IŠŌ'JAHB II. – Nestorian katholikos, born at Gēdālā, consecrated in 628 and died between 643 and 644. In a period troubled by the wars between the Persians and Heraclius and by the Arab invasion, he displayed uncommon ability. He appeared before Heraclius at Aleppo and, after making certain concessions to the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon, obtained permission to communicate in sacris with the Byzantines, which brought him reprimands from the fervent Nestorians. Then, in the face of the Muslims’ advance, he withdrew to Karkā de Bēt Sēlōk. I. left several writings of secondary interest.
BIBL.: A. Baumstark, Geschichte der syrischen Literatur, Bonn 1922, pp. 195–96. Ignazio Ortiz de Urbina