated from the house of Laban. 403 [As for] the flock of the Peoples, from within the waters its color became uniform, 404 entirely white without any displeasing black among its offspring. Glorious lambs the color of wholly limpid light the womb of baptism birthed instantly. Among the children of light there is no darkness in their garments, which are glorious and pure like the day, which is entirely light. The color of the night is not depicted in them on a single side, for they have all put on the Sun—Christ—whose light is pure. Addai, a shepherd who was also sent to Aram, separated all the white ones from the rational flock that he tended. He put the glorious cross in the water, and his flock teemed so that it might also bear entirely white children of the day. It saw the color of blood in the cross—the good wine—
403 404
Gen 30:25–43. “uniform”: lit. “one.”
213 445
450
455
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܐܘܟܡ ܰܘ ܺ ܫܟܗ ܰܥܡ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܶ ܚܠܝܛ ܶܚ ܶ ܶܚ ܳܘܪ ܽܘ ܳ ܝܪܗ 405܆ ܳܘܕ ܶܡܐ ܶ� ܶ ܦܪܫ ܰ� ܽ ܡ�ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܥܩܘܒ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܳ� ܳܒܢ. ܳ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ ܰ 406 ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܓ ܳ ܘܢ ̇ܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ܆ ܘܠܝܬ ܽܐ ܳ ܶܚ ܳܘܪ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܰܣ ܳܢܝܐ ܰܒܒܢ̈ܶ ̇ ܝܗ. ܶܐ ܶ ܘܢܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ ܡ�ܐ ܓܐܰ ܳ�̈ܐ ܰܓ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ܽ 407ܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ 408 ܝܡܐܝܬ .409 ��ܕܬ ܟܪܣܐ ܕܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ ܚܡ ܰ ̈ ܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ�ܐ ܺ 411 �ܳ 410ܐܝܬ ܶܚ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܫܟܐ ܰܒ�ܒܘܫܝܗܘܢ܆ ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܢ ܰ ܰܕ ܓܐܶܝܢ ܰܘ ܶ ܕܟܝܢ ܰܐܝܟ ܺܐ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ ̱ܗܘ .412 ܺ ܒܗܘܢ ܰܓܘܢܶܗ ܺ 413 ܳ� ܺܨܝܪ ܽ ܕܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰ ܒܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ̈ܒܝܢ܆ ܕܟܐ ܽܢ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܰܕ ܶ ܝܫܝܢ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܚܐ ܺ �ܒ ܺ ܡܫܐ ܺ ܕܫ ܳ ܶ ܡܫ ܳ ܘܗܪܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܳܪ ܳ ܥܝܐ ܳܕܐܦ ܽܗܘ � ܳܪܡ ܐܫܬ ܰܕܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܦܪܫ ܶܡܢ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ ܺ 414 ܝܠܬܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܽܟܠ ܶܚ ܳܘ ܶ� ܐ ܰ ܪܥܐ. ܡܠ ܶ ܺ ܨܠ ܳ ܝܒܐ ܰܓ ܳܐ�ܐ ܳܣܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰ ܒܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܶ ܘܚ ܰܡܬ ܳ�ܢ̈ܗ 415܆ ܶܳܶ ܰ ܳܕܐܦ ܺܗܝ ܺܬ ܰ ܒܢ̈ܝ ܺܐ ܳ ܝܡ ܳܡܐ. ܐܠܕ ܽ 416ܟܠ ܚܘ�ܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܡܪܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ 417܆ ܓܘܢܐ ܕܕܡܐ ܚܙܬ ܒܙܩܝܦܐ ܚ ܰܢܗܝ�ܐ U ܳ ܥܢܐ BU ܰ 407 ܳ ܦܐ�ܐ D 408 ܰܟ ̇ ܪܣܗ DU 409 ܰܚܒܝܒܐܝܬ BDU 410 ܰܢܗܝܪܐ BU 411 ܕ� BDU ܽ 412 ܕܢܘܗܪܐ ܗܘ ܟܠܗ B 413 ܰ ܓܘܢܐ M5 ܳ 414 ܥܢܐ BU ܳ ܳ ̈ 415 �ܢܐ ; Dܥܢܐ BU ܰ 416 ܻܬ ܐܠܕܝ DM5 ܶ 417 ܘܡ ܰ ܙܓܬ ܰܚܡܪܐ BDU 405 406
214 460
465
470
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
so that it might mystically drink the Son in the cup of salvation. The daughter of the day put on the light of baptism, and she washed [and] came up from the water enlightened. It was pleasing to that preacher of the faith when he was delivering 418 humans for salvation in a godly manner. It was befitting for the king who loves virtues that he was bowing his head and carrying the yoke of crucifixion. The apostle teaches, the king listens, the people hear, and the whole city gathers to be vivified by faith. Baptism, the mother of salvation, is opened and resplendent, and the new children receive spiritual seals. The city bends and casts down its idols to break [them], and faith [becomes] great and strong so that it takes hold of the land. The goats diminishing 419 and passing away [is] the portion of [those on] the left, but lambs multiplying and assemblies increasing [is] that of the right. 420
“delivering”: i.e., “acting as a midwife.” Reading with the variant: ܳܙܥܪܝܢ. 420 Matt 25:31–46. 418 419
215 460
465
470
