The Arabic translation and commentary of Yefet ben Eli the Karaite on the Abraham narratives (Genesis 11:10-25:18) / / edition and by introduction by Marzena Zawanowska.

• Superior document: Etudes sur le judaisme medieval, t. 46
• TeilnehmendeR: Japheth ben Ali, ha-Levi, 10th cent.; Zawanowska, Marzena.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: Etudes sur le judaisme medieval ; t. 46.; Karaite texts and studies ; v. 4.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (594 p.)
• Notes: "Part III in back of book printed backwards."

This volume contains a critical edition of the Arabic translation and commentary on the Abraham narratives in the Book of Genesis (chs. 11-25) by the most prominent and prolific commentator of the Karaite “Golden Age,” Yefet ben ʻEli ha-Levi (10-11 C.E.). Yefet’s interpretation of the Abraham cycle establishes him as a highly original commentator and provides new insights into the history of exegesis of the book of Genesis. The edition is preceded by a comprehensive study of Yefet’s hermeneutic approach in comparison to that of other medieval commentators. Among the subjects discussed are Yefet’s view on the authorship of the Torah, his translation technique, literary aspects of his exegesis, and polemical overtones discernible in his commentary on Genesis. The study also includes a comprehensive survey of earlier commentaries on this book by other Karaite writers both prior to and contemporary with Yefet. \'This is a serious academic work which will find its place in research collections supporting biblical and Judaica scholarship.\' Randall C. Belinfante, American Sephardi Federation

Table of Contents

Front Matter -- Yefet and His Times -- Who Wrote the Torah? Yefet’s View on the Authorship of the Pentateuch -- In Quest of Truth: Yefet’s Hermeneutic Concepts -- Between the Holy Text and Its Unholy Context: Polemical Overtones in Yefet’s Commentary on Genesis -- Scripture as the Supreme Composition: Literary Aspects of Yefet’s Exegesis of Genesis -- The Limits of Literalism: Yefet’s Approach to Bible Translation -- Description of Manuscripts Employed for the Present Edition -- Editing of the Manuscripts -- Signs and Abbreviations Employed in the Critical Edition -- Bibliography -- Indexes -- Front Matter (pp. i*–xiii*) -- Text. Genesis 11:10–32 (pp. 3*–11*) -- Text. Genesis 12 (pp. 13*–28*) -- Text. Genesis 13 (pp. 29*–41*) -- Text. Genesis 14 (pp. 43*–61*) -- Text. Genesis 15 (pp. 63*–85*) -- Text. Genesis 16 (pp. 87*–98*) -- Text. Genesis 17 (pp. 99*–126*) -- Text. Genesis 18 (pp. 127*–150*) -- Text. Genesis 19 (pp. 151*–180*) -- Text. Genesis 20 (pp. 181*–191*) -- Text. Genesis 21 (pp. 193*–207*) -- Text. Genesis 22 (pp. 209*–229*) -- Text. Genesis 23 (pp. 231*–242*) -- Text. Genesis 24 (pp. 243*–271*) -- Text. Genesis 25:1–18 (pp. 273*–279*).