Yefet ben Ali (Hebrew: יפת בן עלי הלוי) was perhaps the foremost Karaite commentator on the Bible, during the "Golden Age of Karaism". He lived during the 10th century, a native of Basra ( in present-day Iraq) Later in his life, he moved to Jerusalem, between 950 and 980, where he died. The Karaites distinguished him by the epithet maskil ha-Golah (teacher of the Exile).
His commentaries were written in Arabic, and covered the entire Tanakh. They were accompanied by a very literal translation of the Hebrew text, which often violated the rules of Arabic grammar. These writings influenced the rabbinical sage Abraham ibn Ezra, who quotes Yefet forty-two times in his commentary of the minor prophets.
Read more about Yefet Ben Ali: Approach, Exegesis, Influence, Other Works
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