Rabbi Nehemiah

Rabbinical Eras
Chazal Zugot Tannaim Amoraim Savoraim Geonim Rishonim Acharonim

Rabbi Nehemiah was an Israelite mathematician, circa AD 150 (during the Tannaim era, Fourth Generation).

He is attributed as the author of the Mishnat ha-Middot (ca. AD 150), making it the earliest known Hebrew text on geometry, although some historians assign the text to a later period by an unknown author.

The Mishnat ha-Middot argues against the common belief that the Bible defines the geometric ratio $π$ (pi) as being exactly equal to 3, based on the description in 1 Kings 7:23 (and 2 Chronicles 4:2) of the great bowl situated outside the Temple of Jerusalem as having a diameter of 10 cubits and a circumference of 30 cubits. He maintained that the diameter of the bowl was measured from the outside brim, while the circumference was measured along the inner brim, which with a brim that is one handbreadth wide (as described in the subsequent verses 1 Kings 7:24 and 2 Chronicles 4:3) yields a ratio from the circular rim closer to the actual value of $π$ .^[1]

References

↑ Petr Beckmann, A History of Pi, St. Martin's (1971).

Tannaim

Last Generation of Zugot Era	Hillel the Elder Shammai Bnei Bathyra Menahem Akabia ben Mahalalel Hananiah b. Hezekiah b. Garon

First Generation	Gamaliel I, the Elder Shimon ben Gamliel (I) Ishmael ben Elisha ha-Kohen Johanan ben Zakai Jonathan ben Uzziel Baba ben Buta Hanina Ben Dosa Hanina Segan ha-Kohanim Abba Saul ben Batnit Admon Dosa ben Harkinas Judah ben Bathyra Eliezer ben Jacob I Nahum the Mede

Second Generation (Destruction of the Second Temple and thereafter)	Gamaliel II Joshua ben Hananiah Eliezer ben Hurcanus Eleazar ben Arach Nehunya ben HaKanah Nachum Ish Gamzu Abba Hilkiah Rabbi Zadok

Third Generation	Rabbi Akiva Rabbi Tarfon Judah ben Bava Rabbi Ishmael Eleazar ben Azariah Jose the Galilean Eliezer ben Jose Haninah ben Teradion Johanan ben Baroka Simon ben Zoma Simeon ben Azzai Onkelos Hanina ben Antigonus Hanina ben Hakinai Yochanan ben Nuri Eleazar Chisma Elisha ben Abuyah Rabbi Ilai I Eleazar of Modi'im Halafta Haninah ben Ahi R. Joshua Abtolemus Jose ben Kisma Jeshbab the Scribe Aquila of Sinope Johanan ben Torta Eleazar ben Judah of Bartota Matteya ben Heresh Hanan the Egyptian Simeon the Yemenite

Fourth Generation	Shimon ben Gamaliel (II) Judah bar Ilai Jose ben Halafta Rabbi Jonathan Rabbi Meir (and wife Bruriah) Simeon bar Yochai Eleazar ben Shammua Rabbi Nehemiah Rabbi Nathan Joshua ben Karha Abba Saul Yochanan HaSandlar Phinehas ben Jair Simeon Shezuri

Fifth Generation	Judah I Huna Kamma Jose b. Judah Ishmael ben Jose Eleazar b. Simeon Simeon ben Eleazar Eleazar ha-Kappar Symmachus ben Joseph Issi ben Judah Bar Kappara Jose ben Zimra Levi ben Sisi Rabbi Bana'ah Simeon b. Menasya Yadua the Babylonian Joshua ben Levi

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Rabbi Nehemiah

See also

References