Karaite
/ˈkɛərə.aɪt/noun
A member of Karaite Judaism, a Jewish tradition that recognizes the Hebrew Bible rather than rabbinic oral law as its highest religious authority.
Did you know?Karaite Judaism emerged prominently in the 8th–9th centuries and preserves distinctive practices, including calendar calculations based on scriptural interpretation rather than the rabbinic calendar.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*q-r-ʔ
“A reconstructed root associated with calling out or reading/reciting.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
קָרָא (qārāʾ)
“To call, proclaim, read, or recite aloud.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
מִקְרָא (miqrāʾ)
“A reading, proclamation, or public recitation; also a designation for a scriptural text or assembly.”
8th–9th Century
Hebrew
קְרָאִים (Qərāʾīm)
““Readers” or “Scripture-readers,” the name used by the movement’s adherents.”
19th Century
English
Karaite
“An English form referring to a member or characteristic of Karaite Judaism.”