John F. Healey - Leshono Suryoyo. First Studies in Syriac (Gorgias Handbooks, Book 2) (2005) (Retail)

GORGIAS HANDBOOKS
Volume 2
Leshono Suryoyo
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬
First Studies in Syriac
Leshono Suryoyo
ܳ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܐ‬
First Studies in Syriac
JOHN F. HEALEY
GORGIAS PRESS
2005
First Gorgias Press Edition, 2005.
Copyright © 2005 by Gorgias Press LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright
Conventions. Published in the United States of America by Gorgias
Press LLC, New Jersey.
ISBN 1-59333-190-8
GORGIAS PRESS
46 Orris Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
www.gorgiaspress.com
Printed and bound in the United States of America.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents v
Preface ix
CD Recording xiii
Introduction xv
The Syriac Language xv
This Book and Its Use xix
General Note on Syriac Grammar xx
Abbreviations and Other Symbols xxii
I. Writing System. The Alphabet 1
Consonants 1
List of Consonants 1
Exercise i 5
II. Vowels and Other Signs 8
Vowel Signs 8
Other Signs 10
Note on Punctuation 12
Exercise ii 12
III. Pronouns 16
Illustrative Texts 16
Grammatical Analysis 16
Grammatical Synthesis 20
A. Possessive Pronoun Endings Added to Nouns 20
B. Independent Personal Pronouns (with shortened
enclitic forms where they exist) 21
C. Interrogatives 21
D. Demonstratives 22
E. Additional Note on Enclitics 22
Exercise iii 22
IV. The Verb: Simple Perfect and Participle Forms 25
A. Simple Stem Perfect 28
V
VI TABLE OF CONTENTS
B. Participles (masculine forms) 29

Exercise iv 29
ܺ ܳ
V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ and Composite Tenses 32
A. The Perfect Tense of
ܳ , with Enclitic Forms
‫ܗܘ‬ 34
B. Tenses 34
Exercise v 35
VI. Nouns and Adjectives. The Genitive Relationship 37
A. Nominal Forms 39
B. Adjectives 40
C. Uses of the Absolute State 40
D. Vowel Patterns of Nouns 41
E. The Genitive 41
F. Irregular Nouns 41
Exercise vi 43
VII. The Verb: Simple Imperfect and Imperative. Uses
of ‫ܕ‬ 45
A. Imperfect Forms of the Simple (pe‛al) Stem 47
B. Imperatives 48
C. Uses of ‫ܕ‬ 48
Exercise vii 49
VIII. Derived Stems of the Verb 52
Introduction 52
A. Verbal Patterns 55
B. Meanings of Different Verb Stems 56
Exercise viii 58
TABLE OF CONTENTS VII
IX. Other Important Verb Forms 60

ܶ
A. Verbs with the Vowel ◌ ( ܶ ‫)ܕ‬ 62
B. Other Forms 63
C.
ܰ‫ܙ‬and
ܰ 63
D. Verbs with Initial s, š, ṣ and z 63
Exercise ix 64
X. Peculiarities in Verbs Containing Guttural Letters 66
Introduction-Grammatical Survey 66
Exercise x 69
XI. Peculiarities in Verbs Beginning with and ‫ܝ‬ 72
Exercise xi 75
XII. Peculiarities in Verbs with Only Two Root
Consonants in Many Forms 77
Exercise xii 80
XIII. Object Pronouns Attached to Verbs. Adverbs.
Other Derived Forms of Verbs 83
A. Object Pronouns Attached to Verbs 85
B. Other Derived Stems 86
Exercise xiii 86
XIV. Numerals, Dates, Days 89
Grammatical Survey 92
VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Numbers 93
B. Months 94
C. Days 94
D. Numerical Values of Consonants 95
Exercise xiv 95
Verb Paradigms 99
Table of Scripts and Vowel Signs 140
Scripts 140
Vowel signs 141
Readings 143
Introduction 143
Text 1: New Testament (John 1:1-18 and 20:19-25) 145
Text 2: Old Testament (Psalm 110) 148
Text 3: The Addai Legend (c. 4th/5th cent. A.D.) 150
Text 4: Bardaiṣan (A.D. 154-222) 154
Text 5: Aphrahaṭ (flourished A.D. 337-45) 157
Text 6: The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite (c. A.D. 507) 163
Text 7: Barhebraeus (A.D. 1226-86) 169
Text 8: St Ephrem the Syrian (d. A.D. 373) 176
Text 9: Philoxenus of Mabbog (d. c. A.D. 523) 180
Text 10: Thomas of Marga (9th century A.D.) 184
Glossary 189
PREFACE
This is a new edition of a Syriac grammar first published at

the University of Birmingham in 1980 as First Studies in Syriac
(University Semitics Study Aids 6) and subsequently reprinted
many times. The University Semitics Study Aids series had
been funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The book was also
reprinted for private use with minor modifications by the
Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.
The author is pleased that so many students have studied
Syriac with the help of First Studies in Syriac, but as the years
have gone by the various minor errors and the more
significant defects in presentation have become increasingly
obvious, not least to the author himself. The book has also
been out of print in recent years and not easily available.
In this revised edition, which has a new title, some
grammatical points which were given a very low profile in the
original book have been presented in more detail. The
experience of teaching Syriac using the book over twenty
years has led to many minor modifications and corrections.
One of the motives for writing the original book was an
attempt to replace what was in 1980 the only teaching
grammar of Syriac easily available, T. H. Robinson’s Paradigms
and Exercises in Syriac Grammar (Oxford: Clarendon Press,
1962 [4th ed., original 1915]). At that time I regarded
Robinson as unnecessarily complex for many of the students
I found myself teaching. The passing of time has, in fact, led
IX
X PREFACE
me to a more favourable view of many aspects of Robinson

and the new edition of Robinson (really a rewriting) by J. F.
Coakley (Oxford: O.U.P., 2002) is excellent. Also, since the
original publication of this book a number of other
introductory grammars of Syriac have been published. Most
significant among these is T. Muraoka’s Classical Syriac. A
Basic Grammar with a Chrestomathy (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz,
1997) which replaces Brockelmann’s contribution to the
Porta Linguarum Orientalium series – I used the 1965 8th ed.
as an undergraduate, but very recently another new grammar
in English has appeared, written by W. M. Thackston
(Introduction to Syriac [Bethesda, MD: IBEX, 1999]).
In producing a new edition of my own book I am in no
sense implying criticism of these other works. It is simply that
my book is different in style from these others and has filled a
certain niche in the various patterns of teaching which prevail
in different institutions. At a Syriac Symposium held in
Princeton in 2003 I was encouraged to hear many teachers of
Syriac commend my book and I was urged by a number of
colleagues, especially in the U.S., to produce a new edition.
Gorgias Press, in the person of George Kiraz, made a specific
proposal, to which I was delighted to respond.
Perhaps the biggest change which has occurred since the
1980 edition is the result of the fact that computer technology
has advanced so much in the last twenty-five years. In 1980
my manuscript was typed on an electric typerwriter and the
Syriac was inserted in an elegant form by Andrew Palmer. His
calligraphy had its own value (and coping with handwriting is
PREFACE XI
a skill which students must acquire quickly if their teacher

uses a blackboard or whiteboard), but it is inevitable that
hand-written letters contain a certain amount of variability of
a kind which is a little bit difficult for the beginner. It is
therefore a tremendous advance that Syriac fonts are available
for personal computers, though this development has only
recently reached the point, with Windows XP and Unicode
Syriac, at which I have found it feasible to transfer to an
electronic means of production. Here a particular word of
acknowledgement goes to the Beth Mardutho organization
and its downloadable Meltho OpenType™ Syriac fonts
(http://www.bethmardutho.org). This provides a variety of
fonts, but I wanted to retain the serṭā script for the main part
of the grammar because of the relative simplicity of the
vocalization system with which it is associated.
George Kiraz of Beth Mardutho and Gorgias Press and
his collaborators are greatly to be thanked for their work on
this new edition. Robert Aydin undertook the immense task
of typing the whole text in an electronic form. This was a
vital first step and his excellent work is here warmly
acknowledged. I am also grateful to Sebastian Brock for
reading and correcting the text. The introductory pages of the
original edition acknowledged also my debt to the late
Archbishop of Dublin, the Rev. Dermot Ryan, and Professor
Carmel McCarthy of University College, Dublin, my teachers
in Syriac. First Studies in Syriac owed its existence, however, to
the suggestion and inspiration of my friend John Eaton. For a
very short time we were colleagues in the Department of
XII PREFACE
Theology in the University of Birmingham and we have seen

little of each other in recent years. I owe much to the
encouragement he gave me in my early years as a teacher and
hence dedicate this new edition to him with happy memories
of 1973-74.
John F. Healey
Manchester, May 2005
CD RECORDING
Gorgias Press has produced a CD containing the illustrative

texts of all chapters as well as all the readings. Recorded texts
are marked with a CD icon, !, in the left margin followed by
the CD track number. When two track numbers are given,
the first is for the West Syriac reading and the second for the
East Syriac reading. Chanted texts are marked with ♪.
The texts were read by Rabban Awgen Aydin and
George A. Kiraz (for West Syriac) and Daniel Benjamin (for
East Syriac). English headings were read by Jenifer Whiting.
Acknowledgements are due to the Princeton Theological
Seminary Media Lab and the Assyrians Around the World
Studio, IL, who provided the facilities gratis. Special thanks
are also due to Hermiz Hasso and Sargon Hasso who helped
in the East Syriac recordings.
The CD, if not included in this book, may be obtained
from Gorgias Press (address at the front of the book).
The contents of the CD are as follows:
TRACK CONTENT
1 Title
2 III. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
3 IV. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
4 V. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
5 VI. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
6 VII. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
7 VIII. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
8 IX. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
9 X. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
10 XI. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
XIII
XIV CD RECORDING
TRACK CONTENT
11 XII. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
12 XIII. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
13 XIV. Illustrative Texts (W. Syriac)
14 Text 1: New Testament (John 1:1-18 and 20:19-25)

15 Text 2: Old Testament (Psalm 110)
16 Text 3: The Addai Legend (c. 4th/5th cent. A.D.)
17 Text 4: Bardaiṣan (A.D. 154-222)
18 Text 5: Aphrahaṭ (flourished A.D. 337-45)
19 Text 6: The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite (c. A.D. 507)
20 Text 7: Barhebraeus (A.D. 1226-86)
21 Text 8: St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. A.D. 373)
22 Text 9: Philoxenus of Mabbog (d. c. A.D. 523)
23 Text 10: Thomas of Marga (9th century A.D.)
24 Text 1 (first part): Chanted

25 Text 8: Chanted. First two stanzas according to the Mardin
tradition; last two stanzas according to the Tur Abdin
tradition.
26 III. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)

27 IV. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
28 V. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
29 VI. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
30 VII. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
31 VIII. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
32 IX. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
33 X. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
34 XI. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
35 XII. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
36 XIII. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
37 XIV. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)
Introduction
THE SYRIAC LANGUAGE

“Syriac” is the name of one of the most important forms of
Aramaic, specifically the form of Aramaic traditionally used
by the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Syrian Catholic
Church, the Church of the East (also known as the Assyrian
Church) and the Chaldaean Catholic Church and also the
Maronite Church. In fact, some of these churches have
gradually responded to changing needs by conducting parts of
the liturgy in Arabic, but the strength of Syriac tradition is
such that the language is unlikely ever to be completely
displaced. Even in the large concentrations of these churches
in the U.S. and Europe, every effort is made to teach lešōnō
sūryōyō (as it is called in Syriac) to the younger, American- and
European-born, generation.
Aramaic belongs to the Semitic group of languages
(which also includes Hebrew and Arabic) and is better known
historically than any other language in the sense that Aramaic
has been in use for three thousand years and it is documented
throughout that period.
Aramaic had its origins, so far as we can tell, in the area
of northern Syria and Mesopotamia in the late second
millennium B.C. Inscriptions in Aramaic are known from
about 900 B.C. and continued to be produced throughout the
following millennium. During the Biblical age, the Aramaean
XV
XVI INTRODUCTION
states such as those centred on Damascus, Hama and Aleppo

emerged onto the world stage through their contact with the
great empires of the Assyrians and Babylonians and through
their appearance in the history of ancient Israel.
But Aramaic was destined to transcend these modest
historical and geographical limits and it was the Empire of the
Achaemenid Persians which was instrumental in bringing
Aramaic to this destiny. Following a more modest move on
the part of its predecessors, the Achaemenid Empire began to
use Aramaic as an international language of diplomacy and
commerce, what is often called a lingua franca, a bit like Latin
in the Middle Ages or English today. The result was the
extension of the use of Aramaic far beyond its original
borders in Syro-Mesopotamia. We thus find Aramaic
inscriptions and papyri from a vast region from Aswan in
southern Egypt and northern Arabia to the shores of the
Bosphorus near Istanbul and Bactria in Central Asia.
Aramaic also began to be used as a literary language. The
two best-known works are the Aramaic chapters of Daniel
and Ezra in the Bible, but there are fragmentary remains of
other early works from Elephantine.
The demise of the Persian Empire was in a way a setback
for Aramaic: potentially at that point it could have retreated
back into its original home in northern Syria and
Mesopotamia. But the independent states which appeared
after the end of the Achaemenid rule and continued into the
Seleucid and Roman eras adopted Aramaic as their official
INTRODUCTION XVII
language and this led quickly to a new literary flourishing of

Aramaic.
By this point the new literary forms of Aramaic in
different areas had begun to differ from each other. In
Palestine we find western Jewish Aramaic being used by the
Dead Sea Scrolls sectarians and then in the production of
Aramaic translations of the Bible (the Targums). It is in this
context that Aramaic was spoken by Jesus. In Mesopotamia
two other literary dialects of Aramaic emerged, Jewish
Babylonian Aramaic (used by the Jewish communities there)
and Mandaic, the language of the Mandaeans, whose religion
goes back to the early centuries A.D. and survives to this day.
Both Jewish Babylonian Aramaic and Mandaic are
represented in vast religious literatures.
And this brings us to Syriac. Syriac was the Aramaic
dialect of the city of Edessa (Urfa in modern Turkey). It is
known in pre-Christian times through inscriptions and legal
texts (H. J. W. Drijvers and J. F. Healey, The Old Syriac
Inscriptions of Edessa and Osrhoene [Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1999]). It
also began to be used by philosophers and poets for
literature, though this did not really take off until the Bible
began to be translated into Syriac as Edessa and its region
became Christian. Eventually, around A.D. 400, the whole
Bible, Old and New Testaments, was promulagated in a
revised translation called the Peshitta (“simple”). Thereafter
Syriac was established as a theological language on a par with
Greek (which was predominant in cities like Antioch), and
the prestige of the Syriac Bible, the only Christian Bible
XVIII INTRODUCTION
existing in a Semitic language, led to the spread of Syriac as a

literary language. The situation is similar to that of Arabic as
the prestige language of the Qur‚ān. Early poetic
compositions in Syriac by authors like Ephrem the Syrian
(A.D. 306-373) then became very popular and when the
Syrian Christians became involved in the Christological
controversies which rocked the Church in the fifth century,
they wrote their theological works in Syriac. A vast literature
has survived.
The golden age of classical Syriac literature lasted for
several hundred years and well into the Islamic period, but
inevitably, since the whole of the Syriac-using world was
politically subject to the Islamic dynasties, Arabic soon began
to predominate. The various Christians soon had to use
Arabic (and later Turkish and Kurdish) in intercommunal
affairs and some of the later Syriac authors wrote both in
Syriac and Arabic (thus Barhebraeus in the 13th century A.D.).
The second Christian millennium is often treated as one
in which Syriac was in decline. In fact much creative activity
continued and the later forms of Aramaic continue to be
used. The dialects related to Syriac survive in south-east
Turkey, north-east Syria and northern Iraq. A quite separate
form of Aramaic is still spoken in a small area north of
Damascus. The main survival of “classical” Syriac is in the
liturgy and Bible texts of the various churches of the Syriac
tradition.
INTRODUCTION XIX
THIS BOOK AND ITS USE

This introduction to Syriac is not, of course, a reference
grammar. Nor does it contain a full vocabulary. The works of
T. Nöldeke (Compendious Syriac Grammar, London, 1904; trans.
J. A. Crichton) and J. Payne Smith (A Compendious Syriac
Dictionary, Oxford, 1903) are of permanent value in this
respect. (Both are available in reprints produced respectively
by Eisenbrauns [2001] and Wipf and Stock [1999]). Rather,
this is a teaching grammar. As such its main aim is to
introduce the student to the main features of the language
and a basic vocabulary. It avoids the complexities involved in
giving a systematic and complete explanation of every
grammatical detail. This, in the author’s view, is the main fault
in some of the Syriac grammars currently in use.
From the start the basis of the explanation is illustrative
material gleaned from real Syriac texts. Real Syriac sentences
are also used for Syriac-English translation exercises. This
means that the student encounters at an early stage complete
sentences which cannot always be explained and understood
fully until a later stage, though examples are chosen carefully
to avoid the need to take too much “on faith”. The
alternative to this approach is to give all details of every item
as it occurs.
It is emphasized that the sections which follow are
cumulative. It is best to master one section before moving on
to the next.
XX INTRODUCTION
Paradigms are provided for reference purposes and the

exercises are integral to the course and should not be
neglected. With each is provided a vocabulary list, also
cumulative. Words are not normally repeated in the
vocabulary lists, though forgotten items may be checked
through the Glossary.
The selected readings are also integral to the course.
They do not introduce important new items of grammar, but
they do include much explanatory and exceptional material
(e.g. anomalous verbs and nouns). Thus they are part of the
method of learning and are not to be regarded as optional.
GENERAL NOTE ON SYRIAC GRAMMAR

The noun and the verb are the main concerns of the grammar
sections which follow.
The noun in Syriac has a gender, masculine or feminine,
and may be singular or plural. In addition it has three so-
called states, “emphatic”, absolute and construct. The
“emphatic” is the ordinary form which is used and it
incorporates the article. The absolute and construct are used
when a nominal form has certain specialized roles in a
sentence or phrase. To produce possessive pronouns
(“his/your/their book”) suffixes are attached to the end of
the noun.
The verb has two basic tenses, conventionally called
perfect (past tense) and imperfect (future tense). Verbs are
usually formed of three root letters to which prefixes and
suffixes are added to convey distinctions of person (“I/he
INTRODUCTION XXI
/we wrote”). On the basis of the three root letters there are
six common verb patterns or stems, modification of the
simple stem, which convey various modifications of the basic
idea inherent in the root (e. g., passive, causative).
Of the sections which follow, III and VI deal with
pronouns and nouns, while IV, V and VII-XIII cover all the
different types of verb, including those which depart from the
basic pattern because they contain root letters which are
subject to special rules.
ABBREVIATIONS AND OTHER SYMBOLS
Special signs used in transliteration will be found in Chapters

I and II. The sign _ under a transliterated letter indicates
fricative pronunciation (e.g. t = th as in “thin”). The sign ¯
over a vowel indicates long pronunciation (e.g. ū = oo as in
“moon”). * is used to indicate in untranslated texts that the
following word is a personal or geographical name: there is
no need to struggle to translate it! (Note that the use of the
asterisk in this way sometimes disrupts the correct linking of
consonants.)
In the main grammar sections, abbreviations are used
where they do not inhibit ready comprehension:
sing. singular
plur. plural
masc. masculine
fem. feminine
The abbreviations pe., ethpe., pa., ethpa., aph., ettaph.
are explained in Chapter VIII and used thereafter.
In some tables the sign : is used before an alternative
ending to the preceding word.
In the readings section, where brevity is necessary s., p.,
m., f. are used for sing., plur., masc., fem. As also are
sfx. suffix
impf. imperfect
perf. perfect
impv. imperative
XXII
ABBREVIATIONS AND OTHER SYMBOLS XXIII
ptc. participle
Chapters are given Roman capital numbers (I, II, III)
and exercises Roman small numbers (i, ii, iii). “III.2” refers to
Chapter III, sample sentence 2. “IV.A” refers to Chapter IV,
grammar section A. “v.2” refers to Exercise v, Syriac sentence
2.
I. WRITING SYSTEM. THE ALPHABET
CONSONANTS
As is indicated in the Preface, the Syriac script is found in
several forms. The one used here is the serṭā script used
principally by the West Syrian churches. (Examples of other
scripts can be found in the Readings section (Texts 2, 9 and
10), and alphabet lists are reproduced on pp. 140-141.)
The Syriac script, like that of Arabic and Hebrew, is
basically consonantal, the writing of the signs to indicate
vowels being a secondary invention. The direction of writing
is right to left.
LIST OF CONSONANTS
LITERATION
TRANS-
NAME NOTES
‫ܐ‬ ‚ ‚ālap This is not the equivalent of a, but accompanies any

vowel at the beginning of a syllable and is also used
for the glottal stop between two vowels (as in
south-eastern and Scots English “bo’el (bottle)”).
‫ܒ‬ b Bēt
‫ܓ‬ g Gāmal As in “give”, not as in “genius”.
‫ܕ‬ d Dālat
‫ܗ‬ h Hē
‫ܘ‬ w Waw
1
2 I. WRITING SYSTEM. THE ALPHABET
LITERATION
TRANS-
NAME NOTES
‫ܙ‬ z Zayn
‫ܚ‬ ḥ Ḥēt A more breathy sound than h. Like a stage whisper.
‫ܛ‬ ṭ Ṭēt Emphatic t, with the tongue not stiff, but raised
towards the velum (fleshy part at the back of the
roof of the mouth).
‫ܝ‬ y Yōd
k Kāp
l Lāmad
m Mīm
n Nūn
‫ܣ‬ s Semkat
‛ ‛ē Similar to ‚ālap, but sustained and with the throat
constricted.
‫ܦ‬ p Pē
‫ܨ‬ ṣ Ṣādē Emphatic s, with tongue as for Ṭēt.
‫ܩ‬ q Qōp Pronounced further back than English k.
‫ܪ‬ r Rēš
‫ܫ‬ š Šīn A single letter in Syriac for sh.
‫ܬ‬ t Taw
The consonants are joined to each other in writing, as in

Arabic. The slight changes of shape which result will not
cause any great difficulty, but the following forms used at the
end of a group of letters should be noted:
‫ܕ‬ becomes
I. WRITING SYSTEM. THE ALPHABET 3
becomes
becomes
becomes ‫ܡ‬
‫ـ‬ becomes ‫ܢ‬
‫ـ‬ becomes ‫ܥ‬
‫ܪ‬ becomes
Other letters in final position simply add a short flourish
– ‫ܒ‬, , etc. Some letters cannot be joined to the letter which
follows. All this is summarized in the following table:
CONNECTED ON RIGHT
CONNECTED ON LEFT
RIGHT AND LEFT

CONNECTED ON
UNCONNECTED
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܒ‬ ‫ـܒ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܓ‬
‫ܕ‬
‫ܗ‬ ‫ـܗ‬
‫ܘ‬ ‫ـܘ‬
‫ܙ‬ ‫ـܙ‬
‫ܚ‬ ‫ـܚ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܛ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ـ‬
‫ܝ‬ ‫ـܝ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܟ‬ ‫ـܟ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܠ‬ ‫ـܠ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ـ ـ‬
‫ܡ‬ ‫ـܡ‬ ‫ـ ـ‬
CONNECTED ON RIGHT
CONNECTED ON LEFT
RIGHT AND LEFT

CONNECTED ON
UNCONNECTED
‫ܢ‬ ‫ـ‬
‫ܣ‬ ‫ـܣ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ـ ـ‬
‫ܥ‬ ‫ـܥ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܦ‬ ‫ـܦ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ـ ـ‬
‫ܨ‬ ‫ـܨ‬
‫ܩ‬ ‫ـܩ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ــ‬
‫ܪ‬
‫ܫ‬ ‫ـܫ‬ ‫ـ‬ ‫ـ ـ‬
‫ܬ‬
Confusion between consonants should not occur. With
regard to ‫( ܘ‬w) and ‫( ܩ‬q), it should be noted that ‫ ܘ‬is only
joined up to a preceding letter. ‫ ܩ‬can be joined up in either
direction. When ‫ ܩ‬is at the end of a word, it has the form
‫ـܩ‬. When ‫ ܘ‬is at the end of a word or group of letters, it has
the form ‫ـܘ‬.
There are certain conventional special joins between
letters:
l‚ (l followed by ‚ālap) is written ;
‚l is often written .
There are other joins made purely for calligraphic
reasons in some manuscripts. The East Syriac (so-called
I. WRITING SYSTEM. THE ALPHABET 5
“Nestorian”) script often combines t followed by ‚ as in

= myt‚.
Exercise i
(a) The following list of words with transliterations will

illustrate how consonants are joined up and may be
used for practice by covering one column and
attempting to write/transliterate.
‫ܐܐ‬ ‚ḥ‚
br
‫ܕܢ‬ dn
gbr
‫ܗܘ‬ hw
ḥd
bz
‫ܪ‬ btr
kd
qṭl
‫ܒ‬ nṣb
mlk
‛l
pwqdn‚
‫ܨ‬ ṣyd
‫ܪܒ‬ rb
‫ܨ ܐ‬ ṣlm‚
šryr‚
mlt‚
‫ܐ‬ npš‚
‫ܥ‬ yšw‛
‫ܗܘܬ‬ hwt
‫ܐ‬ ṭwbn‚
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‚ygwbṭy‚
‫ܬ‬ mlpnwt‚
‫ܣ‬ b‚syllyws
snwnyt‚
‫ܬ‬ ‛dt‚
‫ܨܘ ܐ‬ prṣwp‚
ywḥnn
(b) Further practice may be gained by transliterating the

following passages. Treat full stops as phrase-dividers.
‫ܘ‬ .‫ܬܟ‬ ‫ ܬܐܬ‬. ‫ܫ‬ .‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ ܢ ܕ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ ܗܒ‬.‫ܐ ܐܦ ܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ ܕ‬ ‫ ܐ‬. ‫ܨ‬
‫ ܐ ܐ ܕܐܦ‬. ‫ ܘ ܩ‬.‫ܐ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ ܐ‬. ‫ ܘ ܬ‬.
. ‫ܬ ܘ ܘܬ‬ ‫ܕܕ ܗܝ‬ .‫ܐ‬
. ‫ܐ‬.
‫ܕ ܐ ܕܪܘ ܐ‬ ‫ܬܘܒ ܬ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘ ܕ‬ ‫ܪ ܐ ܗܝ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬
.‫ܐ ܕܪܗܘ ܐ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫ ܘܙ‬.
‫ܐ‬ .‫ܬܗ ܕ ܣ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܐܬ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܬܘܒ‬ . ‫ܘܪ ܬ ܕ‬
‫ ܘ ܐܬܬܙ‬. ‫ܕ ܪ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܕܙ‬
‫‪I. WRITING SYSTEM. THE ALPHABET‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬
‫ܐܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܪ ܐ ܐܬܪܗ‬

‫ܕܐܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘܙ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܘܢ‪ .‬ܕ‬
‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܗܘܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܐ‬ ‫ܗܝ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܪܗܘ ܐ ܐܬܬܙ ܘܕ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܐ ܕܬܪܬ‬ ‫ܐ ܕ‬
‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܪ ܐ ܕ ܕ ܘܢ‪ .‬ܘܐ ܬ ܬܘܒ ܕ‬
‫ܐܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܐ‪.‬‬
‫ܐ‪ .‬ܘܐܬܬ ܘ ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܕܘܟ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܗܝ ܕܐܬܪ ‪ .‬ܘܐ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬
‫ܗܘܘ ܘ ‪ .‬ܘ ܗ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܗ‪ .‬ܪ ܘ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫ܐܪ ܐ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘܐܪ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܢ ܕ‬
‫ܗܘܝ‬ ‫ܐ ܗ ܐ‬ ‫ܕ ܐ‪.‬‬
‫ܐ ܘܕܪܗܘ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫‪Notes‬‬
‫____________________________________________‬
‫____________________________________________‬
‫____________________________________________‬
‫____________________________________________‬
‫____________________________________________‬
‫____________________________________________‬
II. VOWELS AND OTHER SIGNS
VOWEL SIGNS
Although the writing system was basically consonantal,
various dots and other marks were added to help with reading
and to eliminate ambiguity. The West Syriac pronunciation
and vowel signs are the basis of this book, but the main
features of the more ancient East Syriac tradition of
pronunciation are noted below and the East Syriac signs may
be found on p. 141.
Three of the consonantal signs developed a secondary
use to indicate some vowels. Thus:
‫ܐ‬ (‚ālap) was used to represent e/ē and ā, especially at the
end of words.
‫ܝ‬ (y) was used to represent ī (e).
‫ܘ‬ (w) was used to represent ō (only preserved normally
in East Syriac pronunciation) and ū (as in “moon”).
The East Syriac script (see pp. 140-141) distinguishes
ܿ
between ‫ = ܼܘ‬u and ‫ = ܘ‬o, and these dots are
sometimes imported into the West Syriac script to
reflect the original pronunciation. They are not used
in the main part of this book, though they do appear
where the Eastern script appears.
As the system evolved, further precision was felt
necessary and vowel marks adapted from Greek Α, Ο, Ε, Η
and ΟΥ (ου) were added above or below the preceding
8
II. VOWELS AND OTHER SIGNS 9
consonant to indicate types of vowel. Although mostly placed

above the consonant, they can be placed below to avoid
clashes with other signs. The system is not designed to
indicate vowel length systematically, though in practice three
of the signs are used for long vowels:
◌ܰ a as in
ܰ (man). This is the short a of British English,
as in “hat”, approximately the vowel in American
English “dot”.
ܳ ܳ (sām). In West Syriac tradition this original
◌ ā as in
ā is pronounced as in “raw” in British English. In
American English it is like the o in the word “more”.
Hence scholars often transliterate it as o/ō (as in the
title of this book). In East Syriac pronunciation it
appears as a long a, as in “father”. In this book, apart
from in the title, it is normally transliterated as ā, to
reflect the most ancient pronunciation.
ܶ ܶ (men). Short e as in English “set”.
◌ܺ e as in
ܺ
◌ ī (more rarely i ) as in ‫( ܪ‬rīš ). Note in this example
ܺ
that both ◌ and ‫ ܝ‬are used to indicate the (long)
vowel.
◌ܽ ū (more rarely u) as in ‫ܩ‬
ܽ (pūq). As we have noted,
East Syriac tradition preserves an ancient distinction
here between o and u, and this is shown in its vowel
signs. The two are merged in West Syriac
pronunciation. Again note in the example given that
ܽ
ّ both ◌ and ‫ ܘ‬are used to represent the vowel.
ّ
( is also used, but only in the interjection ‫ܐܘ‬, “Oh”).
10 II. VOWELS AND OTHER SIGNS
OTHER SIGNS
A. Dots or diacritical points and other marks were used, as
felt necessary, to convey certain distinctions in sound and
meaning. Note:
(1) A dot placed over the letters b, g, d, k, p and t, indicates
their plosive pronunciation (as in English). A dot placed
below indicates an alternative, fricative (aspirated) or
“soft” pronunciation as v (i.e. bh), gh, dh, kh, f, th (in
transliteration indicated by b, g, d, k, p, t). For example, ‫݁ܒ‬
is hard and ‫ ݂ܒ‬soft. The soft pronunciations are normal
immediately after a vowel, even the vowel of a secondary
prefix or closely associated preceding word (but see B (ii)
below). These dots are smaller than other dots which
appear and are often omitted or used inconsistently. They
are not generally used in this book, except in this chapter
and when it is necessary to clarify pronunciation. When
they do appear, take note!
(2) Dots were also used to distinguish words which appeared
identical in unvocalized texts. Thus an upper dot on ̇
indicates it is to be read as lāh rather than leh. The upper
dot on ̇ indicates it is to be pronounced qāṭel rather
than qṭal, which can be written ݂ to indicate this.
There are some vocabulary items which are distinguished
in this way: ‫ ̇ ܐ‬is malkā, “king”, while ‫̣ ܐ‬ is melkā,
“advice”. Also some verbal forms are identical in
unvocalized texts and are distinguished by dots.
(3) A double dot sign as in ‫ܐ‬

ܶ ̈ ܰ (malkē) is used to indicate
that the word is plural. It is placed where convenient in
the word and may merge with the dot of ‫ܪ‬, which then
becomes .
(4) A line under or above a consonant indicates that it is not
ܳ
pronounced, e.g. ‫ ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬, pronounced nāšā.
B. Features which are not indicated by special signs.

(1) It is important to note that Syriac words are frequently
found without any vowel between the first two
consonants in the word (or two consonants at the
beginning of a new syllable within a word). In most cases
this is historically the result of the loss of an original full
vowel, which has been shortened and is eliminated in
later pronunciation. This shortened or eliminated vowel
(sometimes called shewa) can be represented in
transliteration by e (as, e.g., in Exercise ii) or simply
omitted.
ܰ
Thus: ݂ ܳ is ḥṭap, or ḥeṭap.
‫ ݁ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܐ‬is ktābā, or ketābā.
Note in the last example, ktābā, that the softening of
the t has arisen from the original vowel preceding it,
despite the fact that it has been reduced to a shewa (see A
(i) above).
(2) Also lacking any distinctive sign in Syriac is the doubling
of consonants when no vowel intervenes. In fact double
pronunciation of consonants was virtually lost at least in
West Syrian pronunciation, which is why there is no
distinctive sign for it. Rare examples of a consonant being

written twice do, however, exist: ‫̱ ܐ‬
ܶ ܳ ̈ ܰ , sammānē.
Knowledge of where consonants were originally doubled
will come with knowledge of the grammar.
The letters b, g, d, k, p, t, when originally doubled, are
always pronounced hard. Hence latent doubling reveals
itself in the unexpected hard pronunciation of these
consonants after a vowel (see A (i) above). Thus in
ܶ݁ܰ
a dot placed above the ‫ ݁ܒ‬indicates hard pronunciation.
Since there is a vowel immediately before the letter, the
hardening must result from original doubling (qabbel ).
Students are recommended to become familiar with

Chapters I and II before proceeding further.
NOTE ON PUNCTUATION
Punctuation is not very systematic and both MSS and printed
books contain great variations. However,
‫܀‬ is used at the end of a paragraph.
. is used for full stop, semi-colon and comma.
: ‫ ܇ ܆‬usually indicate lesser breaks.
There is no question mark.
Exercise ii
(a) Practice transliterating and writing vocalized Syriac using

the following list.
ܰ ‛al
ܳ ܰ݁ baqrā
‫ܰ ݁ ܴܐ‬ malkā
ܳ ‫ܳܗ‬ hānā
ܳ ݂݁ ܰ madberā (later pronounced

madebrā)
ܳܳ ܰ ‚alāhā
‫݁ ܶ ܳܐ‬ kenšā
ܳ
‫ܺ ̄ ݁ܬ‬ ‛itā (‛ittā)
‫ܳܗ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ hākanā
ܳܳ
‫݂ܐܬ‬ ‚ātā
ܰ
‫݁ܬܳܘܪ‬ tawrā
ܰ
‫݁ ݂ ݂ܒ‬ ketab
ܰ
‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ‚ar‛ā
ܻܰ šalīṭ
ܳ ܰ݁
݂ pagrā
‫ܶ ݂ܒ‬ qereb
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ šelīḥā
ܳ ܽ݁ kūmrā
‫ܰ ݁ ܳܐ‬ saypā
݂ܰ nepal
ܰ
‫ܐ ̈ܶ ܐ‬ ‚aḥē
ܺ ܳ nāṭerīn
ܳ݁ ܺ
̱ ݂ meditā (medittā)
(b) Practice further transliteration and the reading aloud of

the following texts:
ܳ ܶ ܺ ܰ
‫ܶ ܶܘ‬ .‫ ݁ܬ ݂ܐܬ ܰ ݁ ܽ ݂ܬܟ‬. ݂ ܳ ܳ ‫ ܶ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܫ‬.‫ܐ ݂ ܽ ܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ‫ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ݂ܦ ݁ ܰ ܪ ܳ ܐ܀ ܰܗ݂ܒ‬. ݂ ܳ ܳ ݂ ‫ܶܨ‬
ܰ
ܰ ‫ ܰܘ ܳ ݂ ܽ ܰܩ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܐ ݁ ܰ ܳܶ ܳܐ ݂ ܳܕ݂ܐܦ‬.‫݂ܕ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬
ܶ ܳ ݂ܰ ‫ ܐ‬. ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ‫ ܘ ݁ܬ‬. ܰ ݂ ̈ ܰ
ܴ ݂ܰ
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ
‫ܰܺܗܝ ܰ ݁ ܽ ݂ܬ ܘ‬ ݂ ܳ ‫݁ܕ݂ܺܕ‬ ܳ .‫݁ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܐ ܺ ܀‬. ݁ ܽ ‫݂ܘܬ‬
ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
݂ ܰ ܶ ܶ ݂ ‫ܳ ܿ ܶ ܳ ܽܙܘ ܳ ܺܙ ̈ ݂ܘܬܘ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐ ݁ ܳ ̱ ܳܗܝ ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ܬ ݂ ܺܕܐ‬
‫ܶ ܺ ܽ ܳܘܢ ܘ ܰ ܳܪ ܶ ܳ ݂ܳ ܐ ܘ ܳ ܳ ܐ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܘ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ ܘ ܳ ܐ ݂ ܶܕܐ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܗ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬.‫݁ ܻ ݂ ܳ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳ ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬
̈ ܶ ݂ܳ . ܶ ܳ ‫ܳ ܳ ݂ ̇ܗ ܘ ܰ ݂ ܳ ݂ ܳ ݂ ݂ܕ ܺ ܳ ܿ ܳܘܐ‬
.‫݂ ܽ ܢ‬ ܳ ̱‫ ܳܐ ܰ ܐ‬. ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ݂ ܺ ݂ ‫ܙܘܙܝ ݁ܰܕܐ‬
̱ ܽ ݂ ܶ ݁ ‫ܰ ̱ ݁ ܶܕܐ‬
݂ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ‫ܗܘ ܰ ݂ ܘܬ ݂ ܳ ܡ ܰ ܱ ݂ ܰ ̈ ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ‬ ܳ ܶ ܶ‫݁ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܐ ݂ܬ‬
̱ ܶܳ ܳ
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܐ݂ܒ ܀‬
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
III. PRONOUNS
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 2, 26 ܰ
1. .‫ܽ ̱ܗ ܰܘ‬ ‫ܴ ܰܢ‬ (Jn 8:54) He is our God.
2. ‫ܬܪ ܶ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ܆‬ ܳ ̱‫ܷܐ ܳ ܐ‬ (Jn 10:7) I am the gate of the
sheep.
ܰ ܰܳ
3.
ܳ ܳ .‫ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ (Lk 22:19) This is my body.
4. ‫ܷܐ ܬܘ ܐ ܐ̱ ܘ‬ (Ps 22:7) I am a worm and not a
.ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ man.
5. ‫ܴܐ ܰ ܐ ̱ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܒ‬ (Mk 5:31) You say, “Who
. ܺ touched me?”
GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS
ܳܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ
1. ‫ܰܢ‬ is the noun, ܴ , “God”, with a suffix ‫◌ܢ‬
on the end to indicate the possessive
pronoun “our”. The -ā ending (with ‚ālap),
which appears on almost all nouns in their
normal form, disappears when a suffix is
added.
‫ܽܗܘ‬ is the personal pronoun “he”. The personal
pronouns are often abbreviated (here by the
non-pronunciation of the ‫ܗ‬, indicated by the
line under it) when they are used as enclitics
(particles attached to other words). The vowel
of the pronoun moves back onto the
preceding consonant. As enclitics the
16
III. PRONOUNS 17
pronouns can be used to mean “is/are”.

Hence this sentence would be translated
literally as “Our God he (is)”.
As in other Semitic languages, “is/are”, etc.
are often not separately expressed.
2.
ܳ ܶ‫ܐ‬ is the pronoun “I”, here accompanied by its
ܳ ܳ
shortened enclitic form. ̱ ‫ ܷܐ ܐ‬is “I am”,
literally “I, I (am)”. This repetition of
pronouns is one of the peculiarities of Syriac
which it takes some time to get used to.
ܶ ‫ܰܬܪ‬ ܳ ܰ
is the noun ‫ܬܪ ܐ‬, “gate”, with a suffix ‫◌ܗ‬,
ܶ
“his/its”.
‫ܕ ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܳܳ
consists of ‫ ܐ‬, “flock” (a collective noun),
with ‫ ܕ‬prefixed. ‫ ܕ‬is a very common particle
attached to the beginning of words and one of
its main uses is to indicate possession, more
or less the equivalent of English “of”. Here,
then, we have “of the flock”. A special rule
covers its vocalization and also the
vocalization of the prefixed prepositions ‫ܒ‬
and (see III.5) and the prefixed particle ‫ܘ‬
(III.4). The rule is that the ‫ ܕ‬has no vowel if
the following consonant bears a vowel (shewa
does not count as a vowel for this purpose),
ܰ
but the ‫ ܕ‬has ◌ if the following consonant has
no vowel. ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ has a vowel on the first
18 III. PRONOUNS
ܳܳ
consonant: hence ‫ܕ ܐ‬. Attached to ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܺwe
would find ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܺ ܰ
‫ܕ‬.
A strange feature is that whereas in English
we would say “the gate of the flock” or “its
gate”, here, as often, the Syriac has literally
“its gate of the flock”, where “its” looks
forward to and agrees with the following
noun. This seemingly redundant use of a
pronoun is characteristic.
3.
ܰ ‫ܳܗ‬ ܳܳ
is a merging of ‫ܗ‬, “this”, with the enclitic
ܽ
form of ‫( ܗܘ‬see III.1). Literally “This, it
(is)…”.
‫̱ܝ‬ ܰ is another noun,
ܳ ܰ , “body”, with a
possessive pronoun suffix ‫ـܝ‬, “my, of me”.
This particular suffix has no vowel with it in
writing because it was not usually
pronounced: pagr.
4.
ܳ ܶ‫ܐ‬ is “I”.
ܰ
‫ܬܘ ܳ ܐ‬ (tawle‛ā, later pronounced tawel‛ā) is a noun
ܳ
meaning “worm”. ̱ ‫ ܐ‬is the enclitic form of ‫ܷܐ‬
ܳ
(see III.2). Literally we have “I, a worm, I
(am)”.
ܳ
‫ܘ‬ combines ‫ܘ‬, “and”, which is always attached
ܳ
to the following word, and , “not”. The
pronunciation is welā, though we- becomes wa-
ܰ
(‫ )ܘ‬if the first letter of the following word has
no vowel (see III.2 above).
III. PRONOUNS 19
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ is a fixed phrase meaning “man”. Literally it is

ܰ
“son of a human being”, , “son”, and ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ
ܳ
(which can also be written ‫)ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬. Here the
genitive relationship (English “of” phrase) is
expressed in a different way, without ‫( ܕ‬see
III.2 and VI.E).
5.
ܰ ‫ܳܐ‬ is a participle, “saying”.
݁ ‫‚( ܰܐ‬at)
̱ is the pronoun “you (singular)”. Since the
English word “are” requires no separate word
in Syriac in this enclitic usage (see III.1), we
have literally “Saying, you (are)”, introducing a
quotation.
ܽ ܰ ܰܳ
is analogous to ‫( ܗ‬see III.3) and combines
ܰ “who?”, with the enclitic form of ‫ܽܗܘ‬
(‫ܗܘ‬
ܽ ܰ becomes ‫ ܰ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬which becomes
ܽ ܰ ), literally “Who (is) he …?”. The action
ܶ
of the verb follows in ‫ ܒ‬, “he drew near,
touched”. For this type of verb with an e
vowel in the second syllable, see IX.A.
ܺ (lī) is a combination of ‫ܠ‬, “to”, and ‫( ܝ‬see
III.3). Particles like ‫ ܠ‬take suffixes to give
“to me, you, him, etc.” ‫ ܠ‬is also used,
prefixed to nouns or with pronoun attached,
to indicate the direct object of a verb, and it
may be taken in this sense here: “touched
me”. On the vocalization see III.2 above.
20 III. PRONOUNS
GRAMMATICAL SYNTHESIS
All the main points about pronouns are covered above, a full
list of forms being provided here.
A. Possessive Pronoun Endings Added to Nouns
Before the addition of possessive pronouns, the -ā ending of

the ordinary nominal form is removed. There are basically
two sets of endings:
(a) those used on nouns of masculine singular form and on
feminine nouns, singular and plural;
(b) those used on nouns of masculine plural form. The
endings added to masculine plural nouns have an
additional ‫ ܝ‬before the ending.
Note that the forms of nouns are dealt with in VI. At
this point, the main thing is to note the first list (a). These are
the only forms used on nouns in Chapters III-V.
(b) (a)
my bodies ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܰܝ‬ my body (pagr) ‫̱ܝ‬ ݂ ܰ
ܰ݁
your ݁ ܰ ݂ ܰ݁ your body ‫݁ ݂ ܳ ݂ܟ‬
bodies (masc. sing. “you”)
ܰ ܰ ܰ
your ̱ ݁ ݂ ݁ your body (fem. (pagrek) ݂ܶ ݂ ݁
bodies sing. “you”)
ܰ ܰ ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܶܗ‬
his bodies ̱ ݂ ݁
‫ܘܗܝ‬ his body
(pagraw)
her bodies ̇ ܶ ݂ ܰ݁ her body (the dot ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܳ ̇ܗ‬
over ‫̇ܗ‬ indicates
fem.)
III. PRONOUNS 21
(b) (a)
ܰ
ܰ݁ ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܰܢ‬
our bodies ݂ our body
your ‫݁ܰ ݂ ܰ ݁ܽ ܢ‬ your body (masc. ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ݂ܽ ܢ‬
bodies plur. “you”)
ܶ݁ ܰ ܰ݁ ݂ܶ ܰ݁
your ݂ your body (fem. ݂
bodies plur.)
their ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ‬ their body (masc.) ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܽܗܘܢ‬
bodies
ܶ ܰ ܰ݁ ‫݁ ܰ ݂ ܶܗ‬
their ݂ their body (fem.)
bodies
B. Independent Personal Pronouns (with shortened

enclitic forms where they exist)
FORMS USED AS FULL FORM ENGLISH

ENCLITICS EQUIVALENT
ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܷܐ‬ I
݁ ‫ܰܐ‬
̱ܰ you (sing. masc.)
‫ܐ ̱ ̱ܝ‬݁ you (sing. fem.)
‫ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܽ he
‫ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܺܗܝ‬ she
̱ܰ ܰ we
ܽ݁ ܰ
‫ܐ ̱ ̣ܘܢ‬ you (masc. plur.)
ܶ݁ ܰ
ܶ ̱‫ܐ‬ you (fem. plur.)
‫ܐܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶܗ ܢ‬ ܽ they (masc.)
ܶ ‫ܷܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܶܗ‬ they (fem.)
C. Interrogatives
ܰ who?
22 III. PRONOUNS
‫ ܳ ܐ‬, ‫ ܳ ܳܐ‬, ܳ ܰ what?

