Jewish Bible interpretation flourished in the Middle Ages, especially between the 10th and 13th centuries. Contributing factors include the rise of literacy among the Jews of Islamic lands. The course covers diachronic developments in the transition from ancient to medieval exegetical models, as well as synchronic developments in the adoption of new exegetical and reading strategies found in the milieu of Qur’anic exegesis. We will focus on the “literal” or “Peshat” schools of Jewish Bible exegesis, as well as on radical Karaite reading strategies, and the emergence of new audiences. Source materials in the course include excerpts from the commentaries and the programmatic introductions of Saadia Gaon, the Karaite Yefet ben Eli,  Andalusian commentators (and their wider orbit of influence), such as Moses ibn Ezra, Abraham ibn Ezra.  Assessment: final exam.