Oseas and the Astrology in the Biblical Commentary by Abraham ibn `Ezra

Abstract

The originality of Abraham ibn ‘Ezra’ as Biblical commentator was the application of the scientific knowledge he acquired in Al-Andalus, specially astronomical knowledge, to the commentary of Biblical texts. In this scope is his interpretation of Os 2:10, where he considers the astral magic not only a contemporaneous practice of the prophet, but also of his own time. He builds his commentary around a corpus of
astronomical-astrological beliefs compatible with a neoplatonic philosophical system, that Ibn ‘Ezra’ originally introduces in the Jewish commentary, without seeing or looking for the conflict with the religion.