Page 182 - GQ 12

SUMMARIES 49*

4) The last discussion of the Resurrection is found in Saadya’s
commentary on the book of Isaiah, probably one of his latest works. The
Judaeo-Arabic text of the commentary on Is. 26:19 is published here with an
annotated Hebrew translation. The text is based mainly on the largest extant
fragment of this commentary comprising 110 folios which was identified by
the late Bruno Chiesa (held in the Russian National Library). This text is an
updated version of the first exegetical discussion.

The four parallel discussions may be divided into two groups, according
to genres and prospective readership. All four discussions are meant to
provide their readers with essential information on the Resurrection in the
Messianic Age. We have thus two exegetical discussions and two scientific-
philosophical ones. The exegetical discussions were aimed at a wider
audience, and their information is consequently of a more basic, succint
nature. The two philosophical discussions are of a much more advanced
and sophisticated nature, the later one especially so. This is a thoroughly
revised version: the logical structure is very different, some bizarre elements
have been eliminated, and there is a much clearer distinction between major
events and particular ramifications.

We know from other references in the Saadyan corpus that Saadya
believed that the events of the Messiancio Age were imminent. This can
explain his rather obsession with providing the Jewish readership a schedule,
as accurate and refined as possible, of these events.