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܝܘܗܝ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܳ ܒܟ ܳܣܐ ܰ ܕܚ ̈ܶܝܐ .421 ܕܪ ܳܐܙ ܢܳܐ ܺܝܬ ܬܫܬ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܐܝܡܡܐ ܠܒܫܬ ܢܘܗܪܐ ܕܡܥܡ ܳ ܣܚܬ ܶܣ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ �ܩܬ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܡܝ̈ܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪܐ܀ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ �ܗܘ ܟܪܘܙ ܐ ܕܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ �ܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐܝܬ. ܘܠܕ ̱ 422ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫܐ ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܳ�ܐܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰ �ܟܐ ܳܕܪ ܶܚܡ ܰ 423ܫ ܺܦ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ. ܕܡܪܟܢ ܪܝܫܗ ܘܫܩܠ ܢܝܪ ̇ܗ ܕܙܩ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ �ܟܐ ܳ� ܐܬ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ܆ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܡܠܦ ܡ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ 424 ܘܟܢܫ ܟܪܟܐ ܕܟܠܗ ܢܐܚܐ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ. ܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܦܬ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܰܘܙ ܳ ܗ�ܐ 425܆ ܐܡܐ ܕܚܝܐ ܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ ܰ ܽ ܡܩ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܘ� �� ܶܕܐ ܰܚ ̈ܕܬܶ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܒܠܝܢ ܛܒܥܐ � ܳ ܰ ܘܚ�ܝܐ .426 ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܕ�ܐ ܦܬ ܶ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܳܢܙ� ܳ ܺ ܘܫ ܳ ܟ� ̇ܝܗ ܰܠܡܬ ܳܒ ܽܪܘ 427܆ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܒܝܐ ܳ ܫܢܐ 428ܕܬܶ ܽܐܚܘܕ ܰ 429ܐ ܳ ܘܥ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܳܪ ܳ ܘܗܝܡܢ ܪܥܐ. ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܘܡܘܦܐ ܰܓ ܳܒܐ ܶ ܓܕ ܳ�̈ܐ ܽܙܥܘܪܝܢ ܰ 430 ܰ ܕܒܝܬ ܣܡ�܆ ܶ ܘܣ ܶܓܝܢ ܐ ܶ ܡ�ܐ ܳ ܫܢܝܢ ܶ 431ܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܶ ܘܥ ܺ ܳ ܕܡܢ ܰ� ܺܡ ܳܝܢܐ.
ܰܚܝܐ BDU ܰܡ ܶ ܥܡܕ D ܳ 423 ܪ ܶܚܡ BDU 424 ܰܘܟܢܝܫ BDU 425 ܰܡܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ BCDM5U 426 ܳ ܪܘܚ ܳܢܝܐ BD ܛܒܥܐ ܶ ܰ ܳ 427 �ܡܬܬܒܪܘ U ܳ 428 ܶ ܘܟܢܫܐ M5 429 ܕܬ ܐܚܘܕܝ DM5 430 ܳܙܥܪܝܢ BDU ܳ 431 ܘܥܬܪܝܢ BCDM5U 421 422
ܦܬܝܚܐ ܰܘܙܗܝܐ
216 475
480
485
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Night is fled, and creation is full of the day; darkness has fallen down, and the light has risen to a high position. The deaf images that error had introduced are belittled, and the story of the crucifixion and of its preacher shines forth. Addai speaks, and Abgar listens lovingly, and who will not crowd together for the teaching being spoken? In the assembly, [even] the king is made an auditor, so who will not listen? [Even] the crown bows, so what head is there that does not bow down? Whoever has the love of the Lord becomes a disciple, and the one who seeks to please the king also bows down. The side of God’s household and [that] of the king’s household are the same, 432 and who can speak about the glory that happened there? In those who discerningly possess faith the fire of love is lit and their whole person listens. Even those in whom there is hypocrisy also bow down
432
“the same”: lit. “one.”
217 475
480
485
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܐ ܳ ܝܡ ܳܡܐ܆ �ܪܝܩ ܠ�ܝܐ ܘܡ�ܝܐ ܒܪ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܐ ܳ ܢܦܠ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܘܩܡ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪܐ ܒܕܪܓܐ ܪܡܐ. ܗܘܘ ܰܠ ܳ �ܫܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܩ� ܳ� ܰܨ �� ܶܡܐ ܰܚ ܶ ܐܥܠܬ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܥܝܝ܆ ܳ ܪܒ ̇ܗ ܰ 433ܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܰܘ ܰܢܨܚ ܰܫ ܳ ܝܦܘܬ ܐ ܰܘ ܳܕܟ ܽܪ ܳܘܙ ̇ܗ .434 ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܡܡܠܠ ܐܕܝ ܘܐܒܓܪ ܫܡܥ ܚܒܝܒܐܝܬ܆ ܚܒܘܨ ܰܥܠ ܽ� ܳ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ ܶ ܳ ܘܡܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ܽ ܕܡ ܰ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ. ܶ ܢܫܐ ܰܡ ܳ ܥܒܝܕ ܳܫ ܽܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܺ 435 ܘܡܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ܰ ܘܥܐ ܰ ܒܟ ܳ ܫܡܥ 436܆ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ 437 ܝܫܐ ܕ� ܳܣ ܶܓܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܬܓܐ ܡܪܟܢ ܘܐܝܢܘ ܪ ܰ ܘܒܗ ܳ ܰܡܢ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܽܚ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܶ 438ܡܬܬ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ �ܡܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܽ �ܟܐ ܢܶ ܰ �ܡ ܳ ܐܝܢܐ ܳ ܕܒܥܶܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܦܪ 439ܬܘܒ ܳܣ ܶܓܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܰ ܕܒܝܬ ܰܡ ܳ ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܰܚܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܓ ܳܒܐ ܶ �ܟܐ܆ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ 440 ܗܘܐ ܬ ܳܡܢ. ܘܡܢܘ ܡܘܦܐ �ܫܘܒܚܐ ܢܡܠܠ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܳܽ ܳܺ ܰ ܘܫܐܝܬ܆ ܐ ܳܝܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܒܗ ܗܝܡܢܘܬ ܐ ܦܪ ܝܦܐ ܶܒܗ ܽܢ ܳ ܰܣ ܺܦ ܳ ܘܒܐ ܽ ܕܚ ܳ ܘܪܐ ܽ ܘܟ ܶܠܗ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ̈ ܰ 441 ܰܘ ܳ ܐܦܐ ܬܘܒ ܳܣ ܶܓܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܐܝܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܒܗ ܡܣܐܒ ܒ
ܰ ܫܪܒܐ B ܰܘ ܳܕܟ�ܘܙܶ ̇ ܝܗ BDU ܰ 435 ܕܡܠܟܐ BDU ܶ ܰ 436 ܰܡܢ � ܢܬܗܪ BU 437 ܰܘܐܝܢܐ ܗܘ CM5 438 ܒܗ ܽܚܘܒܐ BDU ܰ ܘܡܢ ܰܕܠܡܠܟܐ ܳܒܥܐ ܰ 439 ܢܝ ܰܩܪ B ܶ ܰ 440 ܢܡܠܠ ܫܘܒܚܐ BDU ܐܣܒ ܰ ; Uܡ ܰ ܰܡ ܰ 441 ܣܒ M5 433 434
218 490
495
500
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
because of the king who they see is full of faith. By the occasion and the truth Christ and his Father are glorified and on every side the assembly of the church increases. The king rejoices, the church thunders with Christians, and the apostle rejoices at all the affairs of the crucifixion. The desolate idols knocked against one another, they fell and were broken, and [their] priests fled [and] took cover in lairs, they were ashamed and concealed themselves. Addai teaches, and Abgar commands the faith, and through [their] teachings and commands the gospel progressed. The apostle humbly teaches the word of life, and the king zealously pulls down the idols of the city. The gospel of the Son appeared in the Blessed City, and it was proclaimed by both the kingdom and apostleship. With a single will the apostle and the king agreed with one another, so what idol had the ability to avoid falling?
219 490
495
500
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܕܡ� ܗ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ 442 ܰ ܘܫܬܐ ܺ ܡܫ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܶܡܫܬ ܰܒܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܒܥܠܬܐ ܘܩ ܝܚܐ ܰܘ ܽܐܒ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܢܫܐ ܺ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ�ܓ ܺ̈ܒܝܢ ܶܟ ܳ ܕܥܕܬ ܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬ�ܬܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ̱ ܳ ܦܨܝܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܳܘܪ ܳ ܺ ܥܡܐ ܺܥܕܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܺ ܡܫ ̈ܝ ܳܚ ܶܝܐ܆ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܘܚܕܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܒܟܠ�ܥ�ܬ ̇ܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܦܬ ܶ ܚܕ ̈ܶܕܐ ܰ 443 ܟ�ܐ ܰܚ ܶ ܰ �ܒܐ ܰܢܩܫ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ܳ ܢܦ� ̱ܘ ܘܐܬܬܒܪ ̱ܘ܆ ܥܪܩܘ ܽܟ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܛܫܘ ܰܒ ̈ܟ ܺܡܐܢܶܐ ܶ ܘܡ� ܐ ܰ ܒܗܬ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܺܦܝܘ. ̱ ܰܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ܆ ܐܕܝ ܡܠܦ ܘܐܒܓܪ ܦܩܕ ܗ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ 444 ܘܒ�ܘܠܦܢܐ ܘܒܦܘܩܕ ܢܐ ܣܒܪܬ ܐ ܪܗܛܬ. ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ 445 ܝܟܐܝܬ܆ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܡܠܦ ܡܠܬ ܚܝܐ ܡܟ ܺ �ܟܐ ܳܥ ܰܩܪ ܰܨ �� ܶܡܐ ܰܕܟ ܳ ܘܡ ܳ ܰ ܪܟܐ ܰ� ܺܙ ܳܝܙܐܝܬ܀ ܪܟܐ ܺ ܣܒܪܬܶܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܒܪ ܳ ܒܟ ܳ ܒܪܐ ܰ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܳܢܚܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܟ ܳܪܙ ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ. ܘܒܡ�ܟܘܬ ܐ ܘܒܫܠܝܚ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܒܚܕ ܨܒ�ܢܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܘܡ�ܟܐ ܢܩܦ ̱ܘ ܠܚܕ ܕܐ܆ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܘܒ ܳ ܰ ܟܪܐ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܚܝ� ܕ� ܢܶ ܶܦܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ .446 ܐܝܢܐ ܦܬ
ܺ
̈
̈
ܳ ܳ ܳ �ܣܝܐ B in marg. ܒܥܕܬܐ ; Uܕܩܘ�ܣܝܐ ܰ ; M5 in marg.ܒܗܝ ܰܕܩܘ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܢܩܫܘ �ܚܕ ܕ ܐ ܦܬܟ�ܐ ܚ�ܒܐ B ܳ ܳ 444 ܒܦܘܩܕܢܐ BDU ܒܝܘܠܦܢܐ ܰܘ ܰܘ ܶ ܰ 445 ܡܟܪܙ ܶBDU 446 ܕܢܶܐܪܘܥ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ B 442 443