‫ܳܐ ܳ ܐ‬ which? (masc. referent)
ܳ ‫ܐ‬ which? (fem. referent)
ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ which? (plural referent)
D. Demonstratives
ܳ ‫ܳܗ‬ this (masc.)
‫ܗܕ‬ܶܳ this (fem.)
ܶ ‫ܳܗ‬ these
‫ܰܗܘ‬ that (masc.)
‫ܳܗܝ‬ that (fem.)
‫ܳܗ ܽ ܢ‬ those (masc.)
ܶ ‫ܳܗ‬ those (fem.)
E. Additional Note on Enclitics
(1) Third person (he, she, they) enclitics tend to be used even
with second person pronouns. Hence ‫ܗܘ‬
̱ܽ ݁ ̱ ‫“ = ܰܐ‬you
are”.
(2) The vowel with the consonant which ceases to be
pronounced is often written on the preceding consonant,
ܽ݁ ܰ
if it has no vowel: ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ ̱ ‫ ܐ‬. The two may be written as
one word.
(3) If the preceding consonant does have a vowel, a merging
ܳ ܽ
takes place, e.g. ‫ ܽ ݁ ܐ‬followed by ‫ ܗܘ‬becomes ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ ‫ ܽ ݁ ܰܐ‬.
Exercise iii
(a) Translate into Syriac:

III. PRONOUNS 23
1. This is the king of the land.

2. Which gate is our gate?
3. Their king is a man and not their God.
(b) Translate into English:

ܶܳ ܶ ‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܐ ܕ* ܶ ܽ ܥ‬ ‫*ܰ ܳ ܣ‬ 1.
. ܳ ܴ ‫ܰܕ‬
.‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܳ ̱‫ܰܐ ܺ ܰܐ ܺ ܴܐ ܰ ܐ‬ 2.
ܶ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܽ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬
.‫ܗܪܗ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫̱ ܘܢ ܐ ܢ‬ 3.
.‫ܽ ݁ ܰ ܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ܶ ܳ ܴܰ 4.
. ܰܳ ܳ ܽ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܽܗܘ‬ 5.
̱ ̱
ܳ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ
. ܴ ‫ܐܘ ܴ ܐ ̱ ܐܘ ܗ ܐ ̱ ܰܕ‬ 6.
ܰ ܰ ܰ
‫ܰ ̱ ̱ܐ‬ ܰ ܽ ‫ܴܐ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ ܶ ̱ܝ ̱ܐ‬ 7.
.‫ܘ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܡ ܺܕ ̱ ܺܕ ܳ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬
Vocabulary for the above:
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ
ܰ king
‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ land (fem.)
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ apostle
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ messiah, Christ
‫ܒ‬ by, in, with (like ‫)ܠ‬
ܳ‫ܶܨ ܳ ܐ‬ will
ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬ truly
ܳ ܽ
‫ܗܪ‬ light
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ world, eternity
24 III. PRONOUNS
ܶ since, for (placed second

in the sentence)
‫ܽ ݁ ܳܐ‬ love (noun)
ܳ ܽ priest
ܰ ܰ
‫ ܐܘ‬...‫ܰܐܘ‬ either … or
‫ܐ ܳܐ‬ father (takes suffixes
irregularly: see VI F).
ܽ all
ܰ ܽ always
ܰ with (takes suffixes like
‫ ܒ‬and ‫ܠ‬, III.5)
‫ܶ ܶܡ‬ ܽ everything
- ‫ܺܕ‬ belonging to (takes
suffixes like ‫ ܠ‬, III.5)
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
IV. THE VERB: SIMPLE PERFECT AND
PARTICIPLE FORMS
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 3, 27
1.
ܰ ܶ
‫ܘܐܙܠ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬ (Lk 5:25) And he took his
ܶ
.‫ܰ ܗ‬ bed and went home.
2. ‫ܘ ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܰ ‫ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‬ Some of them fled and
.‫ܕ ܰ ܘ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬ some they took into
captivity.
3.
ܳ ‫ܶ ܽ ܥ ܶ ܰܬ‬ ܰ ܰ‫ܘ‬ (Mt 9:9) As Jesus passed
.ܳ ܰ ܳ on from there he saw a
man.
ܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ
4. ‫ܘܢ‬ (Mk 14:64) From his
.‫ܽ ܳܕ ܳ ܐ‬ mouth you have heard
the blasphemy.
݁ ‫ܶ ܽ ܢ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܪ ܶ ܰܐ‬
5. ̱ ܺ ܰ ܺ (Jn 21:15) Simon son of
. ܶ ‫ܶ ܳܗ‬ Jona, do you love me
more than these?
1.
ܰ (šeqal) is the simplest form (3rd person
masculine singular – “he” – form) of the basic
perfect tense of the Syriac verbal system. It
corresponds to the past tense, “he took”. A
series of suffixes indicate the differences of
person (I, you, she, etc.), a separate pronoun
25
26 IV. THE VERB: SIMPLE PERFECT AND PARTICIPLE FORMS
being unnecessary, though sometimes added

for emphasis. (Note that throughout this
book the 3rd masc. sing. perfect of the simple
stem is used as the citation form [i.e. the form
normally quoted] and the meaning is given in
the past tense without a personal pronoun. So
ܰ is glossed as “took”.)
ܶ ܰ is the noun ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ , “bed”, with suffix “his”.
ܶ ܰ except
‫ܰܐܙܠ‬ “went”, is basically the same as
that the initial ‚ālap must have a full vowel
ܶ
with it; hence the ◌, which here moves onto
the prefixed ‫ ܘ‬because the ālap goes silent:
‫ܘܐܙܠ‬ܰ ܶ becomes ‫ܘܐܙܠ‬ ܰ ܶ (pronounced wezal).
(So also ‫ ܘ‬+
ܳ ܳ ܰ produces ܳ ܳ ‫ ܰܘ‬, walāhā.)
ܳ ܰ
“house”.
2. ‫ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‬ is a suffixed form of

ܶ , “from, than”, used
here in a partitive sense, “some of them”
(compare French “de”).
ܰ ܰ
(‛ eraq) is the 3rd masc. plural perfect of ‫ ܩ‬,
“fled”.
‫ܕܰ ܘ‬ ܰ
similarly from ‫ܕ‬, “led, took”.
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ is ‫ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “captivity”, with the preposition ‫ܒ‬,
“with, in, into, by”. It has to be attached
directly to the word it goes with (like ‫ ܠ‬in
III.5). For vocalization like ‫ ܕ‬see III.2.
3.
ܰ “when, as”.
IV. THE VERB: SIMPLE PERFECT AND PARTICIPLE FORMS 27
ܰ like
ܰ above, but meaning “passed by,
crossed over”.
ܳ ‫ܰܬ‬ “there”.
ܳ is fundamentally the same as
ܰ , except that
with the verbs ending in ‚ālap the final vowel
ܳ ܰ
is ◌ rather than ◌ and the ‚ālap is not
pronounced (see XII). The meaning is “he
saw”.
ܳ ܰ “man”.
4. ‫ܽ ܽܳܐ‬ “mouth”.
‫ܰ ݁ ܘܢ‬ is another perfect verb form, with the 2nd
person masculine plural ending, meaning “you
(have) heard”.
‫ܽ ܳܕ ܳ ܐ‬ “blasphemy”.
5. ܶ ‫ܳܪ‬ is a participle like

ܰ‫ ܴܐ‬in III.5. The chief
characteristic of the participles of the simple
type is the vowel in the first syllable. The
ܶ
second syllable has ◌ as here, though in some
ܰ
verbs ◌ is found (as in
ܰ ‫) ܴܐ‬. The meaning is
“loving”. With a pronoun it may be used to
produce a finite form (like the participle in
English: “he is loving”).
ܺ As noted at III.5, ‫ ܠ‬can be used simply to
indicate the object of a verb, as here.
ܺ ܰ ܶ means “more than”.
“abundant”, with
A question is often indicated in Syriac by

intonation and can be detected in texts only
from the context.
A. Simple Stem Perfect
Most verbs in Syriac have three root consonants. These root

consonants appear in a number of patterns or stems. The
basic pattern is called the simple stem of the verb. This
simple stem of the verb is described as pe‛al on the basis of
the set of root letters (
ܰ being the 3rd masc.
singular of the root in this stem).
The list set out below shows the vowel patterns and
endings used to indicate the different persons.
ܰ šeqal he took
݂ ܰ ܶ šeqlat she took
݁ ܰ šeqalt you (masc. sing.) took
‫ܰ ݁ ̱ܝ‬ šeqalt you (fem. sing.) took
ܶ
݂ ܶ šeqlet I took
ܰ šeqal they took (note the ‫ ܘ‬which
is not pronounced)
̈ ܰ šeqal they (fem.) took (note
ܰ double dots, and ‫ ܝ‬which is
not pronounced)
ܽ ܰ
‫ܶ ܘܢ‬ šeqaltūn you (masc. plur.) took
ܰ šeqaltēn you (fem. plur.) took
ܰ šeqaln we took
It may be noted that in unvocalized texts (and even in

vocalized texts) dots can be used to distinguish
݁ ݂ , “she
took”, ݂ , “you took”, and ݁ , “I took”. (In later
Syriac, “she took” will have the dot after the ‫ ܬ‬as in
݀ ݂ .)
This tense-form can in particular contexts represent “he
has taken”, “he had taken” or “he will have taken” in English.
The full list of forms for ܳ is given later (XII), as are
those of the other verbal patterns or stems (VIII).
B. Participles (masculine forms)
Active
ܶ
ܳ (plural ܺ
ܳ ), “taking, carrying”.
Passive
ܺ (plural ܺ ܺ ), “taken, carried”.
For verbs like ܳ , the (singular) active participle is
ܶ
normal: ܳ .
Exercise iv

1. We are taking the bed of the man.
2. We heard everything.
3. The apostle saw the Messiah.

ܰ
.‫ܶ ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܒ‬ 1.
. ܰ ‫̱ ݁ ܰܘ‬
ܳ ܺ ‫ܰܬܪ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ‬ ܰ 2.
ܰ ܽ
.‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ ݂‫̱ ܐ‬ ܰ 3.
ܰܰ ܳ
.̇ ܳ ܰ ‫ܳ ܐ ܶܘܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ 4.
ܰ ܳ
.‫ܶ ܐ ̈ܶ ܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܗܕ‬ ܶܳ ܰ ܶ‫ܘ‬ 5.
̈ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܴ̈ ܺ ̱ ̈ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬
.‫ܘܗܝ‬ ̱ ܰ ‫ܐ‬ 6.
ܳ ‫ܢ * ܺ ܳ ܐ ܘ* ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰܐ‬ ܽ ܶ* ܺ ܳ ܰ 7.
. ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ‫ܘܗ‬ ܳ . ‫ܳܬ‬ ܽ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰܕܨ‬

ܰ
‫ܒ‬ wrote
‫ܳܗ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ thus
ܳ ‫ܺ ݁ܚ‬ opened
̱ ܰ city (fem.)
went out
ܰ made
ܰ
‫ܐ‬ like (pronounced ’ak)
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ sword
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ sharp, sharpened (a passive
participle)
‫ܳ ܰܐ‬ answered (see
ܳ )
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ angel
ܶ
ܰ ‫)ܰܐܙܠ‬
ܳ ܶ ‫ܷܐ‬ said (see
word (fem.)
ܶ among
̈ܰ ܰ
‫ܐ ܶܐ‬ brothers (singular ‫)ܐ ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ fell
ܳ ܳ̈ ܺ
fetters, bonds, chains (fem.
plural)
ܳ ‫ܺܐ‬ hand
ܶ ܳ going up (participle)
ܳ ܰ
ܳ ܰ ‫ܐ‬ together
‫ܗ‬ temple
ܳܳ ܶ time
ܳ
‫ܨܽ ܬ‬ prayer (fem.)
‫ܳܗ‬ behold (exclamation)
ܳ ܺ crippled (passive participle)
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
ܺ ܳ
V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ AND COMPOSITE TENSES
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 4, 28
1. ‫ܺ ܰ ܶܕ ܶܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ (I Cor 2:16) We, however,
. ܰ ‫ܐ‬ possess the mind of Christ.
2.
ܳ
‫ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܘ ܐ‬ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ (Jn 1:10) He was in the world
. ‫ܗܘ‬ܳ ‫ܺ ܶܗ‬ and the world was through
his power.
ܽ ܳܳ
3. ‫ܳܪ ܻܐ‬ ܽ
ܶ On this mountain was the
ܳ ܰ ‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬̱ܳ blessed Panbo, the teacher.
.‫ܐ‬ ܳܳ ܰ
4.
̣ܳ ̱ ̇ ܶ ‫ܐܶ ܶ ܶܕ ܻܐ‬
‫ܗܘܬ‬ His mother, however, was
ܳ ܳ
. ݁ ̱ ݂ܺ ܺ ‫ܶ ܐ‬ from the city of Amida.
5. . ܶ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ܰ ̱ ܺ ܳ‫ܘ‬ (Mk 3:2) And they were
guarding him.
6. . ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ܰ ܳ ̱‫ܘ ܳ ܐ‬ And no man had gone out.
1.
ܰ “to us”: here with the sense “belonging to”.
‫ܶܕ‬ “but, now, however” is placed second in the
sentence (compare ܶ in iii.4).
‫ܶܪ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ “mind”.
‫ܐ‬ means basically “there is”. It is very
commonly used simply for “is, are, etc.”, and
is here followed by a repetition of
ܰ:
32
ܺ ܳ
V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ AND COMPOSITE TENSES 33
ܺ
“belonging to us”. ‫ـ‬ ‫ ܐ‬effectively means
“to have”.
2.
ܳ
‫ܗܘ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect of the verb
“was”. It is frequently used, especially in its
ܳ ̱ , in combination with ‫ܺܐ‬
enclitic form, ‫ܗܘ‬
and other verbs (below).
ܺ
‫ܒ‬ can mean “by means of” and ܳ ‫ ܐ‬can mean
“power” as well as “hand”. (Note the
tendency for ‫ ܐ‬to become silent and lose its
vowel when a prefix is added.)
3.
ܶ The pronoun suffix anticipates the following
nominal phrase.
ܽ
‫ܽ ܳܪ‬ “mountain”.
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ “blessed man, saint”.
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ “teacher”.
ܿ ܶ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܻܐ‬
4. ܻ “there is”, frequently takes a pronoun
suffix to produce “she is”, “they are”, etc.
Here it is the fem. sing. 3rd person suffix and it
should be noted that the plural-type suffixes
are used (III.A(b)).
̱ܳ
‫ܗܘܬ‬ is the 3rd fem. sing. of ‫ܗܘ‬
ܳ ̱ , enclitic, and it
makes the sense clearly past.
ܺ ܳ ܰ
5. plur. active participle from , “kept,
guarded”.
ܺ ܳ
34 V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ AND COMPOSITE TENSES
̱ܰ
‫ܗܘܘ‬ is the 3rd masc. plur. enclitic from ‫ ܗܘ‬and
ܳ
with a participle produces a continuous past
sense: “they were keeping…”.
For ‫ܠ‬, see III.5.
6.
ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬ is an alternative form of ‫ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬, “man” (see
ܳ
further in VI.C).
A perfect verb followed by a form of ‫ܗܘ‬
ܳ ̱ , as
here, may produce the sense “he had gone
out”.
A. The Perfect Tense of

ܳ , with Enclitic Forms
‫ܗܘ‬
ENCLITIC FORMS BASIC FORMS MEANINGS
‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ܳ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ he was
݂̱ܳ
‫ܗܘܬ‬ ݂ܳ
‫ܗܘܬ‬ she was
݁ ‫ܗ ܰܘ‬ ݁ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܰ
݁ ̱ you were
‫̱ܗܘ ̱ܝ‬ ܰ ‫ܗܘ ݁ ̱ܝ‬ ܰ you (fem.) were
݂ ‫̱ܗ ܺܘ‬ ݂ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܺ I was
‫ܗܘܘ‬ ̱ܰ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ܰ they were
ܰ̈ ܰ̈
ܽ ݁ ܰ ‫̱ܗ‬
‫ܘܝ‬ ܽ ܰ ‫ܗܘܝ‬ they (fem.) were
‫̱ܗܘ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܗܘ ݁ ܶ ܘܢ‬ you were
݁ ‫ܗ ܰܘ‬ ݁ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܰ
̱ you (fem.) were
ܰ‫̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܰ we were
B. Tenses
We now have the following possibilities:

ܺ ܳ
V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ AND COMPOSITE TENSES 35
(1)
ܰ
, “he took”.
(2) ‫ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬ ܶ ܳ , “he is taking” (with an enclitic pronoun or a
separate noun as subject).
̱ܳ
(3) ‫ܗܘ‬
ܶ ܳ , “he was taking”.
̱ܳ
(4) ‫ܗܘ‬
ܰ , “he had taken” (sometimes simply “he
took”, indicated by context).
Exercise v

1. You were going out from the temple of God.
2. There was an angel in the city.
3. The king had opened the gate of his house.

ܳ ܳ ̱ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܒ‬
. ‫ܳܬ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܽ ܘܢ ܶ ܳ ܐ ܶܕܐ‬ 1.
ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ‫* ܰܪ‬ ܳ ‫ܗܘ ܶܕ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܳܗ‬ ܰ ܺ
‫ܰ ܽ ܬܗ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ̱ ܳ ‫ܐ‬ 2.
.‫ܰ ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳܰ ܳ
. ܺ ‫ܗܘ ܘܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܗ ܐ‬ 3.
ܳ ܶ ‫ܘܗܘ‬ܽ .ܳ ܶ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܺ 4.
ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ̱ ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܺ
‫ܗܘ ܰ ܽܗܘ‬
ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬
̱ ‫ܺܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܬ ܴ ܳ ܰܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬̱ܳ ‫ܐ‬
. ܳ ܴ ‫ܳܬ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ܶ
ܺ ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ ‫ ܳܗ ܳ ܐ‬. ܽ
ܳ ‫ܺ ܶܗ‬
. ‫ܗܘ‬
ܰ ܺ ܰ
ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬
‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ ‫ܶܺ ܰ ܐ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܶܕ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܳ ̱ܝ *ܐ‬ 5.
ܶ ‫ܗܘ‬
ܳ ̱ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ ܰܘܐ ܽ ܶ ̱ܗܝ ܶܕ‬.‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬
ܺ ܳ ̱ܶ ܺ ܰ .‫* ܺ ܺ ܕ* ܶ ܬ ܽ ̈ ܐ‬
ܺ ܳ
36 V. ‫ܐ‬, ‫ܗܘ‬ AND COMPOSITE TENSES
‫ܳ ܶܐ‬ ܽ ̱ܳ
‫ܗܘ‬
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܶ answer
ܳ ܶ
ܳ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ letters (fem.)
‫ܽܬ‬ ܰ youth (fem.)
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ pagan (noun)
ܺ ‫ܺܪ‬ beginning (here absolute:
see VI)
‫ܳܬ‬ towards, with
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ holy man
‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ lord (title of saints and
church leaders)
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ race
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܳ‫ܽ ܪ‬ Syrian
ܶ
‫ܶ ܬ ܽ ̈ܐ‬ a place-name ( ‫ܬܽ ܳܐ‬
means “border”)
ܺܰ until now, as yet
‫ܠ‬ to, belonging to, by
ܶ‫ܽ ܳ ܐ‬ Persians
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
VI. NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES. THE
GENITIVE RELATIONSHIP
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 5, 29 ܳ ܶ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ܰ ܺ ܳ
1. ̱ ‫ܰܙܪ ܐ ܐ‬ (Lk 8:11) The seed is the word
. ܳ ܴ ‫ܰܕ‬ of God.
2.
ܰ ̱ ܺ ‫ܰܘ ܺ ܶ ܐ ܳܪ‬
‫ܗܘܘ‬ (Lk 15:2) And the Pharisees
... ܺ ܽ ‫ܳܰܘܐ‬ were murmuring and saying…
3. ‫ܐ ̱ ̱ܗܘ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܗ‬ (Mt 16:16) You are the Christ,
.‫ܰܕ ܴ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ the son of the living God.
4. . ‫ܺ ܳ ܺ ̱ܬ ܶ ܽ ܳܪ‬ The church had been made
into a fire-temple.
ܳ ܶ ܽ
5. ‫ܘܗܘ ܳܗ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܐ‬ And this report reached the
.‫ܳ ܬ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܐ‬ king of kings.
1. ‫ܰܙܪ ܳ ܐ‬ “seed”, is a noun of the most common form.
ܳ
The final ‫ ◌ܐ‬is a suffix which originally
indicated definiteness (“the seed”), but in
standard Syriac it has no such special
meaning. The meaning can be definite or
indefinite (“a seed, the seed”). Traditional
grammar calls this the “emphatic” state of the
noun to distinguish it from the absolute and
construct (below). It should be noted that this
37
38 VI. NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES. THE GENITIVE RELATIONSHIP
term does not refer to any emphasis in the

meaning.
ܳ ܶ “word”, is similar except that it has the ending
added to the ‫ ܬ‬characteristic of feminine
nouns.
ܳ ܴ ‫ܰܕ‬ ‫ ܕ‬can be used to represent “of” (see III.2), in
which case the words linked by ‫ ܕ‬appear in
their ordinary, i.e. “emphatic” form. This is
the most common way of conveying the
genitive relationship between nouns.
2. ‫ܻ ܶܐ‬ “Pharisees”, is also an “emphatic” or ordinary

form, but with the plural masculine ending
ܶ
‫◌ܐ‬.
ܺ ‫ܳܪ‬ “murmuring”, is a participle (see IV.B) and its
ܶ
plural ending is not ‫ ◌ܐ‬but the so-called
ܺ
“absolute” ending, ‫◌ـ‬, which is found
principally on adjectives and participles used
as predicates (as here). Adjectives and
participles agree in number and gender with
the nouns they refer to.
3.
ܳ ܴ ‫ܶ ܗ ܰܕ‬ In this phrase ‫ ܕ‬is used for the genitive, but
the following noun is anticipated by the
pronoun suffix. Hence literally we have “his
son of God”.
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ adjective “living”.
4. ܳ ܺ is a passive participle (see IV.B), “done,

made”. Since it is the predicate it has the
VI. NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES. THE GENITIVE RELATIONSHIP 39
absolute, not the “emphatic” form and since

the subject is feminine, it too is feminine.
Hence the feminine absolute singular ending
‫ܳ◌ܐ‬, which happens to be identical in form
with the masculine “emphatic”.
ܳ
‫ܺ ̱ ݁ܬ‬ “church”, feminine, ordinary form.
‫ܽ ܳܪ‬ ܶ “temple/house of fire”, demonstrates an
alternative way of indicating the genitive
relationship – not using ‫ ܕ‬. In this less
frequent method the first noun is given a
special form distinct from the “emphatic” and
absolute forms. This third form is called the
construct. Thus the ordinary form of the
ܳ ܰ
word for “house” is ; its construct is
ܶ.
ܶ
5. ‫ܳܐ‬ “report”,
ܶ is “emphatic”, its construct being
ܳ ‫ ܒ‬.
‫ܐ‬ “reached” (see ܳ IV.3).
‫ܷ̈ ܐ‬ ܰ ܶ “king of kings”, is made up of the singular
construct of ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ , “king”, followed by its
“emphatic” plural.
A. Nominal Forms
Nouns and adjectives have endings to distinguish singular,

plural, masculine, feminine and the three uses which a noun
or adjective may have in a sentence: ordinary/“emphatic”,
ܳ
absolute, and construct. The word , “good”, provides a
convenient model.
MASCULINE FEMININE
SING. PL. SING. PL.
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ
Ordinary, ‫ܳܐ‬ ‫̈ܐ‬
“Emphatic”
ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ
Absolute ܻ̈ ‫ܳܐ‬
ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ
Construct
For pronoun suffixes on nouns, refer back to III.A.
B. Adjectives
Adjectives agree with the noun they refer to in number and

gender and adjectives are placed after the noun in nominal
phrases like “the good king”: ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ‫ ܰ ܳܐ‬.
C. Uses of the Absolute State
The uses of the absolute state are:

(i) to mark the predicate if it is an adjective or participle;
(ii) after
ܽ , “all”, in what are called distributive
phrases, such as “every man, all men”:
ܳ ̱‫( ܽ ܐ‬the
ܳ
emphatic form of the noun is ‫) ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬.
ܳ
(iii) after certain other set expressions, such as ‫ ܕ‬meaning
“without” and in some numerical expressions (see XIV).
D. Vowel Patterns of Nouns

ܳ
In and a number of nouns and adjectives the vowel
pattern of the basic word does not change when endings are
added or in forming the construct. In many nouns and
adjectives, however, the vowel pattern of the stem does
change. For example,
‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬becomes ܶ in the construct, and
‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬becomes ܰ ܳ in the construct.
These represent two main types in which an extra vowel
is inserted when the -ā ending of the emphatic is lost. Further
examples will appear in later sections.
E. The Genitive
The genitive relationship can be expressed in Syriac in three

ways, so that the following three phrases have exactly the
same meaning:
(1) Using ‫ܕ‬: ‫ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬
(2) Using ‫ ܕ‬and an anticipatory pronoun: ‫ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ ܺ
(3) Using the construct of the first noun: ‫ܺ ܳ ܐ‬
ܺ
The last is much rarer than the other two.
F. Irregular Nouns
There are a number of nouns, unfortunately often the most

used ones (and also the word for “other”), which do not
follow the neat pattern set out above. The following list
covers the most important ones.
EMPHATIC CONSTRUCT FORMS WITH EMPHATIC

SINGULAR AND SINGULAR SUFFIXED PLURAL
MEANING PRONOUNS
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܴ ̈ ݂ ‫ ܰܐ‬,
‫ܐ ݂ ܳ ܐ‬, “father” none ݂ ‫’( ܐ‬āb), “my ܰ
father”; ‫ܗܝ‬ ̱ ܽ ݂‫ܐ‬ “parents”;
ܳ ܰ
(’abūy), “his father” ‫ܐ ݂ ̈ ܴ ܳ ݂ܬ‬,
“spiritual
fathers”
ܰ ܳ ܰ
‫ܐ ܳ ܐ‬, “brother” none ‫ܐ‬, “my br.”; ‫ܐ ̈ܶ ܐ‬, “brothers”
ܰ
‫ܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬, “his
brother”
ܳܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ
‫ܐ ܐ‬, “mother” ‫ܐܡ‬ ‫ܐ‬, “my mother”; ‫ܴ̈ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬
ܶ ܶ‫ܐ‬, “his mother”
ܳ ܺ ̱‫ܐ‬, “other” ܺ ‫ܐ‬
̱ rare
ܶܳ ̱‫( ܐ‬m.);
ܳܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ‫( ܐ‬f.)
(m.); ‫( ܐ ̱ ݂ܬ‬f.) (also for ݂ ̱
absolute)
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
‫ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ܬ‬, ‫’( ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ܬ‬att) ‫ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ ܶܬܝ‬, “my wife”; ‫ܶ ܷ̈ ܐ‬
ܰ
“woman, wife” ‫ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ܬܗ‬, “his wife”
ܳ ݁ , “son” ܰ݁ ‫( ܶ ܝ‬ber), “my son”; ‫( ݁ ܰ ܴ̈ܐ‬construct:
‫ ݁ ܶ ܗ‬, “his son” ̈ ܰ ݁)
ܳ ܰ ̈ ݁
‫ ݁ ܰ ݂ܬ‬, ‫( ݁ ܰ ̱ ݂ܬ‬bat) ‫( ܶ ݁ ܰ ݂ܬܝ‬b rat), “my
e
݂ܴ
“daughter”
ܰ
d.”; ‫ ݁ ݂ܬܗ‬, “his d.”
ܴ ݁ ܰ ݁ , “house” ݂ ܶ݁ ‫( ݁ ܰ ݁ ܝ‬bayt), “my ݁̈
ܷ ܴ݁
(m.) h.”; ‫ܷ ܗ‬
݁ ܰ ݁ , “his h.”
ܴ݁ ̱ ܰ (šattā), ݂ܰ suffixes not used ‫ܰ ܴ̈ܐ‬
“year” (f.)
ܳ ܺ
݂ , ݂ܰ‫ܽ ܪ‬ ‫ܺ ݂ܝ‬ , “my v.”; ‫ܽ ܪ ܴ̈ܐ‬
EMPHATIC CONSTRUCT FORMS WITH EMPHATIC

SINGULAR AND SINGULAR SUFFIXED PLURAL
MEANING PRONOUNS
ܶ
“village” (f.) ‫ ܺ ݂ ܗ‬, “his v.”
ܳ ݂ ‫ ܻܐ‬, “hand” (f.) ݂ ܰ , ݂ ‫ܻܐ‬ ‫ ܻܐ ݂ ܝ‬, “my h.”; ‫ ܻܐ ݂ ܶ ܗ‬, ‫ ܻܐ ̈ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, ܶ ݂ ̈ ‫ܻܐ‬
“his hand”
ܶ ܴ̈ ܳ
‫ܳܐ‬ , “name”
ܶ ܶ (šem), “my n.”; , ‫ܳ ܴ̈ ݂ܬ‬
(m.)
ܶ , “his name”
Exercise vi

1. The light of Christ is good.
2. The word of the king is written in the letters of the
messenger (angel).
3. The good land is in the hand of the Syrian.
..ܳ ܰ ܰ *‫ܗܘ ܳ ܳܗ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ܗ ܕ‬ ̱ܳ ܳ 1.
ܳ ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ̇ܗ ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܺ ܐ‬ ܳ ݁ ܰ
.. ̇ ܷ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݂ ܰ ̱ ‫ܰܐ‬
‫ܬ‬ 2.
.. ̇ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ
‫ܰ ܬ ܕܐܪ ܐ‬ܰ ‫ܘ‬ 3.
‫ܽ ܳܘܕ‬ ܶ ܳ
ܺ
*‫ܐ ܕ‬ ܰ
ܳ ܽ ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ ‫ܘܗܘܝ‬ ̱ ܰ ‫* ܶ ܳܕ ܻ ܶ ܻܐ‬ 4.
.. ‫ܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܶ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܘܪ ܳ ܶܐ ܕ‬
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐ ܕ ܽ ܶ ܕ‬
ܻ ܽ ܶ ܶ *‫* ܺ ܳ ܶܕ ܰܘ‬ 5.
ܳ ܳ .. ܳ ‫ܳ ܳܗ‬
ܶ ‫ܳ ܶ ܕ ܳ ܳܐ ܘ ܰ ܬ‬ ܰ 6.
.. ܺ ܳ *‫ܽܕܪܘ ܶܗ ܰ ـ‬

ܳ ܳ ܰ carpenter
ܳ ̇ ܰ
ܳ ݂ ܺ ̱ܰ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܬ‬ woman, wife
‫ܳ ܐ‬ in authority (adjective)
ܰ husband, master
ܳ ܽܰ
ܳ‫ܰ ܬ‬ animals (collective sing.)
‫ܐ‬ tribe
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܳ ‫ܰܪܘܪ‬ nobleman
ܳ
‫ܰ ܽ ܬ‬ kingdom
‫ܻܪ ܳ ܐ‬ head
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ (walled) city
ܰ heard, listened to
ܳܳ
voice
‫ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ lord (used of God)
ܶ anger
ܳ ‫ܽܪܘ‬ anger, wrath
ܳ
‫ܷܐ‬ but, except, if not
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
VII. THE VERB: SIMPLE IMPERFECT AND
IMPERATIVE. USES OF ‫ܕ‬
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 6, 30 ܰ
1. ‫ܶ ܐ ܳܐ‬ ܰ (Mt 8:20) There is not
. ܶ ‫ܟ ܺܪ‬ ܽ ܶ‫ܕ‬ anywhere for him to rest his
head.
2.
ܳ ܳ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܳܘܐ‬ And he was saying that
ܰ ܰ ܰ
‫ܳ ܶܐ ܐ ܳ ܐ‬ there did not remain for the
ܳ ܰ ‫ܽ ܢ ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ‫ܕ‬ Franks anywhere to rest the
ܰ
.‫ܶ ܽܨܘܪ‬ ‫ܰܳܐ‬ head on the coast of the sea
except Tyre.
3.
ܺ ‫ܰ ܶܕ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܪ‬ (Mt 10:33) Whoever denies
ܶ ‫ܳ ܡ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܐ ܐܶ ܽ ܪ‬ me before men, however, I
ܳ ܶ ܳ
̱ ‫ܐܦ ܐ ܳ ܳ ܡ ܐ‬ will deny him also before
.‫ܕ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ my father who is in heaven.
4. ‫ܽ ܘܒ‬ ܶ ܰ ‫ܶܘܐ‬ And he said to him “Draw
.‫ܺ ܶ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ near, apostle of Christ”.
5.
ܰܳ ܶ ‫ܽ ܦ‬ Overthrow from before me
ܺ ܶ ‫ܽ ܶ ܷܐ‬ all the heresies.
1.
݁ ܰ is used in exactly the same way as ݂ ‫ ܻܐ‬and
means “there is not” ( ݂ ‫ ܻܐ‬+ ܴ ).
ܰ
‫ܐ ܳܐ ܕ‬ means “where, anywhere”, introducing a
subordinate clause.
45
46 VII. THE VERB: SIMPLE IMPERFECT AND IMPERATIVE. USES OF ‫ܕ‬
‫ܶ ܽ ܟ‬ is the imperfect tense, 3rd masc. sing., of the

verb
ܰ , “rested, lay”. This is the simplest
form of the imperfect and by contrast with
the perfect this tense corresponds usually to
the future. Hence literally “he will rest”,
though the same form is used also for “he
would rest” according to the context.
‫ܻܪ ܳ ܐ‬ “head”.
2. ‫ܕ‬ apart from meaning “of”, also introduces

indirect statements, corresponding to English
“that”, as in: “He said that he did it.”
ܳ “remained” (see further on this type of verb
in XII).
‫ܶ ܽ ܢ‬ is the imperfect, 3rd masc. plur., of
ܰ .
ܳ ܳ ܳ
“coast”, here construct with ‫ ܰ ܐ‬, “sea”.
ܶ ܰ “except”.
3. ‫ܰ ܕ‬ “whoever”, introduces a subordinate clause.

‫ܶ ܽ ܪ‬ is 3rd masc. sing. imperfect of
ܶ
ܰ , “denied”,
while ‫ܪ‬
ܽ ‫ ܐ‬is the 1st sing.
‫ܳ ܳܡ‬ is a preposition, “before”.
‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܳܐ‬ the plural of ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ (construct phrases).
‫ܳ ܐܦ‬ “also”.
̱ ‫ܐ‬ ܳܰ
a suffixed form of ‫ܐ ܐ‬, “father” (see VI.F).
‫ܰ ܰ ܳܐ‬ is simply “in heaven”. The prefixed ‫ ܕ‬changes
this into a relative clause: “who (is) in
heaven”, the ‫ ܕ‬being used as a relative particle.
It is invariable.
VII. THE VERB: SIMPLE IMPERFECT AND IMPERATIVE. USES OF ‫ ܕ‬47
4. ‫ܽ ܘܒ‬ is the masc. sing. imperative, “draw near!”, of

ܶ
the verb ‫ ܒ‬. Imperatives (masc. sing.) are
basically derived from the imperfect by the
removal of the prefixes (though see the details
ܽ ܶ
in VII.B). Thus ‫ ܬ ܘܒ‬, “you will draw
ܽ
near”, ‫ ܘܒ‬, “draw near”.
5. ‫ܽ ܦ‬ masc. sing. imperative from ܰ , “threw,

overthrew”.
ܰܳ ‫ ܳ ܡ‬with suffix, attached as if to a masc. plur.
noun.
ܶ ܽ ܽ with suffix: “all of them”.
ܺ ܶ ‫ܷܐ‬ “heresies”, is a loanword from Greek and its
form is anomalous.
A. Imperfect Forms of the Simple (pe‛al) Stem
See Paradigm 1.
‫ܽ ܠ‬ ܶ
ܶ nešqūl he will take
‫ܽ ܠ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ tešqūl she will take
‫ܽ ܠ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ tešqūl you (masc. sing.) will take
ܺ ‫ܶܬ‬ tešqelīn you (fem. sing.) will take
‫ܽ ܠ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‚ešqūl I will take
‫ܽܳ ܢ‬ ܶ nešqelūn they (masc.) will take
̈ ܶ nešqelān they (fem.) will take
ܶ
‫ܽܳ ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ tešqelūn you (masc. plur.) will take
̈ ‫ܬ‬ tešqelān you (fem. pl.) will take
‫ܶ ܽ ܠ‬ nešqūl we will take
A very small number of verbs, including ‫ ܙ‬and ,

ܰ ܰ
ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ
have ◌ in the imperfect: and (see Paradigm 2.B).
B. Imperatives
See Paradigm 2.
‫ܽ ܠ‬ šeqūl take! (masc. sing.)

ܽ šeqūl take! (fem. sing.)
ܽ šeqūl take! (masc. plur.)
(‫ܢ‬
ܽ ܽ ) (šeqūlūn)
̈ ܽ šeqūl take! (fem. plur.)
ܶ̈ ܽ
šeqūlēn
They are used as in English except that for prohibitions,

ܳ
i.e. negative commands, the imperfect is used, preceded by
(see vii.2).
C. Uses of ‫ܕ‬
The uses of ‫ ܕ‬are:

(1) to mean “of”.
(2) as the relative word or particle: ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܰܐ ܽ ܢ ܕ‬, “our
father, who art in heaven”.
ܳ ܰ
(3) to form subordinating conjunction like ‫ܐ ܐ ܕ‬, “anywhere
to …”, and ‫ܕ‬
ܰ , “whoever …”.
(4) to mean “that”, introducing indirect speech (and
sometimes a direct quotation: see vii.5).
(5) for purpose, “so that, in order that”, introducing a

purpose clause.
It is always attached to the following word and has no
vowel if the following consonant has a vowel written with it.
Otherwise it is pronounced ‫ ܰܕ‬, da-. (The same rule applies to
‫ܠ‬, ‫ ܒ‬and ‫ܘ‬, prefixed to other words: see III.2, 4, 5 and
IV.2).
Exercise vii

1. We will take the sword.
2. He said that he would overthrow the kingdom.
3. Write to my father.
‫ܳ ܘܶ ܽ ܠ‬ ܰ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܕܶ ܽ ܚ‬ ܳ‫ܘ‬ 1.
.‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬
. ܳ ܶ ‫ܬ ܽ ܘܠ ܕ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܝ‬ 2.
ܰ
ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܘ ܽ ܰܩ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܳܕܐܦ‬ 3.
. ̈ ܳܰ ܶ
ܻ ‫ܐ ܰ ܬ ܽ ܘܢ ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܽ ܕ ܳ ܐ ܽ ܘ‬ 4.
. ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ܰ * ‫* ܳ ܳܘܠ ܰܘ‬
‫ܒ‬ ܶ ܳ‫ܰܪ ܕ‬ ܳ ܶ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܐܶ ܰ ܘ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܐ‬
ܳ
5.
ܶ
‫̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ܐ‬ ܺ ‫ܽ ܽ ܘܢ ܰܐ‬ ܺ ‫ܰ * ܰܨ ܰ ܳܚ‬
.‫ܰܕ ܳ ܷܬܗ‬

ܳ put (compare
ܳ in VII.2 )
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ mind, thought
ܰ worked
ܳ ‫ܰܐ‬ wages
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ate (compare
ܰ ܶ‫) ܐ‬
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ bread
‫ܰܠ‬ rebuked, complained
ܰ cut off
ܶ from, than
ܰ pardoned
‫ܰܰ ݁ ܳܐ‬ debt
‫ܐ ܰ ܳܐ ܕ‬ just as
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ debtor
‫ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ‬ spirit (fem.)
‫ܽ ܕ ܳܐ‬ holiness
‫ܰܫ‬ separated
‫ܰ ̱ܒ‬ gave (Note that in this verb the
middle root letter goes silent in
many forms: ‫ܰܒ‬ becomes ‫ ܰ ̱ܒ‬:
see XI.5. Here the enclitic form of
“we” is attached to the first
participle)
ܳ ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬ prisoner
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
VIII. DERIVED STEMS OF THE VERB
INTRODUCTION
Modification of the meaning of a verb’s simple stem (IV and
VII above) can be produced in Syriac and other Semitic
languages by adding prefixes and/or modifying the vowel
pattern. Syriac has five common derived stems (and a few
rarer ones) but most verbs occur only in one or two of the
stems, often with meanings of a simple type, like those of the
simple stem (pe‛al).
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 7, 31
1. . ܶ ܶ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܡ ܶܕܐܬ‬ (Lk 17:9) He did whatever
was commanded him.
2.
ܰ ݁ ܰ ‫ܘ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ‬ (Mt 2:4) And he gathered all
ܶ̈ ܳ
ܳ . the chief priests.
3. ‫ܘܐܙܠ ܰ ܽ ܘܬ ܳ ܶܕܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ܰ ܶ And he went out with joy of
̇ ܳ ‫ܳܗܝ ܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰܐ ܽ ܘ‬ heart to the place at which
. ܰ ܰ ݁ ‫݂ܐܬ‬ he was martyred.
4. ‫ܰ ܰܘܨ ܳܚ ܺ ܳܗ ܳ ܬ‬ And Saladin similarly
.‫ܐ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰܘܢ‬ departed with them.
5. ‫ܶ ܳ ܪ ܶܕܐ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܰ ܡ ܽܗܘ‬ After he had been
ܶ ݁ ܰ ‫ܰܘܐ ܶ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܘ‬ excommunicated, he and
.‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܺ ܳ those with him, and he had
received punishment…
52
VIII. DERIVED STEMS OF THE VERB 53
1.
ܰ “made, did”.
‫ܶ ܶܡ‬ “anything”. Unlike ordinary nouns this word
does not normally change: “anything
which…”.
ܶ ݁ ‫݂ܶܐܬ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect of a stem derived
from
ܰ , “commanded”. Traditional
grammar, using the verb
ܰ as a model,
called this the ‚etpe‛el, the ‚et- being the chief
characteristic. The t prefix, as elsewhere in
Semitic verbs, has a reflexive/passive
connotation. In meaning the ‚etpe‛el stem is
usually the passive of the pe‛al. Hence, “it was
commanded”.
2.
ܶܰ “gathered”, is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect of the
pa‛el stem, distinguished by the vowel pattern
and here derived from
ܰ , “gathered”. This
stem has an implicit doubling of the second
root letter, though the doubling is not
retained in West Syriac pronunciation. This
stem often conveys an intensification of pe‛al,
though this may not always be clearly
represented in the appropriate English
equivalent.
ܰ ݁ܰ ܳܰ
is the plural masc. construct of ‫ܪ ݁ ܐ‬, “great”.
ܳ ܳ “priest”.
ܶ
3. ‫ܰܐܙܠ‬ “went out, departed”, simple stem perfect.
54 VIII. DERIVED STEMS OF THE VERB
ܳ
‫ܰ ܽ ܘܬ‬ “joy”.
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ “unto, up to”.
‫ܕܘ‬ܽ “place”.
ܰ ܰ݁ ܶ
‫݂ܐܬ‬ is 3rd masc. sing. perfect ‚etpa‛al stem, usually
the passive of the pa‛el, which for this verb is
ܶ ܰ
, “he crowned” (often used of the
crown of martyrdom). The ‚et-, characteristic
of passives, reappears as in the ‚etpe‛el stem,
but the different vowel pattern should be
noted.
4.
ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. of the ‚ap‛el stem of the
verb
ܰ , “he took”, which is used in this
form to mean “departed”. The characteristic
of this stem is the prefixed ‚ālap. Sometimes it
has a causative meaning, for example, turning
ܰ , “reigned”, into ܶ ‫ ܰܐ‬, “made king,
came to power”.
‫ܳܗ ܳ ܬ‬ “similarly, thus”.
ܰ
5. ‫“ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܪ ܕ‬after”, introducing a clause.
‫ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ܰ ܡ‬is the 3 masc. sing. perfect ‚ettap‛al, derived
rd
from ‫ ܡ‬, which does not occur in the p ‚al e
stem, but in the ‚ap‛el commonly means “he

ܶ ܰ
excommunicated” (‫)ܐ ܡ‬. The ‚ettap‛al,
characterized by the double ‫ܬ‬, with ‚et- at the
beginning, is the passive of the ‚ap‛el. Note
that it is pronounced ‚ettaḥram. When, in the
imperfect, there is a further t- prefix, it is
normal to omit the t which would begin the

stem.
ܶ݁ܰ 3rd masc. sing. pa‛el, “received, accepted”. The
pe‛al means “accused”. Implied doubling of
the b in the pa‛el is indicated by a hardening
dot, as here (see II, B(ii)).
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ܳ is an idiom for “punishment, capital
punishment” and it can be written as one
word (as in viii.4).
ܳ is a nominal form
derived from the verb
ܳ meaning “put,
imposed” (see XII), so the idiom means
literally “imposition on the head”.
A. Verbal Patterns
The six main Syriac verb stems are listed here, using the
example of , which gives them their traditional names.
NAME OF STEM DESCRIPTION ABBREVIATION

ܰ pe‛al simple stem pe.
ܶ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‚etpe‛el often passive of eth.
simple stem
ܶ ܰ pa‛el often intensive pa.
ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‚etpa‛al often passive of ethpa.
the pa‛el stem
ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ ‚ap‛el often causative aph.
ܰ ܶ
ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ‚ettap‛al often passive of ettaph.
the ‚ap‛el stem
(The abbreviations are used to identify the stem, but the

full title is retained wherever it is important that the student
should note the details of the particular stem.)
The other persons of the perfect and the imperfects are
formed by the addition of the prefixes and suffixes already
encountered in dealing with the pe‛al stem to the new stem.
So, e.g., the 3rd masc. sing. imperfect of the pa‛el is
ܶ ܰ ,
while the 3rd masc. plur. perfect of the ‚ap‛el stem is
ܶ ‫ ܰܐ‬.
ܰ
A full list of forms, using the verb , “killed”, will
be found in Paradigm 1. This should be understood and
mastered, in its main features at least, before moving on to
subsequent sections.
B. Meanings of Different Verb Stems
The phrases “often intensive”, “often causative” and “often

passive” in the table above are a useful starting-point for
seeking the meaning of a particular verbal root in a particular
derived stem, but it is important to note that pa‛el and ‚ap‛el
forms often have meanings which are unrelated (or appear to
be unrelated) to the meaning of the simple stem. For
example,
ܰ (pe‛al) means “he took”, but the ‚ap‛el of the
same root,
ܶ ‫ ܰܐ‬, means “he set off”. Knowing one of
these meanings would not help much in working out the
other.
ܰ (pe‛al) has two basic meanings, “reign, be king”
and “advise”, while the ‚etpa‛al,
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, means “take counsel,
consult”. The ‚ap‛el can mean “cause to be king” or “give
advice”. The verbal root ‫ ܒ‬in the pe‛al means “draw near”,
in the pa‛el “offer” and in the ‚ap‛el “fight”.
It follows that the only way to be sure about the meaning

of a particular verbal root in a particular stem is to look it up
in the dictionary and memorize it, root and stem together.
A further fact to bear in mind is that not all verbal roots
ܶ ܰ
are actually used in all stems. ‫ ܐ ܙ‬is the ‚ap‛el of the verbal
root ‫ܙ‬ and means “he proclaimed”, but this root never
occurs in the pe‛al form. Despite this, however, it appears in
the dictionary under ‫ ܙ‬.
pa‛el forms often make an intransitive verb describing a
static state of affairs into a transitive verb which conveys the
idea of creating that state and which requires an object. Thus
the pe‛al of means “it is finished” (which cannot have an
object), but
ܶ ܰ (pa‛el) means “he completed” (which must
have an object). The pa‛el is also used to create verbs from
ܳ ܶ
nouns: ‫ ܰܕܗ ܐ‬, “gold”, produces the verb ‫ ܰܕܗܒ‬, “gild, cover in
gold”.
A little care is needed with passives. If the pa‛el or ‚ap‛el
of a verb root has a special meaning of its own (like ‫ܒ‬
ܶ ܰ
above, meaning “offer”), the et- prefixed form will give the
ܰ ܰ ܶ
passive of that meaning. So ‫ ݂ܐܬ ܒ‬means “he (or it) was
offered”. If the ‚ap‛el has a simple causative meaning derived
from the simple stem, note that it is the “causing” element
ܶ ܰ
which becomes passive in the ‚ettap‛al:
ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ ‫ܐ‬, “he caused to
kill”, becomes ‫ܐܬܬ‬, “he was caused to kill” (not “he
caused to be killed”, which is in fact an alternative meaning
for the ‚ap‛el of this verb).
Exercise viii

1. They were killed in this place.
2. His son was made king.
3. You will accept his word.
ܰ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܽ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܘ‬
ܶ
ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܘܐܬ‬
ܰ ܶ ܰ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶܪܘ ܳ ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬ 1.
.‫ܳ ̈ܐ ܐ ܰ ̈ ܐ ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ ‫ܽ ܡ ܐ ܰ ܘ ܳܕܗ‬
ܶ ‫ܘܗ ܳ ܕ ܳ ܐ ܳ ܶܐܬ‬ ܳ ‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܰ ܶܐ‬ ܳ‫ܘ‬ 2.
ܳ
.ܳ ܰ ܳ
ܰ ܳ ‫ܶ ܗ ܰܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ ܶ ܶ 3.
ܰ
.‫ܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬
ܶ ܽ ‫ܘܗܘܘ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܰܘ ܽ ̈ ܶܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܗܘ‬ ܰ ܰ 4.
ܶ ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ
ܽ *‫ ܘ ܳ ܪ ܰ ܬܗ ܕ‬. ̈ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ
‫ܳ ܶܐ ܽ ܘ ܳ ܳ ܰܪ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ܺ ‫ܘܗܘܘ‬ ܰ ܰ .‫ܰܗܘ ܰܪ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܪ ܳܐ‬ ܶ ܳ . ܳ ‫ܕܪܕܘ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܽ ܘ‬
ܶ ‫ܘܗ‬ ܽ ܰ ‫ܰܗܘ‬
‫ܰ ܪ ܳܐ‬ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ‫ܕ* ܳ ܶܐ ܘ‬
.‫ܰܕ ܶ ܳ ̈ ̱ܗܝ‬
ethpa. took counsel

‫ܽ ܡ‬ ܰ
ܰ one mouth ( ‫) ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, agreement
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ Arab (from the Ṭayite tribe)
‫ܐ ܳܐ‬ brother
‫ܐ‬ pa. absolved

‫ܕܳܐ‬ blood
ܰ reckoned, counted
ܳܳ
sin
ܰ divided
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ war
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ trouble
ܳ ܰ
ܳ‫ܙܰ ܐ‬ time
‫ܬ‬ death
aph. became king
‫ܰܪ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ wicked man
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܺ Christian
ܳ ܳ ‫ܽܐܘ‬ distress
‫ܽܪܕܘ ܳ ܐ‬ persecution
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ harsh
ܳ‫ܽܘ‬ tyrant
ܶ ‫ܳܗ‬ then
ܶ descended (see XI.2)
‫ܳ ܺ ܳܐ‬ capital punishment (a
compound)
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܶ enemy
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
IX. OTHER IMPORTANT VERB FORMS
( ܶ , IMPERATIVES, PARTICIPLES,
INFINITIVES, VERBS BEGINNING
WITH s/š/ṣ/z)
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 8, 32
1.
ܶ ‫ܶ ܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬ (Mt 2:11) And they fell down
ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ܺ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܘ‬ and worshipped him and
ܶ.‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ ܰ‫ܘ‬ opened their treasures and
offered him gifts.
ܰ ܶ
2. ‫ܶ ܳ ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܚ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܘܐ‬ (Mk 7:34) And he said to him
‫ܶܘ ܳ ̇ ܳ ݂ ܐܬ ܰ ܚ‬ “Be opened” and at that very
̈ܰ
ܳ݁ ܺ ܰܰ ܳ .‫ܐܕ ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬ moment his ears were opened.
3. ‫ܐ ܐܕܝ ̱ ܶܬ‬ ‫ܘ‬ And when Addai had built the
ܶ ̇ ܳ ‫ܗܘܘ‬̱ܰ ܺ ܰ church, they were offering in it
ܶ .‫ܘ ܽ ܳ ܶܐ‬ vows and offerings.

4. ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶܕ ܳܘ‬ (Lk 15:32) It was, however,
.ܳ ܶ ‫ܰ ܘ‬ fitting for us to be merry and to
rejoice.
5.
ܶ ܰ ‫ܶܘܐ‬ And the Maphrian obeyed him
ܶܰ ܶ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ‬ and went up with him to the
.ܳ ܽ monastery.
1. ‫ܶ ܘ‬ is 3rd masc. plur. pe‛al perfect of ܶ ,
“worshipped, bowed down”. This type of
ܶ
verb, usually intransitive, has ◌ in the second
60
IX. OTHER IMPORTANT VERB FORMS 61
syllable of the pe‛al. Of this group ܶ ,

ܶ and ‫ ܶ ܒ‬have been met already. In
derived stems they are normal, but the pe.
ܰ ܽ
imperfect often has ◌ instead of ‫◌ܘ‬. These
verbs are joined in this respect by verbs like
ܰ , which also has ◌ܰ in the imperfect.
ܳ ܺ “treasure”.
ܶ ܰ is 3rd masc. plur. perfect pa. of ‫ ܒ‬,
ܶ
“touched”, meaning in this stem, “brought
near, offered”.
‫ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ “offering”.
ܰ ܶ ܰ
2. ‫ܐܬ ܰ ܚ‬ ethpa. imperative masc. singular from ‫ܚ‬ ,
“opened”. Each derived form has its own
imperative.
ܳ ܳ ܳ
݂ “hour”. ݂ ܳ ̇ ܳ , literally “in it, in the
hour”, means “immediately”.
ܳ ‫ܶܐܕ‬ “ear” (feminine). Note that ‫ܚ‬
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ ܐܬ‬in the
rd
final phrase is 3 fem. plur. perfect.
3. ‫ܳܐ‬ ܳ
pe. perfect, “built” (see ܳ , ‫ܗܘ‬, etc.: see XII)
ܺ ܰ “offering”, is the pa. particle (masc. plur.)
ܶ
from ‫ ܒ‬, the sing. being ‫ܒ‬
ܶ ܰ . Each
derived form has its own participles and
infinitive.
‫ܶ ܳܪ‬ “vow”.
4.
ܰ ܶ is the pe. infinitive from
ܶ , “made
merry”, here, as usually, with ‫ܠ‬: “to make
62 IX. OTHER IMPORTANT VERB FORMS
merry” (prefixing “to” to the infinitive as in

English).
ܶܳ
‫ܘ‬ is an active participle form (pe.) meaning
“fitting”.
ܳ ܶ is the pe. infinitive from ܳ /‫ ܺ ܝ‬, “rejoiced”.
ܳ ܰ
Verbs with final ‚ālap have ◌ for ◌ in the
infinitive.
ܰ ܶ ܰ
5. ‫ܐ‬ is 3rd masc. sing. perfect ethpe. of . It
illustrates the peculiarity that verbs beginning
with ‫ܫ‬, ‫ܣ‬, ‫ܨ‬, and ‫ ܙ‬in the stems with a ‫ܬ‬
prefix transpose the ‫ ܬ‬and the ‫ ܫ‬/‫ ܣ‬/‫ ܨ‬/‫ ܙ‬.
In addition, with ‫ ܨ‬and ‫ ܙ‬the ‫ ܬ‬becomes ‫ ܛ‬and
ܶ
‫ ܕ‬respectively. ܶ Hence instead of ܰ ‫ ܐܬ‬we
find
ܰ ‫ܐ‬. The ethpe. here means
“obeyed”, though it can also mean “was
heard”.
ܶ with suffix indicating the object.
ܳ ܽ “dwelling, monastery”.
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ “Maphrian” (traditional title of the eastern
head of the Syrian Orthodox Church).
ܶ ܶ ‫)ܕ‬
A. Verbs with the Vowel ◌ (
ܶ
Verbs with the vowel ◌ in the pe‛al stem perfect usually have
◌ܰ in the imperfect, but are normal in the derived stems. The
list here uses the verb ܶ ‫ܕ‬, meaning “feared”.
PERFECT IMPERFECT
ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ܶ
ܰ ‫ܶܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܕ‬
ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܕ‬
ܺ ܶ
‫ܕܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܬܕ‬
ܶ ‫ܶܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܕ‬
ܶ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ
ܶ ‫ܕ‬: ̈ ܶ ‫ܕ‬ ܳ̈ ܶ
ܽ ܶ
‫ܕ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬܕ‬
ܶ ܶ ܳ̈
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܬܕ‬
ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ܶ
B. Other Forms
A complete list of imperatives, infinitives and participles will

be found in Paradigm 2.B. Note that there are pa. and aph.
passive participles as well as ethpa. and ettaph. participles.
The usage of participles is in practice the same as in English.
C.
ܰ ‫ ܙ‬and ܰ
ܰ ܶ
These two verbs have ◌ in the perfect and ◌ in the
imperfect. See Paradigm 2.B.
D. Verbs with Initial s, š, ṣ and z
These verbs undergo transposition (metathesis) of the first

root letter and the t of the derived ’et- prefixed stems.
E. g.,
ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬becomes ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬.
64 IX. OTHER IMPORTANT VERB FORMS
Note also in the case of verb roots beginning with ṣ and z the
ܶ ܶ
mutation of the t of the prefix to ṭ and d respectively: ‫ܐܬܙ‬
ܶ ܶ
becomes ‫ܐܙܕ‬.
Exercise ix
(a) Translate into Syriac :

1. He said that the king would fear God.
2. It is not fitting to write this.
3. Nobles, make the priest king!

ܺ ܺ ܶ ܰ *‫* ܽ ܺܪ ܰ ܐ ܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܽܬܘ ܳ ܳ ܶܐ‬ ܰ 1.
ܳ ܳ ̈ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ
‫ܬ‬ ‫̱ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܘ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ ܐܬ ܰ ܴܘܬ‬
.‫ܳ ܶ ܐ‬ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ
ܶ ‫ܳܗ‬ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ̱ܰ ܶ
ܻ ܰ ‫ܘܗ ܽ ܶܢ‬ ܽ
2.
.‫ܰܕ ܰ ܫ‬
ܶ ܶ ‫ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܴ ܳ * ܱ ܻ ܳ ܶ ܻ ܽ ܣ‬ 3.
ܽ ܳ ‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ̈ ܐ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܶܐ ܰܘ‬ ܶ ܰ ‫ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ‬
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬
ܰ ‫ܗܘܬ‬ ܳ ̱ ܴ ܰ ‫ܽ ܘ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰܕ‬ ܶ ‫* ܰܐ‬
. ܶ ܽ
Vocabulary for the above
ܽ
‫ܬܘܪ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ Turkoman
ܰ over, against, concerning
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ
‫ܐܬܪ‬ place, region; plural ‫ܐܬ ܰ ܴܘܬ‬
ܰ ruled, prevailed over; pa. gave
power (here passive participle)
ܳ ܺ evil thing
ܳ ܺ ܰ
many
ܰ bore
ܶ ܰ pa. spoke
ܰ one
‫ܰܫ‬ happened (note short form of
fem. plur.)
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ holy, holy man
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ cathedra (bishop’s chair), pulpit
ܶ ܰ pa. explained
‫ܰ ܳܳ ܐ‬ people
‫ܳܐ‬ book, writing
‫ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ priestly, holy
ܰ hand (construct of ܳ ‫ ܺܐ‬: see
VI.F);
ܰ , “by means of”
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
X. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS CONTAINING
GUTTURAL LETTERS
INTRODUCTION-GRAMMATICAL SURVEY
The number of totally irregular verbs in Syriac is very small.
However, many verbs contain consonants which regularly
produce variations on the normal vocalization. The biggest
group is that of verbs containing guttural letters (‫)ܥ ܚ ܗ ܐ‬
and ‫( ܪ‬which counts as a guttural in Syriac).
(1) Verbs beginning with ‫ ܐ‬have already been encountered,
e.g.,
ܰ ‫ ܷܐ‬, “he said”. ‫ ܐ‬always has a full vowel at the
beginning of words. Thus the equivalent of
ܰ is ܰ ‫ ܷܐ‬.
Otherwise the ‫ ܐ‬often quiesces and the vowel which
belongs with it is transferred to the preceding consonant.
Thus the pe. imperfect of
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, “ate”, is ‫ ܶ ܽ ܠ‬. (The
imperfect of
ܰ ܶ‫ ܐ‬is of an intransitive type, ܰ ܺ ). See
Paradigm 3, comparing it in detail with the ordinary verb
forms, and noting particularly the aph. and ettaph. in
which a ‫ ܘ‬appears.
(2) In verbs ending with a guttural or ‫ ܪ‬there is a general
tendency for the vowel before the guttural or ‫ ܪ‬to be ◌
ܰ
rather than any other vowel. E.g., the imperfect of
ܰ
is
ܰ ܶ , “he will hear”, while the ethpe. is ܰ ‫ܷܐ‬
(Note here the interchange of ‫ ܫ‬and ‫ ܬ‬: IX.5). See
ܳ
Paradigm 4. Verbs ending in ‫ ◌ܐ‬are dealt with in XII.
66
X. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS CONTAINING GUTTURAL LETTERS 67
(3) Verbs with ‫ ܐ‬in the middle have peculiarities arising from
the nature of ‫ ܐ‬which always either bears a vowel or is
completely silent, its vowel being transferred to the
preceding consonant. E.g. , ‫ ܶ ܠ‬, “he asked” (note the
ܶ
◌ vowel), is the pe. of this type, while its imperfect is
‫( ܶ ܰ ܠ‬neš‚al becoming nešal). The pa. and ethpa. forms
are regular. See Paradigm 5.
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
In the following illustrative texts some forms of these three
kinds are introduced. Other examples will appear
subsequently in texts, exercises and readings. The student
should attend to the basic features of these verbs. Details will
not then cause any problem.
! 9, 33
1. ‫ܶܽ ܥ‬ ܶ ‫ܘ ܰ ܐܶ ܰ ܳܗ‬ (Lk 19:28) And when Jesus
‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬ ܰ had said these things he
. ܶ ‫ܕ ܺ ܰܙܠ ܺܘܪ‬ went out ahead to go to
Jerusalem.
ܶ
2. ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܐ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܬ‬ And he was killed in the war
. ܶ ܺ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ̈ ̱ܗܝ ܐܬܕ ܰ ܘ ܐ‬ and his sons were led away
prisoners.
̈ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬
3. ̱ ܽܰ
‫ܘܗܝ‬ And he commanded his
‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ‫ܕ‬ servants that they should kill
.‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܰ ܳ ‫ܳܪ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬ ܶ every Egyptian who would
meet them.
ܳ ܺ
4. ‫ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ (Jn 16:23-24) And on that
‫ܰܳܐ‬ .‫ܬ ܶ ܽ ܢ ܶ ܶ ܡ‬ day you will not ask me
68 X. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS CONTAINING GUTTURAL LETTERS
ܽ ܳ
‫ܘܢ‬ ܶ ‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ anything. Until now you
. ܶ ‫ܶ ܶܡ‬ have not asked anything in
my name.
ܽ ܶ ܶܰ
5.
ܶ ܶ ‫ܠ‬ He asked for Basil and he
ܰ ‫ܘܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܣ‬ ܺ ܺ ܰ
ܰ ܾ ܰ ܶ
was told: “Tomorrow you
̱‫ܶ ܕ ܺ ܳܳ ܳܶ ܐ‬ can see him in the church”.
. ‫̱ ݁ܬ‬
1.
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ “he said”, a verb beginning with ‫ܐ‬, should be
compared with the regular vowel pattern of
ܰ .
‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬ is ‫ܳ ܡ‬
ܰ , “ahead” (see ‫ ) ܳ ܡ‬with 3rd sing.
suffix.
ܶ
‫ܺ ܰܙܠ‬ is the imperfect of the pe. of ‫ܰܐܙܠ‬. The ‫ ܐ‬has
become silent : “he will go (out)”.
ܶ ܶ ܰ
2. ‫ܐܬ‬ is the ethpe. (passive) perfect of : “he
was killed”.
‫ܰ ̈ ̱ܗܝ‬ the suffixed plur. of
ܳ (see construct plur.
̈ ܰ , VI.F).
ܶ
‫ܐܬܕ ܰ ܘ‬ is the ethpe. perfect 3rd masc. plur. of
ܰ ‫ܕ‬,
ܰ
“led”, with its final ‫ ܪ‬preceded by ◌ instead
ܶ
◌.
3. ܳ ܰ “servant”.
ܰ ܳ the pe. active participle of ܰ , “met”. The
final guttural causes the departure from the
ܶ ܳ
usual vowel pattern of .
4. ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܐ‬ “day”.
‫ܬܶ ܽ ܢ‬ is the 2nd plur. imperfect of ‫ ܶ ܠ‬, in which
the ‫ ܐ‬has become silent and its vowel has
moved on to the ‫ܫ‬. Contrast the usual
ܶ
‫ܬ ܽ ܢ‬.
‫ܳ ܽܗ ܳ ܐ‬ “now, (at) this time”.
ܽ ܰ
‫ܘܢ‬ ܶ contrast ‫ܘܢ‬ .
ܶ ܳ
‫“ ܐ‬name”, with suffix (see VI.F).
5. ‫ܰ ܷܠ‬ “he asked”, is the pa. stem perfect of ‫ܶ ܠ‬
and is in effect normal.
ܽ ܶ
“on account of, for, concerning, because of”.
ܰ ‫ܶܐܬܶܐ‬ is the ethpe. of
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, the ‫ ܐ‬becoming silent and
ܶ ܶ
its vowel (not written in the regular ‫)ܐܬ‬
moving on to the prefix. Also the final ‫ܪ‬
produces an a vowel in the last syllable.
ܳ “tomorrow”.
ܶܳ is the active participle from ܳ , “he saw”.
Exercise x

1. We will go to this city.
2. You (sing. masc.) will not hear the word of God.
3. He will ask for the book.
(b) Translate into English :

ܰ ‫ܰ ܠ ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܶܘܐ ܰ ܆ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܳܐ ܺ ܰܐ ܽ ܘܢ‬
̱ ܷ 1.
.. ܽ ܰ ܰ .‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܺ
70 X. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS CONTAINING GUTTURAL LETTERS
ܰ ܳ ܰ ‫ܺ ܰ ܐܪ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܺܐ‬
‫ܳ ܬ * ܰܨ ܳܚ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ*ܐ‬ 2.
ܳ ܶ .. ܺ *
‫ܰ ܐ‬ ܽ ‫ܳ ܰ ܐܕ‬ ̇ ܳ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶܕ‬ 3.
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ ܺ ܶ‫̈ܶܐ ܳܘܐܦ ܐ‬ ܳ ܰ ‫ܰܗܘ ܰܘܐ ܰ ܚ ܰܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܶ ܽ
‫ܽ ܥ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ* ‫ܬܘܒ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܐܕ‬
..‫ܕ ܳ ܝ * ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܰ ܚ‬
ܰ ‫ܰܐ ܶܕܐܬܬ‬ ܶ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܶܕ ܕ ܶ ̈ܶ ܐ ܬ‬ 4.
.. ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ
ܽ ܰ ܰ + ‫ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬
‫ܰ ܰܪ‬ pa. sent
ܳ ܰ ‫ܺܐ‬ envoy
ܳ
‫ܰ ܐ‬ summer
‫ܰ ܚ‬ aph. ordained; pe. devastated
‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ four
‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ deacon
‫ܐܽ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬ bishop
‫ܬܘܒ‬ also, again
‫ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ monk
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ rest
‫ܶ ̈ܶ ܐ‬ women (related to ‫;ܐ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ see
VI.F)
ܰ‫ܬ‬ exacted satisfaction from, asked
for recompense from (transitive
and followed by a direct object
when active)
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
XI. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS BEGINNING
WITH AND ‫ܝ‬
(1) Verbs beginning with frequently lose the since it tends
to be assimilated to a following letter unless a vowel
intervenes. This occurs particularly in the aph. and ettaph.
stems and normally in the imperfect of the pe. Thus for
ܰ (see iv.2) the pe. imperfect is ‫( ܶ ݁ ܽ ܩ‬the dot over
the hard ‫ ܦ‬reflects doubling); the aph. perfect is
ܶ ݁ ‫; ܰܐ‬
ܰ ܶ
ܰ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
the ettaph. perfect is . The ethpe., pa. and ethpa.
are normal. Note with unusual vowel patterns ܶ with
imperfect ‫ ܽ ܬ‬,
ܶ ܰ with imperfect ܶ ݁ ܶ , and ܰ
with imperfect
ܰ ܶ . See Paradigm 6.
(2) Most verbs with initial ‫ ܝ‬were developed from verbs with
an initial ‫ ܘ‬which reappears in the aph. and ettaph. stems.
(A small number of verbs has an original ‫ܝ‬.) In other
forms the ‫ ܝ‬without a vowel changes into the vowel ī
which may have ‫ ܐ‬before it if it is not preceded by a
ܶ
prefix. The pe. perfect normally has the vowel ◌. Thus
ܶ
for the root ‫ ܬ‬the pe. perfect is ‫( )ܐ( ܺ ܬ‬īret), “he
inherited” (note e vowel); the ethpe. perfect is ‫ ;ܐܬ ܬ‬the
ܶ ܺܶ
ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ retains the y in the
aph. perfect is ‫ܐܘܪܬ‬. (The verb
aph.) The pa. and ethpa. are normal. See Paradigm 7.
72
XI. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS BEGINNING WITH AND ‫ܝ‬ 73
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 10, 34
1.
ܶ ܳ̈ ‫ܳ ܰ ̱ܗܝ ܰܕ‬ ܶ ܰ (Mt 8:16) And they brought
ܶ
ܶ ݁ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈ ܰܘܐ‬ before him many demoniacs
ܳ ܶ
. ‫ܰܕ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܘܢ‬ and he made their demons go
out by the word.
2.
ܶ ܰ ‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ (Mk 15:32) Let the Christ, the
‫ܳܐ‬ ‫ܺܕ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܬ ܳܗ‬ king of Israel, come down now
.‫ܶ ܙ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ from the cross.
3.
ܶ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬ And he divided his army and
ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܘܐܬ ܕܘ ܘ‬ they were prepared and they
.‫ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ
̱ encamped against the city for
battle.
ܳ
4. ‫ܰ ܘ ܳܘ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܐ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ܳ ܬ‬ The churches they uprooted,
‫ܰܘܕ ܳ ܬ ܐܘ ܶ ܘ‬ ܰ the sanctuaries they demolished
ܳ. ‫ܽ ܪ‬ and the monasteries they burnt
with fire.
5.
ܶ ‫ܻܕܐ‬ ܶ ܰ (Mt 25:29) For to whoever has
ܶ ‫ܶ ܺ ܶܒ‬ will be given to him and added
. ܶ ܰ ‫ܘ ܶ ܰܬܘ‬ to him.
1.
ܶ ܰ ܶ
pa. perfect of ‫ ܒ‬, meaning “brought near”.
ܳ ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ “demoniac”.
ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ “demon” (plur. with suffix).
ܶ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ is the aph. perfect of
ܰ , the having been
absorbed, since no vowel would have
followed it.
74 XI. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS BEGINNING WITH AND ‫ܝ‬
2. ‫ܶܽ ܬ‬ is the pe. imperfect (3rd masc. sing.) of ܶ ,

the of the root having disappeared. The
imperfect is regularly used for wishes: “let him
…”.
‫ܙ ܺ ܳܐ‬ “cross”.
ܳ ܰ
3. “army”.
ܰ ܶ ܰ
‫ܐܬ ܰ ܕܘ‬ 3rd masc. plur. perfect ethpa. of ‫ ܕ‬, “was
prepared”.
ܶ ܺ ܺ
‫ܘ‬ Here the ◌ slips back onto the ‫ܘ‬, “and”, but
ܶ ܺ
the ground form is , the 3rd masc. plur.
ܶ ܺ
perfect pe. of ‫ ܒ‬, “sat, encamped”. This
verb and ‫ ܺ ܰ ܥ‬, “knew”, have further
irregularities. The main one is that in the pe.
imperfect they behave like the verbs
ܶ݁ ܶ ܶ
beginning with : ‫ܒ‬ etc.; ‫ ݁ ܰ ܥ‬etc. (like
ܶ ݁ ܶ and ܰ ܶ in Paradigm 6), with
ܶ
imperatives ‫ܬܒ‬, etc. and ‫ܰܕܥ‬, etc., and
ܰ݁ ܶ ܶ
infinitives ‫ܒ‬ and ‫ ݁ ܰ ܥ‬.
4.
ܰ “uprooted”.
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ “altar, sanctuary”
ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ “monastery”.
ܶ ‫ܰܐܘ‬ is the 3rd masc. plur. perfect aph. of the root
ܶ ܺ . This transitive form means “they burnt”.
The original ‫ ܘ‬reappears in this form.
ܺ ܶ
5. ‫ܶܒ‬ is the regular imperfect pattern of the ethpe.
of verbs with initial ‫ܝ‬. The verb ‫ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬, “gave”
is peculiar in some forms, the ‫ ܗ‬not being
XI. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS BEGINNING WITH AND ‫ܝ‬ 75
pronounced and its vowel being moved

forward on to the ‫ܝ‬. Also, for “he will give” a
ܶ݁ ܶ
completely different root is used – ‫ ܠ‬.
ܰ ‫ܶ ݁ ݁ܰܬܘ‬ is the ettaph. stem from the root (no
pe.), used in this stem and in the aph. to mean
respectively “was added” and “added, did
again”.
Exercise xi

1. We will cause the great men to go out.
2. He will inherit the earth.
3. He burned the city.

ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
.‫ܺ ܰ ܳܪܬ‬ ܰܳ
ܳ ‫ܘ ܽ ܐ̱ ܳ ܕܽ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܳ ܳܐܘ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܰ ̈ܐ ܰܕ‬ 1.
ܳ ‫̄ ݁ܬ ܰܰܕ‬ ܺ ‫ܘ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܬܘܒ ܶ ̈ ܬ ܽ ܶ ܕ‬ 2.
ܰܶ ݁ ܳ
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܺ ̈ܳܬ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܷ ܰܕܕܗ ܳ ܐ ܰܘܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ‬
ܳ ܳ . ܶ ܺ ܰܶ
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ ܰ‫ܕ‬ ܽ ܽ ‫ܐܬ ܶ ܒ ܺ ܶ ܐ‬ 3.
ܰ ܳ .‫ܶܘ ܰ ܪ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܳܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳܐ ܕ‬ 4.
ܰ
. ܶ ̱ ‫ܶܕܐܬ ܶ ܬ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܽ ܪ‬ ܳ * ܶ ܰ ‫ܰܘܗ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ * ܰܐܕܪ ܰ ܳܘ ܶܘܐ‬ 5.
ܶ ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܳ ܳ ܶ‫ܘܗܒ ܺ ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܽ ܩ ܶ ܺ ̄݁ܳܬ‬
. ܳ
76 XI. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS BEGINNING WITH AND ‫ܝ‬

ܰ leave, forgive
ܶ
‫ܰ ̈ܐ‬ life (a plural form)
‫ܰ ܺܳ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ patriarch
ܳ ܳ
ܳ‫ܨܳܬ‬
ܽ thing; plur. ‫ܶܨ ̈ ܬ‬
resurrection
ܳܺ ܰ
lampstand, candle
‫ܰܕܗ ܳ ܐ‬ gold
‫ܺ ܳ ܰܐ‬ silver
‫ܘ‬ ܰ and other, etcetera
ܳ
‫ܳܐ‬ ܽ authority
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ Magian, Persian priest
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ on account of what, why?
aph. (
ܶ ‫) ܰܐܘ‬ brought (here
participle)
ܰ‫ܗ‬ turned, returned, changed
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ elder, priest
‫ܗܒ‬ܰ pe. Imperative of ‫̱ܒ‬
ܳ ܳ ܶ‫ܐ‬ document, deed
Notes
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
XII. PECULIARITIES IN VERBS WITH ONLY
TWO ROOT CONSONANTS IN MANY
FORMS
(1) Many verbs are like
ܳ met already (vii.1) with two
ܳ
consonants and the vowel ◌ in the pe. perfect. The
corresponding imperfect normally has ‫◌ܘ‬, while the pe.
ܽ
participle has an ’ālap (by analogy with the verbs with ’ālap
in the middle). The aph. and ettaph. perfect and imperfect
have the vowel ‫ܺܝ‬. Thus for the root : pe. perfect
ܳ,
ܽ ܶ ܳ
“he arose”; imperfect ‫ ; ܡ‬participle ‫ ; ܡ‬aph. perfect
ܺ ‫ ܰܐ‬. The ethpa. and ettaph. are merged: ܺ ‫ ܶܐܬܬ‬, with
doubled t. This form is pronounced ’et(t)eqīm. See
Paradigm 8. (Note that
ܳ may be found under ‫ ܡ‬in
dictionaries, since these verbs originally had three root
letters.)
(2) Another group has its third root letter identical with the
second (see , VIII.3). The letter only appears once
in many forms – pe., aph., and ettaph. stems. Thus we
have from the root for the pe.,
ܰ , “he entered”;
ܽܶ ܰ
ܶ ‫ ;ܐ‬ettaph. perfect
imperfect ‫ ; ܠ‬aph. perfect
ܰܰ ܶ
‫ܐܬܬ‬. The first root letter is hardened if it is one of the
ܽܶ
series b, g, d, k, p, t after a prefix: ‫ ݁ ܙ‬from ‫ ܙ‬. The
ethpe., pa. and ethpa. are all regular. See Paradigm 9.
(3) A major group of verbs ends in the pe. stem perfect in ‫◌ܐ‬
ܳ
ܳ
(-ā, see ܳ , IV.3), taking endings like ‫( ܗܘ‬V.A). It is to be
noted that the final ’ālap is not a root letter but simply the
77
78 PECULIARITIES IN VERBS WITH ONLY TWO ROOT CONSONANTS
sign of ā. This takes the place of an original ‫ ܝ‬, which

reappears in many forms (often as a vowel, however), e.g.,
ܺ ܶ ܶ
ethpe. ‫ܐܬ ܝ‬, “he was seen”. Imperfects end in ‫◌ܐ‬, e.g.,
pe.
ܶ ܶ , “he will see”. See Paradigm 10.
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 11, 35
1.
ܺ ‫ܰ ܳ ܣ ܰܘܐ‬ ܳ (Acts 13:16) Paul arose and
ܺ
.‫ܐ ܶ ܗ‬ raised his hand.
2.
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ‫ܰܘܐ‬ (Lk 1:69) And he has raised up
ܶ
‫ܕ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳܐ ܰ ܗ‬ for us a horn of salvation in the
.‫ܕܕܘ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܗ‬ ܺܰ house of David his servant.
3. ‫ܰ ܳܳܪܘܣ‬ ‫ܰܘ‬ And Alexander went with the
‫ܺ ܰ ܽ ܶܘܬ ܳ ܬ‬ embassy to Darius until he
‫ܰܕܪ ܳ ܳ ܫ ܰܐܙܠ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ entered Babylon.
ܶ ܳ ܰ‫ܕ‬
ܶ ܽ ܰ
4. ‫ܬܗ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ And when he returned to his
‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ܺ ‫ܐܪ‬ kingdom he imposed a poll-tax
.‫ܽ ܰ ܿ ܐܪ ܳ ܺܐ‬ ܰ on the whole country.
5.
̈ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܰ ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ And they filled the land with
ܰ ‫ܶܘܐܬܘ ܰ ܘ‬ those killed and came and
ܳ
. ̱ ܺ ‫ܽ ܰ ܰܪܗ‬ encamped against the city of
Mu‛arra.
1.
ܳ is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect pe. of a two-
consonant root meaning “arose, stood”.
ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬ is the aph. perfect of
ܳ , meaning “raised,
waved”.
PECULIARITIES IN VERBS WITH ONLY TWO ROOT CONSONANTS 79
2.
ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬ 3rd masc. sing. perfect aph. from
ܳ.
ܳ ܰ “horn”.
‫ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ “redemption, salvation”.
ܳ ܺ
3. ‫“ ܐ ܰ ܽ ܘܬ‬embassy, mission”.
ܰ rd
is 3 masc. sing. perfect pe. from the root
, “entered”. The second and third root
letters appear only once.
4. ‫ܳܐ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect pe. of a verb

which has become two-consonant as a result
of the loss of a final ‫( ܝ‬penā): “turned,
returned”.
ܰ
ܻ ‫ܐܪ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. perfect of the aph. of
‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “threw, poured”. Here the original ‫ܝ‬
reappears (only as a vowel) and the meaning is
“he placed, imposed”.
‫ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ܶ a construct phrase, literally “money of the
head”, is an idiom for “poll-tax” (note
ordinary form ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܶ ).
ܰ ܳ
5. is the 3rd masc. plur. pe. perfect of , “filled,
ܳ
was full”. The vowel ā of is modified
when the plur. ending is added.
ܶ̈ ܺ
is basically the pe. passive participle of
ܰ
, here used as a noun, “those killed, the
slain”.
ܰܶ ܰ above, but from ‫ܐܬ‬ ܳܶ
‫ܐܬܘ‬ is analogous to ,
“came”, which has the extra vowel because of
the initial ‚ālap (see X.(1)).
ܰܶ
‫ܰܘ‬ see
ܰ, ‫ܐܬܘ‬, from
ܳ
, “loosed, dwelt,
ܺ
encamped”. The pa. means “began” (‫) ܰ ܝ‬.
Exercise xii

1. They put the book in the hand of the king.
2. He will not enter the kingdom.
3. They returned from the battle.

ܶ ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ܕ ܳ ܳ ܶܐ‬ ܰ ܽ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶܡ‬ 1.
ܳ ‫ܗܘܬ ܺܕ‬ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̱ ܺ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ‬ ܰ ‫* ܰ ܳ ܕ ܳܕܗ‬
ܳ ܳܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ
.‫ܺ ̱ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܣܐ‬ ‫ܘ ܕ*ܐ‬
ܶ ܽ ܶ ‫ܕܐܨܘܪ ܰܨ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ‬ ܽ ܶ ‫ܳ ܰܢ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܗܒ‬ 2.
.‫ܘܗܝ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ܰ ܽ ܳ ‫* ܶ ܽ ܢ ܰ ܳܐ‬
̱ ܻ ‫ܕܪ‬
ܶ
ܶ ܰ
ܳ ܶ ‫ܽܗܘ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܝ ܶܕ‬ 3.
‫ܰ ܶ ܕ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܐܬ ܽܗܘ‬ ܶ‫ܘ‬ .‫ܰܪ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ ܺ ‫ܕ* ܳܘ‬

.‫ܳܗ ܳ ܰܪ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ
ܺ ‫ܽܗܘ * ܽ ܳܪ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܘ ܳ ܶܕ ܰ ̱ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ 4.
.‫ܳ ܐ‬ ܽ ܳ ‫* ܰܕܪ ܽ ܩ ܺ ̈ ܐ ܕ‬
ܽ ܶ ܶ̈ ܺ ܰ ܳ
ܰ ݁ ‫ܰܕܐ‬ ̇̈ ܶ ̇ ܳ ܺ ܺ 5.
ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܰ ‫ ܰܗܘ ܶܕ ܕ‬. ܺ ܰ
. ܶ ܰ
PECULIARITIES IN VERBS WITH ONLY TWO ROOT CONSONANTS 81
ܶ
‫ܳ ܡ‬ pe. participle of
ܳ
ܰ ܽ opposite, against
ܰ sent
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ experience, test
‫ܰܗܒ‬ pe. imperative of ‫ܰ ̱ܒ‬ (see XI.5)
ܳ ܳ , ‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ lord, the Lord
‫ܳܨܪ‬ depicted, painted
‫ܰܨ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬ picture, image
pe. passive participle (construct)
ܳ
of , “filled, was full”
ܳ ܽ beauty, virtue
‫ܳܐ‬ chose, (here pe. passive participle,
“emphatic”, used as an adjective:
elect, pure, eminent)
‫ܳܪ ܳ ܐ‬ high
ܶ from, than (here “more high
than”) (for comparison, see IV.5)
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ tongue, speech
pa. remained
ܳ݁ ܰ
̱ ܺ year (VI.F)
ܳ‫ܐ‬ Iyar (month name: April-May)
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ month
ܺ died (like
ܳ but with middle ‫)ܝ‬
‫ܰܕܪ ܽ ܩ‬ Damascus
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ sickness, pain
‫ܳ ܽ ܳܐ‬ strangling (used of diphtheria etc.)
ܰ forgave
ܽ ܶ
‫ܕ‬ because …
( ) aph. loved
ܺ ܰ much (adverb)
ܺ ܰ little (adverb)
Notes
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XIII. OBJECT PRONOUNS ATTACHED TO
VERBS. ADVERBS. OTHER DERIVED
FORMS OF VERBS
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 12, 36 ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ‫ܰܐܗ‬
1. ‫ܗ‬ ܳ‫ܕ‬ He made him turn back
ܰ ܶ ܰ‫ܕ‬
. ̱ ܺ because of his fear to bring him
into the city.
2. ‫ܳܣ‬ ܰ ‫ܪܗ ܰ ܽܪܘ‬ ܶ They ran against Romanus in
.‫ܕ ܶ ܽ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬ order that they might kill him.
3. ‫ܰ ܶ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬ They confused their order and
ܰ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܰܘ‬ they fled hastily.
. ܻ ܳ ܺ‫ܬ‬
4.
ܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ
‫ܗ‬ (Acts 13:33) Behold God has
.‫ܘܢ‬ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܰ fulfilled it to us, their sons.
ܳ
5. ‫ܺ ̄ ݁ܬ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܐ ܽ ܶܰ ܕ‬ And all the people of the chuch
ܳ ‫ܗܘ ܬ‬ ̱ܳ ܰ were praying there diligently.
ܳ
. ܻ ܺ
1.
ܶ ‫ܰܐܗ‬ is the 3rd masc. sing. aph. of ‫ ܗ‬with the ܰ
pronoun suffix “him” attached. This is a
normal procedure and equivalent to the use of
ܰ
‫ ܠ‬with suffix: ܶ ܶ ‫ܐܗ‬. The pronouns are
similar to those attached to nouns and
prepositions, except that there is no 3rd plur.
form, the enclitic form of the independent
personal pronoun being used instead. The
83
84 XIII. OBJECT PRONOUNS ATTACHED TO VERBS
vowel pattern of the whole word is often

modified as here.
ܳ
‫ܶܕ‬ “fear”. It is followed by a clause introduced by
‫ ܕ‬which explains what he was afraid of.
ܶ ܰ 3rd masc. sing. imperfect aph. of
ܰ,
“entered”, with “him” suffix, equivalent to
ܶ ܶ ܰ.
2.
ܶ
‫ܪܗ‬ ܶ “hastened, ran”.
‫ܪܗܛ‬
‫ ܶ ܽ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬is ‫“ ܶ ܽ ܢ‬they will/might kill”, with the
“him” suffix in an alternative form. See
XIII.A and Paradigm 11.
3. ‫ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬ ܰ is again a form with object suffix “him”. This

is added to the 3rd masc. plur. of
ܶ ܰ
which is in effect an additional rather rare
verb form derived from
ܰ ( ) and
means “confused”. For convenience it may be
ܶ called a palpel form.
‫ܳܐ‬ “order, rank”.
ܺ
ܻܳ ‫ܬ‬ “hastily, earnestly, urgently”, is a typical
adverbial formation based on the adjective
‫ܬ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “urgent”. The ending -ā’īt is
commonly used to form adverbs from nouns
and adjectives.
4. ܶ‫ـ‬ ܰ when the pronoun is removed, is

ܺ ܰ . This
is another rare derived form based on the
ܳ
verb . The meaning attached to this
pattern is often causative and in this case is
XIII. OBJECT PRONOUNS ATTACHED TO VERBS 85
“completed, made full, fulfilled”. The form is

called šap‛el since in verbs with an ordinary
third consonant such as
ܰ , the form is
ܶ ܰ , “enslaved, caused to serve”.
5. ‫ܠ‬ ܽ =
ܽ
.
ܶܰ ܳ
is the pa. active participle from ‫ ܨ‬, “bent”,
which in the pa. means “prayed”.
ܺܳ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܺ
“diligently” (see ‫ܬ‬ , “diligence”).
A. Object Pronouns Attached to Verbs
The following list gives the main forms encountered.
me ‫ـ‬
you (masc. sing.) ‫ـܟ‬
you (fem. sing.) ‫ـ‬
(after consonant) ‫ـܗ‬
(after ‫)ܽ◌ܘ‬ ‫ـ̱ܗܝ‬
him (after ‫ܳ◌ܘ‬, often inserted as a ‫ـ ̱ܝ‬
linking vowel)
(after ‫)ܺ◌ ـ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬
̱ ‫ـ‬
her ‫ـ̇ܗ‬
us
you (masc. plur.) ‫ـܽ ܢ‬
you (fem. plur.)
ܶ‫ـ‬
Notes:
ܽܶ
(1) There are no 3rd plur. suffixes but ‫ ܐ ܢ‬and ‫ ܐ‬are
ܶܶ
used instead.
(2) The addition of a suffix disrupts the vowel pattern of
a verb.
(3) The final -ā of verbs like ܳ produces special vowel
mutations when suffixes are added.
See Paradigms 11 and 12.
B. Other Derived Stems
Other rare derived verb forms like

ܶ ܰ from ܰ and
ܶ ܰ from ܰ include the following patterns (based on
ܰ ): sap‛el; pa‛lel; pawlel; pe‛al‛el; pay‛el; pa‛lī (and their
corresponding et- prefixed forms).
The pattern for the addition of suffixes and prefixes to
indicate tense and person is like that of the aph.
Exercise xiii

1. The king enslaved him.
2. He will make you king.
3. The priests killed him.

ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳܳ ܺ ܰ
ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ ‫ܘܐܪ‬ ܰ ܰ * ‫ܶܗ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܘܐ‬ 1.
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬
̱ ܽ ܰ ‫ܶ ܐ ܰ ܳܘ‬ ̈ܰ‫ܰ ܰ ܳܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕ‬ ‫ܰܘ‬
‫ ܰܘܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬. ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ‫ ܰܘܐܪ‬. ‫ܺ ̈ܳ ܳܬ‬ ܰ
XIII. OBJECT PRONOUNS ATTACHED TO VERBS 87
.. ‫ܗܝ‬̱ ܰ ܳ ‫ܳ ܐ ܰܘܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬ ܽ ܰ

ܳ ܳ ܺܳܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ
̇ܳ ‫ܰ ܐ ܐ‬ 2.
.. ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ܰ ‫ܘ‬
ܳܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܺ
‫̇ ܐ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ܽ ܶ 3.
.‫̇ܗ‬ ܳ ܰ ‫ܰ ܕ‬
ܰ ‫ܰ ܰ ̈ ܽܗܘ ܰ ܰ ܘ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܽܗܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܻܐ‬ 4.
ܳ ܴ ‫ܰ ܳ ̱ ܝ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬
..‫ܳ ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬

ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ took hold of
‫ܪܳܐ‬ pe. threw, lay (hands), put (chains);
aph. raised (voice)
ܳ ܺ
village, field
ܳ
ܳ ‫ܽܐ‬ beat, struck
ܳ‫ܺ ܰ ܬ‬ blow (here plur.)

