Botha, Philippus Jacobus2015-11-252015-11-252015-09-18Botha, P.J., 2015, ‘Ephrem the Syrian’s hymn On the Crucifixion 4’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(3), Art. #3012, 8 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v71i3.3012.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v71i3.3012http://hdl.handle.net/2263/50616This article offers a translation of the hymn De Crucifixione 4 by Ephrem, the Syrian theologian, which forms part of his cycle of hymns for the celebration of Easter. The symbolic interpretation of particularly the tearing of the temple veil in this hymn – together with the cosmic signs which occurred at the death of Jesus – is investigated. An attempt is made to correlate Ephrem’s fierce anti-Jewish polemics with the intentions of the authors of the Synoptic Gospels and with Ephrem’s circumstances at the probable time of composition of the hymn.en© 2015. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Syrian theologianEphrem the Syrian (c. 306–373 CE)Hymns on EasterHymn De Crucifixione 4Ephrem’s polemicsJewsHumanities articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationArticle