The First References in Hebrew to al-Biṭrūjī's On the Principles of Astronomy

The first references in Hebrew to al-Biṭrūjī's On the Principles of Astronomy, which are found in Samuel Ibn Tibbon's Peruš ha-millot ha-zarot, Commentary on Ecclesiastes, and Maʾamar yiqqawu ha-mayim, are identified and discussed briefly. These references are placed in the context of the history of al-Biṭrūjī's influence on medieval Jewish philosophy and science. The significance of Ibn Tibbon's discussion of al- Biṭrūjī and astronomy in general, in connection with Ezekiel 1 and the "work of the chariot," is considered. Annotated translations of each of the texts are provided, along with an edition of the previously unpublished Hebrew text from the Commentary on Ecclesiastes.