chain
ܶ was fulfilled/finished; ethpe. was
handed over; pa. finished, offered;
aph. handed over
ܳܳ ܰ
ܺ ܳ ܳ‫ܳ ܽ ܐ‬ Greek
with mistakes, imperfectly
pa. praised
ܳ ܺ
creation
ܳ
‫ܺ ܽܺ ܬ‬ futility
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ truly
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ suffering
pay‛el stem : bore
ܺ
‫ܳܐ‬ beaten
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ pa. passive participle (“emphatic”) of
‫ܳܐ‬ , struck, beat
( ) ܰ was low, lay down, etc.; pa. laid low,
humbled (transitive) (here passive
participle)
Notes
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XIV. NUMERALS, DATES, DAYS
ILLUSTRATIVE TEXTS
! 13, 37 ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ
1.
ܶ ܴ ‫ܺ ܳܬ ܰ ܐ‬ ܶ ܰ
(Mt 14:17) We have here only
‫ܘܬ‬ five loaves and two fishes.
.̈ܺ ܽ
2. ‫ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܽܰ ܪ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ In the days of Shapour the king
ܰ ܳ ‫ܳ ܰܘܬ‬ he killed there in one day 118
ܳ ‫ܰܬ‬ ܰ ܶ̈ ܳ
‫ܕ‬ martyrs.
ܳ
.‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܐ‬ ܰ
3.
ܽ ܳ ܰ ‫ܶܘܐܬ ܬܘܒ‬ He came again to fight with
‫ܐܘܪܗܝ ܽ ܡ‬ ܳ ܽ ܰ Edessa (Orhay) on the twenty-
‫ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰܘܐܪ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܻ ܰܪܚ‬ fourth of the month of Ilul, a
‫ܐ ܽ ܠ ܽ ܡ ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ Wednesday
ܰ .‫ܰ ܳ ܐ‬
4. ‫ܕ ̈ܳ ܶܐ‬ ܰ ܰ
ܰ ܶ In the year 305 of the Arabs
‫ܐ ܰܕܪܰܘ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ were sent from the king,
ܶ̈ ܰ ‫ܐ‬ ܽ Constantine, ambassadors, two
‫ܶܬܪ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܐ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ persons, an old man and a
.‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ young man.
5. ‫ܗܘܘ ܳ ̇ ܰ ̈ܳܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬
ܽ She had four sons, the first
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺܐ ܬܘ ܺ ܳ ܰܬܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ Tushi, the second Shagati, the
‫ܽ ܰ ܰ ܺܬܝ ܬ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ third Ukati, the fourth Tuli.
‫ܽܐܘ ܰ ܬܝ ܪ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬
. ܺ ‫ܬܘ‬
89
90 XIV. NUMERALS, DATES, DAYS
1.
ܳ‫ܬ‬ “here”.
ܶ ܰ “five”, is used with the feminine noun
ܳ
‫ ܻ ܬ‬, “loaf”, in its absolute plural form.
The absolute is often (but not always) used
after a preceding number. As in the other
Semitic languages, the numbers 3 to 10 have a
feminine-looking form which is, however,
used with masculine nouns, and a masculine-
looking form (here) used with feminine
nouns. The number can also be placed after
the noun referred to (in which case the noun
is normally in the ordinary, “emphatic” form).
ܶ
‫ܬ‬ “two”, and all other numbers which
distinguish gender have the normal agreement
of masc. with masc. and fem. with fem.
ܳ ܽ,
“fish”, is masc. “Two” with a feminine noun
ܶ ܰ
would be ‫ܬ ܬ‬.
2.
ܰ ̈ܰ ܳ
is the construct plural of ‫ ܰ ܐ‬, “day”.
ܳ “hundred” (common gender).
ܰ ܰ ܳ ‫“ ܬ‬eighteen”, is the masculine form
corresponding to fem.
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ‫ܬ‬. Large
numbers are formed by using “and”, putting
the bigger numbers first. Note also that the
number here is placed before the noun, which
is in the ordinary (“emphatic”) form.
‫ܳ ܳܕ‬ “witness, martyr”.
XIV. NUMERALS, DATES, DAYS 91
ܰ “one”, masculine: the fem. is ܳ .
3.
ܽܳ ܰ ܶ
is the aph. infinitive of ‫ ܒ‬which in the aph.
means “fought”.
ܶ
ܻ “twenty”, does not distinguish gender, while
ܰ ܰ
‫ ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬is the feminine form of ܰ ‫ܐܪ‬, “four”,
ܳ
used with the masc. noun ‫ ܰ ܐ‬in accordance
with what has been said above.
‫ܽܡ‬ and ‫ܽ ܡ‬ are used to introduce the date in the
month or week. (Alternatively forms like
ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ ܪ‬, “on the fourth”, may be used.)
‫ܻܰܐܪܚ‬ ܰ
= ‫ ܻܐ ܚ‬construct of ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “month”. ‫ܻܐ ܠ‬
ܽ
is a month name corresponding
approximately to September.
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ “week”, is used with the number, as here, to
indicate the days of the week. Thus ‫ܰ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ
is Sunday.
ܰ ܳ݁
4. is the construct of ̱ ܰ , “year”.
(note the line over the top) is a number, the
alphabet having been used for this purpose.
‫ ܫ‬is 300; ‫ ܗ‬is 5. In full this would be
ܶ ܰ ‫ܬ ܳ ܳ ܘ‬.
ܶ ܰ
‫ܕ ܳ ̈ܐ‬ indicates the dating system being used – i.e.
the Islamic dating, based on 16th July, 622.
ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ ܰܕܪܘ‬ is from the root ‫ ܪ‬.
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ “person, substance, hypostasis”.
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ “old man, senior person”.
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ “young man”.
ܰ ܳ (see VI.F.).
5. ‫̈ ܳܐ‬ is the plural of
ܳ ܰ
‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, ‫ ܰܬܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, ‫ܬ ܻ ܳ ܐ‬, ‫( ܪ ܻ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬from ‫ ) ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬are ordinal
numbers: first, second, third, fourth. (An
alternative to these is the use of ‫ ܕ‬followed by
ܶ ܳ , “the second
ordinary numbers, e.g., ‫ܰܕܬܪ‬
son”, literally “the son of two”.)
GRAMMATICAL SURVEY
The main series of numbers is unremarkable except for the
fact that
a) 1-19 distinguish gender like adjectives,
b) 3-10 display characteristic endings of the opposite
gender to that of the noun referred to.
Note should be made also of the general pattern of
ܳ
ordinal numbers, with their ‫ ◌ ܳ ܐ‬ending which forms the
numbers into adjectives.
As for the calendar, the names of days and months are
different from those in use in the West, though the structure
is the same. The year used as the start of the era is rarely that
of the birth of Christ, even in Christian contexts. The most
common system is that based on the accession of Seleucus I,
the founder of the Seleucid dynasty, on 1st October, 312 B.C.
This is called “the year of the Greeks”.
The main numerals and the months and weekdays are
listed below.
A. Numbers
FORM USED FORM USED FORM USED WITH BOTH

WITH WITH MASCULINE AND FEMININE
MASCULINE FEMININE NOUNS
NOUNS NOUNS
1 ܰ ܳ
ܶ ܺ ܶ
2
ܳ ܳ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܱܬ ܷܬ‬
ܳ‫ܬ‬
20
ܺ ܳ
3 ‫ܰܬ‬ 30 ‫ܬ‬
4 ‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐܪ‬ 40
ܺ ‫ܰܐܪ‬
5 ‫ܶܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܶ ܰ 50
ܺ ܰ
ܶ ܺ ܺ ܶ
6
ܳ ‫ܐ‬ 60 , ‫ܐ‬
,
7
ܳ‫ܰ ܐ‬ ܰ 70
ܺ ܰ
8 ‫ܶܬ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ ܶܐ‬ 80
ܺ ܳ‫ܬ‬
9 ‫ܬ ܳܐ‬ ܰ‫ܬ‬ 90
ܺ ‫ܶܬ‬
10
ܳ ܶ ܰ 100
ܳ
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶܰ ܶ ܰ
11
ܰ ܰ 200 ‫ܬ‬
12
ܰ ‫ܶܬܪ‬ ܶ ܶ ‫ܬܪܬ‬ 300
ܳ ܳ‫ܬ‬
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ‫ܬ‬ ܶ ܳ
13
ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܬ‬ 1,000
14
ܰ ‫ܐܪ‬ ܶ ܶ ܰ ‫ܰܐܪ‬ 10,000
ܽ ݁ ‫ܶܪ‬
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶܰ ܰ
15
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ‫ܰܬ‬
16
ܰ ܰ ‫ܬ‬
17
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ‫ܬ‬
18
ܰ ܰ ‫ܬ‬
19
ܰ ‫ܬ‬ ܶ ܶܰ‫ܬ‬
B. Months
NAME APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENT

ܶ
[ ܺ ] ‫ܺ ܝ ܶܡ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ October
‫ܺ ܝ ܐ̱ ܳ ܝ‬ ‫ܬ‬ November
[ ܺ ] ‫ܢ ܶܡ‬ ܽܳ December
‫ܢ ܐ̱ ܳ ܝ‬ ܽܳ January
ܳ February
ܳ
‫ܳܐܕܪ‬ March
ܳ ܺ April
ܳ‫ܐ‬
ܳ‫ܻ ܺ ܢ‬
May
June
ܳ
‫ܳܬ ܽ ܙ‬ July
‫ܺܐܒ‬ August
‫ܐ ܽ ܠ‬ September
C. Days
‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܐ‬ Sunday
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܬ‬ Monday
ܳ‫ܰ ܐ‬ ܳ‫ܬ‬ Tuesday
ܰ
‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ Wednesday
‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܐ‬ Thursday
‫ܘ‬ ܽ Friday
ܳ ܰ
Saturday
D. Numerical Values of Consonants
1 ‫ܐ‬ 100 ‫ܩ‬

2 ‫ܒ‬ 20 ‫ܟ‬ 200 ‫ܪ‬
3 ‫ܓ‬ 30 ‫ܠ‬ 300 ‫ܫ‬
4 ‫ܕ‬ 40 ‫ܡ‬ 400 ‫ܬ‬
5 ‫ܗ‬ 50 ‫ܢ‬
6 ‫ܘ‬ 60 ‫ܣ‬
7 ‫ܙ‬ 70 ‫ܥ‬
8 ‫ܚ‬ 80 ‫ܦ‬
9 ‫ܛ‬ 90 ‫ܨ‬
10 ‫ܝ‬
‫ ܐ‬can stand for 1000, ‫ ܒ‬for 2000, etc.
‫ ܨ ܦ ܥ ܣ ܢ‬can stand for the corresponding 500, 600
etc., this being indicated by a dot above the letter. Other
numerical systems also exist.
Exercise xiv

1. Twenty-five men.
2. In the year 57 of the Arabs.
3. On the ninth of the month of July.
ܶ ̇ ‫ܺܕܗܝ ܰ ܐ‬ ܶ ܰ
‫ܕ ܰ ܳ ̈ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܕ ܳ ̈ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ 1.
‫ܐ‬ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ ܳ ܺ
ܶ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܽ *‫ـ‬
ܰ ܳ .‫ܐ‬ ܻܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ
‫ ܳ ܶܕ ܶܕ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܪ‬. ܶ ‫ܬ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܘܬܪܬ‬ ܰ 2.
ܳܳ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ܰ ‫ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܰܕ‬
ܻ ܳ ܶ
. ̈ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ̈ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕܐ‬
ܳ ܰ ‫ܰܘܬ ܳ ܶܐ ܺ ̈ ܰܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܕ‬ ܺ 3.
ܳ ܳ
. ‫ܘ ܰ ܬ ܰܘܐ ̱ ܬ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ ܳ ܰ ̈ܘܗܝ‬ ܻ ‫ܶܘܐܬܬ‬ 4.
. ܶ ݁ ܰ ‫ܰܕ ܰ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܟ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܘ‬
ܰ took (see Paradigm 6)
ܰ ܳ
‫ܳܪ‬ after
‫ܐ‬ ܳ vintage, grape harvest
‫ܙ‬ pe. bought; pa. sold (see IX.D)
ܳ ܰ wine
ܳ ܰ
measure (of wine, oil, grain)
ܳ ܳ ‫ܺܕ‬ dinar, denarius (monetary unit)
ܳ ܰ
ܳ ‫ܶ ̈ܳܐ‬ qab (measure of c. 2 quarts)
‫ܐ‬ raisins (plur. only; fem.)
̈ ܺ ܽ nummus (a coin; plur.)
ܳ ܰ
‫ܬ‬
ܳ ܰ daughter
‫ܐ ̱ ݁ ݂ܬ‬ wife, woman
ܳ pe. was at rest; ethpe./ettaph. was
at rest, took rest
ܳܳ work, deed
‫ܶܟ‬ bent the knee; pa. blessed
‫ܰ ݁ ܶܫ‬ pa. sanctified
Notes
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VERB PARADIGMS
99
100
Paradigm 1. Perfect and imperfect of ordinary stems

PE. ETHPE. PA. ETHPA. APH. ETTAPH.
3rd m. ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܱܬ‬
3rd f. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܰ ܰ
‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܶ݁ܬ ݁ܬ‬
ܱ
2nd m. ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
2nd f. ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
PERFECT SINGULAR
1st ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ
‫ܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܶ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ‬
ܱ
3rd m.
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ ܽ ܢ‬: ‫ ܽ ܢ‬: ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ ܽ ܢ‬: ‫ ܽ ܢ‬: ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ ܽ ܢ‬: ‫ ܢ ܐ‬: ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
3rd f.
ܶ̈ ̈ ܰ ܶ̈ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ̈ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ̈ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ̈ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ̈ ̈ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܶ
: : ‫ܐܬ‬ : : ‫ܐܬ‬ : ‫ܐ‬ : ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܱܬ‬
2nd m.
ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ̇ ݁ܶ
‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
2nd f.
ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
PERFECT PLURAL
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
1st ܰ‫ـ‬: ܰ ܰ‫ـ‬: ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ܰ‫ـ‬: ܶ ܰ ܰ‫ـ‬: ‫ܐܬ‬ ܰ‫ـ‬: ‫ܐ‬ ܰ‫ـ‬: ‫݁ܐܬܱ݁ܬ‬
3rd m.
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ܶ ܠ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ݁ ܱܬ‬
3rd f.
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܬ ܠ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬
[rarer ܶ ܱܶ ݁
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
forms] [ ‫]ܬ‬ [ ‫]ܬܬ‬ [ ‫]ܬ‬ [ ‫]ܬܬ‬ [ ‫]ܬ‬ [ ‫ܬܬ‬
ܱ݁ ]
2nd m.
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܬ ܠ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܱ݁
2nd f. ܺ ܶ‫ܬ‬ ܺ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܰ ܺ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܬ‬ ܺ ܶ
ܻ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܱ݁
IMPERFECT SINGULAR
1st
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫݁ܐܬ ݁ ܱܬ‬
3rd m. ‫ܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܰ ܶ ‫ܰ ܢ‬ ܽ ‫ܶ ܰ ܢ‬ܽ ‫ܢ‬ ܽ ܰ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ݁ ܱܬ‬
3rd f.
ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈
‫ܶ ݁ ݁ ܱܬ‬
2nd m.
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ
‫ܬ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ‫ܬܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܱ݁
2nd f.
ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ
‫ܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܱ݁
IMPERFECT PLURAL
1st
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ݁ ܱܬ‬
101
102
Paradigm 2. A. Imperatives, infinitives, participles of ordinary stems

PE. ETHPE.* PA. ETHPA.* APH. ETTAPH.
S. m.
ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܠ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
f.
ܽ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
P. m.
ܽ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ܱ
ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ܱ
IMPERATIVE
f. ̈ ܽ ̈ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ̈ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܱܬ‬
̈ ܽ ̈ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ
ܷ ܷ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
ܱ
INFINITIVE ܰ ܶ ܽܳ ܶ ܽܳ ܰ ܽܳ ܰ ܶ ܽܳ ܰ ܽܳ ‫ܶ ݁ ܱ݁ܬ‬
PATICIPLE ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ
ACT.
PARTICIPLE ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ
PASS.
‫ܶ ݁ ݁ ܱܬ‬
* In the ethpe. and ethpa. imperatives the middle root letter sometimes goes silent: e.g.,
ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, etc.
̱
ܶ
Paradigm 2. B. Verbs with ◌ in perfect
ܰ
Note that some ◌ verbs have an a in the imperfect (e.g.
ܰ ).
PERFECT IMPERFECT
3rd m. ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ܶ S. m. ܰ‫ܕ‬
3rd f.
ܰ ‫ܶܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܕ‬ f. ܰ‫ܕ‬
2nd m. ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܕ‬ P. m. ܽ
‫ܕ ܰ ܢ‬: ܰ ‫ܕ‬
IMPERATIVE
ܺ ܶ
SINGULAR
2nd f. ‫ܝ‬ ܶ‫ܕ‬ f. ̈ ܰ ‫ܕ‬: ̈ ܰ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܶܬܕ‬ ܷ
1st
ܶ ‫ܶܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܕ‬ INFINITIVE ܰ ܶ
3rd m. ܶ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ PARTICIPLE ACT. ܶ ‫ܳܕ‬
3rd f.
̈ ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܳ̈ ܶ PARTICIPLE PASS. ܺ‫ܕ‬
ܽ ܶ
2nd m. ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܶ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬܕ‬
PLURAL
2nd f.
ܶ ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܳ̈
‫ܬܕ‬
1st ܶ‫ܕ‬ ܰ ܶ
ܰ ܶ
Verbs with ◌ in the perfect and ◌ in the imperfect:
ܰ‫ܙ‬ imperfect
ܶ ܶ impv.
ܶ‫ܙ‬
ܰ imperfect
ܶ ܶ impv.
ܶ
103
‫‪104‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 3. Verbs beginning with‬‬ ‫ܐ‬

‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE.‬‬ ‫‪PA.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPA.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪3rd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬
‫ܐܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܱܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ̇‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ‬‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܰ ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܝ‬
‫‪PERFECT SINGULAR‬‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ ܰ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬
‫ܐܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬
‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܶ ܰ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫̈ ‪:‬ـܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈ ‪:‬ـܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ ܰ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܘܢ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬
‫‪PERFECT PLURAL‬‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܐ ‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܰ̇‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܬܘ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪◌ܰ IN IMPERF.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE.‬‬ ‫‪PA.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPA.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬

‫ܠ‬ ‫ܺ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܶܐ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܷ݁‬ ‫ܶ ܐ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬
‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܠ‪:‬ܝ‬ ‫ܶܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܻܬܐ ݂ ܰ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ܶ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݁ ܷ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ݁ ܱ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫‪:‬ܝ‬ ‫ܰܬܘ ܶ‬ ‫‪:‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬
‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܶܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܻܬܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ܶ‬
‫ܬܐ ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܬܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ݁̇ ܺ‬ ‫ܶܰ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܺ‬
‫ܬܐ‬ ‫ܻܬܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫‪IMPERFECT SINGULAR‬‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܐܺ ܠ‬ ‫ܻܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ܰ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܢ‬ ‫ܻ ݂ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܷ݁ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܐ݁ ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬
‫ܶ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ̈ܳ‬ ‫̈ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܻ ݂ ̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܽ‬
‫ܬܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܻܬܐ ݂ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܷ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ̈ܳ‬ ‫̈ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈ܳ‬
‫ܬܐ‬ ‫ܻܬܐ ݂ ̈ ܳ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܬܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ‬
‫‪IMPERFECT PLURAL‬‬
‫‪1st‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܽ ܠ‬ ‫ܻ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܶܐ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܷ݁‬ ‫ܶ ܐ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪105‬‬
‫‪106‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 3 continued‬‬
‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪◌ܰ IN‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE.‬‬ ‫‪PA.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPA.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪IMPERF.‬‬
‫‪S. m.‬‬
‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪f.‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪P. m.‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܘ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫ܶܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬
‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ݁ ܱ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܢ‬
‫‪IMPERATIVE‬‬
‫‪f.‬‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰ݁ ̈‬ ‫ܶܰ݁ ̈‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈‬
‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ‬ ‫ܐܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
‫̈ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰ݁ ̈‬ ‫ܶܰ݁ ̈‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܱ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܷ‬
‫‪INFINITIVE‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ‬
‫ܐ‬
‫ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ܽ‬
‫ܐܴ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬
‫ܬܘ‬
‫‪PARTICIPLE‬‬ ‫ܳܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬
‫‪ACTIVE‬‬ ‫ܰ ܷ݁‬
‫‪PARTICIPLE‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܬܘ ܰ‬
‫‪PASSIVE‬‬ ‫ܰ ܱ݁‬ ‫ܶ ܐ݁ ܱ‬
107
108
Paradigm 4. Verbs ending with a guttural (For final -ā verbs see Paradigm 10.)
PE. ETHPE. PA. APH.
3rd m. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ
‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
3rd f. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
2nd m. ܰ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰܰ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
2nd f.
ܶ ܰ
‫ܰ ܝ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ܝ‬ ‫ܰܰ ܝ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ܝ‬
PERFECT SINGULAR
1st ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܶ ܰ ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬
3rd m.
ܶ ܰ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܰ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܰ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܰ ܰ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܰ ‫ܐ‬
3rd f. ܰ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰܰ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ܰ̈ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ̈ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܶ‫ـ‬: ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ̈ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
2nd m.
ܽ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ
‫ܰ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ܘܢ‬
2nd f.
ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
PERFECT PLURAL
ܶ ܰܰ
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬
1st ܰ‫ـ‬: ܰ ܰ‫ـ‬: ܰ ‫ܐ‬ ܶ ܰ‫ـ‬: ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ ـ‬: ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
PE. ETHPE. PA. APH.
3rd m. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ
ܶ ܶ ܰ
3rd f. ‫ ܝ‬: ܰ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܰ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܰ ܰ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ܰ ‫ܰܬ‬
2nd m. ܰ ‫ܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܰܰ‫ܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܬ‬
2nd f. ܺ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܺ ܰ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܺ ܰ‫ܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܬ‬
1st ܰ
IMERFECT SINGULAR
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
3rd m.
ܰ ܶ
‫ܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬
3rd f.
ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ
ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ
2nd m. ‫ܶܬ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܬܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܽ ܢ‬
2nd f.
ܳ̈ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬
1st ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ
Note: Ehtpa. and Ettaph. are normal.
109
110
Paradigm 4 continued
S. m. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
f. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ
‫ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
P. m. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ etc. etc.
‫ܐ‬ (regular)
ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
(regular)
ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ
‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰܰ
‫ܐ‬ ̈ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬
ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ ܶ̈ ܰܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܰ
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬
INFINITIVE ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
PARTICIPLE ܰܳ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ
ACTIVE
PARTICIPLE ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
PASSIVE
111
‫‪112‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 5. Verbs with middle‬‬ ‫ܐ‬

‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܶܠ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܶ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܐ ܐ ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܝ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܶ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܶ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܐ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ ܐ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
‫̈ ‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܶ ܐ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫̈ ‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ ܐ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܰ ܽ‬
‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܐ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܶ ܰܰ ܶ‬
‫ܐܬܬ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܶ ܐ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ‪ :‬ـ‬
PE. ETHPE. APH. ETTAPH.
3rd m.
ܶ ܰ
‫ܶܰܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܰܶܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܠ‬
3rd f.
ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܝ‬:‫ܬ ܰ ܠ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ‫ܬ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܝ‬:‫ܬ ܶ ܠ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ‫ܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
2nd m.
ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܬܰܠ‬ ‫ܬ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܬܶܠ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
2nd f. ܺ ܶ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܶܬ ܶ ܐ‬ ܺ ܶ ‫ܰܬ‬ ܺ ܰ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܰܶ
ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
IMPERFECT SINGULAR
1st ‫ܐܰܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܐܶܠ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
3rd m.
ܶ ܰ
‫ܶܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܐ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܰ ܽ ܢ‬
3rd f.
ܳ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܬ‬
2nd m.
ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰܶ
‫ܬܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܰ ܢ‬
2nd f.
ܳ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬
IMPERFECT PLURAL
1st
ܶ ܰܰ ܶ
‫ܶܰܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܰܶܠ‬ ‫ܬ ܠ‬
Note: Pa. and Ethpa. are normal.
113
114
S. m.
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܰܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܰܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܐܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܠ‬
f. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ ܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
ܰ ܶ etc. etc. ܰ ܶ
P. m. ܰ ‫ܐ ܐ‬ (regular) (regular)
ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܐ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ ܽ ܢ ܐ ܶ ܽ ܢ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ̈ ܰ ̈ ‫ܐܶ ܰ ܐ‬ ̈ ܶ ‫ܰܐ‬ ̈ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ܰ ܶ
ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ ܶ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
INFINITIVE ܽ ܳܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ
‫ܶ ܰܠ‬ ܽ ‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ ܽ ‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ ܽ ܳ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
PARTICIPLE ܶ ܶ
ACTIVE
‫ܳܠ‬ ‫ܰܠ‬ ‫ܰ ܶܠ‬
PARTICIPLE ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܰ ܶ ܰ
PASSIVE
‫ܐܠ‬ ‫ܰܠ‬ ‫ܐܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܰܠ ܰ ܰܠ‬
115
116
Paradigm 6. Verbs beginning with

PE. APH. ETTAPH.
3rd m.
ܰ ܰ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ܶ
ܷ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
and ܰ ܰ ܶ
3rd f. ܰ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
2nd m. ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ܶ
etc. etc. ܰ ܶ
2nd f. ‫ܝ‬ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
(regular) (regular) ܷ
PERFECT SINGULAR
1st ܶ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܶ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ܰ ܶ
3rd m. ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ܶ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܷ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
3rd f. ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ‫ـ‬: ܰ ܶ
ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ‫ـ‬: ܷ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
2nd m.
ܽ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܽ ܰ ܶ
‫ܷ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
2nd f.
ܶ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܶ ܰ ܶ
PERFECT PLURAL
1st ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ‫ـ‬: ܰ ܶ
ܰ‫ـ‬: ܷ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
PE. APH. ETTAPH.
3rd m. ܰܶ ܰ
‫ܶ݁ ܩ‬ ܷ ݁ܰ ܱ ݁‫ܶ ܬ‬
3rd f.
ܶ ܰ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ ܝ‬: ‫ܬ݁ ܾ ܩ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ܷ ݁‫ܬ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ܱ ݁ ‫ܬܬ‬
2nd m.
ܶ etc. ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܬ݁ ܾ ܩ‬ ܷ ݁‫ܬ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܬܬ‬
2nd f. ܺ ݁ ‫ܶܬ‬ ܺ ݁ ‫ܰܬ‬ ܺ ݁ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܰܶ
ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
IMPERFECT SINGULAR
1st
ܷ ܶ݁ ܶ
‫ܐ݁ ܾ ܩ‬
ܷ ݁‫ܬ‬ ܷ ݁‫ܐ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
3rd m.
ܰ
‫ܶ݁ ܽ ܢ‬ etc. ‫ܰ݁ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ݁ ܽ ܢ‬
3rd f.
ܳ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ̈ ݁ ܰ ܳ̈ ݁ ܰ ܶ
ܷ ‫ܬ‬
2nd m.
ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܬ݁ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ݁ ܽ ܢ‬
2nd f.
ܳ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ̈ ݁ ܰ ܳ̈ ݁ ܰ ܶ
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ܱ ‫ܬܬ‬
IMPERFECT PLURAL
1st ‫ܶ݁ ܾ ܩ‬ ܱ݁ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
ܷ ݁ܰ
Note: Ethpe., Pa. and Ethpa. are normal.
117
118
PE. APH. ETTAPH.
S. m.
ܰ ܶ
‫ܽ ܩ‬ ܷ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
f. ܽ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܰ ܶ
P. m.
ܰ ܶ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܽ ܽ‫ ـܘܢ‬: ܷ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ܽ ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ܷ ݁ ‫ܰܐ‬ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ̈ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ܰ ܶ
INFINITIVE
ܱ݁ܶ ܴܽ݁ܰ ܽ ܴ ݁ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
PARTICIPLE ܶܳ
ACTIVE ܷ݁ܰ
PARTICIPLE ܺ ܰ݁ ܰ ܰ ݁ ‫ܶ ܰܬ‬
PASSIVE
119
‫‪120‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 7. Verbs beginning with‬‬ ‫ܝ‬

‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪3rd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܰܬ‬ ‫ܰܬ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܬ‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܬ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܬ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܬܝ‬ ‫ܬܝ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܝ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܬܝ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܶ ܬ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܘ ‪:‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ ܰܐܘ ܶ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬
‫̈ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫̈ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫̈ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ̈ ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܱ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܬܘܢ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܬ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܢ‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܺܶ‬ ‫ܢ‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ‬ ‫ܢ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܢ ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
3rd m. ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶ ܰܬܘ‬
3rd f.
ܺܶ ܰܶ
‫ܝ‬: ܰ ‫ܺܬܐ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܶ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܶ ‫ܰܬܘ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ܰ ‫ܬܬܘ‬
2nd m. ܰ ‫ܺܬܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܺܶ ܶ ‫ܰܬܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܬܬܘ‬ ܰܶ
2nd f. ܺ ܺ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܺ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܻܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ܺ ‫ܬܬܘ‬
ܺܶ ܰ ܶ
IMPERFECT SINGULAR
1st ܰ ‫ܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܐܬ‬ ܶ ‫ܰܐܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
ܻ
3rd m. ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ ܽ ܘܢ‬
3rd f. ܺ ̈ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܳܢ‬ ‫̈ܳܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ ̈ܳܢ‬
2nd m.
ܺ ܰ ܰܶ
‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ ܽ ܘܢ‬
2nd f.
ܺ ܰ ܰܶ
‫̈ܳܢ‬ ‫ܬܐ‬ ‫ܳܢ‬ ̈ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ‫̈ܳܢ‬ ‫ܬܘ‬ ‫ܬܬܘ ̈ܳܢ‬
IMPERFECT PLURAL
1st ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶ ܰܬܘ‬
Note: Pa. and Ethpa. are normal.
121
122
Paradigm 7 Continued
S. m. ܰܺ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܐܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬܘ‬
f.
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܺܰ ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‫ܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܐܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܝ‬
P. m.
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ܺ ܰ ܘ‬ ܽ‫ ـܘܢ‬: ‫ܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‫ ܘܢ‬: ‫ܶ ܘ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ ܐܘ‬: ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ܘ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ܶ ‫ـ‬:‫ܝ‬ ̈ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ : ‫ܶ ̈ܝ‬ ܰ ܰ ܶ
ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ‫ܺ ܱ̈ ܝ‬ ‫ ـ ܶ ܐܘ‬: ‫ܐܬܬܘ ܰ ̈ܝ‬
INFINITIVE ܰ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ܳ ܽܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܽܘ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܘ ܳ ܽ ܘ‬
PARTICIPLE ܶܳ ܶ ܰ
ACTIVE
PARTICIPLE ܺܺ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶ ܰܬܘ‬
PASSIVE
123
‫‪124‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 8.‬‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫)‪(XII, section 1‬‬
‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPE./ETTAPH.‬‬ ‫‪PA.‬‬ ‫‪ETHPA‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬
‫‪3rd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ ܶ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܳ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܺ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ܺ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬
‫ܳ ̈ ‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܬ ܺ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ̈ ‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫̈ ‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ ̈ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܺ ܽ‬
‫ܳ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܺ ܶ‬
‫ܐܬܬ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܳ ‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫‪ܰ:‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ‪ܰ:‬‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫‪ܰ:‬‬ ‫ܐ‬
PE. ETHPE./ETTAPH. PA. ETHPA APH.
3rd m. ‫ܽ ܡ‬ ܺ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ
3rd f.
ܶ
‫ܝ‬:‫ܬ ܽ ܡ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܺ ‫ܶܬܬܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܶ ܰ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ ܝ‬: ܰ ܰ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܝ‬: ܺ‫ܬ‬
2nd m. ‫ܬܽ ܡ‬ ܺ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܶ ܰ‫ܬ‬ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܺ‫ܬ‬
2nd f. ܺ ܽ‫ܬ‬ ܺ ܺ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܺ ܰ‫ܬ‬ ܺ ܰ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ܺ ܺ‫ܬ‬
ܶ
IMPERFECT SINGULAR
1st ‫ܐܽ ܡ‬ ܺ ‫ܶܐܬܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬
3rd m. ‫ܽ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܺ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܺ
3rd f.
ܳ̈ ܽ ܳ̈ ܺ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܺ
2nd m.
ܶ
‫ܬܽ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ܽ ܺ ‫ܶܬܬ‬ ‫ܬܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܺ‫ܬ‬
2nd f.
ܳ̈ ܽ ܳ̈ ܺ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܬ‬ ܺ‫ܬ‬
IMPERFECT PLURAL
1st ‫ܡ‬ ܽ ܺ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰܰ ܶ ܺ
125
126
PE. ETHPE./ETTAPH. PA. ETHPA APH.
S. m. ‫ܽ ܡ‬ ܺ ‫ܶܐܬܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬

f. ܽ ܺ ‫ܶܐܬܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬
P. m. ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ ܽܘܢ‬: ܺ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ ‫ ܽܘܢ‬: ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܺ ‫ܐ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ܽ ܶ : ̈ ܺ ‫ܶܐܬܬ‬ ܶ: ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ ‫ـ‬: ̈ ܰ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ̈ ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬
INFINITIVE ܳ ܽ ܳ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ܽܳܰ ܽܳܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ
PARTICIPLE ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ
ACTIVE
‫ܳ ܡ‬
PARTICIPLE ܺ ܺ‫ܶ ܬ‬ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ
PASSIVE
127
‫‪128‬‬
‫)‪Paradigm 9. Verbs with second root letter doubled (XII, section 2‬‬
‫‪PERFECT‬‬ ‫‪IMPERFECT‬‬
‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬ ‫‪PE.‬‬ ‫‪APH.‬‬ ‫‪ETTAPH.‬‬
‫‪S.‬‬ ‫‪3rd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܶ݁ ܾ ܙ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܶ ܰܬ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ ܰܬ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܰ ܬ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ܾ ܙ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ܷ ‪ :‬ܝ‬ ‫ܬܬ ݁ ܱ ‪ :‬ܝ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܰܬ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ ܬ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܬ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ܾ ܙ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܬܬ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܬܝ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ ܷ ܬܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܬܝ‬ ‫ܶܬ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܬ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܶ ܰܬ ݁ ܺ‬
‫‪1st‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܶܬ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ ܶܬ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܶܬ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܾ ܙ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪P. 3rd m.‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ ܷ ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܘ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ ݁ ܱ ܽ ܘܢ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ ݁ ̈ ܳܢ‬
‫̈ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ̈ܶ ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ̈ ܱ ܝ ‪ :‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ ܷ ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܬ ݁ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬ ݁ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܽ ܘܢ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܐܷܬ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܬ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܬ݁ ̈ ܳܢ‬ ‫ܬܬ ݁ ̈ ܳ ܢ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܢ‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܢ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܰܐ ݁ ܷ ܢ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ݁ ܾ ܙ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ݁ ܱ‬
‫‪Note: Ethpe., Pa. and Ethpa. are normal.‬‬
PE. APH. ETTAPH.
S. m.
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܽ ܙ‬ ܷ ݁‫ܐ‬ ܱ ݁ ‫ܐܬܬ‬
f.
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ܽ ܙܝ‬ ‫ܐ݁ ܷ ܝ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܝ‬
P. m.
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ܽ ܙܘ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ܐ ݁ ܷ ܘ‬ ‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ܘ‬
IMPERATIVE
f. ܶ : ‫ܽ ̈ ܙܝ‬ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܷ ܝ‬ ܶ ‫ ـ‬: ‫ܐܬܬ ݁ ܱ ̈ܝ‬ ܰ ܶ
INFINITIVE ܰ ܶ ܰ
‫ܰ ݁ ܴ ܽܘ‬ ‫ܶ ܬ ݁ ܴ ܽܘ‬
PARTICIPLE ACTIVE ܶ
(f. ܳ ܳ ) ‫ܳ ܙ‬ ܷ݁ ܰ
PARTICIPLE PASSIVE ܺ ܰ
ܱ݁ܰ ܱ ݁‫ܶ ܬ‬
129
‫‪130‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 10. Verbs ending in‬‬ ‫ܳ◌ܐ‬

‫‪3rd‬‬ ‫‪m.‬‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܓܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫݂‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܰܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܰ ݂‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܐܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܰ ݂‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ݁̇‬ ‫݁̇‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܐܬܓ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ ݁ ܝ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܝ‬ ‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ ݁ ܝ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫ܓܺ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ‬
‫݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ݂‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܽܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫‪ :‬ܓ ܘܢ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ ܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܺ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ ‪ :‬ـܽܘܢ ܰܐܓ ܺ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫‪ܶ:‬‬ ‫̈ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫‪ܶ:‬‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ̈‬
‫ܻ‬ ‫‪:‬ـ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈‬
‫ܻ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܺ ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫‪ܶ:‬‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ̈‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܻ ̈ ‪ܶ :‬‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫݁ ܘܢ‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܘܢ ܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫݁ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܺ ݁ ܾ ܘܢ‬ ‫݁ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ ݁ ܾ ܘܢ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬
‫݁ܶ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫݁ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ̇‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ̇‬
‫ܷ݁‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ݁ ܷ‬ ‫ܷ݁‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ݁ ܷ‬
‫‪1st‬‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ ܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܺ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫‪:‬ـܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܺ ‪ :‬ـ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܶ ܓ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܶ‬
‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܶ‬
‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬ ‫ܶܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܬܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫‪IMPERFECT SINGULAR‬‬
‫‪1st‬‬
‫ܶܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܐܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ‫ܐܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ‫ܐܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ‬
‫‪3rd m.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܓܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܓ ܢ‬
‫‪3rd f.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰܬܓ ̈ ܳ‬
‫‪2nd m.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶܬܬܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܰܬܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ܽ ܢ‬
‫‪2nd f.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܬܓ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ ̈‬ ‫ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܬܓ ̈‬ ‫ܬܬܓ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܰ‬
‫‪IMPERFECT PLURAL‬‬
‫‪1st‬‬
‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬
‫‪131‬‬
132
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ
S. m. ܺ‫ܓ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬܓ‬ ܳܰ ܳܰ ܶ
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ‫ܐܓ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ‬
f. ܳ‫ܓ‬ ܳ ‫ܶܐܬܓ‬ ܳ ‫ܰܓ‬ ܳ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ ܳ ‫ܰܐܓ‬ ܳ ‫ܐܬܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ
P. m. ܰ‫ܓ‬ ܰ ‫ܶܐܬܓ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܓ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ ܰ ‫ܰܐܓ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ
ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽܰ ܶ
‫ܓ ܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܾ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܾ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܾ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓ ܘܢ‬ ܱ
IMPERATIVE
f. ̈ ܳ‫ܓ‬ ܳ̈ ܶ ̈ ܳ ‫ܰܓ‬ ̈ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܰ ̈ ‫ܐܬܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ
ܷ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ܷ ܴ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ܷ ܴ ‫ܐܓ‬ ܷܴ
ܳ̈ ܳ̈ ̈ ܳ ‫ܐܬܓ‬ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܳ ‫ܰܐܓ‬ ̈ ܳ‫ـ‬
ܷ ‫ܓ‬ ܷ ‫ܰܓ‬
INFINITIVE
ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‫ܶ ܓ‬ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ‫ܶ ܰܓ‬ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ‫ܶ ܰܬܓ‬
PARTICIPLE
ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ
‫ܓ‬
ACTIVE
(f.) ܳ ‫ܳܓ‬ (ܳ ܰ ) (ܳ ܰ)
PARTICIPLE
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܶ ܓ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ܬܓ‬
PASSIVE ܰ
(f.) ܳ ‫ܰܓ‬ ( ܳ ‫) ܶ ܰܓ‬ (ܳ ܰ ) ܳ ܰ
( ‫)ܶ ܓ‬ (ܳ ܰ) ܳ
( ‫) ܶ ܬܓ‬
133
134
Paradigm 11. Pronoun suffixes to simple verb forms (A. Perfect)

UN- ME YOU (M.S.) YOU (F.S.) HIM HER US YOU (M.P.) YOU (F.P.)
SUFFIXED
ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ
̇ ܳ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ݂ܶ ܰ
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
݂ ܰ ܶ ‫ܟ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫̇ܗ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ݂ܶ ܰ ܶ
ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ
‫̱ܝ‬ ‫̇ܗ‬ ‫ܢ‬
ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ
‫ܝ‬ ‫̱ܗܝ‬ ̇
ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
݂ ‫ܟ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫̇ܗ‬ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ݂ܶ
ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ
‫ܰ ܽ ܟ‬ ‫ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫̇ܗ‬ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ݂ܶ ܽ ܰ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ܳ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ܳ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ܶ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ‫̱ܝ‬ ܳ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ̇ ܳ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ܳ ‫ ـ ܽܘ‬: ‫ܢ‬ ܽ ݂ ܳ ‫ ܽܘ‬: ܶ ݂ ܳ ‫ ـ ܽܘ‬:
̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ ̇ ̈ ܰ ̈ ܰ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ̈ ܰ ݂ܶ ̈ ܰ
ܴ ܴ ܷ ‫ܴ̈ ̱ ܝ‬ ܴ ܴ
ܶ : ܳܶ : ܳܶ : ܶܶ : ‫̱ܝ‬ ܳܶ : ̇ ܳܶ : ܳܶ : ‫ܢ‬ ݂ܽ ܳ ܶ : ݂ܶ ܳ ܶ :
ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰ
‫ܘܢ‬ ܳ‫ܰ ܽܘ‬ ‫ܘ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ̇ ܳ‫ܘ‬ ܳ‫ܰ ܽܘ‬
ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳܶ ܶ ܰ
‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ̇ܳ
ܰ: ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݂ܶ ܰ
ܴ ܷ ‫ܴ ̱ܝ‬ ܴ̇ ‫ܴ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ܴ
Paradigm 11 Continued (B. Imperfect)
UN- ME YOU (M.S.) YOU (F.S.) HIM HER US YOU (M.P.) YOU (F.P.)
SUFFIXED
‫ܠ‬
ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ‫ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬ ܶ ̇ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬
ܽ ܶ ݂ܶ ܽ ܶ
ܶ ܶ
ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ̇ ܺ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬
ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ
ܰ ܽ ‫ܶܬ‬ ‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ̇ ܶ ‫ܬ‬ ܰ ܽ ‫ܶܬ‬
ܶ ܶ
‫ܬ‬
ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ̇ܳ ܺ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬
ܶ ܺ ܶ
: ‫ܬ‬
‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ‫ܽ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ܶ ̇ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ‫ܽ ܳ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ ݂ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ
ܶ ܽ ܶ
̈ ܶ ̈ ܶ ̈ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݂ܶ ̈ ܶ
ܴ ܴܴ ܴܴ ܷܴ ‫ܴ̈ ܴ ̱ ܝ‬ ̇ ܴ ܴ̈ ‫ܴ ̈ ܴـ‬ ‫ܴ̈ ܴ ݂ ܽ ܢ‬ ܴܴ
̈ ܶ
ܷܴ
135
136
UN- ME HIM HER US
SUFFIXED
ܽ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܽ
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ̇ ܶ
ܽ ܺ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܺ ܽ
‫ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬ ̇ ܺ
ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ
‫̱ܗܝ‬ ‫̇ܗ‬ ‫ܢ‬
ܳ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܽ
‫ ـܽܘܢ‬: ‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ̇ܳ
IMPERATIVE
̈ ܽ ̈ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܽ ̈ ܽ
ܴ ‫̈ ̱ܝ‬ ̇ ܳ ܴ
ܽ ܽ
ܶ: ܳ ܷ̈ ܽ ‫ܷ̈ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬ ̇ܳ ܶ ܳ ܷ̈ ܽ
INF. PE. ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ̇ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ
INF. PA. ܽܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ
‫ܰ ܽ ܬ‬ ‫ܽ ܬܗ‬ ̇ ܽ ܰ
‫ܬܗ‬ ‫ܽ ܬܢ‬
137
‫‪138‬‬
‫‪Paradigm 12. Pronoun suffixes on verbs ending in‬‬ ‫)‪◌ܳ (A. Perfect Pe.‬ܐ‬
‫‪UN-‬‬ ‫‪ME‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (M.S.‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (F.S.‬‬ ‫‪HIM‬‬ ‫‪HER‬‬ ‫‪US‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (M.P.‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (F.P.‬‬
‫‪SUFFIXED‬‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܓܳ‬ ‫ܓ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܓ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܓܳ ̇‬ ‫ܓܳ‬ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܓܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ ݂ܶ‬
‫ܓܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܓܳ‬ ‫ܓܳ‬
‫݂‬ ‫ܓ ݂‬ ‫ܓ ܳ ݂ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܓܳ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܓܳ ݂ܗ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ ݂ ̇ܗ‬ ‫݂ܢ‬ ‫݂ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ ݂ ݂ܶ‬
‫݁‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ̇ܗ‬ ‫݁ܢ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬
‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫݁ܺ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬
‫ܓܱ ܻ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܻ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܻ݁ ̇‬
‫ܓܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܓܺ‬
‫݂‬ ‫ܓ ܺ ݂ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܓܺ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܓܺ ݂ܗ‬ ‫ܓ ܺ ݂ ̇ܗ‬ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܓ ܺ ݂ ݂ܶ‬
‫ܓܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܓ ܽܘ‬ ‫ܓ ܽ ݂ܘܟ‬ ‫ܓ ܽܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܽ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗ‬ ‫ܓ ܽ̇‬ ‫ܓ ܽܘܢ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܽܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܽܘ ݂ ܶ‬
‫ܓ̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܓ ̈ ݂ܶ‬
‫ܱ‬ ‫ܓܱܴ‬ ‫ܓ ܱ ܴ݂‬ ‫ܓܱ ܷ݂‬ ‫ܓ ܱ̈ ܴ ̱ ܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܱ̈ ܴ ̇‬ ‫ܓ ܱ̈ ܴـ‬ ‫ܓ ܱ̈ ܴ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܱܴ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫݁ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܓܰ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܽܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܘ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܓܰ ݁ܘ ̇‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܽܘ ܳ‬
‫ܓܰ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܓܰ ݂ܶ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܓܰ ܳ̇‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܳ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ܳ ݂ܶ‬
‫)‪Paradigm 12 Continued (B. Perfect Pa.‬‬
‫‪UN-‬‬ ‫‪ME‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (M.S.‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (F.S.‬‬ ‫‪HIM‬‬ ‫‪HER‬‬ ‫‪US‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (M.P.‬‬ ‫)‪YOU (F.P.‬‬
‫‪SUFFIXED‬‬
‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܶ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳ ̇‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܰܓ‬ ‫ܓ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ܗ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ܢ‬ ‫݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܰ ݂ ݂ ܶ‬
‫݁‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܰܓ ݁ ܴ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݁ ̱ ܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܻ ݁ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݁ ܢ‬
‫݁ܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ ݁‬ ‫ܺ ݁‬
‫ܰܓ ܻ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݁ ܻ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܻ ݁ ܻ ̇‬ ‫ܰܓ ܻ‬
‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬
‫݂‬ ‫݂ ݂ܟ‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܻ ݂ ܗ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݂ ̇ܗ‬ ‫݂ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫݂ ݂ܶ‬
‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܰܓ‬ ‫ܽ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܽ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܽ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ‬ ‫ܽ ݂ܶ‬ ‫ܰܓ‬
‫ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈ ܳ ̇‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈‬
‫ܻ‬ ‫݂ܳ‬ ‫݂ܶ‬ ‫ܰܓ ̈ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬ ‫ܳ ݂ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܳ ݂ܶ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫݁ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݁ ܽ ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܘ ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ ݁ ܘܳ ̇‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ݁ ܽ ܘ ܳ‬
‫ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܶ ݂‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܳ ̇‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܳ ݂ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܺ ܳ ݂ ܶ‬
‫‪139‬‬
‫‪TABLE OF SCRIPTS AND VOWEL SIGNS‬‬
‫‪SCRIPTS‬‬
‫‪SERṬĀ‬‬ ‫‪ESṬRANGELĀ‬‬ ‫‪EAST SYRIAC‬‬ ‫‪ARABIC‬‬ ‫‪HEBREW‬‬
‫)‪(WEST SYR.‬‬ ‫”‪“NESTORIAN‬‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫א‬
‫ܒ‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ב‬
‫ܓ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ג‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫د‬ ‫ד‬
‫ܗ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫ﻩ‬ ‫ה‬
‫ܘ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ו‬
‫ܙ‬ ‫ܙ‬ ‫ܙ‬ ‫ز‬ ‫ז‬
‫ܚ‬ ‫ܚ‬ ‫ܚ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ח‬
‫ܛ‬ ‫ܛ‬ ‫ܛ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ט‬
‫ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫י‬
‫ܟ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫כ‬
‫ܠ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ל‬
‫ܡ‬ ‫ܡ‬ ‫ܡ‬ ‫م‬ ‫מ‬
‫ن‬ ‫נ‬
‫ܣ‬ ‫ܣ‬ ‫ܣ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ס‬
‫ܥ‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ע‬
‫ܦ‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫פ‬
‫ܨ‬ ‫ܨ‬ ‫ܨ‬ ‫ص‬ ‫צ‬
‫ܩ‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ק‬
‫ܪ‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ר‬
‫ܫ‬ ‫ܫ‬ ‫ܫ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫שׁ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ת‬
‫‪140‬‬
TABLE OF SCRIPTS AND VOWEL SIGNS 141
VOWEL SIGNS
These are frequently used inconsistently or not at all in Syriac
manuscripts. Not all distinctions of quality and length are
represented unambiguously.
WEST SYRIAC EAST SYRIAC

