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Book/Printed Material The Book of the Interpreter.

About this Item

Title

  • The Book of the Interpreter.

Summary

  • This 16th-century manuscript is an old copy of the classified Syriac--Garshuni glossary by Elias of Nisibis (975--1046). Elias was an eastern Syriac scholar and monk, who was later a bishop and from 1008--46 metropolitan of Nisibis in northern Mesopotamia (present-day Nusaybin in southeastern Turkey). He was an important figure in Syriac and Christian Arabic literature and an early grammarian. In addition to this glossary, his literary output included a bilingual (Syriac--Arabic) chronicle, liturgical poetry, and letters. This work is prefaced by Eliya's address to the man for whom he wrote the book. The text is very important for the history of Arabic lexicography, especially among Christians. A great number of topics are covered, including not only Christian themes, but also scientific subjects, particularly medicine. Syriac is an eastern dialect of Aramaic, which was spoken by Christians in the lands between the Roman Empire and the Arabian Sea from the first century to the 12th century. Garshuni came into use when Arabic became the dominant spoken language in the lands of the Fertile Crescent before a written form of the Arabic language had developed. It is still in use among some Syriac Christian congregations.

Names

  • Daniel Scribe.
  • Elias, of Nisibis, 975--1046 Author.

Created / Published

  • [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 1524.

Headings

  • -  Turkey
  • -  975 to 1046
  • -  Arabic language
  • -  Medicine
  • -  Syriac language
  • -  Theology

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 168 pages ; 16 x 11 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: Syriac-Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo.
  • -  Content in Arabic and Syriac.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Source Collection

  • St. George Church (Urfa Collection)

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667700

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

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The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Daniel Scribe, and Of Nisibis Elias. The Book of the Interpreter. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, 1524] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667700/.

APA citation style:

Daniel Scribe & Elias, O. N. (1524) The Book of the Interpreter. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667700/.

MLA citation style:

Daniel Scribe, and Of Nisibis Elias. The Book of the Interpreter. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, 1524] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667700/>.