220 505
510
515
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
The assembly of the Blessed [City] was beloved during Abgar’s time, without dissoluteness or abuse on any side: the resplendent priest and the king, the friend of the Son of God, the fair assembly that sings praise with confidence, bands full of all the saints and virgins, and the love that also shone forth on disciples and their masters. There is no envy nor is falsehood heard; deceit is expelled, and brotherly love seizes the gates. The love of money is cast down and trampled before the disciples, and [by] the despising of gold and making progress, everyone will seek their salvation. The faith is spoken without inquiry, and, without debate, the teaching is simple and full of light. Everyone desires to come [and] hear that teaching through which [wondrous] deeds, miracles, and exploits occur. The word of Addai is full of [wondrous] deeds and works miracles,
221 505
510
515
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ 447 ܟܬܐ ܰ ܺ ܒܙܒܢܶܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ܆ ܪܚܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܟܢܫܐ ܕܡܒܪ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܰ 448 ܒܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ̈ܒܝܢ. ܕ� ܪܦܝܘܬ ܐ ܘ� ܨܘܚ ܰ ܘܡ ܳ ܪܚ ܶ ܗ�ܐ ܰ ܳܟ ܳ ܘܡܗ ܰ �ܟܐ ܽ ܗܢܐ ܰܙ ܳ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ̈ܶ ܟܢܫܐ ܫܦܝܐ ܕܙܡܪ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܒܓ�ܝܘܬ ܐܦܐ. ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܝܫܐ ܰ 449ܘܒܬ ̈ܘ ܳܠܬܐ܆ ܕܡ �� ܳܝܢ ܽܟܠ ܩܕ ܳ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰ 450ܘ� ܳܒ ܰܢ ܽ ܒܬ ܺ ܘܚ ܳ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ .451 ܘܒܐ ܳܕ� ܰܨܚ ܐܦ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܫܬ ܳ ܡܥܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܘܕ ܓ�ܘܬ ܐ ܕ� ܡ ܕܠܝܬ ܚܣܡܐ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ �ܒ ܳ ܚܡܬ ܐ ̈ܚܐ ܺ ܛܪܝܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܢܶܟ� ܘܪ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܬ�ܥܶܐ. ܚܡܬ ܶܟ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܰܬ ܺ ܝܫܐ ܶܪ ܰ ܕ�ܐ ܺܘܕ ܳ ܣܦܐ ܳ ܰܫ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕܐ 452܆ ܰ ܶ ܘܡ ܰ ܣܠܝ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܒܐ ܳܘܪ ܶܗܛ ܽܟ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ. �ܢ ܳܫ ܢܶܒܥܐ ܰ 453ܚ ̈ܝ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ ܕ� ܽܥ ܳ ܬܡ�� ̱ܗ ܳܘܬ ܰܗ ܳ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܩ ܳܒܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܽܢ ܳ ܘܗܪܐ .454 ܘܕ� ܕܪܫܐ ܦܫܝܛ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܘ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܪܓܝܓ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽܟ ܳ ܽ ܺ �ܢܫ ܺ 455ܢܐܬ ܐ ܢܫܡܥ 456ܗܘ �ܘܠܦܢܐ܆ ܶ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܕܪܗܛܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ ܥܒܕܐ ܘܚܝ� ܘܓܒ �ܘܬ ܐ .457 ܶ ܶ ܶ ܘܣ ܳ �ܝܐ ܳ ܥܒ ̈ܕܶܐ ܳ ܠܬܗ ܰܕ ܰܐܕܝ ܰܡ ܳ ܥܪܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝ�܆ ܡ
ܶ
ܰܘ ܰ ܒ� ܳܒܢܐ
ܟ ̇ ܢܫܗ BDU ܰ ܘܡ ܺ ܐ�ܢܘܬܐ D ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ 449 ܝܚ�ܕ�ܐ B ܰ ܰ ܒܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈ 450 � ܶܕ ܐ D ܰܘ ܘܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈ 451 � ܰܕܝܗܘܢ BU ܰ 452 ܬܠܡܝܕܐ B 453 ܢܶܩܢܶܐ BU 454 ܰܢܗܝܪܐܝܬ B ܰ ܶ 455 ܬ ܳܡܢ ; Dܟܢܫܐ BU ܫܡܥ ܽܟ ܳ ܢܶ ܰ 456 �ܢܫ D ܳ 457 ܰ ܕܓܢܒܪܘܬܐ U 447 448
222 520
525
530
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
which he both performed and taught, and [as] was becoming for him. Any who have grievous pain run to him, and he gladdens them with healing and releases them. And any who thirst for the word of life knock on his door, and they drink from him as though from an inexhaustible fountain. Any whose souls are stung by iniquity show [themselves] to him, and all whose bodies are ravaged by sores take refuge in him. He heals hidden sins and evident pain; by the word and power, body and soul are made well. The king rejoices in the excellent deeds that are done, and he is confident 458 that blessing came to his land through him. He raises up his word and lifts up praise in a loud voice, which was the cause and perception of the saving waters. Fervently he urges everyone to preserve love for Addai, and whoever transgresses [Addai’s] teaching hates the king.
458
“he is confident”: lit. “his face [is] unveiled.”
