SYRIAC VERSIONS (syr'i-ac vEr'shilns).
The old Syriac version of the Scriptures is often called the Peshito; a term in Syriac which signifies simple or single, and which is applied to this version to mark its freedom from glosses and allegorical modes of interpretation (Haver nick, Einleit. Erst. Theil. zweite Abtheil. S. 9o). The time when the Peshito was made cannot now be certainly known. Various traditions re specting its origin have been current among the Syrians, which partake of the fabulous. Jacob of Edessa, in a passage communicated by Greg ory Bar Hebraus, speaks of 'those translators who were sent to Palestine by the apostle Thaddeus, and by Abgarus king of Edessa' (Wiseman, flora. Syriaccr, p. to3). This statement is not improba ble. There is no good ground for absolutely re jecting it. It is true that other accounts are re peated by Bar Hebrzeus, which must be pronounced fabulous ; but the present does not wear the same aspect. Ephrem the Syrian, who lived in the fourth
century, refers to the translation before us in such a manner as implies its high antiquity. It was universally circulated among the Syrians in his time ; and, accordingly, he speaks of it as OUR version, which he would scarcely have done had it not then obtained general authority. Besides, it has been shown by Wiseman, that many ex pressions in it were either unintelligible to Eph rem, or at least obscure. Hence this father deemed it necessary to give an explanation of many terms and phrases for the benefit of his countrymen. Such circumstances are favorable to the idea of an early origin. Perhaps it was made in the first century, agreeably to the tradi tion in Jacob of Edessa.