The Commentaries of Isho’dad of Merv, Bishop of Hadatha (c. 850 A.D.)

An English translation of a commentary on the four gospels, written by a revered Assyrian bishop in the ninth century.

A commentary written by the revered Assyrian bishop Isho'dad of Merv, an influential figure in the Eastern Church in the ninth century. Covering the gospels, this English translation was first published in 1911 by pioneering scholar Margaret Gibson and is a fascinating glimpse into the theology of its time.The twin sisters Agnes Lewis (1843–1926) and Margaret Gibson (1843–1920) were pioneering biblical scholars who became experts in a number of ancient languages. Travelling widely in the Middle East, they made several significant discoveries, including one of the earliest manuscripts of the four gospels in Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, the language probably spoken by Jesus himself. Originally published in the Horae Semitica series, this fascicule contains the English text of an Assyrian bishop's biblical commentary. Considered by some to be the father of the Eastern Church, Isho'dad of Merv produced detailed discussions of most books of the Bible for his congregation in the ninth century. This volume, first published in 1911, focuses on the four gospels and provides detailed interpretation and explanation of each book. Translated and edited by Margaret Gibson, this is a valuable and informative resource for theologians by a key figure in Eastern Christianity.