Moses Shirvani

Moses Shirvani was a Jewish writer of literary significance, notable for his contributions to the field of lexicography. In 1459, he authored a Hebrew/Aramaic–Persian dictionary, titled Agron, in Shirvan. This work was designed to facilitate the study of the Bible, and as such, it incorporated a substantial amount of biblical vocabulary. The title of the dictionary is derived from a similar work by the esteemed Saadia Gaon, highlighting the influence of preceding scholars on Shirvani's efforts.

Shirvani's Agron is organized primarily according to Hebrew roots and nouns, demonstrating a systematic approach to language. Although the dictionary has not survived in its complete form, existing manuscripts attest to its significance. Despite the incomplete nature of the surviving texts, the Agron remains an important example of Jewish literary production in the region of Shirvan during the medieval period. Through his work, Shirvani has left a lasting legacy in the realm of Hebrew language studies and biblical scholarship.