The Book of Resh Melle by Yoḥannan bar Penkaye: an Introduction to the Text and a Study of its Literary Genres

This dissertation offers a study of the fifteen books of Resh Melle, a work written in Mesopotamia before the close of the seventh century A.D. by Yoḥannan (John) bar Penkaye. John’s purpose is to explain God’s dispensation in human history. He offers theological instruction through the medium of historical narrative. Chapter one discusses John’s political and ecclesiastical context. The fifteenth book of Resh Melle illustrates historical events which were contemporary to John. This chapter also discusses the rise of Islam, which had a great impact on the monastic centres and the numerous communities that formed the Church of the East. Chapter two investigates the life, literary works, and importance of the author. The works that have been traditionally attributed to John are discussed and their authenticity assessed. The chapter also discusses John’s importance for modern scholarship in various fields of study, including history, theology, exegesis, liturgy, and asceticism. Chapter three discusses the title, provenance, sources, manuscripts, editions and translations of Resh Melle. A survey of Syriac literature is undertaken to explain the idiomatic meaning of the title. A description of the four manuscripts of Resh Melle which were consulted by this study is also given, along with information on the other extant (but unedited) manuscripts of the work. The chapter closes with a summary of modern editions and translations. The fourth and final chapter examines the question of the literary genres of Resh Melle. John’s intention is clear: to produce a concise account of world history. The apocalyptic genre is clearly attested in certain sections of the work, but mainly towards its end. The bulk of Resh Melle employs other genres, including historiography, theology, exegesis, pedagogy, homily and philosophy. These genres are identified and illustrated with numerous quotations from John’s work, which we translated into English for the first time.

Department dc:contributor.department

Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mar-Emmanuel, Emmanuel Joseph

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Harrak, Amir

• 7th century AD
• Church of the East
• John bar Penkaye
• Resh Melle
• Syriac
• world history

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1807/71559

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utoronto.scholaris.ca:1807/71559