Ji
Philosophy & Social Sciences

Jonah ibn Janah

Who

Jonah ibn Janah · Philosophy & Social Sciences

What

Physician and grammarian; his works laid the foundations of scientific Hebrew grammar and lexicography

When

c. 990, Córdoba, Al-Andalus (now Spain) — c. 1050, Zaragoza, Al-Andalus (now Spain)

Where

Al-Andalus (Spain)

Biography

Jonah ibn Janah is recognized among Jewish contributors to Philosophy & Social Sciences — Physician and grammarian; his works laid the foundations of scientific Hebrew grammar and lexicography

How & why

Jonah ibn Janah (Abu al-Walid Marwan ibn Janah) was a Jewish physician, grammarian and lexicographer of Muslim Spain whose Judeo-Arabic masterwork 'Kitab al-Tanqih' contained the first complete Hebrew grammar and dictionary of Classical Hebrew, laying the scientific foundations of Hebrew philology and syntax that shaped biblical exegesis for centuries. Trained in Córdoba, he settled in Zaragoza after the city's sack.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia

Contributions & Sources

Physician and grammarian; his works laid the foundations of scientific Hebrew grammar and lexicography

c. 985 CE

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia