The karaite interpretation of the plural forms in Genesis 1.26, 3.5 and 3.22 compared to their classical rabbinic exposition

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25188/FLT-VoxScript(eISSN2447-7443)vXXVII.n2.p317-354.MO

Keywords:

Genesis 1.26, 3.5, 3.22, Karaite Judaism, Karaite Exegesis, Karaite Hermeneutics, Aaron ben Joseph, Aaron ben Elijah

Abstract

The present paper examines the history of the Karaite interpretation of the plural forms in Genesis 1.26, 3.5 and 3.22 pertinent to the Divine, situating it against the Rabbinic tradition. Furthermore, the present essay analyses how Karaite exegetes substantiated their views without recognising the authority of the Rabbinic texts such as Targumim, Midrashim or the Babylonian Talmud which elucidated such phenomena in the Tanakh. The study of the Karaite exegesis relies on the complete commentaries on the Pentateuch penned by Aaron ben Joseph and by Aaron ben Elijah.

Author Biography

  • Matthew Oseka, Concordia Theological Seminary

    Matthew OSEKA [岳誠軒], Th. D. (Christian Theological Academy, Warsaw / EU), lecturing at Concordia Theological Seminary, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Email: matthew.oseka@yahoo.com.

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Published

05-05-2025

Issue

Section

Articles on various theological and interdisciplinary topics

How to Cite

OSEKA, Matthew. The karaite interpretation of the plural forms in Genesis 1.26, 3.5 and 3.22 compared to their classical rabbinic exposition. Vox Scripturae - Revista Teológica Internacional, São Bento do Sul, SC, v. 27, n. 2, p. 317–354, 2025. DOI: 10.25188/FLT-VoxScript(eISSN2447-7443)vXXVII.n2.p317-354.MO. Disponível em: https://revistas.flt.edu.br/voxscripturae/article/view/18. Acesso em: 6 jun. 2026.