ܿ
◌ܰ a ◌ܼ a
ܵ
◌ܳ ā (pronounced as in “raw”) ◌ ā (also used in the diphthong
aw)
ܶ
◌ e ◌ܸ e/i
◌ܹ (or ◌ܸ) ē
◌ܺ i ‫ ܼܝ‬ī
◌ܽ u/ō ‫ܼܘ‬ u/ū

‫ܿܘ‬ o/ō
READINGS
INTRODUCTION
It is emphasized that these readings are an integral part of this
introduction to Syriac. They contain examples of grammatical
features and information which complement the main
grammar section.
Most of the readings are given in vocalized serṭā script.
However, since the student needs to become familiar with
other scripts, Text 2 is given in each of the three scripts, while
Text 9 is in esṭrangelā and Text 10 is in the East Syriac script
(commonly called “Nestorian”). The punctuation follows that
of the printed editions and, as in the manuscripts, is not
consistent.
The notes with each text are aimed at making it as easy
as possible for the student to read the text without recourse
to further works of reference. Hence on grammar and
vocabulary quite full information is provided, though
unnecessary repetition is avoided. Familiarity with the
grammar section of this work is assumed and cross-reference
is made where necessary. Reference is occasionally made to
sections of Nöldeke’s grammar (see p. xix).
Vocabulary is not cross-referenced. New items of
vocabulary are translated where they occur first. The Glossary
aims to be comprehensive and may be used where vocabulary
items have been forgotten. Personal and place names
143
144 READINGS
(asterisked as before wherever confusion could arise) do not

appear in the Glossary.
Verbs are translated in the past tense, the meaning given
ܰ
being that of the particular stem in question. Thus is
glossed as “killed”: the particular form means specifically “he
killed”.
‫‪READINGS‬‬ ‫‪145‬‬
‫)‪Text 1: New Testament (John 1:1-18 and 20:19-25‬‬
‫‪The following text is taken from the Pešiṭtā version (early 5th‬‬
‫)‪! 14, ♪ 24 cent. A.D.‬‬
‫ܘܙܘܬ ܕ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܀‬ ‫ܳܽ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܢ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫܀ ܶ ܰ‬

‫ܘܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܶ ܳ ‪ܽ .‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ̱ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫‪ܺ ܺ 1‬‬
‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܳܐ ‪̱ 2‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫‪ܳ .‬ܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܽܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ̱ ܳ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬‫̱ܳ‬
‫ܻ ܶܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܬ ܴܰ ܳ ‪ܽ 3 .‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ̱ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬
‫ܗܘ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ‪ܶ̈ ܰ ܶ 4‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫̱ܗܘ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ ܡ ܕܗܘ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܺ‬
‫ܘܗܘ ܽ ܗܪ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ̈ܶ ܐ ܽ ܘܢ ܽ ܗܪ ܰܕ ܰ ܳ ̈ ‪ܽ 5 .‬‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܰ ܪ܆ ܘ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰܐܕܪ ܶ ܀ ‪ 6‬ܗ ܳܘ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶܕܐ ܰ ܰܕܪ ܶ‬
‫ܕܘܬ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܰܳ ‪ܳܶ ܳܳ 7‬‬ ‫ܴܰ ܳ‬
‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫܇‬
‫ܰ ܶ ܺ ܻ ܰ ܶ ܗ‪ 8 .‬ܘ ܽܗܘ ܗܘ ܗܪ ‪ .‬ܐ‬ ‫ܗܪ ‪ .‬ܕ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬
‫ܗܪ ܰܕ ܳ ܳܪ ܆‬ ‫ܗܘ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ̱ ܳ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܗܪ ‪ 9 ܶ .‬ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܶ ܰܕ ܰ‬
‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ‪ܳ ܳ ܳ 10‬‬ ‫ܕ ܰ ܰܪ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬
‫ܳ ܳܕܐܬ ܳ ܰ ܶ ‪̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ 11 .‬ܗܘ ‪ܺ .‬ܘ ܶ ܳ‬
‫ܐܬ ‪ .‬ܘܕ‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܻ ܶ ܗ ܗܳܘ ‪ .‬ܘ‬
‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܕ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܽ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܽ ܗܝ‪ 12 .‬ܐ ܶ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬
‫ܳ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܳܘܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕ‬‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫‪ 13‬ܐ ܶ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܕ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܶܨ ܳ ܳ ܕ ܶ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐܬ ܶ ܘ‪ 14 .‬ܘ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ‬
‫ܴ‬ ‫‪ .‬ܐ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܨ‬
‫ܗ ܳܘ ܰܘܐ ܶ ܰ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ ܽ ܶ ‪ܰ ܳ ܽ .‬ܐ ܺܕ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܕ ܶ‬
‫ܶ ܕ ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳ ܆ ܰܕ ܷ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ܘ ܽ ܳ ܀ ‪ܳ ܰ ܽ 15‬‬
‫ܘܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܶ‬
‫ܳ ܰ ܰ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܬ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ ܘܐ ‪ .‬ܗ ܗܘ ܕܐ ܬ ܕ ܪܝ‬
‫ܶ ܽ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܽܗܘ ܶ ‪ 16 .‬ܘ ܶ ̱ ܰ ܽ ܶܬܗ ܰ ܽ‬
‫̱‬ ‫̱‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ‪ ܽ ܶ 17 .‬ܕ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬
‫ܗܘ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܬ ܶ ܒ‪ܳ ܳ .‬ܪ ܶܕ ܘ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܥ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܶܺ‬
146 READINGS
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܺ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ 18
‫ܘܗܝ‬ ̱ ‫ܐ‬
ܻ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܴ ‫ܐ‬ .‫ܘܡ‬ ܰ ܶ ܽ ̱‫ܐ‬
‫܀‬ ܺ ‫ܽ ܳ ܐ ܰܕܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ ܗܘ ܐ‬
ܺ ܺ ‫ܘܬ ܶ ܐ ܰܐ‬ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ‫ܗܘ ܶܕ ܰܪ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܗܘ ܕ‬ ܳ ܰ 19
ܳ ܶ ‫ܐ܇‬
ܽ ܶ ܶ̈ ܺ ܰ
‫ܕ‬ ‫܇‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܕܐ ܳ ܐ ܺܕܐ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ‬ ̱ܰ
ܳ ܶ ܶ̈ ܳ ܽ ܺ
‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬.‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ܰ ‫ ܶܘܐ‬.‫ܐܬ ܶ ܽ ܥ ܘ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽܗܘܢ‬
ܺ ܽܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ 20 ‫ܕ ܰ ܽܘܕ ܐ܆‬
.‫ ܘ ܽ ܗ‬.‫ܘܗܝ‬ ܶ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܰ
̱ ‫ܶܗܕ ܐ ܆ ܘ ܰ ܝ ܐ ܶܢ ܐ‬ ܰ .‫ܰ ܺ ܢ‬
‫ ܐ ܳ ܳܘܢ ܕ ܬܘܒ‬.‫ܕ ܘ ܰ ܢ‬ ܶ ܽ ܰ 21 ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܺ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܘ‬
ܰ‫ܰ ܪ‬ ܳ ‫ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܰ ܰܪ ̱ ܐ ̱ ܐܦ ܷܐ‬.‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬.‫ܶ ܽ ܥ‬
ܰ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܶܘܐ‬ ܰ ‫ ܘ ܰ ܐܶ ܰ ܳܗ ܶ ܆‬22 .‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬
ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ
. ̱ܳ ̈ ‫ ܐܢ ܰ ܬ ܽ ܢ‬23 .‫ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܕ ܳ ܐ‬.‫ܽ ܰ ܘܢ‬
ܶ
‫ܬܐܘ ܰ ܐ ܶܕ‬ ܰ ܴ * 24 . ܳ ܺ ܺ ‫ ܳ ܶܘܐܢ ܬܐ ܽ ܘܢ ܶ ܕܐ̱ ܳ ܳܐ‬. ܶ ‫ܽ ܢ‬ ܶ
ܳ ̱ ܳ ‫ܗܘ ܬ‬
‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ܳ ‫ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ ܰܗܘ ܕ ܶ ܐ ܰ ܬܐ‬. ‫ܰ ܶ ܬ ܰ ܬ‬
ܰ . ܶ ܺ̈ ‫ ܳܘܐ ܺ ܶ ܰܬ‬25 .‫ܐܬ ܶ ܽ ܥ‬ ܳܶ ܰ
‫ܘܢ‬ ܽ ܰ
ܳ ܳ̈ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ
‫ܘܗܝ ܕܘ‬ ̱ ܺ ܻ ܳ ̱‫ ܐ ܳ ܶ ܐ‬.‫ ܽܗܘ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܽ ܘܢ‬.ܳ ‫ܶ ܳ ܢ‬
‫̱ܝ܇ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܐ̱ ܳ ܐ ̱ܝ ܰ ܶ ܆‬ ‫ܕܨܨ ܇ ܘܪ ܶ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶܨ‬ ̈ܶ
ܳ
‫ܰ ܶ ܐ̱ ܳ ܀‬
ܶ ܳ
‫ ܰܐܘ ܶ ܻ ܳ ܢ‬, “gospel”; ‫ ܳ ܽ ܽܘܙܘܬ‬, “preaching”. -ūtā is a common
ending for abstract nouns; 1-3a: see Exercise v.4;
ܳ ܶ,
ܳ ܳ
“without”, with sfx. added as if to a p. noun; ܳ
ܳ ܶ̈ ܰ ‫ܐ‬, “also
not one, not a single one”; ‫ܗܘܬ‬, “it (f.) was”; 4: ‫ ܐ‬, “life”;
ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ , “light”; 5: ‫ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬,
‫ ܻܐ ܽ ܘܢ‬, p. sfx. because ‫ ܰ ̈ܐ‬is p.; ‫ܗܪ‬
ܰ ܰ , aph. ptc. of ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, “shone, illumined”; ‫ܐܕܪܟ‬ ܶ ܰ,
“darkness”; ‫ܪ‬
ܰ ܶ
aph. perf. of ‫ܕܪܟ‬, “attained, understood”; 6: ‫ܰܕܪ‬ ‫ܐ‬, ethpa. of
ܰ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, “sent”; 7: ‫ܕܘܬ‬ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ,
, “testimony, witness”; ‫ܕ‬
“witnessed”;
ܳ ܽ , “everyone”; ܶ ܰ , impf. of ܶ ‫ ܰܗ‬, in
effect a pay‛el stem (see XIII.B) based on ‫ܗ‬, a by-form of
READINGS 147
ܰ ܶ ‫ܐ‬. It is like an aph. and means “believed”; 10: ‫ ܺ ܰ ܥ‬,

“knew”, perf. with sfx.; 12: ‫ ܐ‬, p. of
ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ , “son”; ‫ ܶ ܽܘܘܢ‬,
impf. of ‫;ܗܘ‬
ܳ ܺ ܰ , p. absolute ptc. of ܶ ‫( ܰܗ‬above); 13:
ܰ , “not”; ܳ ܶ , “flesh”; ‫ܐܬ ܶ ܘ‬ ܺܶ ܶ ܺ , “begat,
, ethpe. of
ܰܶ
bore”; 14: ‫ܐ‬, aph.
ܰ of ( ), “dwelt, descended”;
ܶ
‫ܳܐ‬ ܽ , “glory”; ‫ܐ‬, “as”; ‫ ܺ ܺ ܐ‬, “only, sole”;
ܳ ܳ
ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ , passive
pe. ptc. of s.; ‫ܬ‬
ܳ ,ܽ “filled”, here construct ܳ
, “goodness,
ܰܳ ܳܳ
grace”; , “truth”; 15: ‫ ܐ‬, “cried out”; ‫ ܗ = ܗ‬+
‫ ܶ ;ܽܗܘ‬is a kind of “ethic dative”, approximating to “for
himself” (see Nöldeke §224);
ܰ ܳ , “before me”; ܳ ܰ ,
ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ,
“first” (ordinal); 16: ‫ܬ‬ , “fullness, abundance”;
“instead of, in exchange for”; 17: ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܳ , “law”; 18:
ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ , “from everlasting”); ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬,
‫ܘܡ‬ , “ever” (‫ܘܡ‬
“bosom”;
ܺ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, root ‫ ܐ‬, ethpa., “told, narrated”.
ܰ ܳ ܰ
19: ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “evening”; ‫ܰ ܐ‬ ܰ , “Sunday”; ܺ ܺ ‫ܐ‬, passive
ܶܰ ܰ ܰ
ptc. of ‫ܐ‬, “closed, retained”; ‫ܐ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬, “where”; ܳ ܺ ‫ܬ‬,
“disciple”; ‫ܘܕ ܳ ܐ‬ ܳ ܽ ܺ , “Jew”; ܳ ܰ , “among”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “peace”;
ܺ
20: ‫ ܰ ܝ‬, root in pa. stem, “showed”;
ܳ ܶ , “side”; ܺ ,
ܳ
root ‫ ܺ ܝ‬, “rejoiced”, like (XII), but some intransitive
types like this retain the ‫ ܝ‬in the pe. perf. Compare the
intransitive verb-type ܶ (IX.4); 22:
ܰ , “breathed”; 23:
ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ
‫ܐܢ‬, “if”;
ܳ ܳ̈ ܽ24: ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܬܪ‬ , “the twelve”, a collective; ‫ܬܐ ܐ‬, “twin”;
ܳ ܽ
25:
ܳ ܶ ‫ܕܘ‬ , p. of ‫ܕܘ‬, “place”; ‫ ܶܨ ܳܨ‬, “nail”; ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “put”;
‫ܨ‬, “finger”; ܶ ܰ , aph. ptc., root , “stretched,
ܳ ܰ
held out”; ‫ܕ ܐ‬, “side”.
‫‪148‬‬ ‫‪READINGS‬‬
‫)‪Text 2: Old Testament (Psalm 110‬‬
‫‪The following text is taken from the Pešiṭtā version (c. 2nd‬‬
‫‪! 15‬‬ ‫‪cent. A.D.).‬‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܶܕܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܬܒ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫‪ 1‬ܐܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬

‫̱‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬
‫ܕ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ‪ܳ ܽ 2 :‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ̈ ܳ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ‪ܳܰ 3 :‬‬ ‫ܶ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶܨܗ ܽ ܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܳ ‪ ܶ .‬ܕ ܰܝ ܽ ܕ ܳ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ݁ܶ ‪ܽ ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ ‪ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ 4‬‬ ‫ܺ‬
‫ܒ‪ܰ :‬ܕܐ ̱‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ܬܟ‪.‬‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫‪ܳ ܳ 5‬‬ ‫ܳ ‪ ܽ ܰ .‬ܬܗ ܕ* ܶ ܺ ܶܕܩ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܽ‬
‫̱‬
‫ܰ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ‪ܰ .‬ܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬
‫ܘܢ‪ܳ ܰ ̱ ܶ 7‬‬ ‫ܶ‪:‬‬ ‫ܕܪܘ ܗ‬
‫‪6‬‬
‫‪ :‬ܘ‬ ‫̈ ܶ‪ .‬ܘܶ ܽ ܩ ܪ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܶ‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܳܗ ܳ ܶ ܺܬܪ ܺܪ ܶ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܘܪ ܳ ܶ ‪ܶ :‬‬
‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܬܒ ܳ‬‫ܳ ܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬

‫‪.‬‬
‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ̈ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܕܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰܪ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ‪ ܳ ܽ .‬ܕ ܽ ܳ‬
‫̈ ܳ ܰ ‪ܳ ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܨܗ ܽ ܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕ ܰ ܳ ‪ ܶ .‬ܕ ܰܝ ܽ ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܬܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ‪ܶ .‬‬
‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܘܳ‬
‫ܰ ܶ ܒ‪ܰ .‬ܕܐ ̱ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܻ ܳ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ‪ܶ ܽ ܰ .‬ܬܗ ܕ ܶ ܻ ܶܕܩ‪ܳ ܳ .‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫ܕܪܘ ܶ ܗ ܰ ̈ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܻ ܳ ‪ .‬ܬܰ‬
‫ܶ ‪ .‬ܘܶ ܽ ܩ‬
‫̈‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬
‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ̱ ܶ̈‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܘܢ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܐܪ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܕ ܰ ܺ ܶ̈‬ ‫ܪ ܳ‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ‪ܽ ܶ .‬‬
‫ܳܗ ܳ ܶ ܬܪ ܪ ܶ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܐܘܪ ܳ‬
READINGS 149
ܵ ܿ ܵ ‫ܵ ܝ ܕ ܬܒ‬ ܵ ܵ ܼ ܿ ‫ܸܐ‬
ܼ ܵ ‫ ܼ ܿ ܿ ܕܹܐ‬: ܼ ܵ ܿ ܼ ܸ ܿ ܸ
ܵ ‫ܕ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܪ‬ ܼ . ܵ ܼ ̈ ܿܵ ܸ
ܼ ܵ ܿ . ܿܵ ܿ ܼ ܸ ܿ ܿ ‫ ܘ‬: ‫ܨܗ ܼ ܢ‬
ܵ ݁ ܼܿ
ܵ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܿ ܸ ܵ ܼ ܼܿ ܼ ܸ ܵ ܿ ܼ ܸ ܵ ܵ ܸ
ܵ ܼ ܸ :ܿ ܼ ܿ ܸ ܵ ‫ ܸ ܵܕ ܼ ܝ ܵ ܼ ܕ‬: ܵ ܼ ‫ܕ‬
ܼ ‫ܗܘ‬
ܼ ̱ ‫ ܿ ܼܕܐ‬:‫ܼ ݁ ܸ ܒ‬ ‫ܵ ܘ‬ ܼ .‫ܿ ܼ ܵ ܐ ܼ ܸ ܬܟ‬
ܿ ܵ ܵ ܿ ܿ ܿܵ
ܼ ‫ ܿ ܬ‬: ܼ ܿ ܼ ܼ ̈ ܵ ܿ .‫ ܼ ܼ ܹܬܗ ܿ ܕ ܼ ̈ ܼ ܸܕܩ‬: ܵ ܼ
‫ܼܸ܆‬ ܸ ܸ ‫ܿ ܵ ܼܘܢ ܼ ܿ ܹ ܵ ܘ‬. ܹ ܼ ̈ ܿ ‫ܵ ܿ ܕܪܼܘ ܵ ܹ ܗ‬
: ܸ ܸ ܵ ‫ܼܘܪ‬ ܼ ܸ ‫ ܘ‬. ‫ܘ ܸ ܩ ܵ ܵ ܹܪ ܕ ܼ ܼ ܹ ܼ ܪ‬
. ܹ ‫ܗ ܸ ܬܪ ܼ ܹܪ‬ ܸ
ܶ ܶ
‫ܬܒ‬, impv. s. of ‫ ܻ ܒ‬, “sat”: note the irregular imperative
ܳ , ethic dative, see Text 1:15; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “right
(see XI.3);
ܶ ܻ
hand”; ‫ܐ ܕ‬
ܳ ܰ , “until”;
ܺ ‫ܐ‬, 1 person pe. impf. of ܳ ,
st
“put”, which is otherwise like

ܳ (XII); ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, “footstool”;
ܳ ܶ
‫ ܰܪ‬, “foot”; ܳ ܽ , “staff, rod”; ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, “strength”;
ܰ ܶ , ethpa. impf., root , “ruled”; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, pa. ptc.
from , “gave praise”; ‫ܗܕܪ‬, “glory”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ , “womb”;
ܺ , “first, of old”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “young man, child”; ܶ ܺ (‫)ܐ‬,
“begat”, here 1 person s. perf. with sfx.; ‫ ܺ ܐ‬, “swore” (see
st ܳ
ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ
XII) ; ‫ ݁ ܶ ܒ‬, pa. impf., “broke faith”; ‫ܕ ܬ‬, “likeness”; ‫ܬ‬,
ܶ̈ ܰ ܳܰ
“broke”; ‫ ܽ ܘܢ‬, pe. impf. of ‫ܳܕܢ‬, “judged”; ‫ ̱ ܐ‬, p. of ‫ ܐ‬,
“people”; ܳ
ܰ , “corpse”; ‫ ܶ ܽ ܩ‬, pe. impf. of ܰ , “cut
ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ
off”; , “stream, wadi”; , pe. impf. of , “drank”.
Note the letter combination t‚ in the “Nestorian” script
ܺ ܶ ܳ
version; ‫ ܬܪ‬, ettaph. impf. of ‫“ ܪܡ‬raised up”.
150 READINGS
Text 3: The Addai Legend (c. 4th/5th cent. A.D.)
The text, concerning the coming of Christianity to Edessa,

records the letters exchanged by Jesus and King Abgar and
refers to the blessing of the city by Jesus and the image of
! 16 Jesus preserved there.
ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ
‫ * ܶ ܽ ܥ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܶܕܐܬ ܺ ܝ ܰ ܬܳܪ‬:‫*ܐ ܰ ܐܘ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬
. ܳ ‫ ܳ ̱ܝ‬: ܶ ‫ܽܕܐܘܪ‬
ܶ ܳ ܶ ‫ܗܘ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶܐ ܰܘ‬ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ
̱ ̱ ‫ܕ‬ :‫ܬܟ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘ‬
ܶ ܺ ܰ ‫ ܘ‬: ‫ ܐܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܟ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܚ ܰܐ‬: ‫ܰ ܶ ܐ ܰܐ‬
̱ ̱
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ ܐ‬: ̱ ‫ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܰܐ‬: ̱ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰܐ‬
ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ
‫ܳܟ‬ ̇ ܳ ‫ ܰܘܰ ܽ ̈ܘ ܶܳ ܐ ܰܘ ܰܶ ܐ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ̈ ܐ‬: ̱ ‫ܐ‬
‫ ܘ ܰ ܳܗ ܶ ܬ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬ‬. ̱ ‫ ܐܦ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܺ ܐ‬. ̱ ‫ܰ ܶ ܐ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ‫ܕܐܘ‬ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ . ̱‫ܶ ܶ ܕܳ ܶ ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܰܘܪ‬
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ‫ܰܐ ̱ ܰܕ ܶ ܬ‬
̱ ‫ܶܗ ̇ ܐ‬ ‫ ܐܘ‬.ܽ ܶ ‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܰܬ ܳܗ‬
ܶ ܳ ‫ܳܗ‬ ܶ . ̱ ‫ ܳܕܗ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܐ‬. ܴ ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬
ܶ ܺ
‫ ܘ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬. ܳ ܳ ̱ ܳ ‫ܬܝ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ‬ ̱ ܰ ܳ ‫ܕܬܐܬ‬ . ܳ ܶܺ ܻ
‫ܗܕ ܬܘܒ‬ ܶ ܳ ‫ ܐܦ‬. ܳ ܶ ‫ܰܕܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܱܬܐ ܶ ܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܡ ܕܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܶ ‫ ܳܘܐܦ ܕ‬: ܳ ܺ ‫ܳܘܪܕ‬ ܰ ܺ ‫ܘܕ ܶܐ ܳܪ‬ܳ̈ ܽ ‫ ܺܕ‬: ܶ ܶ
ܺ ‫ܪܬ ܰܐ‬ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܶ
‫ܙ‬ ̱ ܶ . ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ‫ ܰ ܺܘ ܳ ܶ ܰܚ‬. ܳ
.‫ܰ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ ܘ‬. ݁ ܰ ‫ ܘ‬: ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬
ܳ̈ ܽ ‫ܰܪܒ ܳ ̈ܶ ܺܕ‬
.‫ܘܕ ܶܐ‬ ܶ ‫ܥ ܶ ܰ ܳܬ‬ ܽ ܶ ‫ܗܘ‬̱ܳ ̇ ܳ ݁ܰ ܰ‫ܘ‬
‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܟ ܕ ܰ ܳܪܟ‬ ܶ ܰ ‫ ܶܙܠ ܶܘܐ‬. ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ * ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬
ܶ ‫ܰ ܳ ̱ ܰܗ‬ ܳ ܰ ܽ
ܶ . ܺ ‫ ܰ ܕ‬.‫ܶܨ ܰ ܝ‬
READINGS 151
(Jn 20:29)
ܺ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽܢ‬ ܶ ܳ ‫ܰ ܰܕܐ ܶ ܕ‬
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ ܰܗܘ ܶ ܶ ܡ ܶܕܐ ݁ܕܶܪܬ ܰ ܳ ̱ܗܝ‬.‫ܺ ܺܕܐܬ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܕ‬
ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܳ
̱ ܶ‫ܬ ܐ‬ ̱‫ܐ‬ ‫ ܘ‬. ܶ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܪܐ‬
ܰ ܳ ܳ ̱ ܰ
‫ ݁ ܪ ܐ‬:‫ܬܗ‬ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ‫ ܘ ܐ ܕ‬. ̱ ‫ܕ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰܪ‬
ܳ
. ܶ ܰ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶܐ ܘ‬ ܳ
ܶ ‫ܕܐ‬ ܺ ‫ ܘ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܶ ܡ‬:‫ܬ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܝ‬
ܳ
. ܰ ܳ ‫ ܰ ܶܐ ܽ ܐ ܽ ܢ ܳ ܰ ̈ܐ ܰ ܰܕ‬.‫ܳ ܬܟ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ ܠ ܰ ܺܕܐ‬
ܶ ܰ ܶ ‫ ܰܘ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܬܘܒ‬. ܺ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶܘ‬
. ܰܳ
ܶ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ܰ ܶ‫ ܳܕܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ‬: ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ܳ ܳ ‫ܰ ܶܕ‬
ܶ ‫ܗܘ ܳܘܨܪ ܰܨ‬ ̱ܳ ܰ .‫ܗܘ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ܳ ̱ ܳ ܳ ‫ ܰܘ ܰ ܰܕܨ‬.‫ܶ ܽ ܥ‬
ܰ ܱ ܶ ܰ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ̱ ‫ ܰܘܐ ܺ ܝ‬.‫ܰ ̈ܳܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬
ܶ̈ ܳ ܰ
̱ ‫ܕܶ ܽ ܥ‬
ܰ ܳ ̱ ‫ ܘ ܰ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬.‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܳ ܶ ܗ‬
‫ܗܘ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ܳ ܽܰ ܳ
.‫ܗܘ ܻ ܳ ܳ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬ ܳ ̱ ܶ ܳ ‫ ܘ‬. ܳ ݁ ‫ܘܬ ܰܪ‬ ‫ܰܗܘ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̱ܗܘ‬
. ܶ ‫ܰ ܶ ̈ ܳܕܐ ܰ ܳ ܺܕ‬
ܽ ܳ
‫ܐܘ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “black”; ‫ܐ ܳ ܐ‬, “healer, ܺ ܶ
physician”; ‫ܐܬ ܝ‬, ethpe. of
ܳ , “was seen, appeared”; ‫ ܳܐ ܽ ܳܬ‬, “healing”; ‫ ܰ ̱ ܳ ̈ܶܐ‬, p. of
‫ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “drug, pigment”; ܳ ܳ ܶ , “root, herb”; ‫ ܰ ܶ ܐ‬, pa. ptc. of
‫ܐ ܳ ܐ‬, “healed”; ‫ ܰ ܳܪ‬, “blind” (pa. passive ptc. of ‫;) ܪ‬
ܶ ܰ , pa. ptc. of ‫ܗ‬, “went”, here “made to walk”;
‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “leper”; ‫ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܐ‬, pa. ptc. of ‫ܕ ܳ ܐ‬, “purify”;
ܶ ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “silent
(deaf, dumb)”;
ܳ ܳ ‫ܐ‬, “roof-top” – ܳ ܳ ‫ ܰ ܐ‬, “demon”;
‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, pa. passive ptc. from , “afflicted with pain”;
ܺ , “dead”; ܺ , aph. ptc. of ܳ ; ‫ܬ ܺ ̈ܳ ܳܬ‬, “wonderful
ܳ ܰ
things” (strictly a pe. passive ptc.); ‫ܪܘܪ ܐ‬, “great”;
ܶ ܳ , pe.
ptc. of
ܰ ; ܺ , 1 person perf. pe. of ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “sought”;
st
ܶ ܺ ܳܶ
‫ܬܐܬ‬, 2 m. s. impf. of ‫ܐܬ‬, “came”; ܰ , approximately
nd
152 READINGS
ܶ
“while”, but in context “so that”; ‫ ܶ ܡ‬, “anything”, hence as
ܰ
an adjective “any” or “a certain ….”; ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܐ‬, “as”; ܶ ‫ ܰܗ‬:
see the verb
ܶ ‫ ܰܗ‬in Text 1:7; ܺ ‫ ܳܪܕ‬, p. ptc. pe of ‫ܰܪܕܦ‬,
“persecuted”;
ܳ ܽ ܶ , 3rd p. impf. pe. of ܰ ‫ܙ‬, “crucified”,
with pronoun sfx.;
ܶ ܳ , ptc. ‫( ܳ ܐ‬above); ‫ ܶ ܰ ܚ‬, pe.
ܰ
infinitive of ‫ ܚ‬, “injured”;
ܺ ܳ , pe. ptc. of ܳ , “looked
ܳ ܽ
at, considered”; ‫ܙ ܪ‬, “small”; ܺ ‫ ܰܐ‬, pe. passive ptc. used
with an active meaning, “holding”, see Nöldeke §280;
ܳ ܺ ݁ܰ ,
ܶ
“fair” (here f. absolute); ‫ܬ‬, “two”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, pe. ptc. of
, “sufficed”;
ܰ ܶ , pe. infinitive of ܰ , “dwelt”;
ܳ ܶ
‫ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “peace”; ‫ܐ ܰ ܬ‬, “letter”; ܶ can mean “at the house
of …” without an extra ‫ ܒ‬prefix; ‫ܪܒ‬, construct s. of ‫ܪ ݁ ܐ‬,
ܰ ܰܰ
“great one, chief”;
ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ , “tabularius (scribal official)”;
ܶ
‫ ܶܙܠ‬pe. impv. from ‫ܰܐܙܠ‬. This is not regular (see X). A
further pecularity with this verb is the non-pronunciation of
the ‫ ܠ‬in forms in which it should carry a vowel after
ܳܳ ܳ
vowelless ‫ܙ‬. E. g., the ptc. is not ‫ ܐܙ‬but ̱ ‫ ܳܐܙ‬, pronounced ‚āzā;
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, also impv.; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܳܪܟ‬, ‫ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ‬with sfx.; ‫ܶܨ‬, ‫ܶܨܐܕ‬, “to, at”, with
sfx.; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ , “good” (noun), may be used as a p. with sfxs. to
ܳ ܰ nd
give “blessed is he, are you, etc.”; , 2 m. s. perf. pe.
of ܳ with sfx.;
ܶ ‫ܗ‬, 2 ܰ m. s. perf. of ܶ ‫( ܰܗ‬see above);
ܰ nd
ܻ , pe. passive ptc. of ‫ ܒ‬, “wrote”; ܶ ܳ ܰ , pe. ptc. of ܳ ;

‫ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬, 3rd p. impf. of ܶ ‫( ܰܗ‬above); ܰ
ܶ ‫ ܺܕ‬, “and that
you wrote, as regards the fact that you wrote”; ‫ܐܬ‬, 1 s. impf. st
ܳܶ ܶ ‫ ܰܗܘ‬, “that thing”; ‫ܐܶ ܰ ܶܕܪܬ‬, ethpa.
pe. of ‫ܐܬ‬, “came”; ‫ܶ ܡ‬
perf., 1st s., of ‫ ܰ ܰ ܪ‬:“I was sent”; ‫ܗܝ‬
ܰ : the sfx. refers to the
̱ ܰ ܶ
‫ ܳܗܪ ܳ ܐ ; ܶ ܶ ܡ‬, “here”; ܺ ܶ , “now”; ܰ ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpa. of ,
“was finished”;
ܶ , ethic dative, see Text 1:15 and Nöldeke
READINGS 153
§224;
ܺ is the same; ܶ ܳ , pe. ptc. of , “went up”;
ܰ‫ ܰ ݁ ܪ‬, ‫ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ‬with sfx. ; ‫ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬, “when”; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ‬, pa. ptc.; ܶ ܰ ,
“one of …”;
ܶ ܰ , aph. impf. from , “healed”; ‫ܠ‬
ܽ
‫ ܰ ܕ‬, “whoever”; ‫ ܰ ܶܐ‬, aph. impf. from ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “made return”; ܰ
‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “city”; ܺ , “blessed” (pe. passive ptc.); ܰ ܶ ,
ethpa. impf. from , “had dominion”; ‫ ܰ ܕ‬, “by the
hand /power that …, by reason of the fact that …”; ܳ ‫ ܰܨ‬,
ܳ
“painter, carver”;
ܰ , “took”, can mean also “began”; ‫ܳܨܪ‬,
pe. perf. like
ܳ , “painted”; ‫ ܰܨ ܳ ܐ‬, “picture, image”; ‫ ܰ ̈ܳܐ‬,
passive ptc. pe. (emphatic) p. (s. ‫ ) ܰ ܳ ܐ‬of ‫ܐ‬
ܳ , “chose”,
ܺ ܰ ܳܶ
hence “chosen, choice”; ‫ܐ ܝ‬, aph. perf. from ‫ܐܬ‬, the first ‫ܝ‬
being unusual since the normal aph. of verbs beginning with ‫ܐ‬
is like
ܶ ‫ ܰܐܘ‬from ‫ܐ‬. The second ‫ ܝ‬follows the regular
pattern for verbs in final ‫ܐ‬. Hence, “he caused to come,
brought”; ‫ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬, ܳ with sfx.;
ܶ ݁ ܰ , ܶ ݁ ܰ (pa.) with sfx.;
ܶ ܳ , ܳ with sfx.; ܳ ܳ ‫ ܺܐ‬, “honour”; ܶ ܳ̈ , p. of ܳ ܰ (see
VI.F);
ܳ ܰ ‫ ܳܐ‬, “palace”; ‫ܺܕ‬, “belonging to”.
‫)‪Text 4: Bardaiṣan (A.D. 154-222‬‬
‫‪From The Book of the Laws of Countries (early 2nd cent. A.D.): a‬‬
‫‪dialogue on fate in which it is argued that Christians are‬‬
‫‪everywhere free to reject the customs and laws of the‬‬
‫‪! 17‬‬ ‫‪societies they live in.‬‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܬ ܺܕ ܰ ܰܕ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶܐ܇‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶܕ ܺ ܰ‬
‫ܺ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܻܬ ܗ‪ܳ .‬ܕܗ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܳ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐܰܬܪ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܻ ܳ ܶ ܳܐ܇‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܐܬܪ ܺܕܐ‬
‫̱ ܰ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܐ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܰ ܳܐ ܕܰ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ ܺ‬
‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܬ ܶ ܐ ܽ ܺ ܰ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܐ ܶ ̈ܶ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܺ ܰܳܐ‬
‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶܕ ܶ ‪ .‬ܘ ܐ ܶ ܺ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܰܬܘ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܬ ܬ ܶ ܺ ̈ ‪ .‬ܘ‬
‫ܶ ܴ ̈ ܷܐ ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ܶ ܕ ܺ ܽ ܘܕ ܶ ܰ ‪ .‬ܘ ܐ ̈ ܬܢ ܕ ܶ‬
‫ܳ ܳ ̈ܶܐ ܶ ܰ ̈ܘܬ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ ܰܕ ܳ ܶ ܣ ܳ ܺ‬
‫ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܻ ̈ ܽ ܘܢ‪ܳ .‬ܐܘ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫̈ܳ ܽܗܘܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܝ ܳ ܺ‬
‫ܽ ܘܢ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ܰ ܻ̈ ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬
‫ܘܪܗܝ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܘܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ ܕ ܽ ܳ‬
‫ܶ ܶ ܘܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܕ ܳ ܳ ܢ ܰܐܘ ܰܐ ̈ܳ ܬܽܗܘܢ‪ .‬ܐܶ ܴ ܶ ܰܪ ܺ‬
‫ܰܕ ܽ ܳ ܳܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܶ ܐ‪ .‬ܐ ܰܐܬܪ ܳܕܗ ܽ ܢ ܰܘ ܽ‬‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܽܕܘ ܳ ܐ ܺܕܐ ܽ ܘܢ܆ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܷܰ‬
‫ܘܢܳ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ‬
‫ܴ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܐܬ‬
‫ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳܬ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܘ ܶ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܕ ̈ ܳܢ ܽ ܘܢ‪ ܽ .‬ܪ ܳܗ ܳ ܶܕ ܰ ܰ ܘ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܘ ܽ ܳܬܪ ܘ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܬ ܆‬
‫ܪܘܬܗܘܢ‪ .‬ܐܬܪ ܳܕܗ ܽ ܢ ܳ ܶ ܨ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕ ܺ ܽ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܗ ܳ ܕ ̱ ܳ‬
READINGS 155
Note that this passage contains many tribal and place names:
they are not in this case marked with *.
ܳ ܰ ܳ
‫ ܰܳ ܰܐ = ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “what?”; , “race, rank, tribe”; ‫( ܰ ܬ‬f.),
ܳ ܰ
“new”; ‫ܐܬܪ‬, absolute form of ‫ܐܬܪ‬, “place”, the absolute often
being used after
ܽ (see Nöldeke §202); ܳ ̈ ܶ , absolute p. of
ܳ ܺ ܺ ‫ ܰܐ‬, aph. of ; ܳ ‫ ܶ ܬ‬, “coming”; ‫ܳܕܗ‬,
, “region”;
ܰܰ ܻ
“for behold”; ‫ܐܬܪ ܕ‬, “wherever”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ , “name”;
ܰ ܶ ܶ,
ܳ , “called”, with enclitic attached for ܰ ;
ethpe. ptc. p. of ̱
ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ , ethpa. ptc. from ܶ ܰ , “gathered”, also with
ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ
enclitic; , common p. of ‫ ܻ ܺ ; ܰ ܐ‬, passive ptc. of
‫ ܰ ܚ‬, “became bald, exposed”, the passive ptc. being used as
an adjective, “evident, specified, special”. Hence “special
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ‫ ܶ ܰ ܐ‬, ethpe. ptc. p. from
days”; ‫ܬ‬ , “food”;
‫ ܶ ܠ‬, “abstained from”, with enclitic “we”; ‫ ܰ ܻ ܰ ܐ‬, “Gallia,
Gaul”;
ܺ ܳ , pe. ptc. of , “took, took in marriage”;
ܳ ‫ ܶܕ‬, “male person”; ‫ ܰ ܬܘ‬, “Parthia”; ̈ ܺ ܶ , p. absolute of
ܳ ܰ ܾ ܺ ܰ ܶ,
‫ܐ ̱ ܬ‬, “woman, wife” (VI.F); ‫ ܺ ܽ ܘܕ‬, “Judaea”; ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ‫ܪ‬
ethpe. ptc. p. of ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, “cut, circumcized”; ‫ܐ ܬܢ‬, “our sisters”
ܳ ܳ ܶ , “among”; ‫ ܶ ܳ ܶܐ‬, “the Geli” (a tribe);
(p. of );
ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ ܳ ܳ ̈ܐ‬, “Kushanians”; ܳ ‫ ܶ ܶ ̈ܘܬ‬, f. p. ptc. ‫ܐ ܘܬܦ‬, “had
intercourse”, the passive of ‫ ܰ ܬܦ‬, which is basically a šap‛el
stem (see XIII.B); ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ , “foreigner”; ‫ ܳ ܶ ܣ‬, “Persia”; ܳ ܳ̈
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
p. of ‫ ܬ‬, “daughter” (VI.F); ‫ ܰ ܝ‬, “Media”; ‫ ܩ‬, “fled”;
ܳ ܺ ܰ , “buried”; ܻ̈ ܰ , p. absolute of
, “a dead man”;
ܳ ܽ ܶ , “food”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬,
adjective ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “alive, living”;
ܽ ̈ ܶ ܶ̈ ܶ
“dog”; ‫ ܰ ܘܢ‬, ‫ ܐ‬, see ܺ above; ‫ ܳ ܢ‬pe. ptc. f. p.
̈ ܶ ܳ
absolute from ܳ , “committed adultery”; ܴ ܶ‫ܐ‬, “but”;
ܺ ‫ ܶ ܰܪ‬, ethpa. ptc. of ‫ܪ‬, meaning “avoiding, keeping
156 READINGS
away from”;
ܺ ܰ , aph. ptc. of , “handed over”;
ܳ‫ ܺܕ ܐ‬, “judgement”; ܳ ܽ , “Hatra”; ܰ ‫ܪ‬, “threw stones at”;
ܳ ܳ
‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “thief”; ‫ ܽܕܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “place” (absolute of ‫ ܕ ;) ܽܕܘ‬often
has the sense “lest, so that … not”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܳ , “law” (here
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰܳ ܺ ܰ , aph. ptc.
construct p.); ‫ܐܬ ܘܬ‬, p. of ‫ܐܬܪ‬, “country”;
ܰ
of the root ‫ ܩ‬, “caused to withdraw, separated”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܶ,
“fate”;
ܳ ܳ ܰ , “governor, ruler”, used here of the (heavenly)
ܶ ܳ
powers controlling a man’s destiny; , pe. participle of
ܰܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ
, “forced, pressed”;
ܳ ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ ,ܽ ethpa. infinitive of the
root , “used”; ‫ܨ ܬ‬, p. of ‫( ܨ ܬ‬f.), “thing”. Note the
ܽ
mutation of the vowel ‫( ܘ‬ū) into a consonantal ‫( ܘ‬wā) in the
ܳ
plur. This occurs in a number of nouns with vocalic endings
ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ
in the absolute: here ‫ܨ‬. See also ‫ܨ ܬ‬, “prayer”, p. ‫ܬ‬ ‫;ܨ‬
ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ
‫ ܢ‬, f. absolute p. of , “unclean”; ‫ ܪܗ‬, “sickness”;
ܶ‫ܕ‬, “however”; ‫ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “health”; ‫ ܽ ܳܬܪ‬, “wealth”;
ܳ ܳ
‫ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܬ‬, “poverty”; ‫ ܺ ܽܪܘܬ‬, “free-will”; ‫ ܰ ܨ‬, “came to pass,
befell”.
‫)‪Text 5: Aphrahaṭ (flourished A.D. 337-45‬‬
‫‪From his Demonstration 8, discussing the resurrection of the‬‬