223 520
525
530
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܶ ܳ ܳܕܐܦ ܳܥ ܶܒܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐܦ ܰܡ ܶܠܦ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘܦܐܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ. ܳ ܶ ܐܒܐ ܰܥ ܳ ܰܡܢ ܺܕܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܺܟ ܳ ܣܩܐ �ܘܬܗ ܳܪ ܶܗܛ 459܆ ܒܚ ܳ ܡܚ ܶܕܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܰܘ ܽ ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰ ܘܫ ܶܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ .460 ܰ ܨܗܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܰܕ ܶ ܰ �ܡ ܰܠܬ ܰ 461ܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܒܬܪܥܶܗ ܳܢ ܶܩܫ܆ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܬܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐܝܟ ܶܡܢ ܢܶ ܳ ܬܡ ܰ ܒܥܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܰ ܣܟܢ. ܘܫ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰܡܢ ܕܢܟܝܬܐ ܢܦܫܗ �ܥܘ� 462ܠܗ ܰ ܡܚܘܐ ̱ 463ܗܘܐ 464܆ ܳ ܽ ܣܒܣ ܰܦ ܶ ܒܫ ̈ܘ ܶ ܡܒ ܰ ܘܟܠ ܰ 465ܕ ܰ ܓܪܗ ܽ ܚܢܐ ܶ 466ܒܗ ܛ ܶܦܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ .467 ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܺ ̈ܶ ܐܒܐ ܰ ܓ� ܳܝ̈ܐ ܽ 468ܗܘ ܰܡ ܶ ܐܣܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܚܛܗܐ ܟܣܝܐ ܘܟ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܬܚ ܺ ܝ� ܦܓܪ ܐ ܰܘܢ ܳ ܦܫܐ ܶ 469ܡ ܰ ܒܡܠܬܐ ܘܚ �ܡܝܢ ̱ 470ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܚܕܐ ܡ�ܟܐ ܒܫܦܝ�ܬ ܐ ܕܡܣܬܥ�ܢ ܗܘܝ܆ ܳ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܰܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܐܬܬ ܺܒ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܛܒܬܐ �ܪܥܗ. ܐܝܕ ܘܗܝ ܕ ܘܓ �� ܳܝܢ ܐ ̈ܦ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܘܒܚܐ ܳ ܳܪ ܶܡܐ ܶܡܠܬܗ ܰ ܘܡ ܶܣܩ ܽܫ ܳ ܒܩ� ܳܪ ܳܡܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 471 ܕܡܝ̈ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ. ܕܗܘܐ ܥܠܬܐ ܘܡܪܓܫܢܐ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰܰ ܡܙܗܪ ܡܣܓܐ ܕܟ�ܢܫ ܢܛܘܪ ܚܘܒܐ �ܕܝ܆ ܕܥ ܰܒܪ ܰܥܠ ܽ� ܳ �ܡ ܳ ܐܝܢܐ ܳ ܘܠܦܢܶܗ ܰ 472 ܰܘ ܳ �ܟܐ ܳܣܢܶܐ. ܰܡ ܶ ܐܣܐ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ BU ܶ ܡܢܗ U ܰ 461 ܶܡܠܬ U ܰ 462 ܒܥܘ� BDU 463 ܳ ܓ� B 464 ܰ ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ D ܰ 465 ܘܡܢ B 466 ܳܒܫܘܚܢܐ U ܶ ܳ 467 ܒܡܪܗ ܛܦܣ ܶM5 ܳ ܺ ܚܛܗܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܰ 468 ܰ ܟܣܐ ܘܟܐܒܐ ܕ ܓ� B ܓܠܝܐ ; U ܰ ܶ ܰ 469 ܰ ܒܚܝ� ܘܡܠܬܐ ܢܦܫܐ ܘܦܓܪܐ B ܶܡ ܶ 470 ܬܐܣܝܢ U ܳ ܳ 471 ܐܦ ܰܡܪܓܫܢܐ U ܳ 472 ܦܘܩܕܢܗ B 459 460
ܳ ܚܛܗܐ ܰܟܣܝܐ ܺ ܘܟܐܒܐ
224 535
540
545
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Teaching is mixed with the authority of apostleship, 473 and the assembly exults, and the city resounds with the faith. Those who have idols in their houses cast them down to be broken; the one for whom an image was painted pulls it down and paints a cross to adore. The one made a [pagan] priest is allowed to become a [Christian] priest; the one who builds an altar is invited to become a hired laborer for the church. The servants of the king followed the apostle with great love, and they despised riches and with him they loved poverty. Teaching is done for the commanders of armies [and] the leaders of troops, and the king is proud that his laborers have become laborers for the Son. There was a single body of both the kingdom and apostleship, so that in Addai and Abgar a single will was designated. With one will, the apostle and the king held [their] shoulders evenly so that faith bound them with a single yoke: governing and teaching that is full of life,
The reading in the variants may be better: “Authority is mixed with apostolic teaching.” 473
225 535
540
545
