The Book of Gleanings

The Book of the Bee

The Book of the Gleaners, also known as the Book of the Bee, was written in Syriac around 1222 by Solomon of Akhlat, bishop of Basra in the Church of the East. The Book is a compilation of theological and historical texts, as well as the thoughts, theories and beliefs of several leading theologians. It contains numerous biblical narratives on a variety of subjects, including creation, heaven and earth, angels, darkness, paradise, Old Testament patriarchs, New Testament events, lists of kings and patriarchs, and the last day of the resurrection. The book was very popular among local Christian communities, and was handed down until the 19th century. We preserve it here for its educational value.

Of God's Eternal Intention in Respect of the Creation of the Universe
Of the Creation of the Seven Natures (Substances) in Silence
Of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire
Of Heaven
Of the Angels
Of Darkness
Of Effused (Circumambient) Light
Of the Firmament
Of the Creation of Trees and Plants, and the Making of Seas and Rivers
Of the Making of the Luminaries
Of the Creation of Sea-Monsters, Fish, Winged Fowl, and the Reptiles That Are In the Seas
Of the Creation of Beasts and Animals
Of the Formation of Adam
Of the Making of Eve
Of The Garden
Of the Sin of Adam
Of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from The Garden
Of Adam's Knowing Eve
Of the Invention of the Instruments for Working in Iron
Of Noah and the Flood
Of Melchizedek
Of the Generations of Noah The children of Shem
Of the Succession of Generations from the Flood Until Now
Of the Building of the Tower and the Division of Tongues
Of Abraham
Of the Temptation of Job
Of the Blessings of Isaac
Of Joseph
Of Moses and the Children of Israel
The History of Moses Rod
Of Joshua The Son Of Nun, And Brief Notices Of The Years Of The Judges And The Kings Of The Children Of Israel
Of The Death Of The Prophets; How They Died, And (Where) Each One Of Them Was Buried
Of the Messianic Generations
Of the Annunciation of the Angel to Yônâkîr (Joachim) in Respect of Mary
Of the Annunciation by Gabriel to Mary of the Conception of Our Lord
Of the Birth of Our Lord in The Flesh
The Prophecy of Zârâdôsht Concerning Our Lord
Of the Star which appeared in the East on the Day of the Birth of our Lord
Of the coming of the Magi from Persia
Of our Lord's going down into Egypt
Of John the Baptist, and of the Baptism of Our Lord
Of Our Lord's Fast; of the Strife Which He Waged with the Devil; and Of the Mighty Deeds That He Wrought Chapter 45 Of The Resurrection of Our Lord
Of The Passover of Our Lord
Of The Passion of Our Lord
Of The Resurrection of Our Lord
Of The Ascension of Our Lord to Heaven
Of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the Upper Chamber
Of the Teaching of The Apostles, and of the Places of Each One of Them, and of Their Deaths
The Names of the Apostles in order
Of some Minor Matters
The Names of The Eastern Catholics, the Successors of The Apostles Addai and Mârî
The Names of the Kings who have Reigned in the World from the Flood until Now
Of the End of Times and the Change of Kingdoms; from the Book of Methodius, Bishop of Rome
Of Gog and Magog, who are imprisoned in the North
Of the Coming of the Antichrist, the Son of Perdition
Of Death and the Departure of the Soul from the Body
Of the Quickening and the General Resurrection, the Consummation of the Material World and the Beginning of the New World
Of the Manner and State in which Men will Rise in the Day of The Resurrection
Of The Happiness of The Righteous and the Torment of Sinners, and in What State they are
Whether Mercy will be Shewn to Sinners and the Devils in Gehenna, after they have been Tormented and Suffered and been Punished, or Not? And if Mercy is to be Shewn to Them, When will it Be?