Greek (and Christian?) Sources in Ibn Ezra’s Commentary on Psalms

Abstract

This article observes that in his commentary on Psalms Abraham ibn Ezra interprets Psalm 19 in a manner reminiscent of Plato’s simile of the sun in Republic 6, and possibly also the parable of the cave. It proceeds to examine the possibility that Platonic influence on ibn Ezra derives not from Plato’s own work but from that of Philo, and that ibn Ezra was familiar with patristic and Philonic exegesis.