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ 474 ܺ ܝܚܘܬ ܐ܆ ܚܠܝܛ �ܘܠܦܢܐ ܥܡ ܦܘܩܕ ܢܐ ܕܫܠ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܢܫܐ ܳܘܪ ܳ ܳܘܪ ܶܘܙ ܶܟ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ .475 ܥܡܐ ܡܕܝܢ̱ܬܐ ܒܗ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܝܬܗ ܰܣ ܶ �ܡܬܬ ܳܒ ܽܪܘ܆ ܚܦܗ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܦܬܟܪܐ ܒܒ ܘ�ܪ ܶܠܗ ܺ �ܡܐ ܰܥ ܶ ܺܕܨܝܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܨ ܳ ܨܠ ܳ ܩܪܗ ܳ ܝܒܐ 476ܢܶ ܽ ܣܓܘܕ .477 ܗܘܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܥܒܝܕ ܽܟ ܳ ܗܢܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܡܪܐ ܳܟ ܳ ܬܦ ܰܪܣ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ 478 �ܥ ̱ܕܬ ܐ ܶܡ ܰܙܕ ܰܡܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ .479 ܕܒܢܐ ܥܠܬܐ ܦܥ� ܰ ܺ ܒܕܝ ܰܡ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܥ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܳ �ܟܐ ܶܢܩܦ ̱ܘ ܠܫܠܝܚܐ ܒܚܘܒܐ 480ܪܒܐ܆ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܣܢܘ ܽܥ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܪܚܡ ̱ܘ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ �ܡ ܣܟ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ .481 ܶ ܺ ܥܒܝܕ ܳ �ܽ 483 ܝܫܝ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܶܕ ܐ ܺ ܝܫܝ ܰ 482ܚ ̈ܝ� ܺ� ܰ �� ܰ ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ܆ ܰ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܳܦ �� ܶܚܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܚܬܝܪ ܰܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܒܪܐ. ܗܘܘ ܳܦ �� ܰܚ ܘ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ 484 ܚܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܓܘܫܡܐ ܘܕܡ�ܟܘܬ ܐ ܘܕܫܠܝܚܘܬ ܐ܆ ܰ ܒ� ܳܢܐ ܰܒ ܰܐܕܝ ܰ ܕܚܕ ܶ 485ܨ ܳ ܰ ܘܒ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܶܡܫܬ ܰܡܗ ̱ 486ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܫܘܝܘ ܰܟ ܳ ܺ ܘܡ ܳ ܒ� ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ܺ ܝܚܐ ܰ ܫܠ ܳ ܒܚܕ ܶܨ ܳ �ܟܐ ܰ ܬܦܐ 487܆ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬ ܐ. ܕܒܚܕ ܢܝܪܐ ܟܕܢܬ ܐܢܘܢ ܗ ܳܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܶ ܘܬ ܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܳ �ܝܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ܆ ܦܩܘܕܘܬ ܐ ܘܡ�ܦܢ ܳ ܘܪ ܶܘܙ ܶܟܢܫܐ܆
ܳ
ܳ ܦܘܩܕܢܐ ܰܥܡ ܝܘܠܦܢܐ BM5 ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܘܪܥܡܐ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܰ ܒܗܝܡܢܘܬܗ ܕܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ D ܰ ܳ 476 �ܪ ܠܗ ܨܠܝܒܐ ܒܒܝܬܗ M5 ܶ 477 ܣܓܘܕ D ܕܢ ܺ ܶ 478 ܕܢܐܬ ܐ BU 479 End of U. 480 ܰ ܒܚܕܘܐ D ܺ 481 ܶܡܣܟܢܘܬܐ BD ܰ ܰ 482 ��ܒܝ BM5 ܰ 483 ܥܒܕ BD 484 ܗܘ C 485 ܰ ܘܚܕ D ܰ 486 ܶܡܫܬ ܰܡܫ B ܰܐ ܺ 487 ܳ ܫܘܝܘ ܶܟܬܦܐ ܰ ܦܘ�ܚܢܐ BCDM5 ܒܚܕ 474 475
226 550
555
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
along with healing and forgiveness of sins and all blessings. The sick are made well, sores are bandaged, [and] sins are forgiven; [there is] peace in the streets and great tranquility within the houses. A holy priest, a righteous king, a faithful people, a blessed city, a gathered church, and thundering praise. Baptism’s gates are opened, and it sheds forth light, and the head of paganism bows, and it weeps for its children. The Son of the Most High made the earth a new heaven; blessed be He who came and gladdened the whole earth by His shining forth! The end of [the homily] on the Apostle Addai and King Abgar
227 550
555
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: ON ADDAI
ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ̈ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܘܟܠ ܛ ̈ܒܬܐ. ܥܡ ܐܣܝܘܬ ܐ ܘܫܘܒܩܢ ܚܘܒܐ ܳ ̈ܶ ܺ ܝܗܐ ܺ ܺ ܚܠ ܺ ܟ� ܶ ܺ ܺ ܝܡܝܢ ܽܫ ̈ܘܚܢܶܐ ܺ ܥܨܝܒܝܢ ܚܛܗܐ ܫܒܝܩܝܢ܆ ܳ ܳ ܽ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܒܓܘ ̈ܒܬܐ ܰ 488ܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ. ܫ�ܡܐ ܒܫܘܩܐ ܘ ܳ ܡܗ ܶ ܗܢܐ ܰܩ ܺܕܝܫ ܰܡ�ܟܐ ܰܙ ܺܕܝܩ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܳܟ ܳ ܝܡܢ܆ ܺ ܳ ܬܐ ܺ ܒܪ ܳ ܝܟܐ ܺܥܕ ܳܬ ܐ ܺ ܝܫܐ ܽ ܟܢ ܳ ܘܫ ܳ ܘܒܚܐ ܳܪܥܶܡ. ܡܕܝܢ̱ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰܡ ܽ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܝܗ ܳ ܥܡܘܕܝܬܐ ܦܬܝܚܝܢ ܬ�ܥ ̇ ܘܓܣܝܐ ܢܘܗܪܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ܐ ܰܡ ܰ ܝܫ ̇ܗ ܳ ܘܒ ܳ ܪܟܢ ܺܪ ܳ ܟܝܐ ܰ� ̈ܒܢܶ ̇ ܝܗ. ܘܕܚܢܦ ܰ ܳ ܒܕ ̇ܗ � ܳ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܚܕܬ ܐ ܰܥ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰܒܪ ܥܶ ܳ� ܳܝܐ 489܆ ̱ ܺ ܢܚܗ ܳ �ܥ ܳ ܒܕ ܶ ܘܚ ܺܕܝ ܶ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܕܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ �ܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܀
ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܺ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܰ ܫܠ ܳ ܝܚܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܒܓܪ ܰܡ ܳ ܬܓ ̈ܶܡܐ ܰܚ ܶܡ ܳ �ܟܐ ܶܦ ܳ ܣ� 490܀ ܫܡܐܐ ܘ� � � �
