On the Jewish Origin of the Historian Abū al-Faraj and the Relationship with the Title Ibn al-Ibrī

Abstract

The renowned thirteenth-century Syriac historian Gregory Abū al-Faraj was an encyclopaedic and prolific author, writing in fields as diverse as theology, history, literature and philosophy. This multifaceted approach makes him a forerunner of the Renaissance concept of “homo universalis”, embodying the quest for “universal knowledge”. Among his notable works, the Makhtebhanūth zabhne, written in Syriac by Abū al-Faraj, is a cornerstone of Turkish and Islamic historical studies. The article explores the semantic nuances behind his relativity, Ibn al-Ibri, and summarises the prevailing discussions. It also examines the claims made by European orientalists to Abū al-Faraj’s Jewish ancestry, as well as the counter-arguments put forward by opposing scholars. Most importantly, this article offers fresh and original insights into this complicated subject, thus broadening the discourse surrounding Abū al-Faraj’s background.

Keywords

• Abū al-Faraj
• the title Ibn al-Ibrī
• Hebrew language
• Jewish origin

Müverrih Ebü’l-Ferec’in Yahudi Kökeni ve İbnü’l-İbrī Nisbesi Hakkında

Öz

The renowned thirteenth-century Syriac historian Gregory Abū al-Faraj was an encyclopaedic and prolific author, writing in fields as diverse as theology, history, literature and philosophy. This multifaceted approach makes him a forerunner of the Renaissance concept of “homo universalis”, embodying the quest for “universal knowledge”. Among his notable works, the Makhtebhanūth zabhne, written in Syriac by Abū al-Faraj, is a cornerstone of Turkish and Islamic historical studies. The article explores the semantic nuances behind his relativity, Ibn al-Ibri, and summarises the prevailing discussions. It also examines the claims made by European orientalists to Abū al-Faraj’s Jewish ancestry, as well as the counter-arguments put forward by opposing scholars. Most importantly, this article offers fresh and original insights into this complicated subject, thus broadening the discourse surrounding Abū al-Faraj’s background.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Abū al-Faraj
• the title Ibn al-Ibrī
• Hebrew language
• Jewish origin

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