‫‪! 18‬‬ ‫‪dead.‬‬
‫ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܬܘܒ * ܽ ܶ ܐ ܐ ܶ ܙ ܰ ܳ ܻ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ ‪.‬‬
‫ܶܘܐ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܳ‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬‫ܰܐ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܴ ܶ ܗ‪ܶ :‬‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫ܬܗ‪:‬‬‫ܰ ܽ ̇‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܳ )‪ .(Deut. 32:39‬ܬܘܒ ܐܦ * ܰ ܳ ܐ ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܰ ܬ‬
‫)‪.(I Sam 2:6‬‬
‫ܕ ܳ ܳܐ ܺ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܠ ܘ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܺ ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܳܘܐܦ ܰ *ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܰ ‪ :‬ܕ ܺ ܽ ܢ‬
‫ܰܘ ̈ ܽ ܘܢ ܽ ܽ ܢ‪ :‬ܘ ܶ ܬ ܺ ܽ ܘܢ ܰܘ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܢ ܳ ܰ ̈‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܱ)‪ܳ .(Is. 26:19‬ܘܐܦ *ܰܕܺܘ ܰܐ ܶ ܙ ܶܘܐ ܰ ‪ܳ :‬ܕܗ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐ ̱ ܬܕ ܰ ܳ ܬ ܳܘ ܰ ̱ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܢ ܘ ܰ ܽܕܘܢ ܳ ‪ :‬ܘ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܬܟ )‪ܰ .(Ps 88:11-12‬ܘܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܺ ܽ ܳܪ ܕ ܳ ܶ ܘ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶܬܗ ܰܕ ܴ ܳ ܆ ܐܶ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܳܕܙ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܰܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܰܘܙܘ ܳ ܐ ܳܕܗ ܶܘ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܘ ܳ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳܘܐ ܺ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܘ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬
‫̱‬
‫ܗܘ ܰ ܰ ܢ ܰܘܗܘܳ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫ܕ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ܶܕܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܬ ܰ ‪ܰ :‬ܕ ܺ‬
‫ܗܪ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܺ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳܳܺ‬
‫ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ‪ܶ :‬ܘܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܐܙܕܪ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܐܙܕܪ ܬܘܒ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܘܬ ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽܪܘ ܳ ܳ ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܳ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܻ‬
‫ܰ ܶ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܕ ̱ܗܝ ܽ ܬ ܕ ܶ‬ ‫)‪ܳ ܳ .(I Cor. 15:43-44‬‬
‫ܰ ܴ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܐ ̱ ̣ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ̈ܶ ܷ ̱ܗܘ ܰ ܽ ܕ ܰ ݁ ܺ ̱ ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܳ ̱ ܳ‬
‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ ‪ :‬ܐܶ ܳ ܳܐܦ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܳ ̈ܕܘܬ ܰ ̈ ܴ ܬ ܕ ܶ ܶ ܶܘ‬
‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܐ‪ ܶ ܳ ܰ :‬ܡ ܘ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܻ ‪ ܳ ܻ * ܰ .‬ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܳ ܰ̈‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܬܕ ܽ ܪܬ ܕ ܳ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܘ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̇ܗ ܰܕܐܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ‪ܺ ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܐ ܶ * ܻܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܬܘܒ ܬ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܗ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬
‫)‪ .(I Kg. 17:17-24‬ܘ*‬
‫ܘܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ‬
‫ܰܐ ܺ ܰ ܳ ̇ܗ ܕ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ )‪ :(II Kg. 4:8-37‬ܕܬܶܬ ܰ ܰ ܘܬ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܰ ̱ܗܝ ܽܬܘܒ ܶܕ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܘܬ ܰܕܬ ܶ ‪ܳ .‬ܘܐܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬
‫ܰܘ ܳ ܐ ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܘ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ̈ ܻܐ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬
‫ܰܗܘ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬
‫ܕܘܬ ܰܕܬ ܳ ܳ ܀ ܳܘܐܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ )‪ :(II Kg.13:20-21‬ܘ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫*ܰ ܺ‬
‫‪ܰ (Ezek.‬ܐܬ ܰܰ ܰ ܳ ܬܘܒ ܰ ܳ ܻ‬ ‫ܳ ܐ )‪37:1-10‬‬
‫ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܐ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܷ‬
‫ܘ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ‬
‫ܶ ‪ܶܳ :‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܰܘܐ ܶ ܗ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܶܘܐ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܽ‬
‫ܰ ܶ ܐ ܳܗ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ܆ ܶܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܷ ‪ :‬ܐ ̱ ̱ܗܘ ܳ ܰ ܥ‬
‫ܰ ܶܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܘܬ ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ‪ :‬ܐܬ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰ‬
‫ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܐ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܳܗ ܶ ‪ܶ :‬ܐܬ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܐ ܶܘܐ ܰ‬
‫ܘܬ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰܐ ܰ ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܶ ܳ ̈ܶ ܐ ܳܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܳ ܳ‬
‫ܗܘ ܰܙܘ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫̱ܗܘܘܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܐ ܳܐܦ ܰܐ ܶ ܰܕ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ ܳ ܳ ܶܘܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܶ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܳ ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܰܘܬ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܺ ̱ ܰ‬
‫ܳ ܳܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܶ ܗ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܶ‬
‫ܳܬ‬ ‫̱ܗܘ ܘ‬ ‫ܐܬ ̱ ܰ‬
‫ܬܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ‪ :‬ܘܰ ܺ ܽ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܬ ܰܙܘ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܘܐܬܪ ݁ ܰ‬
‫ܘܪܬܚ ܕ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܳ ܐ‪ܶ:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ̱‬
‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܪ ‪ :‬ܘܐܬ‬
‫ܶ ܳ ܺܘ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܬ ܶ ܡ ܶ ܳ ܐ ܰ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܽܘܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܰ‬
‫ܗܘܬ ܽ ܘܢ‪ܳ .‬ܗ ܶ ܬܘܒ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܗ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬
‫ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܶܘܐ ܰ ܳ ̇ ‪ .‬ܬܝ ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ܰ ܶ ‪ܶ :‬ܐܬ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܐ ܰ‬
‫ܺ ̈ ܷ ܘ ܺ ܽ ܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܪ ܰ ܽ ܘ ܶ ܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܽ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ ̱ܳ‬
‫܀‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫‪, aph. perf. of the root‬ܐ ܶ ܙ ;”‪ ܶ ܽ , “Moses‬ܐ ;”‪, “again‬ܬܘܒ‬
‫;”‪ ܶ , “preached, proclaimed”; ܻ ܳ ܰ ܰ , “clearly‬ܙ‬ ‫ܰܰ‬
‫‪ ܳ ܽ ,‬ܐ ;”‪, “as, as if‬ܐ ܕ ;”‪̈ ܺ , “resurrection of the dead‬‬
‫;”‪“mouth‬‬
‫;”‪ܺ , aph. perfect of ܺ , “caused to die‬‬
READINGS 159
‫ ܰ ܶ ܐ‬, aph. ptc. ܳ

ܰܺ of the slightly irregular ‫ ܐ‬, “lived”. The aph.
perf. is ‫( ܐ‬only one ‫)ܝ‬. Compare verbs with reduplicated
ܳ
second root letter, XII and Nöldeke §183; ‫ ܰ ܐ‬, “Hannah”;
ܳ ܽ
‫ܨ ܬ‬, “prayer”; ܶ ܰ , aph. ptc. of ܶ , “descended”,
hence “making go down” (see XI, verbs with initial );
‫ ܽ ܠ‬, “Sheol” (Hebrew name of the underworld); ܶ ܰ ,
aph. ptc. from
ܶ , “went up”. This verb is odd in that it
assimilates the ‫ܠ‬, somewhat in the same way as verbs
beginning with . Its vowel distribution is identical with verbs
in this latter category. As Nöldeke notes (§183), it behaves as
ܶ ܺ ܳܰ ܳ
if it were ; ‫ܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “Isaiah”; ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “prophet”; ‫ܗ ܐ‬, “thus,
ܺ
likewise”; ‫ ܽ ܢ‬, 3rd person p. impf. pe of ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “lived”. The ‫ܺـ‬
ܶ
instead of reflects a tendency to treat this verb as if it began
with ‫ܳ ;ܐ‬
ܰ , “corpse”; ‫ ܽ ܽ ܢ‬, 3rd p. pe. impf. of ܳ ;
‫ ܶ ܬ ܺ ܽ ܘܢ‬, 3rd p. impf. ethpe. (XII and Paradigm 8: some
ܳ
treat this as ettaph., see Nöldeke §177) of , meaning in this
stem, “was aroused, awakened”; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܢ‬3rd p. impf. pa. of
, “praised, glorified”; ̈
ܰ ܳ , construct p. pe. ptc. of
, “slept”;
ܳ ܰ , “dust”; ‫ܰܺܕܘ‬, “David”; ‫ܳܗ‬, “behold”;
ܶ ܳ , ptc. of ܰ , “did”; ‫ ܶܬܕ ܳ ܳܬ‬, p. of ‫ܪܬ‬ ܳ ܽ ܶ
‫ܬܕ‬, “wonder”;
ܳ ܳ ݁ ܰ , “giant, mighty man”; ‫ ܰ ܽܕܘܢ‬: 3rd p. impf. aph., the
̱
main form in which the root appears, meaning
ܺ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ
“confessed” (‫ܐܘܕܝ‬, perf.); ‫ܢ‬ , ethpa. impf. of the root
ܳ‫ ܐ‬, “related” ( ܺ ܰ ܶ‫ ܰ ܳ ;)ܐ‬, “grave”; ‫ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ‬, “grace”. We
may note here that the Hebrew of this verse (Ps 88: 11-12) is
interrogative and it is implied that God does not do wonders
for the dead. Aphrahaṭ takes it as indicative, with the Syriac
ܳܰ ܰ
version; ‫ܐ ܐ‬, “how?”;
ܶ ܰ ܶ , see ܺ ܰ ܶ‫ ܐ‬above; ܺ ܳ
160 READINGS
ܰ ܳ ܳܳ
pe. ptc. of , “heard”; , construct s. of , “voice,
sound”; ‫ܪ‬
ܳ ܽ ܺ , “trumpet”;
ܶ ܳ pe. ptc. of ܳ , “called”;
ܳ ܰ , “horn”; ‫ ܳܙ ܳ ܐ‬, pe. ptc. of ܰ ‫ܙ‬, “called”; ‫ ܰܪܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “height,
ܳ
high place”; ‫ ܰܙܘ ܐ‬, “shaking, earthquake”; ‫ܗܘ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫;ܗܘ‬
ܶܳ ܳ
ܺ ܰ ܶ , ethpe. ptc. of the root ‫ ܚ‬, “was opened”; ܰ
ܺ ܳ , pe. ptc. of ܳ ; ܳ ܽ ‫ ܶܬ‬, “hymn, praise, glory”; ܰ
ܰ , “one to one, to each other”; ‫ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, f. absolute, “great”;
ܶ
‫ܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܬ‬, ethpe. 3rd f. s. perf. of ܰ ; ܺ , passive ptc. pe.
ܰ , “cut off”; ܳ ܰ , “hope”; ܺ , passive ptc. pe. of
ܰ , “shut in”; ‫ܗܘ‬ ܰ , 1st p. perf. of ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ ; ‫ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, “darkness”;
ܶ
ܰ , ethpe. of the root ‫ܰܙܪܥ‬, “sowed”, in which the ‫ܬ‬
‫ܐܙܕܪ‬
changes place with the ‫( ܙ‬see IX). In addition, as happens with
‫ ܨ‬also,ܳ ‫ ܙ‬causes the ‫ ܬ‬to changes ܰ ܶ into ‫( ܕ‬withܰ ‫ ܨ‬the ‫ ܬ‬becomes
ܳ
‫ ;)ܛ‬, “corruption”; ‫ܐܬ ܢ‬, ethpa. of , “was buried”; ܰ
ܻ ܳ ܳ ܰ , “naturally, regarding physical life”; ܻ ܳ ܳ ‫ ܽܪܘ‬,
ܳ ܽ ܺ ܳ
“spiritually”; ‫ܘܬ‬ , “weakness, sickness”; ܰ , “strength”;
‫ܗܝ‬
̱̈ ܶ ‫ܗܕ‬ ܳ ܳ , “this is” ( ‫ܗܕ‬ ܶ ܳ , “this (f.)”).
ܳ ܶ ܰ , “only”; ܺ ݁ ܰ , “beloved,
ܷ , p. of , “word”; ‫ܽ ܕ‬
friend”; ܳ
ܳ , “deed”; ܰ ܰ , ‫ ܰ ܺ ܝ‬, pa. of the root ,
ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ , “witness,
“showed”, with sfx.; ‫ܕܘܬ‬ , p. of ‫ܽܕܘܬ‬
ܳ ܽ ܳ , pe. infinitive of ܳ ,
testimony”. See ‫ ܨ ܬ‬in Text 4;
“put”, used as a compound with various nouns. Here literally
“putting in thought”, hence here “doubt” (see VIII.5); ‫ ݁ ܶ ܡ‬,
ܰ
ܶ ܶ
pa., “be early/quick (in doing)”; ‫ ܻ ܳ ܐ‬, “Elijah”; ܰ ܰ ‫ܐܬ‬,
ethpe. 3rd f. s. perf. of ܳ ; ܶ ܳ , m. p. ptc. of ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “lived”;
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ
‫ܐܪ‬, “widow”; ܶ ‫ܐ‬, aph. of ܺ ‫ )ܐ ܺ ( ܶܳ ܐ‬with sfx.; ܶ ܰ ܰ ,
‫ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬, “gave” with sfx.; ܰ , “Elisha”; ܳ ܺ ‫ܬ‬,
“disciple”;
ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ
, “Shulammite” (f.); ܰ ‫ܬܬ‬, ethpa. 3rd
READINGS 161
ܳ ܶ
s. f. impf. from , “was established”; ܰ ‫ܬ‬, pe. 3rd s. f. impf.
ܶ ܰ
of ‫ ܪ‬, “was proved true”; ‫ܕܬ‬, “of two”, i. e. “another,
second”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ , “bone”; ‫ ܘ‬, ܳ , “threw”; ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “revived”;
ܰ
‫( ܶ ܶ ܰ ܬ‬above), 3rd f. s. perf. ܰ
ܺ ܰ , “Ezekiel”; ܶ ݁ ‫ܐ‬, aph. of ܰ , “caused to go
out”, with sfx.;
ܳ ܰ
, “plain”; ‫ܗ‬
ܶ ‫ ܰܐ‬, aph. of ܰ ,
ܽ ܰ
“caused to pass by”, with sfx.; ‫ ܳ ܘܢ‬: ‫“( ܳ ܪ‬circle”) is used
as a preposition, “around”, with sfx. added to the p. form
‫ ܳ ܶ ; ܳ ܰܝ‬, pe. ptc. p. of ‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ ; ܳ ܐ‬, “man”, literally “son of
a human being”; ‫ ܳ ܰ ܥ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫ ܺ ܰ ܥ‬, “knew”;
ܶ ܳ,
ܳ
ܳ ܳ /‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “lord”; ‫ ܳ ܰ ܳܘܬ‬, p. of the same; ‫ ܶܐܬ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬,
construct of
ethpa. impv. from the root ‫ ܐ‬, “prophesied”;
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, impv.;
ܺ ܰ , “dried up”; ܰ pe. impv. m. p. of ܰ ; ‫ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
“saying, word”;
ܰ ‫ ܰܐ‬, aph. of ܰ ; ‫ ܰܙܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “shaking”; ܳ ܳ ,
“voice, noise”;
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, ethpa. of , “was gathered”;
ܽ ܳ ܰ , pa. infinitive of the root ‫ܕ‬, “broke in pieces”.
The infinitive is here used in a special construction to
emphasize the meaning of a following finite verb, or ptc. used
as a verb, of the same root (see Nöldeke §295-8);
ܺ ܰ ,
which follows, is the passive ptc. of the same pa. stem. Hence
“also those which had been finely crushed”;
ܺ ܰ , pa.
passive ptc. of
ܰ ‫ܬ‬, “shattered”; ܰ ‫ܬ‬, “was stupefied,
ܳ̈ ܶ , absolute p. of ܳ ܺ , “region”; ‫ܐܬ‬ ܶܳ
amazed”, pe. ptc.
ܳܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ
p. of ‫;ܐܬ‬
ܳ , ܺ “companion”;
ܳ ܳ
, pa. ptc. of
ܰ
,
“accepted”; , “joint”; ‫ܬ‬ , “to”; ‫ ̱ ܬ‬, construct of
ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ ܬ‬, “daughter”; ‫ܙܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “yoke”, the whole phrase being used
ܰ
for “companion ( if m.), wife, associate”;
ܰ ܶ , 3rd f. s.
ܶ
pe. of ‫“ ܒ‬drew near”;
ܰ ܶ , ethpa. of the root ܶ ‫ܪ‬,
ܰ ݁ ‫ܐܬܪ‬
162 READINGS
ܳ ܺ
ܽ ܰ , “dryness”; ܰ ܶ
“was ܶ constructed”; ‫ܬ‬ ܶ ܶ ‫ܪ‬. 3rd s. f. pe. of
‫ܪ‬, “was/became moist”; ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpe. of , “was
joined” (note the short form of the f. plur.); ܳ ܳ , “tendon,
ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ
ligament”; ‫ܪܬܚ‬, “bubbled up”; ‫ܐ‬ , “vein, etc.”; ‫ܐܬ ܡ‬,
ܶ
ethpe. of ‫ ܡ‬, “was spread over”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܶ , “skin”; ܳ ܶ ,
ܳ
“flesh”; ‫ ܺ ܐ‬, “sprang up”;
ܳ ܰ , “hair”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “nature”;
“nature”; ܶ , pe. passive ptc. of ܳ , meaning “lying,
thrown down”; ܶ ‫ܗ‬, “then”; ‫ܶ ܗ‬
ܳ ܰ , pe. perf. from ܰ ,
ܽ ܳ
“commanded” with sfx.; ‫( ܪܘ ܳ ܐ‬f.), “spirit, wind”; ‫ ܬܝ‬irregular
ܳܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ
impv. f. s. of ‫ܘ ܶ ܐ ;ܐܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬, “the four winds”, is an
unusual numerical expression of a type used for close and
fixed compounds (see Nöldeke §152). We would normally
ܽ ܰ ܰ
expect ‫ܘ ܶ ܐ‬ ‫ ܽ ܺ ; ܳܐ‬, impv. f. s. from ܳ , “breathed”
(note also
ܰ ); ܺ
, “slain”; ‫ ܽ ܢ‬, 3rd p. impf. pe. of ‫; ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ ̱‫ܐ‬, “other, another”; ܰ ܶ , 3rd f. s. pe. of ܰ , “entered”;
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ , “great,
‫ܪ‬, “foot”; as an adverb: “very”;
many”.
‫)‪Text 6: The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite (c. A.D. 507‬‬
‫‪The following text concerns the period of Persian-Roman‬‬

‫‪! 19‬‬ ‫‪wars of A.D. 502-6.‬‬
‫ܗܘ * ܰ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܳ ̇ ܰܕ ܺ ̱ ܳ ܆ ܰ ܰ ܪ * ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܘܰ ܳ ܶ‬

‫ܬ ܳܐ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶܐ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܆ ܕ ܺ ܽܙ ܢ ܰ‬
‫̱‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܕ ܽ ܳ ܐܶ‬ ‫* ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶܐ‪ܳ .‬ܘܐܦ ܶ‬ ‫*ܶ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ܳ ܐ * ܽ ـ ܱ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܺ ̱ ܰ ܺܕܗܝ ܷܬ‬
‫ܐܬܪ ‪ ܽ .‬ܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܘ ܳ ܺ ܘ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܘܳܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕܬ ܺ ܝ ܐ ܳ ܝ܆ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܕ‬ ‫ܬܳ ܰ‬
‫̱‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܽܕܘ‬ ‫ܶܘ*ܐܘ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ*ܬ‬ ‫ܽܕܘ‬ ‫* ܳ ܽ ܺܳ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ‪ܶ ܰ .‬ܗ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܢ ܘ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܘܢ܆‬ ‫ܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫ܕ* ܺ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܆ ܰܕ ܶ‬
‫ܽ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܝ ܰ ܬ ܆ ܶ ܰ ܒ ܐ ܽ ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶܐ ܶܕܐ ܰ‬
‫ܐܘܕܥ ܐ ܽ ܢ ܐ̱ ܳ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̱ ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܶܐܬ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰܪ ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܺ ܺ‬
‫ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܕܰ ܶ ̈ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̱‬
‫ܺ ܰܙܠ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܽ ܢ ܶܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‪ܶ .‬‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܰܕ ܽܗܘ ܳ ܶܐ ܕ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ܆ ܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܕܘ ̱ ܰ‬
‫ܗܘܘ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ‬
‫ܗܘ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܷ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܽ ܠ ܕ ܺ ܳܐ ̱ ܳ‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܽ ܳܪ ܰ ܺ ܰܪ ܳܪ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬
‫ܬܗܘܢ ܐ ܶ ܶܕܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܕܘ‪ ܰ .‬ܙ ܳ ܶܐ ܶܕ ܕ ܽ ܳ ܶܐ ܳܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܙܗܪ ܕ ܽ ܰ ܳܪ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ‪ܰ .‬‬
‫ܽ ܶ‬
‫ܗܘܘ *ܬ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܕܳܶ‬
‫ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܶܘܐܬܘ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܆ ܰܙ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܽ ܘܢ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܰܕ ܽܗܘ ܳ ܶܐ ܽ‬
‫ܳ ܶܐ ܳܕ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܻ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‪ .‬ܗ ܰ‬
‫ܐܶ ܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܶܐ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶܳ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܕܗܝ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܝ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ܰܕܪܘ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܘ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܳ ܐ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܴ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ‪ܰ .‬ܘܐ ܶ‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܬܘܒ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܽܗܘ ܳ ̈ܐ ܘ ܳ ̈ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܬܬܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܕ‬
‫ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶܕ ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܘܢ ܶܘܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܘܐܬܬܪ‬
‫ܰ ܶ ܽ‬
‫ܶܘܐܬ ܶ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܳ ̈ܐ ܶܐܬܬ ܺܕ‬
‫ܶܘܐܬ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܷ ܶ ܽܗܘ ܳ ܶܐ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܺ ܀‬
‫ܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܪ ܶܕ * ܽ ܰ ܳ ܐܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬
‫ܐܬܬ‬
‫ܻ ܶ ܻ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫*‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܗܘܘ ܰ ̈‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܘ‬‫ܳ ܡ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܘܢ ܶ ܿ ܽ ܳ ܶܐ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܬ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܳܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܘܣ ܺܕ ܳ ̇‬
‫ܰܳ‬
‫ܽ ܶ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶܐ‪ ܳ ܺ :‬ܘ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܳ ̱ܝ * ܰ ܰ ܳ ܣ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫ܽ ܘܢ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ*ܐ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܐ܆ ܰܕ ܺ‬
‫ܕܗܘܘ ܰܬ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܳ ܰ ܪ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܶ ܽ ܢ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܕ ܺ ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܐ ܘܪ‬ ‫ܪ *‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰܐ‬
‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ܆‬ ‫ܺ ܻ ܳ ܣ‬ ‫ܺܕ ܳ ̇ ܳܕ*ܐ ܺ ‪ ܶ :‬ܐ ܺ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬
‫ܘܗܘ ܰ ܳܪ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ ܰ ܶ ܗ ܽ ܘܢ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‪ܽ .‬‬
‫ܺܪ ܽ ܬ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ * ܳܬܘ ܰ ܐ ܽ ܶܪܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܺܕ ܶ‬
‫ܗܘ ܬ ܳ ‪:‬‬
‫ܳ ܰ‬
‫ܕܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܆ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫*ܽ‬
‫̱‬
‫ܰܘܕ ܶ ܰ ܠ ܰ ܰܗ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܡ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐ ܺܘ ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܰܬ ܳ ܆ ܰܘܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܽܕܗܘ *ܬܘ ܰ ܐ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬
‫ܬܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳܐ ܳ ܽ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܐܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶܘ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܶ ܶ ܐ ܽ ܢ‪ܳ .‬ܘܐܦ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬
‫ܶܕ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܘ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽ ܘܢ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܶ ܠ‪ܰ .‬‬
‫ܺ ݁ ܳܬ ܳܕܐ ܺ ‪ܰ :‬ܘܕܗ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܳ ܆ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܕ ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶܗ ̈ ܺ ܶ ܶ ̱ ܽ‬
‫̈ܰ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܐ ‪.‬ܘ ـ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫̱ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̱ܗܘܘ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕ ܰ ܬ ܳܘܬ ܐ̱ ܴ ܶ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܶ ܶ ܡ ܕ ܶ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܡ ܶ ܳܐ ܺ ‪ܳ :‬‬
‫ܽ ܘܢ܀‬
READINGS 165
ܶ ܶ, ethpe. ptc. of ܳ , “was able for, a match for,

ܳܰ ܳ ܰ
prevailed over”; ‫ ܕ‬, “Kawad”; , “strength”; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ‬, pa.,
ܰ
ܳ ܰ , “Nu‘man”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “Ṭayite”, a tribal name which
“sent”;
came to mean “Arab”, later “Muslim”; ‫( ܙ ̱ ܢ‬silent ‫)ܠ‬, 3rd
ܽ ܺ
ܶܰ
p. pe. impf. of ‫ܐܙܠ‬, from which the ‫ ܠ‬falls out whenever
the ‫ ܙ‬has no vowel. The vowel of the ‫ ܠ‬is transferred to the
ܰ
‫ܬ ܳ ܐ ;ܙ‬, “south”; ܶ , construct, “house, district”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
“Harranite”;
ܶ , used here partitively, “some of”; ‫ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܶ
“Persian”; ‫ ܒ‬, “drew near”; ‫ܳ ܡ‬
ܰ with verbs of
movement means “forwards” (with sfx.); ‫ܻ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ ‫ܽ ـ‬,
ܳܶ ܶ ܳ , pe. ptc. p. of ‫ ܙ‬,
“Constantina”; ‫ܬ‬, “Tella”,
“plundered”;
ܺ ܳ , pe. ptc. of ܰ , “plundered, did
violence to”,
ܺ ܰ , aph. ptc. of ‫ ܰ ܒ‬, “devastated”;
ܰ ܰ ܳ ‫ܬ ܰ ܰ ܰ = ܬ‬, “nineteen”; ‫ ܶܬ ܺ ܝ ܐ̱ ܳ ܝ‬, month
name, c. November; note that some of the verbs in the
following passage appear in the MSS in the singular, where p.
is expected; ܳ ܺ ܾ ܳ , “Olympius”; ‫“ ܽܕܘ‬commander,
dux”; ܳ ܶ ‫ܷܐܘ‬, “Eugenius”; ‫ ܺ ܻ ܺ ܺ ܐ‬, “Melitene”; ܶ ,
ܳ
“descended”; ‫ ܰܙ ܐ‬, “time”;
ܰ ‫ܷܐ‬, an anomalous verb,
treated like an aph. despite the first vowel, “was able, found”;
ܳ ܺ ܰ
‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, irregular p. ofܶ , “village”; ‫ ܳ ܰܝ‬, “round”; ‫ ܒ‬,
“devastated”;
ܺ ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpe. of ‫ ܐ‬, “turned back, returned”;
ܰ ܶ ܰ
, pe. infinitive of , “turned back, returned”;
ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ , “500”; ܺ ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬,
‫ܐܘܕܥ‬, aph. of ‫ ܥ‬, “caused ܳ to know”;
absolute p. of ‫;ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ , “torrent, wadi”; ܺ ܰ ܰ , “not
much, very little”; ܺ ‫ ܰܪ‬, “far”; ܰ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, ethpa. of the root
‫ ܒ‬, “was prepared, prepared oneself”; ‫ ܰܙܠ‬, pe. infinitive
ܺ
ܶ ܳ ܽ
of ‫ܪܗܘ ܳ ܐ ;ܰܐܙܠ‬, “Roman, citizen of E. Roman Empire”;
166 READINGS
‫ܰ ܕܘ‬ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬: passive of the four-root verb ‫ ܰ ܶ ܕ‬, “scattered”.

The pattern is similar to the pa.; ‫ܘܢ‬
ܽ , “for themselves”, a
so-called “ethic dative” (see Text 1:15); ܽ
ܳ ܰ , pa. infinitive
of
ܰ , meaning “strip” (transitive); ‫ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “night”;
ܳ ܳ
‫ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬, aph. impf. of ܰ ‫ܕ‬, “caused to burn”; ܰ ‫ܪ‬, “high
place”;
ܳ ܰ ܳ , “blow a horn”; ‫ܕ‬
ܰ ‫ܐ‬, “such/so that”;
‫ܢ‬ ܽ ܰ ܶ , ethpa. impf. from
ܶ ܰ , “was gathered”; ‫ ܙ ܐ‬,
ܳܳ ܰ
“general” (strictly “border guard”, of Persian origin);
ܶܳ,
ܳ , “dwelt, encamped”; ܰ ܶ ‫ܬ‬, “Tell ܶ
pe. ptc. of
ܳ
Beshmai”; ‫ ܰ ܘ‬, ܳ , “saw”; ‫ ܰܙܗܪ‬, “brightness”; ܶ ‫ܰܙ‬, pa. perf.
from the root ‫ܙܘܢ‬, “armed”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܽ ܳ ܰ , “cavalryman”; ܺ ܺ ܰ ,
ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ‫ܗ‬, “turned”; ‫ ܽ ܘܢ‬, ethic
p. absolute of , “many”;
dative, see above and Nöldeke §224; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ‫ ܶܪ‬, “infantryman”;
ܰ
‫ܐ ܶ ܘ‬, aph. of
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, though formed as if from ‫ ܕ‬, “was
ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ , “escaped,
able”; , ethpa. infinitive from
ܰ ܰܶ
saved himself”; ‫( ܐܬܐ ܘ‬middle ‫ ܐ‬not pronounced, hence here
ܰܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ aph.
omitted), ethpa. of , “was compelled”;
infinitive of ‫ܒ‬
ܶ “fought”; ‫ܐܶ ܰ ܰܕܪ‬, ethpe. (with
transposition of s and t) of ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, “was set in order”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳܳ ,
battle”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ ܶ , ethpe. ptc. f. of ܳ , “called”; ܳ ܾ , the
ܳ ܳ
Greek word xelw&nh, “tortoise” (military); , “tortoise”;
ܳ ܳ ܶ “time”; ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “multiplied”; ܰ ܶ
‫ܐܬܬܘ‬, ettaph.ܰ ܶ of ,
“was increased, added”; ‫ܗܘ ܐ‬, “Hun”; ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ
‫ܐܬܬܪ‬
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ , ethpa. of
‫ܬܪܥ‬, “was broken”; ‫ ܪ‬, “rank”; ‫ܐ‬, ethpe. (with
transposition of š and t) from ܰ , “was troubled, put in
ܶ ܳ ̈
disorder”; ‫ ܕ‬, “each other” (see ܰ , “one”);
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, ethpa.
of
ܰ , “was mixed”; ܳ ܰ “dust” (possibly read ܶ ܶ ,
ܰ
“hooves”); ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “horse” (form also used as a collective for
READINGS 167
ܶ
ܺ , ethpe. of ‫ܳܕܫ‬, “was trampled”; ܰ
p.); ‫ܐܬܬܕ‬ ܶ,
ܰ ܳ
“trampled”; ‫ ܒ‬, “slew, destroyed”; ‫ ܱ ܐ‬, “rest”;
ܺ ‫ܐ‬,
ethpe. of ‫ܐ‬
ܳ (with transposition), “was led away captive”.
ܰ
‫ ܰ ܳܪ‬, ܶ “excellent” (pa.ܳ ptc. from ‫ ܺ ܪ‬, “increased”);
‫ܐ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “bishop”; ܺ ‫ܐ‬, “Amida” (modern Diyarbekir);
ܺ ‫ܐܬܬ‬, ethpe. of ܳ meaning “was at rest, took rest”, here
“died” (some regard the from as ettaph.); ‫ܳ ܡ ܕ‬
ܶ,
“before”; ‫ ܘܢ‬,
ܽ ܶ ܳ , “encamped, etc.”; ܶ , “went up”;
̈ ܰ , construct p. of ܳ , “son”. “son of …” often indicates
“someone belonging to …”; ‫ܘܣ‬
ܳ ܺ , “clergy”; ܶ ‫ ܳܪ‬, pe. ptc.
of ܶ ‫ܪ‬, “loved”, here in the construct used as a noun;
ܰ ݁ ܰ , pa. passive ptc. of the pa. verb ‫ܨ‬, “adorned”;
‫ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “illustrious”; ‫ܣ‬ ܳ ܰ ܰ , “Flavian”; ‫ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܺ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ , “grasped
“patriarch”; ‫ܐ ܳ ܰ ܐ‬, “Antioch”;
with honour, held in honour”;
ܳ ‫ ܰܬ‬, “there”; ܶ ‫ ܳ ܰ ܪ‬,
“afterwards” (also
ܶ ‫ ܶܐܬ ܰ ܰ ;) ܳ ܰ ܪ‬, ethpa. of ܰ , “made
his escape”; ‫ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “captivity”;
ܳ ܽ , “Nonnus”; ‫ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܳ ܰܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
“priest”; ‫( ܪ‬ ‫)ܪܒ‬, “steward”; ܺ ‫ܐ‬, aph. with
sfx. from the root pys, meaning “persuaded, asked,
petitioned”. This verb is a loan from Greek pei=sai;
‫ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܣ‬, “clergy”; ܶ ݁ ܰ , pa., “received”; ‫ ܺܪ ܽ ܳܬ‬,
ܳ ܽ ܳ
“headship”, here construct with ‫ܬ‬ , “priesthood”; ‫ ܱ ܰ ܪ‬,
ܳ
pa., “sent”; ‫ܬܘ ܰ ܐ‬, “Thomas”; ‫ ܶܪܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
“chorepiscopus”, a priestly subordinate of a bishop in charge
of a (country) district;
ܰ ‫ܕ‬, “led, governed”; ‫ ܳܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ
“Amidan”; ‫ ܱ ܠ‬, impf. of ‫; ܶ ܠ‬ ‫ܗ‬ , “gift”; ‫ ܶ ܡ‬,
ܶ
“anything, some”; ‫ܐ ܺܘ‬, ethpe. of ܳ (with
168 READINGS
transposition), meaning in this stem “agreed with, conspired

ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ , “sent”; ܳ , “forced,
with”; ‫ܬ‬ , “petition”;
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ,
resisted”; ‫ ܰܕ ܳ ܐ‬, “judge”; ‫ܐ ܐ ܕ‬, “who”; ‫ ܰܕܗ ܐ‬, “gold”;
pa., “distributed”; ‫ܐ‬
ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ , “poor” ‫ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶܕ‬, “for this
ܳ ܳܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̱‫ܐ‬, “other”; ܳ ,
reason”; ‫ܐܬ ܘܬ‬, p. of ‫ܐܬܪ‬, “land”;
“wandered”;
ܺ ݁ ܰ , aph. ptc. of ܰ ; ܳ ܰ , “corpse”;
ܶ ‫ ܳܗ‬, “then”; ܶ ܶ , ethpe. ptc. of ܰ , “was ordered,
appointed”.
READINGS 169
Text 7: Barhebraeus (A.D. 1226-86)
Barhebraeus (Syriac Bar ‛Ebroyo, Arabic Ibn al-‛Ibrī) was

Syrian Orthodox Maphrian of the East. The following text is
taken from his Chronography: part of his account of the
Crusades, specifically the dealings of King Richard of
! 20 England with Saladin and his entourage in A.D. 1191.
ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ‫ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ*ܐ ܺ ܰ ܐܪ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܐ‬
ܺ ‫ܳ ܬ * ܰܨ ܳܚ‬
:‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܘ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ ܰ ܰ ‫ܳܕܗ ܶܐܬ‬ ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܘܐ‬
.‫ܕܗ ܺܪܘ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܘ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܢ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܰ ̱ܝ ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ ܶ ‫ܰܐܗ‬
‫ܐܬ ܰ ܳܘܬ ܰ ܰܕ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܢ ܶܕ‬ ܺ ܶ
‫ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܳ ̇ܗ ܰ ܰ ܆ ܕ ܶ ܽ ܩ‬:‫ܽ ܺܘܪ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܬܢ‬
ܶ ‫ ܳܕܗ‬: ܺ ܰ ‫ ܰܘܨ ܳܚ ܺ ܶܕ‬. ܰ ܶ ܺ ‫ܘ ܺ ܰܙܠ ܰܬܪܢ ܘܬܬ‬
ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̱ ‫ܰܐܬ ܰܳܘܳܬ ܰ ܺܕ ܽ ܢ‬
‫ ܰ ܘ ̈ܳ ܶܐ‬:‫ܗܘܘ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܕ ܺ ܶ ܷܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ̈ܐ‬
ܶ ‫ ܘ ܰ ܐ‬.‫ܽ ܳܪܝ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܽܗܘܢ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̈ܐ ܐ ܺ ܐ ܽ ܢ‬
ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰܶ ܰ
‫̈ܳ ܶܐ ܰ ܺ ܆ ܰ ܐܬ ܰ ܘܢ ܐ ̱ ܘܢ ܰ ܘܢ ܐ ܽ ܢ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܘܢ܆‬
ܶ ‫ ܘ‬.‫ܶ ܽ ܢ‬ ܰ ܰ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳܗ ܳ ܐ ܐܬ ܰ ܳܘܬܢ ܗ‬
ܶ ‫ ܳܐܦ‬:‫ܬܢ ̱ܗܝ‬ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ‫ܐܘܪ ܶ ܳܕܐ ܺ ݁ ܽ ܘܢ ܕ‬ ܺ ܽ
ܰ ܺ ܰ ‫ ܘ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܢ ܰ ܪ ܺ ܰ ܰܘ‬: ̇ ܶ ‫ܰܬܢ ܽܬܘܒ ܻܐ‬ ܶ
ܽ ܰ ܰ
‫ ܶܘܬܘܒ ܰ ܰ ܪ‬. ܶ ‫ ܐ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܪܐܐܢ ܺܕ‬: ̇ ܳ
ܳ ̱‫ ܐ ܳ ܳܨ ܶ ܐ ܐ‬: ܰ ‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕܐ ܺ ܐܪ ܳ ܬ ܰܨ ܳܚ ܺ ܶܘܐ‬
‫ܳ ܶ ܺܕ ̱ ܰ ܳܕܗ‬
ܳ ܰ ‫ܕ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܢ ܺ ܰܐ ܽ ܟ * ܰ ܶ * ܰ ܶܕܠ‬
ܺ ܶ . ܶ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܺܘܪ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܬ‬ܳܶ
̱ ‫ܐܢ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܒ ܐ‬ ܰ ‫ܺ ̈ܳ ܳ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܽ ܟ ܕ‬ ̱
‫ܶ ̈ ܶܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܕ‬
‫̈ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܐ ܳܘܐ ܺ ܐ ܳ ܶܐ ܶ ̈ܘ ܳ ܇ ܳܗܘ ܳܳ ܐ‬ ܶ ܽ ‫ ܘ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬:‫ܶ ܽ ܕ‬
ܳ ܺ̈ ܶ ܽ ‫ܳ ̱ܝ‬ ܳ ̱‫ ܳܘܐܦ ܐܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܒ ܐ‬. ‫ܗܕ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ‬ ܶܳ
‫ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܕ ܺ ̈ ܰ ܝ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳܐ܆ ܘ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܬ ܳ ܶ ܳܐ ܕ ܳ ̱ܝ‬

‫ܳ ܶܕ ܶ ܶ ‪ .‬ܐ ܰ ܰ ܶܕܠ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܺܘܪ ܶ ‪ܰ .‬ܨ ܳܚ ܳ ܺ ܶܕ ܐ‬
‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ܽ ܗܝ ܺ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܪܘ ܳ ܶܐ ܘ ܳ ܐ ܳ ܬ ܐ ܽ ܶ ̱‬
‫ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰ ̱‬
‫ܰ‬
‫ܳ ̱ܗܘ ‪ :‬ܐ ܳ ܳܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕ ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܨ ܳܚ‬
‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܗ ܽ ܢ ܻ ܶ ܐ‪ :‬ܕ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬
‫ܘܡ ܶ ܳܗܘ ܳ ܐ‪ ܰ .‬ܐ‬ ‫ܕܗܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬
‫ܕܬܗܘ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܐ ܽ ܳܗܝ ܳܐ ̱ ܬ ܰ ̱ܬ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܳ ܰ ܥ ܳ ܶܕ ‪ :‬ܘ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܕܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܘܒ‬ ‫ܗ‬‫̇‬ ‫ܰܘܐ ܽ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܐ ܳ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶܬܗ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܪ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܳܗ ܶ ‪.‬‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܐ ܰܕܠ ܰ ܰܨ ܳܚ‬ ‫ܽ ܟ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܢ ܬܶ‬
‫ܘ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܺܐ ܰ ܳ ܕ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ ܳ ܬ ܰ ܳ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܐ ܶ ܗ ܻ ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܶ ܆ ܳܕܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܶܬܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܬ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܐܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈‬
‫ܻ ܳ ܐ ܘ ܻ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܶ ܠ ܐ̱ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܬ ܳ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ‬
‫ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳܗܘ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܝ ܘ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܕ ܳ ‪ܳ :‬ܘܐ ܳ ܶܕܐܢ ܳܗ ܶܘ ܺ‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ̱ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܰ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܨ ܚ‬ ‫ܰܗܕ ܽ ܘܐ ܰ‪ܳ ̈ .‬ܘܗ ܳ ܐ ܺܗ ܐ ܰ‬
‫ܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫*‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ*ܬ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬
‫ܘ ܰ ܘܢ‬
‫̇‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ ܐ ܕ* ܛ ܐܙܠ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ܒ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕܨ ܳܚ‬
‫ܳ ܶܐ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ * ܰ ܶ ܺ ‪ܳ .‬ܗ ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫̱‬
‫ܰܘܐܗ ܽ ܗܝ ܘ ܰ ܽ‬
‫̱‬
‫ܗܘ ܆ ܰܘܕ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܐܶ ܰ ܕ ܳ ܐ ܰܕܐ ܶ ܳ ܶܐ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶܐ‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫̱‬
‫ܶܗ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܶܕ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫̱ܳ‬ ‫̈ ܐ ܰ ܳܬܪ ܕ* ܰ ܶ ܽ ܪ‪ .‬ܐ‬
‫* ܰ ܰ ܶ * ܰ ܽ ܘܪ‪ܳ .‬ܗ ܳ ܐܬ ܰ ܰ ܳ * ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܳ ܬ‬
‫ܰܨ ܰ ܳܚ ܺ ܶܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܶ ‪ܶ :‬ܕܐܢ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܐܬ ܰ ܳܘܬ ܰܕܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬
‫ܺ ܆ ܰ ܶ ܶܐܘ ܰ * ܽ ܳ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܕ ܶ ܛ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ̱ܒ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܕܳ ‪ :‬ܘ ܪ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܨ ܳܚ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܗ ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܘܪ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܶܕܠ܇ ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܐܬ ܰ ܳܘܬ ܰܕܐ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬
‫ܽ ̈ܶܕ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܗܝ ܘ* ܳ ܳ ܢ ܰܘ* ܺ ܳ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܬ ܬ ܶ‬ ‫* ܳ‬
‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܰܘܕ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶܐ ܽ ܰ * ܰܐ ܳ ܳ ܢ‪ܰ :‬‬
‫ܗܘܘ ܶ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ̈ܶܐ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܳܗ ܽ ܢ ܕ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܰ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬
‫ܰ‬
‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܕ ̈ܳ ܶܐ܇‬ ‫ܶܕܐܬ ܺ ܪ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬
‫ܬ ܳ ܶ ܰܘܪ ܳ ܶܐ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰܕܨ ܳܚ ܺ ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐܬܬ ܶ ܘ‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܺ ̈ ܶ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ݁ ܪܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܬܪ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܰ ܽ ܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܺ ܳ܆‬ ‫ܐ ܺ ܐܪ ܐ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬ ܰ ܶܕܠ ܰܘܪ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬
‫ܶܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܬܘܒ‪ :‬ܕ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܐ ܳ ܶܕܐ ܶ ܶܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ‬
‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ̱‬
‫ܶ ܗܘܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘܐܙܠ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪ݁‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶܐ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܳܐ ܬܳ ܆‬ ‫ܰ ܶܕܠ ܶܨ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕܐ ܺ ܰ ܐܪ‪ܺ :‬ܘ ܶ ܒ ܽ‬
‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܶܕ ‪ܶ ܰ .‬ܘܐ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܽ ܰ‬
‫ܢ ܐ ܽ ܟ ܶ ܐ ݁ܬܒ ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶܕܠ‪ :‬ܕ ܳ ܶ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳ ܳܕܐܦ ܰ ܽ‬
‫ܳܶ ܳܺ ܳ‬
‫ܶܘܐ ܳ ܶ ̱ܗܝ ܶܘܐ ܱ ܽ ܶ ܰܰ ܶ ܶ ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܶܕܠ‬ ‫ܰܕ‬
‫ܕ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܬܬ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܨܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܚ‬‫ܳ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܰܘܐ̱ ܺ ܬ ܳܕ ܐ ܶ ܕ ܺ ܰܙܠ ܳ ܬܗ ܶ ܳ ܰܕܗܘ‪ ܽ ܰ ܰ .‬ܢ ܰ ܺ ‪:‬‬
‫ܕ ܰ ̈ ܳܶ ܐ ܳܙ ܶܕܩ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢ ܶܨ ̈ ܳ ܷܕ ܐ ܳ ܪ ܽ ܳܪܪ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳܐ܆‬
‫ܰ ܰ ܪ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐܢ ܶ ܽ ܒ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܪ܆ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܘܗ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܽܗܘ ܺ ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ ܐ ܰ ܺ‬
‫ܺ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܐ̱ ܳ ܰ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܐ‬
‫ܰܕ ܰܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܳ ܢ ܰ ܽ ܢ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ‬
‫ܴ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܰ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬
‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܘ ܽ܆ ܰܐܙܠ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܰܕܐ ܺ ܐܪ * ܰ ܰ ܽ ‪ܰ .‬ܘܨ ܳܚ‬
‫ܰ ̈ܳܐ ܺܕ ܳ ܰܕܗ ܳ ܐ܇‬ ‫ܰܐܙܠ ܺܘܪ ܶ ܰ ‪ :‬ܘ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܰܘܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬
‫ܘ ܰ ܰ ܪ ܽ ܘܢ ܐ ܺ ܶ ̈ܳ ܶܐ ܶ ܐ ̈ ܰ ܝ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ܀‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬
‫;”‪, “messenger, ambassador‬ܐ ܰ ܳ ܶ;”‪, “England‬ܐ ܺ ܐܪ‬
‫‪ ܶ , “was devoured,‬ܣ ‪, ethpa. of‬ܐܬ ܰ ܰ ;”‪ܳ, “behold‬ܗ‬
‫ܝ ;”‪ ܰ , “side‬ܐ ;”‪ ܰ , “war‬ܐ ;”‪broken in pieces‬‬
‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫‪ܳܰ ,‬ܐ ܶ ܰ‬
‫;”‪, “thus‬ܗ ܐ ;”)?‪“how long? (literally: until when‬‬
‫ܳ ܰܳ‬ ‫ܺܪܘ‬
‫ܪܘܝ ‪from‬‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫;)‪ ܺ in Text 1:20‬ܝ ‪, “became drunk” (compare‬‬
‫ܰ‬
‫‪,‬ܗ ܰ ‪, aph. impv. of‬ܐܗ ܶ ;”‪, “blood‬ܕ ܳ ܐ ;”‪ ܳ ܰ , “sword‬ܐ‬
‫;”‪“returned, changed‬‬
‫;”‪ܺ ܶ , “now, therefore‬‬ ‫‪ܰ ,2‬‬ ‫‪nd‬‬
172 READINGS
s. perf. of
ܰ , “took”; ‫ܢ ܶܕ‬
ܳ ܰ , “rather, especially” (see
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ
Greek ma~llon); ‫ܬ‬ , “worship”; ‫̇ܗ‬ :
with sfx., “on account of it”;
ܰ ܰ , 1st p. of ܰ with
enclitic ̱ ; ‫ܩ‬
ܰ ܽ ܶ , 1st p. impf. of ܰ , “left desisted”;
ܶ
ܺ ‫ܬܬ‬, the ethpe. equivalent for verbs like ܳ , from the root
ܳ , often ܺ ‫( ܶܐܬܬ‬with two ‫ ܬ‬s) in the perf.; here impf. 2nd s.
m., “was at rest”;
ܺ ܰ , pa. from ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “replied”; ܰ , “not”;
ܺ‫ܽ ܕ‬ ܶ , “formerly” (see ‫ ܽ ܰ ܡ‬, “first of all”); ‫ ܽ ܳܪܝ‬,
ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ ܰ
construct of ‫ ܽ ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “beginning”; , “eruption, going
ܺ ܰ
out, emergence”;
ܰ ‫ܐ‬, aph. perf. of ܳ , “snatched”;
ܶ ‫ܐ‬, aph. of , “were weakened”;
ܺ ܰ , “a little”;
ܽ ܰܶ ܳܶ ܳ ‫ ܳܗ‬, “now”; ܽ ܶ ,
‫ܐܬ ܘܢ‬, 2nd p. m. perf. of ‫ܐܬ‬,ܽ “came”; ‫ܐ‬
“because of, concerning”; ‫ܘܢ‬
ܺ ‫ ܳܐ‬, ptc. p. of ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, with 2nd
ܶ ܺ ܺ ܺ
p. m. enclitic pronoun; ̇ ‫ܐ‬, ‫ ܐ‬with 3rd f. s. sfx.; ܰ ,
“much more”;
ܰ ܺ ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, aph. ptc. with enclitic pronoun of
ܶ ܰ (root ‫) ܺ ܶ ܒ‬, “made great, honourable”; ܰ ܺ ܰ , pa.
‫ܐܘܪܒ‬
ptc. with enclitic (root ), “treated with reverence”; ‫ܐ ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ
ܰ ܰ
‫ܕ‬, “as”; ‫ ܽ ܪܐܐܢ‬, “Qur‚ān”; ‫ ܳܨ ܶ ܐ‬, ptc. of ‫ܨ ܳ ܐ‬, “wanted”; ‫ ܶ ܰ ܢ‬,
ethpa. impf. (root ‫ܢ‬ ), “connected himself by marriage”:
this verb is a denominative based on the noun
ܳ ܰ,
“relation by marriage”(see VIII.B);
ܰ , with the foregoing,
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ
“through, by way of”; ‫ܐ ܽ ܟ‬, ‫ܐ ܳ ܐ‬, “brother”, with sfx.;
ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳܶ
‫“ ܰ ܶܕܠ‬Malik ‘Adil”; ܳ , “sister”; ‫ܐܬܬ‬, 3rd f. s. pe. ܶof ‫;ܐܬ‬
ܰ ܶ ܶ , “worshipped”; ‫ܐܢ‬, “if”;
ܳ ܳ ̈ ܺ , pe. infinitive ܳ ܺ of ܳ ܳ , “bank, side”
, p. of ̱ , “city”;
ܳ ܳ
(construct); ‫ ܰ ܐ‬, “sea”; ‫ ܶ ܐ‬, “fort”; ‫ ܱ ܽ ܕ‬, “alone only”;
‫ ܶ ܕ‬,ܳ ܰ , “ordered, ruled, had command”; ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, irregular
p. of
ܺ , “town, village”; ‫ ܳ ܰܕܘ ̈ܳܐ‬p. of ‫ ܳܕܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “afflicted”, the p.
READINGS 173
being used of “templars, knights templar”; ‫ܐܪ ܳ ܐ‬

ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ
ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ‫ܐ‬,
“knight hospitaller”; ‫ܗܘ ܐ‬, f. ptc. of ‫ܬ ;ܗܘ‬ ,
ܰ ̈ ܺ
“relationship created by marriage, wedding”; ‫ܐ ܝ‬, contruct p.
ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ , “agreed to”;
of ܳ ‫ܐ‬, “hand”; ‫ ܬ ܐ‬, “dwelling-place”;
ܳ
ܶ ܺ , “was inflamed”; ‫ ܶܪ‬, “desire”; ‫ ܰܪܘܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “prince, great
ܳ ܳ
man”; ‫ ܐ‬, “elder”;
ܰ ܶ , impf. of ܶ ; ܺ ܰ , “much”;
ܶ ܶ , ptc. from ܶ , “was difficult”, ethpe. “made
himself difficult”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ , “astute, clever”; ܰ ܺ ܳ , ptc. pe. of
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ
‫ ܺ ܰ ܥ‬, “knew”, ܰ ܶ with enclitic pronoun; ‫ܘܡ‬ , “never”; ‫ܐ‬,
“nor”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬ , ethpe. ptc. (with transposition) f. of ‫ܨ ܐ‬,
ܳ
ܰ ܳ ܰ
“was willing, consented”; ‫ ̱ ܬ‬, construct of ‫ ܬ‬, “daughter”;
‫ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, “great”; ‫ܗܘ ـ‬ ܳ can mean “married”; ܳ , adverb,
“well”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ passive ptc. (“emphatic”) of ܳ , “was able”,
hence, “it is possible”; ‫ܙ‬, “kind, type”:
ܳ ܳ ܰ , “by way of”;
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ
‫ܬܗ‬, “jest, mockery”; ‫ܐ ܳ ܐ‬, “as”; ܳ , aph. ptc. of ܳ ,
“was accustomed”; ܽ ܳ
ܰ , aph. infinitive of ‫ ܰ ܚ‬, “joked”;
ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ
‫ܨ ܬ‬, “cunning”; ‫ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬, “therefore”; ܰ ܶ ‫ ܶܬ‬, 2nd s. impf.
aph. of ( ), “saddened, hurt”; ‫ܰܕܠ‬ ‫ܐ‬, ethpa. (withܺ
transposition) of ‫ ܠ‬, “was enticed, cajoled”; ܳ ܰ ‫ܐ‬,
ܰ
ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ
“ambassador”; ‫ܬ‬ , “agreement”; ‫ܐ ܶ ܗ‬, ܰ ‫ ܐ‬with sfx.,
“retained, kept”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܺ
, “night”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ‫ ܺܐ‬, “day-time”; ‫ ܰ ܶ ܠ‬,
pa. ptc. of ‫ ܰ ܠ‬, “enticed, cajoled”;
ܳ ‫ ܳܐ‬, f. absolute ptc.;
ܳ ܺ ܰ , “true”; ܰ ‫ܗ‬, “returned”; ܺ ܰ , pe. passive ptc., of
‫ ܶ ܬ‬, “was ashamed”, henceܽ “in shame”; ܰ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܳ ‫ ܰܬ‬,
“Taqi al-Din ‛Umar”; ‫ܐܘܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “journey, road”; ‫ ܛ‬, “Khilaṭ”;
ܶ
ܳ ܶ
‫ܶܐܙܠ‬, ptc.ܰ of ‫ ܰ ܶ ܒ ;ܰܐܙܠ‬, aph. impf. of ‫ ܒ‬, “fought”;
‫ܐܗ ܽ ̱ܗܝ‬, aph. 3rd m. p. perf. of ܰ ‫ܗ‬, with 3rd m. s. sfx.,
“brought him back”; ‫ܘܗܝ‬
ܽ ܰ , “buried”; ܺ ܶ ܰ,
̱
174 READINGS
ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ
“Maipherkaṭ”; ‫ ܐ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫ ܐ‬, “hated”; ‫ܕ‬, “without”;
ܶ ܰ
‫ ܰ ܶ ܐ‬, p., “mercy”;ܺ ܰ ‫ܐ‬, “shed”; ‫ܐܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “Armenian”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
“labourer”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ , “wronged, miserable”; ‫ܽ ܪ‬ ܰ,
ܰ ܶ ܰ , “Malik Manṣur”; ܰ ܰ ‫ ܐܬ‬, ethpa., ܶ
“Gabal Gur”; ‫ܽ ܘܪ‬
“was confirmed, fortified, took refuge”;
ܶ ܳ , pe. ptc. of
ܰ , “left”; ‫ ܶ ܶ ܶܐܘ‬, ethpe. ptc. of the root ‫ܐܘ‬, “agreed with,
made alliance with”;
ܰ ‫ ܽ ܰ ܐ‬, “Begtimur”; ܳ ܳ , “Lord”;
‫ ܰ ܳ ܶܕ‬, “therefore”; ܺ ‫ ܰܐܗ‬, aph. of ‫ܗ ܳ ܐ‬, “ignored, turned
away”;
ܳ ܳ
‫ܕ‬, “at that moment”; ܺ ܰ , “a little”; ‫ܐܘܪܗܝ‬ ܳ ܽ,
“Edessa”; ‫ ܳ ܢ‬, “Harran”;
ܳ ܳ ܺ , “Samosata”; ܳ̈ ܰ ,
aph. ptc. f. p. of
ܰ , “set off”; ܶ ‫ ܰܬ ܰܬ‬, ܶ‫ ܰܬ ܬ‬, “two”,
with sfx., “the two of them”; ‫ ܽ ܳܕ‬, “band” (f.);
ܰ ܽ ,
ܰ
ܳ ܳ ‫ܐ‬, “Ashkelon”; ܶ , pe. passive ptc. of
“towards”; ‫ܢ‬
ܳ “encamped, etc.”; ܳ , ܳ “put, set”; ܳ ܺ ,
“ambush”;
ܺ ܳ , ptc. of ܰ ; ܳ ܺ ܰ , “camp”; ܽ ܳ ܰ ,
pa. infinitive of
ܰ , “collected”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “piece of wood”;
ܶ ܳ
‫ ܰ ܘ‬, ܳ ; ܺ ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpe. of , “was uncovered”; ܶ ‫ܪ‬,
“rode”; ܰ
ܽ , “every one”; ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, “horse”; ܰ , “met,
ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶܶ
attacked”; , pa. of , “slew”; ‫ ܐܬܬ ܶ ܘ‬for ܶ ‫ܐܬܐ‬,
ܶ ܳ ܰ , “horseman”; ‫ ܽ ܕ‬,
ethpe. of ܰ ‫ܐ‬, “was seized”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬ ܱ
“only”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ , “ordinary”; ‫̱ ܝ‬ ܳ ܳ
‫ܪ‬, ‫ܪ ܐ‬, “blamed,
ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ st accused”,
with sfx.; ‫ ܐ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫ ܐ‬, “sought”; ‫ܐ‬, 1 s. impf. of
ܳ with sfx.; ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, pa. 1st s. impf. of the root ,
ܰ ܳ ܺܳ
“spoke”; , “pitched (tent), encamped”;
ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ , “tent,
etc.”; , “outside”; ‫ܨ‬, “towards, at”; ‫ ܒ‬, “sat”;
ܳ ‫ ܰܬ‬, “there”; ‫ ܰܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “evening”; ‫ ܰ ܫ‬, “departed”; ‫ ̈ܳ ܶܕ‬,
“each other”; ‫ܢ‬
ܰ ܽ , “sultan”; ‫ ܶ ݁ܐܬܶܒ‬1st s. impf. of ‫ ܺ ܶ ܒ‬,
ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ
“sat” (see XI.3); ‫ܨ ܐ‬, “was willing”; ‫ܬ ܬ‬, “two (things)”; ,
READINGS 175
“indeed” (Greek me/n). It is used for “on the one hand …”;
ܰ , “was afraid”; ‫ܐ̱ ܺ ܳܬ‬, “other (thing)”; ܶ ‫ ܰܐ‬, aph. perf. of
ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ
, “conceded”; ‫ܬܗ ܕܗܘ‬ , “towards him”- ‫ܕܗܘ‬
emphasizes that Richard is referred to: by implication,
Richard ought to come to Saladin; ‫ܽ ܢ‬
ܰ , “therefore”;
ܺ ܰ , pa. of ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “replied”; ‫ܳܶܙܕܩ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫“ ܙܕܩ‬was fitting”;
‫ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢ‬, ethpa. impf. of , “were gathered, assembled”;
‫ ܽ ܳ ܳܪܪ‬, “strength, agreement” (here construct); ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “peace”;
ܺ ܰ , “until now”; ‫ ܱ ܰ ܪ‬, pa. passive ptc. of ‫ ܰ ܰ ܪ‬, “fixed,
agreed”; ‫ ܽ ܒ‬,
ܶ ܰ “reckoned, thought”; ܰ ܰ ܶ ,
ethpa. ptc. of (with transposition), “understood”;
ܰ
ܴ ̱ , “speech, language”; ܺ ܰ ‫ ܶ ܰܐ‬, “of necessity” (Greek
a)na&gkh); ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ‫ܰܪ‬ “interpreter”;
ܳ ܰ , “between”;
‫ ܶ ܺ ̱ܗܝ‬, pe. impf. of ܰ , “made, worked, appointed”
with sfx. anticipating the object: probably 1st p. with jussive
meaning: “Let us appoint the ambassador as interpreter”
(alternatively 3rd s.);
ܰ , “there is not”; ‫ ܺ ܽ ܳܬ‬, “need”;
‫ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “meeting”;
ܰܳ ̈ ܰ ‫ ܰ ܳܘ‬, ܰ “winter”; ܽ ܰ , “Akko”; ܺ ܶ ,
“20”; ‫ܐ‬ , p. of ‫ܐ‬
ܳ , “1000” (hence 24,000); ܳ ܳ ‫ ܺܕ‬,
ܳ ܰ
“dinar, denarius”; ‫ ܰܕܗ ܐ‬, “gold”; ‫ ܰ ܪ‬, pa., “set free”;
ܳ ܺ ‫ ܰܐ‬,
“prisoner”.
176 READINGS
Text 8: St Ephrem the Syrian (d. A.D. 373)
Part of a poem (Nisibene Hymn 17, dated c. 361-63) marking

the death of Vologeses, Bishop of Nisibis, and in praise of
Abraham, his successor. Note the pattern of seven syllables in
each phrase.
Note on Chanting (by George A. Kiraz)

Syriac music is syllabic (i.e., each musical note is associated
with a syllable). Sometimes the melody of a particular line
contains one more syllable than provided in the text. For
ܶ̈ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ
example, the first line in the melody ‫ܗܘܘ ܰ ܕ‬ ̱ ‫ܐܬ‬,
which is used here, consists of eight syllables, while the text is
made up of only seven syllables. In such cases, the chanter
adds an extra syllable at the end of the line according to the
following rules:
ܰ ܳ ܽ
i) If the vowel of the last syllable is ◌, ◌ or ◌, a ‫ܡ‬
is added and it takes the same vowel as the last
syllable. For example, ‫ܪܘܬܝ‬
ܽ ܽ ܰ in the first
̱
stanza is chanted ‫ܬܝ‬ ̱ ܽ ‫ ܰ ܽ ܽܪܘ‬. Similarly,
ܰ
‫ ܕ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܢ‬of the second line is chanted
ܰ ܺ ܰ ‫ܕ‬.
ܶ ܺ
ii) If the vowel is ◌ or ◌, a ‫ ܝ‬is added instead. For
example, ܷ
ܳ ܰ of the third line becomes ܶ ܳ ܰ .
ܷ
‫‪! 21, ♪ 25‬‬

‫ܺ ܀‬ ‫܀ ܕ ܰ ܰܐ ܳ ܳܗܡ ܐܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰܕ* ܺ‬
‫ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬
‫̈ܶܕ ‪..‬‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫̱ܰ‬ ‫ܕܐܬ‬ ‫‪..‬‬
‫ܰ‬
‫ܕܬܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܝ ܳܐܦ ܰ ܽ ܽ‬
‫ܰ ܳܟ ܳ ܽ ܳ ̇ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܘܬܝ‬
‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ̱ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬
‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܶܕܪ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܐ ܬ ܕ‬
‫ܷ ܳ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܫ ܰܘ ܰ‬
‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗܘ ܺܪ ܳ‬
‫ܗܘ ܰܕܬ ܳ ܰ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܺ ܳ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܺ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܗ ܽ ܳ ܢ‪..‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܶ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܪ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬
‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܶ‬
‫ܐ ܽ ܘܠ ܐ ܽ ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܐ ܘܟ ܐ ܽ ܢ ܘ‬
‫ܰܘ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܰܘܢ ܰ ̈ܶ ܶ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܘܢ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ‬
‫ܰ ܰ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܕܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܐ * ܻ ܳ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕܬ ܺ ܶ‬
‫ܕܗܘ ܪ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬
‫ܗ‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܘܗܘ ܪ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܶܪܬ ܰ‬
‫ܺ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܗ ܺܪ ܳ ܳ ‪..‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ‬
‫ܶܘܐܬ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܰܕ ܶ ܳ ܰܕܪ ܰ ܳܪ ܶ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܕ ܳ ܳ‬

‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ ܘ ܽ ܳ ܰܕ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ ܕ ܰ ̈‬
‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ݁ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܶ ܴ‬
‫ܪ ܶ ܕ ̱ܬ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܱ ܪ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬
‫ܰܕ ܽ ܽܪܘܢ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܕ ܰ ̈ ܳ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬
‫ܺ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܗ ܰ ܽ‬
‫ܐܘܨܪܗܘܢ‪..‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̱ܬ‬
‫ܳ‬
‫ܳ ̱ ܝ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܕ ܰ ̈ ܷ ܕ ܰ ̱ ܒ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰܕ ܳ ܰܶܪܗ‪.‬‬
‫ܰܘ ܳ ̱ ܝ ܽ ܳ ܐ ܽ ܳܪ ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܗ ܰܙ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬
‫ܰ ܺ ̈ ܷ ܰ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳܗ ܽ ܳܪ‬ ‫ܺܕ ܰ ܒ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬
‫ܨ ܽ ܬܟ ܰ ܳ ܰܕ ܺ ̱ ܳܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰܨܘ ܳ ܰܙ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬
‫ܬܪܢ‬
‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬
‫ܺ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܫ ܶܕ ̈ܳ ܟ܀‬ ‫ܪܽ ܬ‬
178 READINGS
ܺ ܺ , “Nisibis” (modern Nusaybin on the Turkish/Syrian

ܳܳ
border); ,”voice, tune”, followed by the title of the tune to
ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ
be used; ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpa., “was slain”; ‫ ܰ ܽ ܳܕ‬, “infant”;ܳ ܶ ݁ ‫ܐ‬,
aph. impv. of
ܰ ( ), “permitted”; ‫ܙ ܪܘܬ‬,
ܽ ܽ
“smallness”, often used with 1st person sfx. for “my poor
ܶ ܰ ܳ
self”; ‫ܬܪ ܐ‬, 3rd f. s. aph. of ‫ܪ ܐ‬, “threw” (agreeing with
ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ ;)ܙ ܪܘܬ‬, “treasury”; ܳ ܽ ܳ , “farthing, mite”; ܳ ܳ ‫ܬ‬,
“merchant” (this refers to the previous bishop, Vologeses);
ܳ ܺ ܰ ܺܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ,
, “flock, diocese”; ݁ ‫ܪ‬, pa. of ‫ܪ ܐ‬, “increased”;
“talent” (coin) (construct); ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܽ , “teaching”; ‫ ܰ ܫ‬, “set
apart, departed, died”;
ܳ ܺ , “harbour”; ܶ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, 1st s. impf.
pa. of , “spoke”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܰ , “disciple, shepherd, pastor”:
ܳ ܳ ܰ
here “disciple”; ‫ܕܬ‬, “of three, third” (see XIV.5). The
numerical allusion here is to the fact that Abraham of Nisibis
is the fourth in a line of succession: Jacob, Babu, Vologeses,
Abraham. He is the third disciple, but the fourth master
(bishop) in the series;
ܶ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ : ‫ܗܘ‬ ܳ , “became”, with “ethic
dative” (see Nöldeke §224)
ܶ , “for himself”; ‫ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, “master”;
‫ܪ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “fourth”; ܺ , “blessed” (pe. passive ptc.); ‫ ܰ ܶ ܗ‬,
ܰ with sfx.; ܳ ܽ , “comfort”; ‫ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, “love” (“with one”
ܳ ܺ ܽ ܶ st
goes with this and , “crown”); ‫ܘܟ‬ ‫ܐ‬, 1 s. impf. pe. of
ܰ
‫ ܟ‬, “mixed, wove, embroidered”; ‫ ܰ ܠ‬, “wove,
ܳ ܳ ܰ
intertwined”; ‫ܗ ܐ‬, “flower”; ‫ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “splendid”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ ܰ,
“blossom”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ ܰ , “sweet”; ܳ , “remained” (like ܳ ); ܶ
ܶ ܶ ܰ
here “after”; ܳ ܺ , “Elisha”; ܰ ‫ܪܬ‬, 3rd f. s. of ‫“ ܪܬܚ‬was
heated, inflamed, boiled up”;
ܳ ܰ , “horn”; ‫ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ‬,
“election”;
ܺ ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬, eštap‘al stem from the root ܳ (see
IX.C; XIII.4), “was perfected (in the fullness of the
READINGS 179
ܺܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ
priesthood)”; ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpa. of , “was raised”; ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬,
“chief”; ܺ , 3rd p. pe. of ‫ ܺ ܝ‬, “rejoiced”: see Text 1:20;
‫ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “fat one”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “fed, tended” (of sheep etc.); ‫ ܶܪ ܳ ܐ‬,
“pasture, fodder”;
ܰ ‫ܪ‬, 3rd p. pe. of ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “grazed, fed” (of
sheep etc.);
ܶ ‫ ܳܪ‬, ptc. of ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬. Hence “that on the pasture on
which they grazed they are (still) grazing”; ܰ ܶ , 3rd f. s. of
‫( ܺ ܝ‬above); ܳ ‫ ܰܕ‬, “home, habitation, ܳܳ ܽ fold, circle”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܰ here
“shepherd” (meaning clergy); , “succession” (construct);
ܳ ܰ
‫ܕܪ ܐ‬, “step, rank”; ܰ ܳ ܶ
(pe.), “fastened”; ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “mind”;
ܰ , “inside”; ‫ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬, “body”; ‫ ܺ ܳܬ‬, “church” (note that
̱ ܰ
the MSS have here , meaning “festival”); ‫ ܟ‬, “placed,
wrapped round”, here pe. ptc. passive, “encircling”; ‫ܗܕ ܐ‬
ܳ ܳܰ,
“member, limb”; ‫ܪܘܢ‬
ܽ ܽ , ܳ , “supplied, imported, bought”;
ܳ ܳ ܰ , “store house”;
‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “food, bread”; ‫ ̱ܬ‬, “new”; ‫ܐܘܨܪ‬
‫ ܳ ̱ ܝ‬, ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “chose”, with sfx.; ܳ ܽ , “multitude”;
‫ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “test”; ‫ ܳ ܳܪ‬, “truth, steadfastness”, perhaps here
“orthodoxy”; ܰ , “tested”; ‫ ܰܙ ܐ‬, “time”; ‫̱ ܝ‬
ܳ ܳ , ‫ ܳܐ‬,
“examined” with sfx.;
ܳ ܽ , “a long time”; ‫ ܽ ܳܪ‬, “furnace”;
‫“ ܕ‬that”, here approximately “because, in that”; ‫ ܶ ܳ ܐ‬, “proof,
examination”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ , “person”; ‫ ܽ ܳܪ‬, “wall”; ܶ , for ‫ܶ ܶܘ‬
ܳ ܳ
(Nöldeke §183); ‫ ܰܨܘ ܐ‬, “fasting”; ‫ ܰܙ ܐ‬, “armour”; ‫ܐܬܪ‬, “land”;
ܳ ܰ
ܳ
‫ܨ ܽ ܬ‬, “prayer”; ܳ ܰ , “(round)ܳ shield”; ܰ ‫ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “incense,
ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ
censer”; ‫ ܐ‬, ‫ ܐ‬, “obtained”; ‫ܬܪ ܬ‬, “truce, peace”; ‫݁ ܶ ܫ‬
ܰ
ܳ ܶ
(pa.), “sanctified”; ‫ܕ‬, “sacrifice”.
180 READINGS
Text 9: Philoxenus of Mabbog (d. c. A.D. 523)
From his Discourse 2, on faith, here advocating childlike

simplicity before God. Note the significance of the diacritical
points in an unvocalized text. For full treatment of these
points see Nöldeke §§ 6-17. Vocalized serṭā script is used in
! 22 the notes.
‫܆‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫̇ܙܕܩ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܘܐ‬ .‫ܒ‬ ̇ ‫ܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܬ ܐ ܗܝ ܘܐ ܆‬ ‫ܕܐ ܘܗܝ‬
‫܇ ܘ ܬ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܦ ܼܗܘ ܘ‬ ‫ܗ‬
̇ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܘܐ‬ .‫ܬܗ‬
‫ܗܝ‬ ̈ ̇ ‫ܪ ܆ ܘ‬
‫ܗܝ‬ ̈ ‫܆ ܐܦ‬ ̇ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫܆‬ ̇‫ܡ ܕ‬ ‫ܕܐܢ ̇ ܘ‬ ̇
‫ܕ ܡ‬ ̇‫܇ ܕ ܘ ܕ‬ ̈
‫ܕ ܘ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫̇ܙܕܩ‬ ‫܆ ܗ‬ ̇‫ܕ‬
‫܆‬ ̇ ‫̈ ܗܝ‬ ‫܇‬ ‫ܬ ܐ‬
.‫ܗܝ‬ ‫ܕܐܢ‬ ̇ ̈ ‫ܗܝ‬ ̈ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܘܬ‬ ‫ ܘܐ‬. ‫̣ܗܘ‬
‫ ܐܦ‬. ‫ܬ‬ ̇ ‫ ܘ‬.
̇‫ ܕ‬: ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫ܗܕ‬
‫܆‬ ̈
‫ ܘ ܕ‬. ̇
‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܕ‬
. ̣ ‫ܐܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬
̇ ‫܇ ܕܐ‬ ̇
. ‫̇ ܪܘ‬ ‫܇ ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫̇‬
‫̇ܕܗܘ ̣‬ ‫ܬ ‪ .‬ܘܐ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܘܬ‬ ‫܇‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܥ‪:‬‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܐܡ܆ ܘ ܡ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܪ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫܇ ܘ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܕܪ‬ ‫܆ ܐ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܪ‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘ‬
‫ܕܪܘܚ܇‬ ‫̣‬ ‫ܐܦ ܗ‬ ‫܆ ܗ‬ ‫̈‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫܇‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫ܨ‬ ‫ܕ ܘ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫܆‬
‫ܗܝ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̇‬ ‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ‬
‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫̇‬
‫ܬ ܆ ܘܗܘ‬
‫ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܬܗܘܢ‬ ‫̈ ܆ ܘ‬ ‫̇‬
‫̈‬ ‫܆‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕܗܘ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘܐ‬
‫̣‬ ‫̈‬
‫‪:‬‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕܨ ܬ‬
‫̈‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܐܦ ܗܪ‬ ‫‪ :‬ܗ‬ ‫̇‬
‫‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ ܐ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܘܐܪܙ‬ ‫ܘ̈‬
‫܆‬ ‫ܬ ̇ܗܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬
‫ܕ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬ ‫ܨ‬ ‫ܘ ̈ܕ‬
‫ܗ ܕ ܘ‬ ‫ܕܐܦ‬ ‫܆‬
‫ܐܬ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܬܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܗ‬
‫ܬ ܢ ܐ ܢ‪ .‬ܕܕܐ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܘ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܐ ܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܗ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬
‫ܘ‬ ‫)‪ .(Mt. 19:14‬ܘܬܘܒ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬
‫ܬ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܐ ܬ ܐ ‪ .‬ܕ‬
‫̇‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܕܐ‬
‫)‪(Mk. 10:15‬܀‬
182 READINGS
ܳ ܰ , “young child”; ‫ܳܶܙܕܩ‬, ptc. of ‫ܙܕܩ‬, “was fitting”. Note

that a dot above a form like this indicates that it is a participle
ܶ ܶ
(see II.A(ii)); ‫ ܐ‬, impf. of ‫ ܐ‬, “possessed”; ‫ܐ ܐ ܕ‬
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ,
“whoever”; ‫ܒ‬
ܰ ܰ ܶ , ethpa. ptc. of ‫ ܶ ܒ‬, “drew near”; ‫ܰܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ
‫ܕ‬, “just as”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܬ‬, “guidance, dispensation, government”;
ܶ ݁ ܰ , pa. ptc. of ܰ , “received”; ‫ ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬, “great man,
ܳ ܶ ܶ̈ ܳ ܶ
master”; ܶ , pe. ptc. of ܳ , “investigated”; , p. of ,
“word”;
ܶ ܰ , pa. ptc. of
ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ , “discussed,ܳ disputed,
examined”; ‫ܐ‬ , “thought”; ‫ܕܐܢ‬, pe. ptc. of ‫ܕܢ‬, “judged”;
‫ܗܘ ܡ‬, “anything”; ܶ ܰ , pa. ptc. of ܶ ܺ , “taught”,
ܶ ܶ ܰ
sometimes found in the form
ܶ ܰ , like verbs beginning
ܰ ܳ ܰ̈
with ‫ ܳ ܐ ;ܐ‬, “soul”; ‫ ܰܕ ܳ ܐ‬, “judge”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬ , pe. p. passive ptc. of
ܳ‫ ܐ‬, “covered, kept secret” (the verb being used in the pa.);
ܳ ܳ ܽ , “deed”; ‫ ܽ ܘܬ‬, impf. of ‫ܳܨܬ‬, “listened to”; ‫ ܰܗ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ‬,
“faith”; ‫ ܶ ܺܪ‬, “afresh” (‫ ܰ ܶ ;) ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬, aph. ptc. of ܶ ܺ ,
“bore, brought forth, gave birth to”;
ܰ ܰ : ܶ ܰ , impf. pa. of
ܶ ܺ (above) with 1st p. sfx.; ܶ can mean “originating from”;
ܰ ܶ ‫ܐܬ‬ ܺ ܶ st ܶ ܺ with enlitic pronoun attached:
, 1 p. ethpe. of
“we have been born”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܰ , “belly, womb”; ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ , f.
of
ܳܳ ܰ , “progenitor, producing, generative” (used
adjectivally); ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ , f. absolute passive ptc. ܺ , “put”;
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ
, “middle”, here “as the means”; ‫ܕ‬ ,
“baptism”; ‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܺ ܰ
, pe. passive ptc. of ‫ ܓ‬, “mixed” (f.
absolute); ܺ ܰ ܶ , ethpe. ptc. of ܶ ܺ ; ܳ ‫ ܰܐ‬, “likewise” ( ܳ ‫ܙ‬
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ
“manner”); , “baby, infant”; ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “nature”; ‫ ܰ ܘܬ‬,
ܶ ܳ ܳ which can mean
“simplicity, childishness”; ‫ ܡ‬, ptc. of
“existed”; ‫ܪ ܐ‬
ܶ ܰ ܶ , ethpa. ptc. of ‫ܪ ܳ ܐ‬, here “thinking,
reasoning”;
ܶ ܰ , pa. ptc. of , “spoke”;
ܰ ‫ܪ‬,
READINGS 183
“moved, wriggled”; ‫ܽ ܕ‬
ܰ ܳ
, “only”; ‫ ܰܙܘ ܐ‬, “movement”;
ܰܺ ‫ܪ‬, “far”; ‫ܽܕܪܘܚ‬, “of spirit, spiritual”; ܳ , “instead of”;
ܳ ܳ ܰ , see ܶ ܰ above; ܳ ܰ , “condemned, guilty, liable”,
used for “ought”; ‫ܶܨ‬, “at, in the presence of”, here with ‫ܗܘ‬
means “had something to do with, was a party to”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܽ,
“investigation, enquiry”;
ܰ ܳ , ptc. of ܰ ; ‫ ܰ ܽ ܳܬ‬,
ܳܳ ܳ
“sincerity”; , “sound, saying”; ‫ ܳ ܬ‬, “examination”;
ܶ
‫ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܒ‬, ethpa. ptc. of ‫ ܶ ܳ ܳܒ‬, “drew ܳ near”; ̈ ܳ , p. of
‫ ܳ ܐ‬, “name” (see VI.F); ‫ ܶܨ ̈ ܬ‬, p. ܰ of ‫ܨ ܽ ܬ‬, “thing”; ܶ ܳ ,
pe. ptc. of
ܶ ܺ , “learned”; ܰ ܶ , ethpa. ptc. (with
transposition) of , “understood, recognized”; ‫ܗܪ ܐ‬,
ܳ ܳ
“here, now, herein”; ‫ܐܪܙ‬ ܳ ܳ ̱ , “mystery, secret”; ܳ ܳ ܽ ,
ܶ݁ ܶ
“understanding, meaning”; ‫ ܠ‬, pe. impf. form used for
ܳ ܰܺ ܳ
the impf. of ‫ ܰ ̱ ܒ‬, “gave”; , “knowledge”; ܶ,
ܳ ܰ ܶ
“wisdom”; , ethpa. ptc. of , “was spoken” -
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ
the phrase means “ineffable”; ‫ ܘ ܐ‬, “saviour”; ‫ ܬܢ‬, ,
“called, designated”, with sfx.;
ܽ impv. p. of
ܰ ,
“left, let”;
ܰ , “namely”, but it stands for quotation marks
ܶ̈ ܳ ܰ , “child”; ‫ܐܬ‬ ܶܳ
and need not be translated; ‫ܐ‬ , p. of ‫ܳ ܐ‬ , p.
ܳܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ
ptc. of ‫ܢ ;ܐܬ‬ ‫ܬ‬, impf. of , “forbade”.
ܶ ܰ Note that the
impf. is used for negative commands; ‫ܐ‬, here “those” (see
ܽ ܳ
‫)ܗ ܳܢ‬, but usually interrogative (see Nöldeke §§68, 236);
ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ
‫ܬ‬ ܽ ܰ , “kingdom”; ‫ܬܘܒ‬, “again”; ‫ܕܘ‬, “place”; ‫ܐ̱ ܺ ܬ‬, f.
of
ܳ ܺ ̱‫ܐ‬, “other”; ‫ ܰ ܕ‬, “whoever”; ‫ ܶ ܽ ܠ‬, pe.impf. of
( ), “entered”.
‫)‪Text 10: Thomas of Marga (9th century A.D.‬‬
‫‪From this Church of the East author’s Book of Governors on‬‬

‫‪! 23‬‬ ‫‪monastic history. (East Syriac script and vowel signs).‬‬
‫ܼ ܵ ܵ ܿܪ ܿ ܵ ܝ * ܼܿܐ ܵ ܵܗܡ ܿܪ ܵ‬ ‫ܿ‬

‫ܵ ܼ‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܿ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫܀ ܼ‬
‫ܼܕ ܼ ܪ ܕ*ܐ ܼ‬ ‫ܹܪܫ ܼ‬
‫ܵ‬
‫ܼܿܕ ܼ ܵ ܵ * ܼܿܐ ܵܗܡ ܼ ܿܐܘܪ ܕ ܼܿ ܵ ܹ ܿ ܿ ܼ ܸ ܡ‬ ‫ܹ‬ ‫ܼܿܐ ܿ ܼܿ ܵ ܵܗ‬
‫ܿ ܵ ܕܼ ̈ ܹ܇‬ ‫ܼ ܫ ܼܿܐ ܵ ܵ ‪ ܵ :‬ܘ ܵ ܹ ܼܿܐ ܵ ܼܿ ܵ ܼ ܵܬ‬
‫ܵ‬ ‫ܵܗ ܿ ܵ ܿܘ ܘ ܵ ܵܗ ܵ ܿ ܵ ܕ ܵ ܵܬ ܿ‬
‫ܘܐܘܪ ܵ ܹ‬ ‫ܿ ܵ‬ ‫ܹ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܿ ܼ ܼܵ ܼ ܵ ܼ‬ ‫ܼ ܼ‬ ‫ܿ‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫ܼܵ ܼ ܿ ܼ‬
‫ܸ ܼ ܗܡ‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫ܼܪܘ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܿ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼ ̇ ܼܐܪ ܵ ܕ ܼ ̱ ‪.‬‬
‫ܵ‬
‫ܵ ܿ ̈‬ ‫ܿܵ‬ ‫ܿ ܵ̈ ܿ‬ ‫ܿ ܵ ܿ‬
‫ܘ ܼ ܿܬܪ ܘ ܼ ܹ ܵ ‪ܼ .‬ܕܐ ܼ ܵ ܹ ܼܐ ܿ ܵ ܸ ܵ ܼ ܿܕ ܼܘ ܹ‬ ‫ܼܿ‬
‫ܢ ܕ‬ ‫̈‬
‫̱ ܿ ܼ ܹ‪.‬‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫ܵ‬
‫ܘ ‪ .‬ܗ‬
‫ܵܬ ‪ .‬ܘ* ܿܪܹ ܿ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܼ ܗ ܕ*ܪ ܿ ܿ‬ ‫ܼܿܐ ܵ ܼ ܹ* ܿ ܿ ܵ ܼ ܿ ܹ ܵ ܵ ܿ‬
‫ܼ ܼ ܹ ܿ ܵ ܼ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܹ ܿ ܿ ܼܵ ܼ‬ ‫ܼ ܵ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼ‬
‫ܝ‬ ‫ܵ ‪ ܹ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܿ .‬ܗ ܵ ܼܕܪ ܼ‬ ‫ܼܿܪܘ ܵ ܵ ܼ ܼ ܵ ܕ* ܿ ܹ‬ ‫ܵ‬
‫ܕ*‬ ‫ܥ ܘܕ‬ ‫ܼܕܪ ܼ *ܙ‬ ‫ܿ‬
‫ܿ ܼ ܵ ܕ ܼ*ܐ ܼ ‪ܿ .‬ܘ ܹ ܿ‬ ‫ܐܵ‬ ‫* ܼܵܐ ܗܡ ܹܪܫ ܿ ܼ‬
‫ܿ‬ ‫̈‬
‫ܵ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܵ ܵ ܸ ܹ ܵ ܹ ܼ ܵ ܼܵ‬ ‫ܹ‬ ‫ܹ ‪ܼ ܵ ܸ ܿ .‬ܐܙܠ ܿ ܼ‬
‫ܼ‬ ‫ܘܐܬ‬ ‫ܿ ܼ ܵ ܵ ܵ ܼܬ ܿ ܘ ܼ ܿ ܸ ܿ ܸܐ ܿ ܹ ܵ ܕ ܼܿ ܵ ܼܵ ܬ ‪ܵ ܸ .‬‬
‫ܼ ܪ ܕ*ܐ ܼ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܵ‬ ‫ܼܐ ‪ܼ .‬ܘ ܼ ܼ ܼ ܬ‬
‫ܵ‬ ‫ܿ‬ ‫ܼܵ‬
‫ܸܐܬ ܼ ܼ ܥ‬ ‫ܿ‬
‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼܵ ̱ ‪ :‬ܘ‬ ‫ܼ‬ ‫ܼ‬
‫ܿ‬
‫̇ ܼܕ*‬ ‫ܿ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܵܬ‬
‫ܗܘ ‪:‬‬ ‫ܿ ܿ ̈ ܵ ܵ ‪ ܵ :‬ܕ ܵ ܕ ܼܬ ܵ ܵ ܵ ̈ ܿ ݂ܹ̈ ܼ ̱ ܵ‬
‫ܕ ܵ ܘ̈‬ ‫ܕܗܘ ܹܕ ܿ ܡܼ ܿ‬ ‫ܵ ܵ ܹ ܿ̇‬ ‫ܿ ܸ‬ ‫ܿ ܼ ܼܿ‬
‫ܼ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܿ ܼ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܬ ܼ ܼ ܹ ܿܗ ܼܘ ܿ ܵ ̈‪ܹܿ ܵ ܼ ܸ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܵ ܵ .‬‬
‫ܬܗ ܵ ܸ ܼܬ ܵ ܼ ܵܘܢ ܼܐ ܵ ܬ ܼ ܵ ݂ ̈ ܹ ܿ‪̈ ܵ :‬ܘ ܵ ܹ ܕ ܼ ܿ ܹ‬ ‫ܿ‬ ‫ܼܘ ܿ ܸ ̈ ܼ ܹ‬
‫ܘܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ܹ ܵ ܼ ܿܘܕ* ̈ ܹ ‪ܼ .‬‬ ‫ܼ ܹ ܿ ܼܕܐܪ ܿܕ ܵ* ܹ ܿ ܘܕܿ* ܼ‬
‫ܵ‬
‫ܼ ܵ̈ ‪ ܼ ܵ ܿ ܼ :‬ܚ ܿ ܸ ܵ ̈ ܼܕ ݂ ܹ ܗ ܵ ܼ‬ ‫ܕܗ ܿܘ ܿ ܹ‬ ‫ܹܪ ܵܵ ܹ‬
‫ܵܗ ܵ‬ ‫ܘܐ ܹ‬ ‫ܕܼ ܹ‪ܸ .‬‬ ‫ܹܬܗ‬ ‫ܸ ̈ ‪ܸ .‬ܐܬ ܼ ܼ‬
READINGS 185
ܵ ‫ܼ ܵ ܿ ܕ ܼ ܿ ܼܿ ܪ‬ ܿ .‫ܵ ܕ ܿ ܗܘ ܵ ܝ‬
‫ܘܐ‬
ܹܵ ̈ ܵ ܹ ܼܵ ܿ ܵ ܿ ܼ ܼ ܵ ܵ ܼ ܿ ̈ ܼܵ ܼ ܿ ܼ
ܼܿ ܵ ܵ
ܿ ܹܵ ܼ ܵ . ܼ ܼ ‫ܹ ܼܕ ܼܘ ܵ ܗ‬ ‫ܕ ܹ ܼܬ‬
ܹ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܿ ܹ ܿ ܿ ܸ ‫ܼ ܵ ܼ ̱ ܿܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܼܿܘܙ ܵ ܕ ܹ ܬ ܼ ܹ ܗ‬
: ܼ ܼ ‫ܘܐ ܼ ܵ ܕ‬ ܼ . ܹ ܵ ‫ ܼ ܸܐ ܹ ܵ ܵ ܼ ܕ ܵ ܹ ܼܘ‬: ܵ ܹ ܸ
ܿ ̱ܵ ‫ܼܿܕ ܼ ܵ ܿ ܼ ܵܬ ܿ ܼ ܵ ܕ ܵ ̈ ܹ ܵܨ‬
ܼ ܵ ܹ ܿ ̈ ‫ܗܘ‬ ܹ
‫ܼܿ ܿ ܼ ܵܬ ܕ ܼ ܵ ܹ ܹܐܙܠ‬ ܵ
̱ ܼ ‫ܘ ܿ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܵ ܹܬ ܿ ܣ‬
ܵ ܵ ܵ ‫ܿ ܿܕ ܵ ܿ ܵܬ ܪܘ‬ : ܵ ‫ܘܗܪ‬ ܵ ܵ ܼܿ ‫ ܵܗ‬: ‫ܗܘ‬ ̱ܵ
ܼ ܿܿ ܼ ܼ ܼ ܼ
‫ܼܕܪ ܼ ܵ ܝ‬ ܵ ܼ ܿ ܵ ܼ ‫ܗܘ ܇‬ ܵ̄ ‫ܕ ܸ ܵ ܼ ܿܬ ܿ ܼ ܪ‬
ܼ ܵ ܿ ‫ܗܘ ܇ ܘ‬ ܼ
ܵ ̄ ‫ܼܿܐ ܵܗܡ ܵܐܙܠ‬
. ‫ܗܘ‬ ܵ ̱ ‫ܼܿ ܹ ܒ‬ ܿ
ܼ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܘܬ‬ ܼ
ܵ‫ܿ ܵ ܬ‬ ܿ ‫ܕܐܬܪܘܪ‬ ܿ ܹ ܼ ܹ ܵ ܵ ܼ ܿ ܵܿ ܿ ܹܵ ܵ ܿ ܵ
ܼ ܼ ܼܵ ܼ ܸ ܼ : ‫ܿܘܗ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܪ ܼ ܿ ܼ ̈ ܼ ܬ‬ ̈ ̈
ܿ ܵ
ܹܵ ܼ ܿ ‫ ܼ ܼ ܿ ܵ ܵ ̈ ̱ ܵ ܕ‬: ܹ ܵ ‫ܘܬ ܵ ܹ ܿ ܘ ܵ ܼ ̱ ܿ ܼܘ‬
̈
ܵ ܼ ܿ ܼ ܿ ‫ܼܘ‬
‫ܼ ܹ ܼܐ ܬ ܼܘ‬ ܼ ܼ . ܼ ܿ ܼ ‫ܗܘ‬ ‫ܕ ܼ ܨܘ‬
̈ ܹ ܿ ܼ ‫ܼ ܵ ܵ ܘ ܼܿ ܼ ܵ ܬ‬ ܸ ‫ ܸܐܬ‬:‫ܵ ܼ ܹ ܼ ܼ ܵ ܹ ܼ ܵ ܼ ܹܬܗ‬
̈ ܿ
‫ܕ ܸ ܼܿ ݁ ܼ ܬ ܀‬
‫ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “blessed, holy”; ܰ ‫ ܰܪ‬, literally “our master”, an