ܰܒܝܬܐ B ܳ ܒܪܐ ܰܕܐܠܗܐ B ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܶ ; C ܬܓ ̈ܡܐ ܰܚ ܶܡ ܳ ܫܠܡ ܰ ܰ 490 ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰܕܝ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܶܦ ܳ ܣ� B ܫܡܐܐ ܘ� � � � ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܫܠܡ ܕܥܠ ܐܕܝ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܘܥܠ ܐܒܓܪ ܡܠܟܐ ܕܘܐܪܗܝ ; M5ܘܐܒܓܪ ܡܠܟܐ 488
ܶ ܫܠܡ
489
BIBLIOGRAPHY Albert, Micheline, Homélies contre les Juifs par Jacques de Saroug; Patrologia Orientalis 38 (Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1976–1977). Bedjan, Paul, Homiliae Selectae Mar-Jacobi Sarugensis (ParisLeipzig: O. Harrassowitz, 1905). Volume 5. Bogaert, P-M. L’Apocalypse syriaque de Baruch. Introduction, traduction, et commentaire 1. Sources chrétiennes 144. Paris, 1969. Brock, Sebastian, “Eusebius and Syriac Christianity,” in Eusebius, Christianity, and Judaism; eds. Harold Attridge and Gohei Hata (Leiden: Brill, 1992), 212–234. Bruns, Peter, “Ein Memra des Jakob von Serug auf Edessa und Jerusalem,” in Words, Texts and Concepts Cruising the Mediterranean Sea: Studies on the Sources, Contents and Influences of Islamic Civilization and Arabic Philosophy and Science Dedicated to Gerhard Endress on his Sixty-Fifth Birthday, ed. Rüdiger Arnzen and Jörn Thielmann (Leuven: Peeters, 2004), 537–53. Cureton, W., Ancient Syriac Documents Relative to the Earliest Establishment of Christianity in Edessa and the Neighbouring Countries (London: Williams and Norgate, 1864). Elkoury, Armando and Robert Kitchen, Jacob of Serugh: Selected Metrical Homilies, Vol. 1 (The Hidden Pearl Press, 2021). Griffith, Sidney H., “The Doctrina Addai as a Paradigm of Christian Thought,” Hugoye 6.2 (2009): 269–292. 229
230
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Howard, George, The Teaching of Addai (Ann Arbor: Scholars Press, 1981). Khoury, P. Emmanuel, “Mimro de Jacques de Saroug sur la transfiguration de Notre-Seigneur,” Parole de l’Orient 15 (1988–1989) 65–90. Kollamparampil, Thomas, Jacob of Sarug’s Homily on the Transfiguration (Gorgias Press, 2008). Loopstra, Jonathan, Jacob of Sarug’s Homily on Edessa and Jerusalem (Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2021). Miller, Dana, and Mary Hansbury, Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Jacob (Gorgias Press, 2020). Mösinger, Georg, Monumenta syriaca ex romanis codibus collecta (Oeniponti: Libraria Academia Wagneriana, 1878). Olinder, G., Iacobi Sarugensis: Epistolae Quotquo Supersunt, CSCO vol. 110, Scriptores Syri 57 (Leuven: Peeters, 1937). Schwartz, Daniel L., “Discourses of Religious Violence and Christian Charity: The Christianization of Syria in Jacob of Sarug’s On the Fall of the Idols,” in Motions of Late Antiquity: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Society in Honour of Peter Brown, eds. Jamie Kreiner and Helmut Reimitz (Turnhout: Brepols, 2016), 129–49. Sokoloff, Michael, The Julian Romance: A New English Edition; rev. ed.; Texts from Christian Late Antiquity 49 (Gorgias Press, 2017). Trombley, Frank R. and John W. Watt, The Chronicle of PseudoJoshua the Stylite (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2000). Wood, Philip, ‘We Have No King but Christ’: Christian Political Thought in Greater Syria on the Eve of the Arab Conquest (c. 400–585) (Oxford University Press, 2010). Wright, William, The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite (London: Cambridge University Press, 1882).
INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES References are to line number Genesis 2:7 3:24 12:1–3 14:18 17:1–27 25:24–26 25:29–34 27:1–41 27:39–40 27:40 29:1–30 29:16–17 29:31–35 30:25–43 30:37 30:38 31:19–35 32:10 48:8–20 49:3–4 Exodus 4:22 13:21–22 14:21–22
15:23–25 15:27 16:3, 13 16:13–15
Abgar 565 Abgar 426; Abgar 761 Abgar 900 Abgar 473–474 Addai 440 Abgar 811 Abgar 815 Abgar 821 Abgar 867 Abgar 873 Addai 401 Abgar 654 Abgar 652 Addai 396; Addai 446 Addai 402 Addai 394 Abgar 651 Addai 399 Abgar 828 Abgar 824 Abgar 790 Abgar 609 Abgar 598
17:5–6 19:1–6 19:9, 16 20:6 25:30 32 32:1–6 32:1–35 34:29
