Ephrem the Syrian

Ephrem the Syrian was a deacon and teacher in Nisibis and Edessa who wrote hymns, verse homilies and biblical commentaries in Syriac. His commentaries on Genesis and Exodus and his Diatessaron commentary are the best attested; many works in the old editions under his name are of doubtful authorship.

Dates

ca. 306-373 (probable)

See or city

Nisibis, then Edessa

Region

Mesopotamia

Also known as

Ephraem Syrus; Ephrem of Nisibis; Mar Aphrem

Notes

Deacon of Nisibis, who moved to Edessa after Nisibis fell to Persia (363). Honoured as a saint by the Catholic and Orthodox churches; declared a Doctor of the Church (1920).

Works

• Commentary on Deuteronomy (passages on divorce and remarriage)Commentarius in Deuteronomium · 4th century (if Ephrem's, before 373) · CPG 4145 (not yet checked)
• Commentary on Samuel (passage on Michal's return)Commentarius in libros Samuelis · 4th century (if Ephrem's, before 373) · CPG 4145 (not yet checked)