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Caught In A Compromising Position: The Biblical Exegesis And Characterization Of Biblical Protagonists In Syriac Dialogue Hymns, Kristi Upson-Saia

Kristi Upson-Saia

Syriac Dialogue hymns have been an important part of East and West Syriac liturgy since at least the middle of the century CE. The hymns perform a distinctive method of biblical interpretation "freeze frame" exegesis that expands biblical narratives in order to garner scriptural support for contemporary Christological positions. While providing useful theological training, however, the hymns convey several compromised portrayals of biblical protagonists, which are striking when compared with Greek and Latin treatments of the same figures.