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Bible Encyclopedias
Ḥafz (Ibn al-Birr) al-Ḳuṭi
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia
or Author of the eleventh century, or earlier; according to Steinschneider, possibly identical with Ḥafz (Ḥefeẓ) b. Yaẓliaḥ. Ḥafz al-Ḳuṭi translated the Book of Psalms into Arabic rime. Moses ibn Ezra, in his "Kitab al-Muḥaḍarah," quotes a passage from the introduction, and Psalms 55:22-23 of this translation ("Bodl. Libr. Hunt.," No. 599; Neubauer, "Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS." No. 1974; see Schreiner in "R. E. J." 21:106). Steinschneider recognized a manuscript in the library of the Escurial ("Codex Ambros." No. 86, copied in 1625 by Colville) as this translation of Ḥafz al-Ḳuṭ As it contains evidences of Christian influence, Hammer designated Ḥafz as a "Jewish renegade"; for the same reason Neubauer makes him an Arabicor Syrian Christian, while Steinschneider maintains that the author was a Jew, and that the traces of Christian influence are due to later additions or emendations. Solomon ibn Gabirol quotes sentences of Ḥafz al-Ḳuṭ
The name "al-Ḳuṭi" is doubtful. In one instance the reading is "al-Fuṭi," which Schreiner (c.) regards as correct; "al-Ḳuṭi," however, appears more probable. It is generally supposed to mean "the Goth," e., the Spaniard, but according to Neubauer the author might have come from Ḳuṭ in Balkh (see Yaḳut's "Mushtarik," 4:251; but comp. Harkavy in "R. E. J." 30:318).
- Steinschneider, Hebr. Uebers. p. 312;
- idem, Arabische Literatur, §§ 62, 66;
- Schreiner, In R. E. J. 21:106, note 2;
- Neubauer, in R. E. J. 30:65;
- Graetz, Hist. 3:267;
- Bacher, in Winter and Wünsche, Jüdische Litteratur, 2:259.
These files are public domain.
Singer, Isidore, Ph.D, Projector and Managing Editor. Entry for 'Ḥafz (Ibn al-Birr) al-Ḳuṭi'. 1901 The Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/a/afz-ibn-al-birr-al-ui.html. 1901.
