Jacob Ben Jeremiah Mattithiah Ha-Levi

German translator of the seventeenth century. He translated into Judæo-German Abraham Jagel's "Leḳaḥ Ṭob" (Amsterdam, 1675; Wilmersdorf, 1714; Jesnitz, 1719) and the "Sefer ha-Yashar" (under the title "Tam we-Yashar"; Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1674; frequently reprinted). The latter work contains Biblical history from Adam to the period of the Judges, with haggadic elaboration (see Zunz, "G. V." p. 163). After every paragraph a short résumé of the content and the moral application of the story of the section are given. The early editions contain also extracts from Abraham Zacuto's "Sefer Yuḥasin" and from Eleazar Askari's "Sefer Ḥaredim," together with various prayers (in German).

Bibliography:

  * Benjacob, Oẓar ha-Sefarim, p. 233;
  * Fürst, Bibl. Jud. ii. 20;
  * Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. col. 1222;
  * idem, Jewish Literature, p. 223.



D. M. Sc.