EN
For many years, Karaite exegesis had been relatively unknown to numerousBiblical scholars. This situation has been changing with an increasingaccess to source materials. As a result, more and more Karaite exegeticaltreasures representing the trends of Karaite Judaism have come to the fore.One of them is the Commentary to the Book of Hosea by Yefet ben Eli, oneof Karaism’s tenth century most significant representatives. Yefet ben Eliexhibits a remarkable knowledge of Hebrew etymology which enables himto provide unique answers to interpretative problems in the Masoretic Text.His apologetic concern for prospective Muslim readers of his commentary is also noteworthy. Although, in general, Karaism sought to concentrate onthe literal sense of Scripture, Yefet ben Eli does not shy away from recourseto rabbinic oral tradition. Still, his exegetical contribution remains unique,as selected examples from his Commentary clearly show.