Several early Christian texts written in Syriac reflect this feminine portrayal of the Holy Spirit:
The Odes of Solomon (2nd Century)
An early Christian hymn collection, likely written in Syriac, describes the Holy Spirit with maternal imagery.
Ode 19:6-7 refers to the Holy Spirit as the believer’s mother:
"The Spirit opened her bosom, and mixed the milk of the two breasts of the Father. And she gave the mixture to the generation without their knowing."
The Gospel of the Hebrews (2nd Century)
This early Jewish-Christian gospel reportedly records Jesus referring to the Holy Spirit as His Mother:
"Even so did my Mother, the Holy Spirit, take me by one of my hairs and carry me away to the great mountain Tabor."
(Quoted by Origen, 3rd century)
Acts of Thomas (3rd Century)
This apocryphal text, widely circulated in Syriac-speaking churches, describes the Holy Spirit as a mother figure who gives birth to spiritual life.
Aphrahat the Persian Sage (c. 270–345 AD)
One of the earliest Syriac church fathers, Aphrahat, uses feminine language for the Holy Spirit.
He describes the Spirit as a mother nurturing believers.
Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306–373 AD)
The greatest Syriac hymn writer, Ephrem, uses maternal language for the Holy Spirit.
He speaks of the Spirit as a nurturing mother, just as the church is seen as a mother to believers.
2. Why Did the Early Syriac Church Use Feminine Language for the Holy Spirit?
A. Linguistic Reasons
In Syriac, the word "Ruḥa" (Spirit) is grammatically feminine, so early Syriac Christians naturally referred to the Spirit as "she."
B. Theological & Symbolic Reasons
Syriac writers often used motherly metaphors for the Holy Spirit to highlight:
The Spirit's role in giving spiritual birth (John 3:5-6).
The Spirit as a comforter and nurturer (John 14:26).
The Spirit’s connection to wisdom (Chokhmah, ܚܟܡܬܐ), which is also feminine in Hebrew and Syriac.
3. How Did This Change?
By the 4th–5th centuries, Greek and Latin theology became more dominant.
In Greek, the word for Spirit (Pneuma, Πνεῦμα) is neuter.
In Latin, the word for Spirit (Spiritus) is masculine.
As Greek and Latin theological writings influenced the church, masculine references to the Holy Spirit became the norm, especially in the West.
4. Conclusion: The Holy Spirit as "She" in Early Syriac Christianity
✅ The earliest Syriac-speaking Christians referred to the Holy Spirit as feminine due to linguistic and theological reasons.
✅ Many early Syriac texts describe the Holy Spirit using motherly imagery.
✅ This gradually changed when Greek and Latin influences became dominant.