The Hebrew translation of Euclid's Elements ascribed to Rabbi Jacob: A new analysis following the "Discovery" of the arabic version in MS Paris, BULAC ARA. 606

Abstract

The Hebrew translation of Euclid's Elements ascribed to Rabbi Jacob is based on two leading sources. The definitions and the enunciations rely on an extant Arabic version which until recently was commonly considered to be a revision made by Thābit ibn Qurra of a translation by Isḥāq ibn Ḥunayn. The proofs and diagrams are based on a different version whose exact identity is unknown and had strong affinity to an Arabic version of the Elements axcribed to al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf ibn Maṭar. Focusing on the first six Books, this paper presents a fresh analysis of the sources and use of sources in Rabbi Jacob's translation, on the basis of a systematic comparison of this translation to the recently “discovered” new source of al-Ḥajjāj's work, namely the Arabic version of the Elements in MS Paris, BULAC ARA. 606.