THE WORKS OF SAINT EPHREM THE SYRIAN

The covenant of Abraham with Abimelech Abimelech was the King of Gerar who made a peace treaty with Abraham at Beersheba. follows. After this, the temptation of Abraham is narrated, along with the leading of Isaac to the sacrifice, and his release at God's command. In his place, a ram caught in a tree original Latin: "Arietis arbori hærentis" was substituted as the sacrificial victim. There follows the death of Sarah and her burial in the double cave The Cave of Machpelah by the sons of Heth.

From here, the transition is made to Abraham's conversation with Eliezer, his swearing of an oath, and his journey; his prayer in Mesopotamia at the well; and from there, the bringing of Rebekah, the future wife of Isaac, into the house of Abraham. There follow the accounts of Rebekah's sterility and her pregnancy through Isaac's prayer; and the divine response to her concerning the two peoples to be born from her, and the exaltation and dominion of the younger over the elder.

There follows the transfer of the birthright to Jacob, by a contract with his elder brother Esau. Added to this is the restoration of the covenant by the King of the Philistines referred to here as the "Palestinian King" with Isaac, which had formerly been struck with his father Abraham. Next is related by what craft Jacob, aided by the counsel of his mother, stole the blessings of Esau. After this, the journey of Jacob to the house of Laban is recorded, and the vision of the Ladder original Syriac: "Sbalta" offered to him while he slept. Afterward, the marriages of Jacob are told; and how, although he had betrothed himself to one wife, he was compelled to take three others. Then follow the return of Jacob to his father's house and Laban’s indignation for that reason, and how Jacob was protected from him by divine help. The covenant of peace on Mount Gilead, sanctioned by an oath on both sides, is also recorded. Immediately following is the encounter of many angels with Jacob as he approached, and the embassy, and the gifts sent by Jacob to win the goodwill and favor of Esau. At the same time, his struggle with the Angel is described, and how his hip was displaced by the Angel's touch. There follows the joyful arrival of Esau and their friendly conversation. Then is added Jacob’s stay in the city of Shechem, and how his sons, moved by the abduction and injury of their sister, devastated the plundered town, a deed which their father bore with great distress. Next comes the death of Rachel at Ephrathah Bethlehem; and Jacob’s return to his father; and the death and burial of Isaac.

A catalog of the descendants of Esau and the Kings of the Edomites is attached, from the time before the Israelites had a king. There follow the dreams of Joseph and the marriages of Tamar, and the bitter death of her husbands; and how Judah, having been deceived by her, [was about to deliver] her to the flames The text breaks off here mid-sentence, common in manuscripts where the narrative continues on the next page.

After these things, the second part or "recounting": concerning the covenant of Abraham which was with Abimelech. And after these things, the trial of Abraham is spoken of, and his bringing of Isaac to the sacrifice. And the release of Isaac by the command of God; and in his stead, a ram caught in the branches of a tree for the sacrifice. And after that, the death of Sarah and her burial in the double cave of the sons of Heth.

After these things again, concerning the speech of Abraham to Eliezer, and the oath he took. And his departure to Mesopotamia original Syriac: "Beth Nahrin," meaning "Between the Rivers", and his prayer at the spring. and from there he led Rebekah to the house of Abraham, that she might be a wife to Isaac. And after that, the account concerning the barrenness of Rebekah, and concerning her pregnancy through the prayer of Isaac. And the word of God to her concerning the two nations that would come from her, and that the younger should rule over the elder.

After these things again, concerning the handing over of the birthright to Jacob, in the agreement with Esau his elder brother. And concerning the renewal of the covenant of the King of the Philistines with Isaac.

After these things again, concerning the deceit that Jacob practiced by the counsel of his mother, and how he stole the blessings of Esau. And after these things, the journey of Jacob to the house of Laban is spoken of. And concerning the vision of the ladder Syr. "Sebbalta" that appeared to him while he slept. And after that, it relates the marriage of Jacob; and how, though he had promised himself to one woman, he was forced to take three others. And after these things, it relates the return of Jacob to the house of his father, and the wrath of Laban. And how Jacob was delivered by the help of God. And concerning the covenant of peace that was made on the mountain of Gilead by an oath from both sides.

After these things again, concerning the meeting with many angels who met Jacob as he was coming. And concerning the messengers and the offerings that Jacob sent to appease Esau with them. And concerning the wrestling of Jacob with the angel; and how, in the struggle with the angel, his hip was moved from its place.

After these things again, concerning the coming of Esau in joy, and the speech of love. And concerning the dwelling of Jacob in the city of Shechem; and how his sons were moved by the abduction of their sister and destroyed the city. And their father was greatly distressed. And after these things, concerning the death of Rachel in Ephrathah, and the return of Jacob to his father, and concerning the death and burial of Isaac.

After these things again, concerning the generations of Esau, and concerning the kings of Edom before a king reigned in Israel. And after these things again, concerning the stories of Joseph. And concerning the marriage of Tamar, and the bitter death of her husbands; and how Judah was deceived by her.