Yefet ben Eli on Proverbs 8: A Close Reading

• In Event: Medieval Biblical Interpretation

Abstract

Karaism was a sectarian movement that originated in the ninth century in the midst of Jewish communities under Islam. Yefet ben Eli, a member of the Karaite movement, lived and wrote in Jerusalem in the tenth century, the golden age of Karaite intellectual activity. He was an authoritative and prolific exegete who translated the entire Bible into Judaeo-Arabic and wrote a commentary on the entire Bible. Only a few commentaries were written on the Book of Proverbs by Jews who lived under Islam. Yefet’s commentary on Proverbs provides not only a unique Karaite perspective, but a unique work on Proverbs in its own right. It is a valuable source for the study of Yefet’s world views, theology and ethics. In his commentary on Proverbs 8 Yefet grapples with three fundamental theological matters, creation of the world, the existence of wisdom in this world, and the rank and role of angels in the world. Allowing the text to guide him, he presents a concise version of his theological principles concerning these topics. His commentary serves as a platform for his dialogues and polemics with the Rabbinic sages of antiquity as well as with his co-sectarian scholars. In addition, his commentary provides a window into his knowledge of contemporary science. In this paper we will take a close look at Yefet’s commentary on Proverbs 8 and learn about his position concerning these major theological issues.

author

• Ilana Sasson, Tel Aviv University