This volume comprises an edition and translation of the oldest-known programmatic Karaite commentary on the book of Esther. This mid-10th-century work offers fascinating insight—explored in our introduction—into the exegetical method and homiletical mindset of one of early’s Karaism’s central figures.

Preface Transliteration Tables Introduction Overview: Salmon’s Exegetical Enterprise Methods and Themes in Salmon’s Commentary on Esther  1 The Linguistic-Contextual Foundation  2 Homiletical Themes  3 Polemics in the Service of Piety  4 Circumspect Use of Previous Sources The Reception of Salmon’s Commentary on Esther  1 In Judaeo-Arabic Exegetical Tradition  2 In Hebrew Exegetical Tradition Written Witnesses Employed for the Present Edition  1 Primary Witnesses to Salmon’s Commentary on Esther  2 Secondary Witnesses to Salmon’s Commentary on Esther: Judaeo-Arabic Reworkings, Citations, and Shared Sources  3 Relationship of the Manuscript Witnesses Editorial Method  1 The Basic Text and General Principles  2 The Apparatuses Some Methodological Remarks on the Annotated English Translation Signs, Sigla, and Abbreviations English Translation English Translation Appendix1: Two Judaeo-Arabic Reworkings of Salmon’s Commentary on the Book of Esther Appendix2: Salmon’s Linguistic Terminology: A Preliminary Inventory Appendix3: Abū Yūsuf Yaʿqūb b. Isḥāq al-Qirqisānī, Kitāb al-anwār wa-ʾl-marāqib, SectionIX, Chapters15–17 Bibliographical Abbreviations Index of Manuscripts Index of Hebrew Bible Index of Rabbinic Literature Index of Medieval and Early-Modern Authors and Works General Index Plates The Edited Text The Edited Text