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Philosophy & Social Sciences

Menahem ben Saruq

Who

Menahem ben Saruq · Philosophy & Social Sciences

What

Grammarian and lexicographer; compiled the 'Mahberet', the first dictionary of Biblical Hebrew written in Hebrew

When

c. 920, Tortosa, Al-Andalus (now Catalonia, Spain) — c. 970, Córdoba, Al-Andalus (now Spain)

Where

Al-Andalus (Córdoba)

Biography

Menahem ben Saruq is recognized among Jewish contributors to Philosophy & Social Sciences — Grammarian and lexicographer; compiled the 'Mahberet', the first dictionary of Biblical Hebrew written in Hebrew

How & why

Jewish Hebrew grammarian, lexicographer and poet in the Córdoba of the Caliphate, working under the patronage of the statesman Hasdai ibn Shaprut. He compiled the 'Mahberet,' the first dictionary of Biblical Hebrew composed in Hebrew — a foundational work of medieval Hebrew philology, later fiercely debated with his rival Dunash ben Labrat.

Sources & external links
Contributions & Sources

Grammarian and lexicographer; compiled the 'Mahberet', the first dictionary of Biblical Hebrew written in Hebrew

c. 920 CE

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia