Early Tenth-Century Judaeo-Arabic Exegesis on the Visit to Abraham

The article presents a critical edition of a passage from Jacob al-Qirqisānī’s Kitāb al-Riyāḍ wa-l-Ḥadāʾiq that contains his Judaeo-Arabic commentary on Genesis 18:1–15, analysing the text. The commentary examines the classic exegetical question regarding the relationship between the appearance of the Lord to Abraham and the approach of the three men. Al-Qirqisānī evaluates interpretations that consider the men to be angels, humans, or a combination of both, highlighting their roles and significance. He also addresses Sarah’s laughter upon hearing the promise of a son, reinterpreting her response to maintain her moral integrity. By synthesising earlier and contemporaneous views, including refutations of alternative opinions, the text demonstrates a rationalist method grounded in scriptural and linguistic analysis. The study contextualises this work within Karaite biblical exegesis and underscores its role in the intellectual and theological traditions of the Islamic East.