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).