In the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:1-17), the Evangelist Matthew highlights four unusual female figures – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba – who have often remained marginal in early Christian tradition due to their morally or ethnically problematic backgrounds. This study examines their role in the works of Ephrem the Syrian, specifically in the Commentary on Genesis (Comm. in Gen.) and in the ninth hymn On the Nativity of Christ (HNat 9), with particular attention to emotional expression and its theological significance. Ephrem praises the first three women for their love of Christ, which opens interpretive possibilities for exploring themes of shame and bold love, desire and longing. Rather than condemning the actions of these women, as instruments of salvation. The analysis also highlights how the Syriac language subtly expresses the paradoxes of human emotions, where carnal desire intertwines with spiritual longing. In doing so, the study illuminates the specifically Syriac perception of emotional transformation through the use of paradox—a perspective that remains relevant for contemporary discussions on the role of emotion in theology, psychology, and literary studies.
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