The Arabic Counterpart of the Byzantine Karaite Treatise Marpe la-ʿAṣem

The article investigates the Arabic source text underlying Marpe la-ʿAṣem, a significant eleventh-century Byzantine Karaite Hebrew theological manual rooted in Baṣran Muʿtazila doctrine. It highlights the treatise’s role within the broader ‘Byzantine Karaite Literary Project’, focusing on its dependence on Arabic models and its adaptation to suit Hebrew-speaking audiences. The study identifies and compares fragments of the Arabic source with the Hebrew text, demonstrating shared structures and content, particularly in sections on divine justice, prophecy, and eschatology. The Hebrew adaptation exhibits creative modifications, including explanatory notes and illustrative examples tailored to a pedagogical context. By reconstructing these interconnections, the research underscores the significance of Arabic compositions in shaping Karaite theological discourse and sheds light on the translation and adaptation practices of Byzantine Karaite scholars.