231
Abgar 601 Abgar 603 Abgar 604 Abgar 599– 600; Abgar 636 Abgar 602 Abgar 612 Abgar 611 Abgar 442 Addai 308 Abgar 686 Addai 426 Abgar 674 Addai 435
Numbers 3:1–13 21:1–9 22:21–35 23:1–24:25
Addai 431 Addai 282 Addai 20 Addai 24
Deuteronomy 7:9 9:9 30:6 32:15
Abgar 442 Addai 441 Addai 106 Abgar 794
232
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI
Joshua 3:14–17 6:20 10:12–13 10–12 15:63
Abgar 617 Abgar 617 Abgar 619 Abgar 618 Addai 440
Judges 1:21
Addai 440
2 Samuel 5:6–7 5:6–9
Addai 440 Abgar 621
1 Kings 12:25–33 12:28–30 18:19 19:8 21:1–14
Abgar 686 Addai 428 Addai 432 Addai 441 Addai 442
2 Chronicles 33:7
Addai 427
Psalms 114:3 114:4 118:22
Abgar 607 Abgar 606 Abgar 952
Song of Songs 1:3 1:4
Abgar 677 Abgar 675
Isaiah 9:2 40:4 40:12 65:8
Addai 50 Addai 38 Abgar 136 Abgar 711
Jeremiah 1:10
Addai 213
2 Baruch 64:3
Addai 427
Ezekiel 1:15–21
Addai 250
Daniel 2:21
Abgar 884
Hosea 11:1
Abgar 597
Zechariah 6:1–8 9:9
Addai 251 Abgar 913
Matthew 1:18–23 1:23 2:1–6 2:13–15 2:15 2:23 3:13–17 4:1–11 4:2 4:18–22 5:13 7:7–8 8:1–4 8:20 8:24 9:1–8 9:10–12 9:18–19 9:20–22 9:23–25
Abgar 727 Addai 271 Addai 273 Abgar 237; Addai 273 Abgar 597 Addai 273 Addai 274 Abgar 728; Addai 274 Abgar 729 Addai 63 Addai 55 Addai 29 Abgar 93 Abgar 236 Abgar 730 Abgar 92; Abgar 639 Abgar 143 Abgar 97; Abgar 641 Abgar 87 Abgar 97; Abgar 641
INDEX 12:34 14:13–21 15:22–28 16:17 17:4 17:5 17:24 19:28 21:42 22:21 25:31–46 26:36–44 27:20–23 27:34 27:48 27:51 27:51–53 27:62–66 28:2–3 28:4 28:10 Mark 1:9–11 1:12–13 1:162–0 1:40–45 2:1–12 2:12–17 3:17 4:38 5:22–24 5:25–34 5:35–43
Abgar 302 Abgar 86; Abgar 635 Abgar 89 Abgar 479 Abgar 486 Abgar 510 Abgar 147 Abgar 957 Abgar 952 Abgar 551 Addai 62; Addai 474 Abgar 730 Abgar 110 Abgar 106; Addai 283 Abgar 107; Addai 283 Addai 15 Addai 286 Addai 309 Addai 311 Addai 310 Addai 314 Addai 274 Abgar 728; Addai 274 Addai 63 Abgar 93 Abgar 92; Abgar 639 Abgar 143 Abgar 471 Abgar 730 Abgar 97; Abgar 641 Abgar 87 Abgar 97; Abgar 641
233 6:32–44 7:24–30 7:31–35 8:22–26 9:5 9:7 12:17 14:32–42 15:11–14 15:36 16:5 16:6–7 Luke 1:19–22 1:26–38 1:79 2:4–7 2:7 2:41–52 3:21–22 4:1–13 4:2 5:1–11 5:12–16 5:17–26 5:29–32 6:45 7:11–17 7:36–50 7:37–38 8:23 8:41–42 8:42–48
Abgar 86; Abgar 635 Abgar 89 Abgar 95 Abgar 94 Abgar 486 Abgar 510 Abgar 551 Abgar 730 Abgar 110 Abgar 107; Addai 283 Addai 311 Addai 314 Addai 21 Abgar 727; Addai 271 Abgar 5 Addai 273 Addai 271 Abgar 728 Addai 274 Abgar 728; Addai 274 Abgar 729 Addai 63 Abgar 93 Abgar 92; Abgar 639 Abgar 143 Abgar 302 Abgar 96; Abgar 641 Abgar 90 Abgar 146 Abgar 730 Abgar 97; Abgar 641 Abgar 87
234 8:49–56 9:10–17 9:33 9:34–35 9:58 10:18 11:9–10 13:10–13 19:40 20:25 22:30 22:39–44 23:18–24 23:36 24:4 24:9–12 24:13–35 John 1:11
HOMILIES ON ABGAR AND ADDAI Abgar 97; Abgar 641 Abgar 86; Abgar 635 Abgar 486 Abgar 510 Abgar 236 Abgar 424 Addai 29 Abgar 91 Addai 15 Abgar 551 Abgar 957 Abgar 730 Abgar 110 Abgar 107; Addai 283 Addai 311 Addai 314 Addai 316–317
Abgar 244; Abgar 555; Abgar 625; Abgar 906 1:18 Abgar 801 2:1–2 Abgar 144 2:1–10 Abgar 633 2:1–11 Abgar 85 4:6–7 Abgar 729 4:7 Abgar 145 4:7–30 Abgar 88 6:1–13 Abgar 635 6:5–13 Abgar 86 9:6–7 Abgar 637 10:3–4, 16 Abgar 576 10:11 Abgar 246 11:38–44 Abgar 98; Abgar 641 11:43 Addai 298 12:31 Abgar 243
14:30 16:11 18:22 19:17 19:28 19:34
20:1–10 20:10 20:12 20:15 20:17 20:17–18 20:19 20:24–29 20:29 21:1–14 Acts 1:9 2:1–4 4:11 14:27
Abgar 243 Abgar 243 Addai 280 Abgar 730 Abgar 729 Abgar 762; Addai 188; Addai 284; Addai 409 Addai 314 Abgar 108 Addai 311 Addai 313 Abgar 525 Addai 314 Addai 315 Addai 316 Abgar 39; Abgar 407 Addai 319–320 Addai 321–322 Addai 154; Addai 267; Addai 328 Abgar 952 Abgar 755; Abgar 861
Romans 2:29 12:7
Addai 106 Abgar 551
1 Corinthians 1:18–25
Abgar 325
Galatians 6:14
Addai 111
INDEX Ephesians 2:2 2:14–15
Abgar 243 Abgar 753
Philippians 2:6–8 4:3
Abgar 206 Abgar 400
Colossians 1:15–17 2:11 2:15 3:5–17
Addai 247 Addai 105 Addai 288 Addai 364
Hebrews 1:3 2:17
Addai 261 Abgar 438
235 7:1 11:21
Abgar 473–474 Addai 399
1 Peter 2:7
Abgar 952
1 John 1:1–3
Addai 329
Revelation 3:5 13:8 17:8 20:12, 15
Abgar 400 Abgar 400 Abgar 400 Abgar 400