The textual strategy of Ephrem the Syrian’s Hymn Contra Haereses I

Abstract

The first hymn in Ephrem the Syrian’s cycle Contra Haereses is translated and analysed in terms of its rhetorical and argumentative features. It seems that Ephrem used various rhetorical strategies to construct a polarity between a jealous Satan and a loving God. He argues that the heresies that became known under the names of Marcion, Bardaisan, and Mani are merely different manifestations of Satan’s jealous attempt to hurt mankind. He urges the orthodox faithful to flee from this threat by illustrating how great the danger is with the help of analogies from everyday life and biblical stories.