honorific title; ‫ܪܫ‬, “head” (construct);
ܺ ܳ ܽ , “monastery”;
ܽ ܳ ܺ ܺ ‫ ܳܗ‬, “therefore”; ‫ܽܐܘܪ‬
‫ ̈ ܳܪ‬, “mountain”; ‫ܐ‬, “Izla”;
‫ܕ ܰ ܳ ܶܐ‬, “Ur of the Chaldaeans”; ‫ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܡ ܰ ܫ‬, “appointed in
advance, predestined”, a combination of two verbs, ‫ ܫ‬,
“separated”, and ‫ܡ‬ (pa.), “did beforehand, anticipated,
prevented”;
ܶ ܳ ,
ܳ , “put”, with sfx.; ܳ ܽ ,
ܶ̈ ܰ ܳܰ
“multitude”; ‫ ̱ ܐ‬, p. of ‫ ܐ‬, “nation”; ‫ܘ‬, here “also”;
ܳ ܳ ‫ ܽܕܘ‬, “way of life, custom”; ‫ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ‬, “being alone,
ܰ
monastic life”; ܶ ‫ ܰ ܬ‬, šap‛el stem with sfx. of the root ‫ܪܬܚ‬,
“made abound”;
ܶ ‫ ܰܐܘܪ‬aph. of ‫ ܺ ܶ ܒ‬, “made great, enlarged”.
ܵ
Note that the Eastern script often represents –aw as ‫;◌ܘ‬
‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬, “East”; ܳ ܰ , “man”; ‫ ܽܪܘ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “spiritual”; ܶ , passive
186 READINGS
ptc. of
ܳ , “was even, worthy”, meaning “equal”; ܳ
ܳ
ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ,
“deed”; ‫ܐ‬, aph. ܳ ܽ of , “established”, with ܳ sfx.; ‫ܬ ܐ‬,
“legion, class”; ‫ܘ‬ , “celibate, virgin” (m.);
ܺ , “ascetic,
ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ
Nazirite”; , ptc. p. of ‫ ܒ‬, “wrote”; ‫ܐ‬ , “ancient,
ܰ ܵ ܳ ܰ
former”; ‫ܗܝ‬ ̱ : note the Eastern spelling with ◌; ‫ܢ‬
(usual spelling), “rather, in particular”; ܰ ܽ ‫ܐ ܐ‬, “Father
ܳ ܳܰ
John”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܰ , “writer”; ܳ ܺ ‫ ܰܬ‬, “history”; ‫ ܰ ܺ ܳܬ‬, “Bar
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܶ ̱
‛Idta”; ‫ܪܘ‬, “Rosṭam”; ‫ܐ‬ ܶ̈ ܳ , “Beth Qoqa” (in
Adiabene); ‫ܥ‬
ܽ ܺ ܳ
‫ܙ ܐ‬, “Zeka Isho‛”; ‫ܐ‬ ܶ , Beth ‛Abe”;
ܳ ܰ “desert”; ‫( ܐܶ ܺ ܺ ܐ‬usual spelling), “Eskete” (Scete in
Egypt); ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ ܶ‫ܐ‬, “form, manner of life”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ‬,
“asceticim”; ܳ
ܳ ܽ , “command”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “divine”; ܰ ,
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳܰ
“dwelt”; ‫ܬ‬ , “cave”; , pa. passive ptc. of ‫ ܳ ܐ‬,
“hid”. Note the Eastern script combination of t and ‚ ܺ at the
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ
end of the word; ‫ܬ‬ , “neighbourhood”; ,
ܰ ܺܶ ܰ ܺ
“quickly, shortly”; ‫ܐܬ ܥ‬, ethpe. of ‫ ܥ‬, “became known,
ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ (western
famous”; , “cause”; ‫ ܽ ܬܪ‬, “profit”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
vocalization), “general”;
ܺ , pe. passive ptc. of ܳ , “put,
ܳ ܽ ܰ
appointed”; ‫ܬ‬ , “priority”, used in construct to mean
ܳ ܰܺ
“fore-”; , “knowledge” (hence “foreknowledge”);
ܳ‫ ܽ ܘ ܳ ܐ‬, “eternal”; ‫ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ‬, “middle, means”; ‫ ܶ ܰܬ ܽ ܘܢ‬:
ܶ ‫ ܰܬ‬is an anomalous verb based on ܳ ܺ ‫ ܰܬ‬, “disciple”,
meaning “taught, made disciples”. Here we have an impf.
passive (some would call it the ettaph. of
ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ): “theyܳ will
(might) be made disciples”; ‫ܴܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬, p. of ‫ܐ ܐ‬, “father”; ‫ ܳ ܽ ܘ ܐ‬,
“founder”;
ܶ ̈ ܰ , pa. passive ptc. of : the verb means
“named, gave a name to”, this ptc. means “famous,
ܳ ܽܳ
renowned”; ‫ܐܬܘܪ ܳ ܐ‬, “Assyrian”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ , Babylonian”; ‫ ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬,
READINGS 187
ܳ ܽ
“odour”; ‫ܗܪܘ ܐ‬, “spice”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܰ , “chosen, choice” (passive
ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ̈
ptc. of ‫ܐ‬ ); ‫ ܚ‬, “spread”; ‫ ܐ‬, “report”;
“splendid deeds”;
ܳ ܺ
, “region”;
ܰ ܰ ‫ ܶܐܬ‬, ethpa. of ;
‫ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬, “poor, ascetic”; ‫ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬, “set apart, special”; ‫ ܰ ܺ ܝ‬, pa. ofܵ
ܳ ܺ , “showed, revealed”. ܰ ܰ ܶ Note again vocalization with ◌;
, “crown”; , ethpa. impf. (with transpositon) of
ܰ , “was trimmed, cut”; ܳ ܳ ‫ ܶ ܰܬ‬, “novice”; ‫ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܳ ܶ ܰ : vocalization with ◌ܵ; ܳ ܺ ܰ ,
“until”; ‫ ܻܬ‬, “coming”; ‫ܗܘܘ‬
“true”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܺ , “shaven” (passive ptc. of ‫ ܶ ܰܘܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ ;) ܥ‬,
“follower of Severus” (Patriarch of Antioch: the author of
this text shows his opposition to the so-called “monophysite”
ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ
ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܺ , adverbial useܳ ܳ ofܰ ‫ܙ ܐ‬, meaning “formerly”;
tradition.);
ܳ
‫ܬ‬ , “philosophy”; ‫ ܐ‬, “foreign, heathen”; ‫ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬,
ܶ
“Greek”; ‫ ܳܨ ܐ‬, ptc. of ‫ܨ ܐ‬, “wished”;
ܳ ܰ ܶ , pe infinitive of
ܶ ܺ , “learnt”; ܽ ܳ ݁ ܰ , pa. infinitive of ‫( ܰ ݁ ܺ ܝ‬pa), “held fast
to, had mastery of”; ‫( ܐܬ ܣ‬alternative spelling ‫ܐܬ ܣ‬
ܽܶ ܳ ܳ ܻ ܰ ),
“Athens”; ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ , “philosopher”; ‫“ ܳܗܪ ܳ ܐ‬now, in this
place/case”; ‫ܕ‬
ܰ ܽ , “whoever”; ܺ ‫ܪ‬, “desirous”;
ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ
‫ ܘܬ‬, “sonship”; ‫ܒ‬ , aph. ptc. of ‫ ܒ‬, “enrolled,
ܰ̈
inscribed”; ‫ ܳ ܐ‬, p. of ̱ ܰ , “year”; ‫ܕ‬
ܳ݁ ܶ , “after”; ܰ ‫ܐܬܪܘܪ‬ ܳ ܶ
or
ܰ ܶ , one of the additional derived stems (see XIII.B),
ܰ ‫ܐܬܪܘܪ‬
ܳ
‚etpawpal of ‫ܪ‬, here “was increased” (3rd f. s.); ‫ ܺ ܽ ܘܬ‬,
“abstinence”;
ܶ , “through him”; ‫ ܶ ܰ ̈ܰ ̱ܗܝ‬, “during his
ܳ ܰ
life”; ‫ ܽܨܘ ܐ‬, “person”; ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܽ , “congregation”; ܰ , from
ܳ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܰ
‫ ܐ‬, “built”; ‫ܕ ܬ‬, “likeness”, ܶ hence ‫ܬܗ‬ , “in his
likeness, like him”;
ܶ ‫ܐܬ‬, ethpe. of , “was gathered,
ܳ ܳ ‫ܐ‬, “honour”; ܺ ܰ pa.
died”: the ethpa. is more common; ܻ
188 READINGS
ܳ ܳ
ܳ
of ‫ ܐ‬, “changed, migrated”; ‫ܕ‬, “without”; ‫ܰ݁ ܳ ܾ ܬ‬ ܶ,
“corruption, corruptibility”.
GLOSSARY
This glossary contains all the vocabulary items which appear

in the main part of the book, with the exception of the
following: most pronouns, numerals, day and month names
(see XIV), rarer ethnic names and, of course, personal and
geographical names.
Verbs are given in an unvocalized “root” form, though
vocalization is given where necessary (e.g. to indicate verbs
with an e vowel like ܶ ). This is followed by an indication
of which stems are used and the meaning in those stems.
Verbs like
ܰ are listed as . Verbs like
ܳ are listed as
ܳ and not, as is often the practice, as ‫ ܡ‬. Genders of
nouns are only given if not obvious. Adjectives are given in
the masculine singular “emphatic” form.
ܰ
‫ܐ ܳܐ‬ father (takes sfxs. irregularly: see
VI.F)
‫ܐ‬ pe. perished
ܳ ‫ܰܐ‬ wages
ܳ ܳ ܶ‫ܐ‬ roof-top
ܳ ܶ
‫ܐܶ ܰ ܬ‬ letter
ܳ
ܰ ‫ܰܐܕ‬ Ear (f.)
‫ ܐܘ‬...‫ܐܘ‬ either … or
‫ܐܘ‬ ethpe. agreed with, made alliance
with
ܽ
‫ܐܘ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ black
189
190 GLOSSARY
ܳ ܳ ‫ܽܐܘ‬ distress
ܶ
‫ܰ ܰܐܘ ܶ ܻ ܽ ܢ‬ gospel
ܳ
‫ܐܘܨܪ‬ store house
ܽ
‫ܐܘܪ ܳ ܐ‬ journey, road
‫ܰܐܙܠ‬ pe. went
‫ܐ ܳܐ‬ brother (see VI.F)
‫ܐ‬ pe. took hold of, closed, retained
ܳ ܺ ̱‫ܐ‬ other, another (see VI.F)
ܳܺ
ܳ ܳ ̱‫ܐ‬‫ܬ‬ other thing (see VI.F)
ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ
[‫ܺ]ܐ‬ sister (p. ‫)ܐ ܬ‬
ܳ ‫ܐ‬ hand, power (construct ܰ , see VI.F)
ܳ ܰ ‫ܺܐ‬ envoy
ܳ ܺ
‫ܰܐ ܰ ܽ ܘܬ‬ embassy
‫ܰܐ‬ like, as
‫ܰܐ ܕ‬ as, as if
‫ܕ‬ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬ such/so that
‫ܰܐ ܐ ܕ‬ ܳ where, anywhere
‫ܰܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ how?
‫ܺܐ ܰ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬ just as
‫ܰܐ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ day-time
‫ܺܐ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬ who, whoever
ܳ ܳ ‫ܐ‬ honour
ܺ
‫ܰܐ‬ there is (see V)
ܳ ‫ܐ‬ together
‫ܰܐ‬ pe. ate
‫ܐܶ ܳ ܐ ܕ‬ ܳ as
‫ܐ‬ if not, except, but
ܳ ܴܰ god
GLOSSARY 191
ܰ
‫ܴ ܳ ܳܐ‬ divine
pe. pa. forced, pressed
ܶ
‫ܐܳܐ‬ mother
‫ܐ‬ aph. was able
ܺ ‫ܰܐ‬ truly
ܶ‫ܐ‬ pe. said

‫ܐܢ‬ if
ܺ ܰ ‫ܰܐ‬ necessity (Greek a)na&gkh)
ܳܳ ܳ
ܳ ‫ܰܐ̱ ݁ ܐ‬ man (absolute ̱ ‫)ܐ‬
ܶ ̈ܶ
‫ܐ ̱ ݂ܬ‬ woman (plur. ‫ ܐ‬: see VI.F)
‫ܐ ܐ‬ pe. healed
ܳ‫ܳܐ ܺ ܰ ܳܐܪ ܐ‬ knight hospitaller
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܳܐ‬ healer, physician
ܳ ܳ
‫ܰܐ ܽ ܬ‬ healing
ܳ ܺ‫ܐ‬ prisoner
ܶ
‫ܳܐ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ form, manner of life
‫ܐܦ‬ also
ܳ ܰ ‫ܳܐ‬ palace
ܶ
‫ܰܐ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܐ‬ bishop
ܳ̈ ‫ܐ‬ raisins (plur. only)
ܺ ‫ܶܶܐܪܐ‬ heresy
ܳ ̱ܳ
‫ܐܪܙ‬ mystery, secret
ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ܐܪ‬ widow
ܳ‫ܰܐܪ ܐ‬ land (f.)
‫ܐ‬ pe. shed
ܳ ܳ ܶ‫ܐ‬ document, deed
ܰ ܶ‫ܐ‬ was able, found (anomalous, but like
an aph.)
192 GLOSSARY
‫ܐܬ‬ pe. came

ܳ ܰ
ܳ‫ܰܐܬܪ‬ place, region (p. ‫)ܐܬ ܰ ܳܘܬ‬
- by, in, with, through

‫ܺ ܰܐ‬ cathedra, bishop’s chair, also a kind
of pulpit
ܰ inside (preposition)
‫ܰ ܽ ܢ‬ therefore
‫ܶܬ‬ pe. was ashamed
ܳ ܽ comfort
‫ܙ‬ pe. plundered
pe. tested
ܳ ܰ among, between
ܳ ܺ
evil thing
ܶ among
ܳ ܰ ܶ , p.
house, district (construct
ܶ ܳ̈
: see VI.F)
ܰ ܽ ܳ
always (see ‫) ܰܙ ܐ‬
‫ܰ ܽ ܕ‬ only
palpel confused
ܳ ܶ without
‫ܐ‬ pe. built
ܳ
‫ܰ ܺ ܐ‬ sweet
ܶ pe. made merry
ܳ ܶ flesh
ܳ ‫ܳ ܽܐ‬ pe. sought

‫ܳܬ‬ petition
ܰ husband, master
GLOSSARY 193
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܶ enemy
pe. investigated
ܳ
‫ܳܬ‬ examination, investigation
‫ܐ‬ pe. examined
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ proof, examination
ܳ ܰ
son (construct : see VI.F)
ܳ ܽ
‫ܘܬ‬ sonship
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ foreign, heathen
ܺ creation
‫ܶܟ‬ pe. bent the knee, pa. and pe. passive
ptc. blessed
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ man, literally son of a human being
ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ
(see ‫ ;ܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ‬p. ‫ܳ ܐ‬ )
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈
‫ܬ‬ daughter (construct ‫ ̱ ܬ‬, p. : see
VI.F)
ܳ ܽ
‫ܰܘ‬ virgin, celibate (m.)
‫ܪ‬ ܳ after
/
ܶ ‫ܰܪ‬ ܳ afterwards
ܶ ‫ܰܪ‬ ܳ
ܳ ܳ tortoise
‫ܐ‬ pe. chose
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܰ side
ܳ
‫ܽܬ‬ ܰ election
ܳ ܰ man
‫ܠ‬ pe. wove
‫ܫ‬ pe. happened
‫ܳܕ‬ ܽ band (usually f.)
194 GLOSSARY
‫ܽ ܳܕ ܳ ܐ‬ blasphemy
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ general
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ body
ܳ ܰ treasury
‫ܪ‬ pe. cut, circumcized
ܳܳ tendon, ligament
ܶ for, since (not the preposition “for”)
pe. revealed
ܻܳ ܰ clearly
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ thief
ܳ ܳ݁ ܰ
̱ giant, mighty man
aph. dwelt, descended
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ race, family
ܳ pe. committed adultery
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ leper
‫ܺ ܬ‬ loaf
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ bone
‫ܣ‬ pa. devoured, broke in pieces
‫ܥ‬ pe. shaved
‫ܕـ‬ of, that, in order that, because, which,

who (relative pronoun)
ܳ
‫ܶܕ‬ sacrifice
‫ܕ‬ pe. took, led, drove, guided
ܳ‫ܰܕܗ ܐ‬ gold
ܳ ܳ ‫ܽܕܘ‬ way of life, custom
‫ܳܕܘ ܳ ܐ‬ afflicted, knight templar
‫ܽܕܘ‬ commander, dux
GLOSSARY 195
ܳ
‫ܽܕܘ‬ place
ܶ
ܳ ‫ܶܕ‬ pe. feared
‫ܕ‬ fear
ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ demon
ܳ ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ demoniac, possessed person
- ‫ܺܕ‬ belonging to
‫ܶܕ‬ but, now, however
‫ܺܕ ܳ ܐ‬ judgment
‫ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ judge
ܳ ܳ ‫ܺܕ‬ dinar, denarius
ܳ ‫ܰܕ‬ home, habitation, monastery
‫ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ monk
‫ܕܐ‬ pa. purify
ܳ ‫ܶܕ‬ male person
ܳ
‫ܕ‬ without
‫ܕ‬ pe. blazed
ܳ
ܳ ‫ܕܽܐ‬ blood
‫ܕ ܬ‬ likeness
‫ܳܕܢ‬ pe. judged
‫ܰܕ ܳ ܐ‬ side
‫ܕ‬ pa. broke in pieces
‫ܰ ܶܕܪ ܳ ܐ‬ step, rank
‫ܕܪܟ‬ aph. attained, understood
‫ܳܕܫ‬ pe. trampled
‫ܳܗ‬ behold
‫ܰܗ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ flower
‫ܗܕ ܳ ܐ‬ܳܰ member, limb
196 GLOSSARY
ܳ ܶ
‫ܗܕܪ‬ glory
‫ܗܘ‬ pe. was, became
ܶ ‫ܳܗ‬ then
ܳ ܰ
‫ܗ‬ temple
ܶ ‫ܰܗ‬ believed (pay‛el of ‫ ܗ‬or ‫)ܐ‬
ܳ
‫ܰܗ ܳ ܽ ܬ‬ faith
‫ܳܗ ܳ ܬ‬ thus, similarly
ܺ ‫ܳܗ‬ therefore
‫ܳܗ ܰ ܳ ܐ‬ thus
‫ܗ‬ pa. went, made walk
‫ܗ ܐ‬ aph. ignored, turned away
‫ܗ‬ pe. turned, returned, changed
‫ܶܗܪܘ ܐ‬
ܳ ܽ spice
‫ܳܗܪ ܳ ܐ‬ here, now, in this place, in this case
‫ܳܗ ܳ ܐ‬ now
‫ܘـ‬ and, also
ܰ ‫ܰܘ‬ pe. fitting (used as active ptc.)

‫ܘ‬ etcetera
‫ܙ‬ pe. bought (imperfect

ܶ ܶ
); pa. sold
ܳ‫ܰܙ ܐ‬ time
‫ܙܕܩ‬ pe. was fitting (used as participle)
ܳ ܰ
‫ܙܗܪ‬ brightness
‫ܰܙܘ ܳ ܐ‬ yoke
‫ܰܙܘ ܳ ܐ‬ shaking, movement
‫ܰܙ ܳ ܐ‬ armour
‫ܳܙܢ‬ pa. armed ( ܶ ‫) ܰܙ‬
GLOSSARY 197
ܳ‫ܙ‬ kind, type;

ܳ ܰ: by way of;
ܳ ‫ ܰܐ‬:
likewise
‫ܪ‬ ܳ ܽ‫ܙ‬ small
ܳ
‫ܽܪܘܬ‬ ܽ‫ܙ‬ smallness
‫ܙ‬ pe. called
ܳ‫ܙ ܺ ܐ‬ cross
‫ܙ‬ pe. crucified
‫ܙܪܥ‬ pe. sowed
‫ܰܙܪ ܳ ܐ‬ seed
ܳ
‫ܺ ܽܪܘܬ‬ free-will
aph. loved
‫ܰ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܳܐ‬ beloved, friend
ܳ corruption
ܳ ܰ companion
pe. shut in
ܳ ܺ crippled
ܰ one
‫̈ܳ ܶܕ‬ each other
/‫ܝ‬ pe. rejoiced
ܳ ܽ ܰ
‫ܘܬ‬ joy
‫ ܳ ܰܝ‬/ ܳ ‫ܳ ܪ‬ around
‫̱ܬ‬ ܰ new
pa. showed
‫݁ ܳܐ‬ ܽ love
‫݁ ܳܐ‬ ܰ debt
ܳ ܽ staff, rod
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܽ health
198 GLOSSARY
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ mind, thought

pe. saw
ܳܳ sin
ܳ ܺ
sin
pe. plundered, did violence to
‫ܶܐ‬ pe. lived, revived
‫ܰ ̈ܐ‬ life (plur.)
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ living
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ condemned, guilty, liable (ought), as a
noun: debtor
ܳ
‫ܰ ܽܳ ܬ‬ animals (sing. collective)
ܰ strength, force, army
ܳ ܶ wisdom
pa. mixed
ܳ ܺ valiant
aph. healed
ܳ instead of
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ fate
ܳ ܰ wine
ܳ ܶ
anger
‫ܳ ܽ ܳܐ‬ strangling
‫ܰ ݁ ܳܐ‬ pagan
‫ܐ‬ pa. absolved
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ holy, holy man
pa. strengthened
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ fort
ܺ
ܻ diligently
ܳ pe. looked at, considered
GLOSSARY 199
‫ܒ‬ pe., aph. devastated, destroyed, slew

‫ܐ‬ ܰ war, sword
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ܰ sharpened
‫ܡ‬ aph. excommunicated
‫ܪ‬ pa. set free
ܳ‫ܐ‬ ܰ silent, deaf, dumb
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ suffering (noun)
pe. reckoned, counted, thought
‫ܶ ܽ ܳܐ‬ darkness
ethpa. used
pe. suffered; aph. saddened, hurt
ܳ ܳ
sister
ܳ ‫ܰ ܽܢ‬ ethpa. connected himself by marriage

‫ܬ‬ marriage relationship, wedding
ܶ ܶ
‫ܳܐ‬ / ‫ܳܐ‬ report
‫ܴ ܳܐ‬ good
pa. prepared
ܳ ܳ ܴܽ tabularius (a scribal official)
ܳ‫ܱ ܽ ܐ‬ good (noun), blessed is …
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ blessed, holy, holy man
‫ܪ‬ܳܽ mountain
ܳ
‫ܱ ܽ ܬ‬ goodness, blessedness, grace
‫ܱ ܳ ܳܐ‬ Arab, Muslim
‫ܷ ܳܐ‬ order, rank
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܰ young man, child
ܳ
‫ܰܺ ܽ ܬ‬ youth
‫ܳܐ‬ wronged, miserable
200 GLOSSARY
pe. was finished; pa. finished, used up

ܳ unclean
ܱ
pe., pa. buried
ܽ
ܻܳܳ ܴܽ with mistakes, imperfectly
ܳ‫ܘ‬ tyrant
‫ܐ‬ pe., pa. hid
ܺܰ
ܳ ‫ܰ ܺ ܽܐ‬ dried up
‫ܬ‬ dryness
pa. handed down, etc.; aph. brought
aph. confessed
‫ܥ‬ pe. knew (see notes on XI.3); ethpe.
became famous
ܳ ܰ
ܻ knowledge
ܶ݁ ܶ
‫ܒ‬ pe. gave (for impf. use ‫) ܠ‬
ܳ‫ܺ ܽ ܳܘܕ ܐ‬ Jew
ܳܳ ܽ
succession
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ teaching
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ day
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ Greek
ܳ ‫ܽ ܳܬܪ‬ profit
ܳ
‫ܺ ܺ ܳܽ ܬ‬ being alone, monastic life
‫ܻ ܺ ܳ ܳܐ‬ only, sole
ܶ
ܻ pe. begat, bore
ܳ‫ܰ ܽ ܕ‬ infant
pe. learnt; pa. taught
‫ܐ‬ pe. swore
‫ܰܳܐ‬ sea
GLOSSARY 201
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ right hand

aph. added
‫ܐ‬ pe. sprang up
aph. burnt
pe. was heavy, pa. honoured
‫ܻ ܶܒ‬ pe. was/became great; aph. made
great, enlarged
ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ
ܳ ‫ܳܺ ܐ‬ month (construct ‫ ܐ ܚ‬or ‫) ܻܐܪܚ‬
tent
‫ܻ ܶܬ‬ pe. inherited
aph. stretched
ܶ
‫ܻ ܒ‬ pe. sat, encamped (see XI.3)
ܳ ܰ
ܻ much, more, abundant
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ sickness, pain

ܰ when, as
‫ܒ‬ pa. broke faith
ܳ ܳ priest
ܳ ܽ ܳ
‫ܬ‬ priesthood
‫ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ priestly, holy
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ footstool
ܳ ܽ priest
‫ܽ ܳܪ‬ furnace
‫ܽ ܶܪܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ chorepiscopus
ܳ ‫ܽ ܳܪܗ‬ sickness
ܳ ܰ
kail (measure)
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ nature
ܳ ݁ܰ talent (coin)
202 GLOSSARY
ܽ all;
ܰ ܽ ܳ
: always (see ‫) ܰܙ ܐ‬
pe. forbade, prevented
‫ܰ ܽ ܳܐ‬ dog
ܳ tortoise
ܳ ܺ
crown
ܰ ܽ everyone
‫ܽ ܶ ܶܡ‬ everything (see ‫) ܶ ܡ‬
ܶ
pa. crowned (with martyrdom)
ܳ ܺ ambush
‫ܳܐ‬ ܽ congregation
pa. gathered
‫ܐ‬ pa. covered, kept secret (pe. passive
participle used as adjective)
‫ܳܐ‬ ܶ money
pe. denied
ܳ
‫ܳ ܽ ܽܘܙܘܬ‬ preaching
ܳ ܽ ‫ܺܙ‬ aph. preached, proclaimed

‫ܘܬ‬ weakness, sickness
ܳ‫ܳ ܐ‬ ܺ Christian
‫ܟ‬ pe. placed/wrapped round
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ (walled) city
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ womb, belly (construct ‫) ܣ‬
ܶ
‫ܳܒ‬ pe. wrote
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ book, writing
‫ܳܐ‬ beaten
‫ـ‬ to, belonging to, by (with passives)

(also used as sign of accusative)
GLOSSARY 203
ܳ ܳ
not; ‫ܕ‬: without
pe. grasped, held
ܶ ܰ outside
ܰ not
ܰ ܽ opposite, against, towards
‫ܰܡ‬ ܽ first of all
‫ܳܬ‬ towards
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ bread, food
ܰ there is not
ܺ
‫ܳܐ‬ night
ܰ namely (indicates associated words
are a quotation)
ܳ ܺ harbour
pe. joined
pa. collected
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ tongue, speech, language
ܳ ܽ ܶ food
ܳ ܶ
‫ܻܬ‬ coming
ܳ‫ܽ ܐ‬ Magian, Persian priest
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ altar, sanctuary
ܳ ܰ desert
ܳܳ ܰ governor
ܳ
‫ܰ ܳ ܽܳ ܬ‬ guidance, dispensation, government
݁ ܺ
̱ ܶ city
‫ܶܡ‬ anything, any
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܰ the East
ܳ ܰ ܰ
‫ܗ‬ gift
204 GLOSSARY
ܳܳ ܰ progenitor, producing
ܳ
‫ܰ ܬ‬ death
‫ܰ ܬ ܳܐ‬ dwelling-place
‫ܓ‬ pe. mixed
ܳ ‫ܽܐ‬ pe. struck, beat

‫ܬ‬ blow
pa. weaken, aph. was weakened
ܳ tomorrow
‫ܽܐ‬ pe. reached
ܶ for, on account of, concerning
ܽ ܶ
‫ܕ‬ because …
‫ܶ ܾ ܳ ܶܕ‬ for this reason
pe. died
ܳ ܺ
dead, dead man
‫ܰ ܳܪ‬ excellent
ܺ ܶ now, therefore
pe. was low, lay down; pa. laid low,
humbled
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ writer
pe. filled, was full; šap‛el completed,
made full; ‚eštap‛al was perfected
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܰܰ angel
ܳ
‫ܰ ܽܬ‬ fullness
pe. reigned; ethpa. took counsel
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܰ king (construct
ܶ )
ܳ
‫ܽ ܬ‬ ܰ kingdom
pa. spoke
‫ܰ ܴ ܢ ܰ ܳ ܢ‬ rather (ma~llon)
GLOSSARY 205
‫ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܰ teacher
ܶ word
ܳ ܰ
̱ܽ ܶ
speech, language
‫ܘܡ‬ from everlasting (see ‫) ܾ ܘܡ‬
ܰ who?
‫ܰ ܕ‬ whoever
ܰ indeed (me/n)
ܶ from, than, some of
‫ܕ‬ ܶ after …
ܰ
‫ܶ ܳ ܪܕ‬ after …
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ what? ‫ܐ‬
ܳ ܳ ܰ : on account of
what?
‫ܐ‬ ܳܺ ܶ poor
ܳ
‫ܺܽܬ‬ ܶ poverty
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ܳ punishment, capital punishment
ܳ‫ܰ ܪ‬ blind
ܳ ܺ ܽ ܰ
‫ܕ‬ baptism
pe. trampled
ܳ ܰ
‫ܬ‬
ܳ ܰ݁ ܰ cave
eruption, going out, emergence
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ maphrian
pe., ethpe. was able
ܳ
‫ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳܬ‬ middle, means
ܰ middle, means
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܶ ܳܪ‬ Egyptian
ܳ
‫ܰ ܽ ܬ‬ priority (with another noun means
fore-)
ܳ pe. supplied, bought
206 GLOSSARY
ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳܰ ܳ
lord (construct , plur. ‫) ܘܬ‬
‫ܳ ܝ‬ my lord, but used as a title of holy
men
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ the Lord (of God)
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ womb
‫ܰ ܙ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ general
ܺ ܰ flock, diocese
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ the Messiah, Christ
‫ܶ ܳܐ‬ skin
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ deacon
ܺ ܰ camp
ܽ
‫ܽ ܘܡ‬ everlasting, ever (adverb)
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܳ‫ܘ‬ eternal (adjective)
ܳ
‫ܶ ܰ ܰ݁ ܳ ܽ ܬ‬ corruption, corruptibility
‫ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ interpreter
ܳ ܳ ‫ܶ ܱܬ‬ novice
‫ܐ‬ ethpa. prophesied

‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ prophet
ܳ ܳ ܰ carpenter
‫ܶ ܳܪ‬ vow
‫ܪ‬ aph. shone, illumined
ܳ ܽ long time
ܳ ܽ
‫ܗܪ‬ light
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ foreign, foreigner
̈ ܺ ܽ plur. nummus (coin)
ܳ ܽ fish
‫ܽ ܳܪ‬ fire
GLOSSARY 207
ܳ ܺ ascetic, Nazirite
ܳ
‫ܺ ܽ ܘܬ‬ abstinence
ܳ pe., ethpe. was at rest, took rest, died
ܳ ܰ
stream, wadi
ܶ pe. descended (imperfect ‫) ܽ ܬ‬
ܶ
pe. kept, guarded
‫ܳ ܽ ܳܐ‬ law
pe. took (see Paradigm 6)
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ experience, test
ܳ aph. raised, waved
pe. breathed
pe. fell (impf.
ܶ ݁ ܶ : see Paradigm 6)
pe. went out
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ soul
ܻܳܳ ܰ naturally, regarding physical life
‫ܳ ܽܘ ܳ ܐ‬ founder
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ illustrious, splendid
pe. pitched (tent)
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ silver
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ old man, senior person
pe. bore
ܳ ܰ hope
‫ܐ‬ pe. multiplied
ܶ pe. worshipped
ܳ ܶ
‫ܬ‬ worship
ܺ ܰ much (adverb)
ܴ ܺ ܰ much, many
208 GLOSSARY
‫ܪ‬ pe. set in order

‫ܳܪ‬ ܶ rank
‫ܶܕ‬ pe. witnessed
ܳ ܳ
ܳ ‫ܽܕ‬ ܳ
martyr, witness
‫ܕܘܬ‬ testimony, witness, example
ܳ ܽ multitude
ܳܳ ܽ understanding, meaning
ܰ ܽ
‫ܢ‬ sultan
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ horse
ܳܳ ܽ deed
‫ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ Syrian
pe. threw, overthrew, demolished
ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ
side; ‫ ܘ‬: and other, etc.
ܶ ܰ except, aside from
ܰ ܰ pay‛el bore
ܳ
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܬ‬ food
ܺ treasure
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ sword
ethpa. understood
ܳ ܰ (round) shield
ܶ pe. went up
ܳ pe. put
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ drug, pigment
pe. rested, lay
ܳ ܽ ‫ܺܐ‬ pe. hated

‫ܬ‬ need
ܳ ܰ hair
pe. sufficed
GLOSSARY 209
pa., aph. cut, clipped

ܳܳ coast, bank, side
ܳ ‫ܺ ܽܚ‬ pe. devastated, injured; aph. ordained

‫ܬ‬ futility
‫ܰ ܳܘ‬ winter
pe. made, did, worked, appointed

(imperfect
ܶ ܶ ); šap‛el enslaved,
caused to serve
ܳܳ work, deed
ܳ ܰ servant
pe. passed by, crossed over
ܳ pe. was accustomed
pe. touched; aph. snatched
ܺܰ until now, as yet
‫ܠ‬ pe. rebuked, complained
‫ܰܳܐ‬ until, up to
‫ܰ ܳ ܐ ܶܕ‬ until …
‫ܰܳܐ ܰ ܝ‬ how long?
ܳܳ ܶ time
ܳ݁ ܺ
‫̱ܬ‬ church
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ bosom
ܽ baby, infant
ܳ ܽ dwelling, monastery
‫ܽ ܳ ܳܐ‬ investigation, enquiry
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ strength
‫ܽ ܳܬܪ‬ wealth
pe. turned back
210 GLOSSARY
ܰ ܳ ܳ
over, against, concerning; ‫ܐ‬
ܰ:
on account of what?
‫ܰ ܳ ܶܕ‬ therefore
pa. raised up
pe. entered
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ world, eternity
‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ pastor, shepherd
ܶ cause
ܰ with
ܶ̈ ܰ
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ people (plur. ‫) ̱ ܐ‬
pe. dwelt
‫ܳܐ‬ pe. answered
‫ܳ ̈ܐ‬ flock, sheep (collective)
ܳܳ ܰ
ܳ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽܐ‬ poor, ascetic
‫ܬ‬ asceticism
ܶ pe. was difficult
ܳ ܰ dust
pe. forced, resisted
pa. discussed, disputed, examined
pe. uprooted
ܳ ܳܶ root, herb
ܳ ethpe., ettaph. was aroused,
awakened
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ astute, clever
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ bed
‫ܨ‬ pe. came to pass, befell
‫ܩ‬ pe. fled
‫ܕ‬ pa. prepared
GLOSSARY 211
pe. met, attacked

‫ܳܐ‬ ܶ meeting
ܳ ܰ body
pe. wandered
‫ܳܐ‬ ܽ mouth
ܳܳ ܽ command
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܳ Persian
‫ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܽ salvation
ܳ pe. breathed
‫ܳܐ‬ ܶ answer
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰܺ ܰ patriarch
ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ
ܳ ‫ܽܐ‬ ܽ ܳ ܺ
philosopher
‫ܬ‬ philosophy
ܰ
aph. form ܻ ݁ ‫ ܐ‬persuaded, asked,
petitioned (anomalous verb from
Greek pei=sai)
‫ܳܐ‬ ܺ incense, censer
pa. divided, distributed
‫ܶܕ‬ ܰ scattered (four-root verb)
pe. worked
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ labourer
ethpa. escaped
ܳ ‫ܺܐ‬ pe. returned, turned, pa. replied

region
aph. permitted
pe. cut off
‫ܚ‬ aph. joked
pe. commanded
212 GLOSSARY
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ blossom
ܰ plain
‫ܳ ܽܘ ܳ ܐ‬ saviour
‫ܚ‬ pe. spread
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ Pharisee
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ Frank
‫ܰ ܽܨܘ ܳ ܐ‬ person
‫ܩ‬ aph. separated
‫ܫ‬ pe. set apart, separated, departed,
died passive ptc. used as adjective:
special
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ cavalryman
ܳ pe. remained
pa. explained
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ saying, word
‫ܚ‬ pe., pa. opened
‫ܟ‬ pe. mixed, wove
‫ ܶܨܐܕ‬/ ‫ܶܨ‬ towards, to, at

‫ܨܐ‬ pe. wanted; ethpe. was willing,
consented
ܳ
‫ܨܽ ܬ‬ thing
ܳܳ ܶ
ܳ ‫ܶܨ ܐ‬ will
‫ܨ‬ finger
‫ܨ‬ pa. adorned
ܳ
‫ܰܨܘ ܐ‬ fasting
ܳ ܳ ‫ܰܨ‬ painter
‫ܨ‬ pe. bent; pa. pray
GLOSSARY 213
ܳ ܽ‫ܨ‬
‫ܬ‬ prayer
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ‫ܰܨ‬ picture, image
‫ܽ ܬ‬ ܺ‫ܨ‬ cunning
‫ܶܨ ܳܨ‬ nail
‫ܳܨܪ‬ pe. depicted, painted
‫ܳܨܬ‬ pe. listened to
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ qab (measure)

pa. received, accepted
pe. fixed, fastened
pe. buried
ܳ ܰ grave
pa. held fast to
ܺ ܰ first, of old
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ holy, holy man
‫ܡ‬ pa. was early/quick, did beforehand,
anticipated
‫ܳܡ‬ before; ‫ܳ ܡ‬
ܰ : ahead, forwards;
‫ ܶ ܳ ܡ ܕ‬: before…;
ܺ‫ܽ ܕ‬ ܶ : formerly
‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ first, ancient, former
‫ܫ‬ pa. sanctified
pa. remained
‫ܽ ܕ ܳܐ‬ holiness
‫ܽ ܪ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ offering
ܽ truth
pe. killed
ܳ
‫ܳܐ‬ vintage, grape harvest
214 GLOSSARY
ܳ
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ summer
ܳ resurrection
‫ܰܳ ܳܐ‬ piece of wood
ܳ voice, sound, tune
ܺ ܰ little
ܳ ܺ
ܻܳ ܺ ܰ quickly, shortly
‫ܘܣ‬ clergy
‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܣ‬ clergy
ܳ pe. arose, existed
ܳ ܺ‫ܰ ܐ‬ pe. obtained, possessed

lampstand, candle
‫ܽ ܳܐ‬ person, substance, hypostasis
pe. was afraid
‫ܐ‬ pe. cried out
pe. called, blew (on horn)
‫ܶܒ‬ pe. drew near, touched; pa. brought
near, offered; aph. fought
‫ܳ ܳ ܳܐ‬ war, battle
ܺ village, field (p. ‫ܳ ܐ‬
ܽ : see VI.F)
‫ܡ‬ pe. spread over
ܳ ܰ horn
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ harsh
‫ܰ ܺ ܳܐ‬ elder, priest
‫ܪܐ‬ pa. increased

‫ܰܪ ݁ ܳ ܐ‬ great, master
‫ܪ‬ pawpel made big; ‚etpawpal was
increased
GLOSSARY 215
ܳ ܰܰ
‫ܪ‬ steward
ܺ ‫ܪ‬ desirous
ܳ ܶ
‫ܪ‬ foot
ܳ‫ܶܪ ܳ ܐ‬ infantryman
‫ܪ‬ pe. threw stones at
ܳ‫ܽܪܕܘ ܐ‬ persecution
‫ܪܕܦ‬ pe. persecuted
ܳ‫ܽܪܗܘ ܳ ܐ‬ Roman
‫ܪܗܛ‬ pe. hastened, ran
‫ܪܘ‬ pe. became drunk
ܳ ‫ܽܪܘ‬ anger, wrath
‫ܽܪܘ ܳ ܐ‬ spirit, wind (f.)
‫ܽܪܘ ܳ ܳ ܺܐ‬ spiritual
ܳ ܳ ‫ܽܪܘ‬ spiritually
‫ܰܪܘܪ ܳ ܐ‬ great
‫ܰܪܘܪ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ nobleman
‫ܰܪ ܺ ܳ ܐ‬ far
ܶ‫ܪ‬ pe. loved
‫ܰ ܶܐ‬ mercy (plur.)
‫ܪ‬ pa., aph. put away; ethpa. avoided,
ܶ kept from
ܶ‫ܪ‬ pe. was moist, became moist
‫ܪ‬ pe. murmured
‫ܺܪ ܳ ܐ‬ odour
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܺܪ‬ head
ܳ
‫ܺܪ ܽ ܳܬ‬ headship
ܺ ‫ܺܪ‬ beginning
ܶ‫ܪ‬ pe. rode; pa. constructed, composed
216 GLOSSARY
‫ܰܪ ܳ ܐ‬ horse
‫ܳܪܡ‬ pe. was/became high; ethpe. was
exalted
‫ܪ ܐ‬ pe. threw, lay (hands), put (chains);
aph. threw, poured, raised (voice)
‫ܰܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ evening
‫ܳܪ‬ high place
‫ܪܐ‬ ethpe., ethpa. thought
‫ܶܪ ܐ‬ pe. fed, tended (sheep etc.)
‫ܶܪ ܳ ܐ‬ pasture, fodder
‫ܪ ܳ ܳܐ‬ mind, heart
‫ܪ‬ pe. moved, wriggled
‫ܪ ܐ‬ pe. blamed, accused
ܳ‫ܰܪ ܺ ܐ‬ wicked man, apostate
‫ܪܬܚ‬ pe. bubbled up, boiled up, was
heated/inflamed; šap‛el made abound
‫ܠ‬ pe., pa. asked; ethpe. abstained from
ܳ ܽ‫ܳ ܐ‬ pe. led away captive

‫ܬ‬ neighbourhood
pa. praised
ܳ ܰ
‫ܐ‬ tribe
ܳ ܶ
ܳ ‫ܺܐ‬ captivity
splendour
pe. pardoned, left, desisted
ܳ ܰ young child
ܳ ܽ ܰ
‫ܘܬ‬ simplicity, childishness
ܳ‫ܽ ܐ‬ trouble
GLOSSARY 217
pe. troubled
pe. threw
‫ܠ‬ pa. beguiled, enticed
‫ܪ‬ pa. sent
pe. was even/worthy; ethpe.
conspired, agreed with
‫ܐ‬ ܳ ܽ glory
‫ܐ‬ ܳܳ ܽ authority
ܳ ܽ beauty, virtue
‫ܳܪ‬ ܽ wall
‫ܳܪ ܳ ܐ‬ ܽ beginning
‫ܳ ܶ ܳܪܪ‬ ܽ strength, agreement
‫ܬܦ‬ ܰ šap‛el partook of, associated;
ܰ ܰ ܶ
‫ ܐ ܘܬܦ‬: had intercourse,
communicated
‫ܺ ܳܐ‬ ordinary
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ peace
ܳ‫ܺ ܽ ܪ‬ trumpet
ܳ ܰ ܺ
fetter, bond, chain
pe. slept
ܳ ܰ corpse
pe. sent; pa. stripped
pe. ruled, prevailed over; pa. gave
power; ethpa. ruled
‫ܳܐ‬ ܶ peace
‫ܳ ܳܐ‬ ܺ apostle
‫ܐ‬ ܺܰ in authority (adjective)
ܶ pe. was fulfilled, finished, agreed to;
218 GLOSSARY
ethpe. was handed over; pa. finished,

offered; aph. handed over
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ perfect, complete
ܳ ܳ
ܳ ‫ܰ ܽܐ‬ peace
‫ܬ‬ agreement
ܶ̈ ܳ
‫ܳܐ‬ name (plur. : see VI.F)
pa. called; passive forms: was called,
was famous
ܳ ܽ farthing, mite
‫ܳܐ‬ ܰ heaven
‫ܳܐ‬ ܺܰ fat, fatling
pe. heard, listened to; ethpe. was
heard, obeyed
pa. afflicted with pain
ܳ݁
̱ year
ܳ‫ܳ ܐ‬ ethpa. told, narrated

ܳ ܳ
ܳ hour; ‫ ܕ‬: at that moment
‫ܰ ܽܬ‬ sincerity
ܳ ܺ ܰ fair
aph. conceded
pe. took, began; aph. departed
pe. loosed, dwelt, encamped; pa.
began
ܳ ܰ race, rank, tribe
‫ܶ ܳ ܳܐ‬ vein, membrane
ܳ ܺܰ true
‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܻܐ‬ truly
ܺܳ joint
GLOSSARY 219
‫ܰ ܳܐ‬ rest
‫ܪ‬ pe. was proved true; pa. agreed
‫ܪ‬ܳܳ truth
ܳ ܰܺ
chain
pe. drank
ܳ
‫ܬܐ ܳ ܐ‬ twin
‫ܬ‬ pe. exacted satisfaction from, asked
recompense from
‫ܶܬ‬ pe. broke; pa. shattered
‫ܰܬ ܐ‬ܳ legion, class
ܳ ܳ
ܳ ܽ ‫ܶܬ‬ merchant
ܳ ‫ܰܬܕ ܰ ܪܬ‬ wonder

‫ܽܬܗ‬ jest, mockery
‫ܬܘܒ‬ also, again
ܳ‫ܰܬܘ ܐ‬ worm
ܽ
‫ܰܬܘܪ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐ‬ Turkoman
‫ܬ ܳܐ‬ south
ܺ
ܻ ܳ ‫ܰܬ‬ hastily, earnestly, urgently
ܶ ‫ܬ‬ anomalous verb derived from the
noun ܳ ܺ ‫ ܰܬ‬: taught, made
disciples
ܳ ܺ ‫ܰܬ‬ disciple
‫ܬ‬ pe. was amazed, stupefied
ܳ ‫ܰܬ‬ there
ܳ‫ܬ‬ here
‫ܰܬܪܥ‬ pa. broke
‫ܬܪ ܳ ܐ‬ door
220 GLOSSARY
ܳ ܽ ܰ
‫ܬ‬
ܳ ܽ ‫ܶܬܪ‬ truce, peace
ܳ ܺ ‫ܰܬ‬ hymn, praise, glory

‫ܬ‬ history
‫ܐܕ‬ ‫ܘ‬

John F. Healey - Leshono Suryoyo. First Studies in Syriac (Gorgias Handbooks, Book 2) (2005) (Retail)

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John F. Healey - Leshono Suryoyo. First Studies in Syriac (Gorgias Handbooks, Book 2) (2005) (Retail)

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GORGIAS HANDBOOKS

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

B. Participles (masculine forms) 29

IX. Other Important Verb Forms 60

This is a new edition of a Syriac grammar first published at

me to a more favourable view of many aspects of Robinson

a skill which students must acquire quickly if their teacher

Theology in the University of Birmingham and we have seen

Gorgias Press has produced a CD containing the illustrative

14 Text 1: New Testament (John 1:1-18 and 20:19-25)

24 Text 1 (first part): Chanted

26 III. Illustrative Texts (E. Syriac)

THE SYRIAC LANGUAGE

states such as those centred on Damascus, Hama and Aleppo

language and this led quickly to a new literary flourishing of

existing in a Semitic language, led to the spread of Syriac as a

THIS BOOK AND ITS USE

Paradigms are provided for reference purposes and the

GENERAL NOTE ON SYRIAC GRAMMAR

Special signs used in transliteration will be found in Chapters

‫ܐ‬ ‚ ‚ālap This is not the equivalent of a, but accompanies any

The consonants are joined to each other in writing, as in

RIGHT AND LEFT

RIGHT AND LEFT

“Nestorian”) script often combines t followed by ‚ as in

(a) The following list of words with transliterations will

(b) Further practice may be gained by transliterating the

‫ܐܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܪ ܐ ܐܬܪܗ‬

consonant to indicate types of vowel. Although mostly placed

(3) A double dot sign as in ‫ܐ‬

B. Features which are not indicated by special signs.

distinctive sign for it. Rare examples of a consonant being

Students are recommended to become familiar with

(a) Practice transliterating and writing vocalized Syriac using

ܳ ݂݁ ܰ madberā (later pronounced

(b) Practice further transliteration and the reading aloud of

pronouns can be used to mean “is/are”.

‫ܰ ܳ ܳܐ‬ is a fixed phrase meaning “man”. Literally it is

A. Possessive Pronoun Endings Added to Nouns

Before the addition of possessive pronouns, the -ā ending of

B. Independent Personal Pronouns (with shortened

FORMS USED AS FULL FORM ENGLISH

‫ ܳ ܐ‬, ‫ ܳ ܳܐ‬, ܳ ܰ what?

E. Additional Note on Enclitics

(a) Translate into Syriac:

1. This is the king of the land.

(b) Translate into English:

ܶ since, for (placed second

being unnecessary, though sometimes added

2. ‫ܶ ܽ ܘܢ‬ is a suffixed form of

5. ܶ ‫ܳܪ‬ is a participle like

A question is often indicated in Syriac by

A. Simple Stem Perfect

Most verbs in Syriac have three root consonants. These root

It may be noted that in unvocalized texts (and even in

B. Participles (masculine forms)

(a) Translate into Syriac:

(b) Translate into English:

. ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ‫ܘܗ‬ ܳ . ‫ܳܬ‬ ܽ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰܕܨ‬

Vocabulary for the above:

A. The Perfect Tense of

We now have the following possibilities:

(a) Translate into Syriac: