Masarjawaih
In today's world, Masarjawaih has become a fundamental topic of discussion and debate. Its impact covers different aspects of society, culture and economy, generating great interest and curiosity in a wide spectrum of people. Since its emergence until today, Masarjawaih has captured the attention of researchers, academics, professionals and the general public, who seek to understand its scope and consequences. Over the years, Masarjawaih has been the subject of numerous studies and analyzes that have helped reveal its importance and relevance in various spheres. As we continue to explore and discover more about Masarjawaih, it is crucial to delve deeper into its most relevant aspects to understand its impact on today's world. This article seeks to offer a comprehensive view of Masarjawaih, addressing its many facets and providing an enriching perspective on this significant and influential topic.
Māsarjawaih (Arabic: ماسرجويه) was one of the earliest Jewish physicians of Persian[1] origin, and the earliest translator from the Syriac; he lived in Basra about 683 (Anno Hegirae 64). His name, distorted, has been transmitted in European sources; it has not yet been satisfactorily explained. Neuda (in "Orient, Lit." vi. 132) compares the name "Masarjawaih" with the Hebrew proper name "Mesharsheya"; but the ending "-waih" points to a Persian origin. The form "Masarjis" has been compared with the Christian proper name "Mar Serjis"; but it is not known that Masarjis embraced either Christianity or Islam.
Masarjawaih's son, who also was a translator, and was the author of two treatises (on colors and on foods), was called "'Isa", that is, "Jesus"; whose name indicates that this son had converted to Christianity.
Masarjawaih translated the medical Pandects of the archdeacon or presbyter Aaron of Alexandria (fl. c. 610–641) from the Syriac into Arabic and added to the thirty chapters of this translation two of his own. This is believed to be the first scientific book to have been translated into Arabic. He also wrote in Arabic two treatises, "The Virtues of Foods, Their Advantage and Their Disadvantage", and "The Virtues of the Medicinal Plants, Their Advantage and Their Disadvantage". None of these three writings has been preserved. Their contents, however, are known to a certain extent by quotations. How much Masarjawaih added to the translation of Aaron's pandects can hardly be decided, as the works themselves are preserved in fragments only.
Resources
- Gottheil, Richard and Max Schloessinger. "Masarjawaih". Jewish Encyclopedia. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901–1906; which gives the following bibliography:
- Steinschneider, in Z. D. M. G. liii. 428 et seq.;
- idem, Die Arabische Literatur, § 16, pp. 13 et seq. G. M. Sc.
See also
References
- ^ Hitti, Philip K. (1977). History of the Arabs from the earliest times to the present (10th ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-333-09871-4.
A Jewish physician of Persian origin, Masarjawayh of al-Basrah (...)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)
