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The characteristics of the covenant with David in Ps 89 are transferred to the patriarchs and their descendants in Ps 105 and Isa 41.1. Following up on the latter, especially Isa 42,1, one encounters the figure of the “servant” presented in Isa 42 as well as 49, in terms of the Mesopotamian year of liberation, when the servant receives the gift of the spirit. The title of משׁיח is also transferred to Cyrus in Isa 45,1, similarly from the perspective of the Mesopotamian year of liberation. The figure mentioned in Isa 61,1 appears like a disciple of the “servant,” but he too receives an anointing, described with the verb משׁח, related to the gift of the spirit. RÉSUMÉ Les caractéristiques de l’alliance avec David du Ps 89 sont transférées sur les patriarches et leurs descendants dans le Ps 105 ou en Is 41,8. En continuité nous relevons la figure du « serviteur » présentée en Is 42 et 49, dans la mentalité de l’année Mésopotamienne de libération, et il reçoit le don de l’esprit. Mais le titre de משׁיח est transféré sur Cyrus en Is 45,1, également dans la perspective de l’année Mésopotamienne de libération. Le personnage d’Is 61,1 apparaît comme un disciple du « serviteur », mais il reçoit également une onction, verbe משׁח, liée au don de l’esprit.

Written in 1425 by one of the participants in the Disputation of Tortosa (1413-1414), the Sefer ha-Iqqarim is one of the most important philosophical-theological writings of the 14th and 15th centuries. It was composed during the period comprised between the persecutions of 1391 and the expulsion of 1492 and characterised by the multitude of conversions. Like Sa‘adya Gaon, Maimonides and Hasdai Crescas – the latter being his teacher – Joseph Albo examines the “Principles” of Judaism, their relation with reason and their religious specificity. This reflection is constructed by means of references to the Jewish tradition, but also, in one particular context, by opposing everything that calls this tradition into question. Thus, references to Christianity, in various forms, are omnipresent in the Sefer ha-Iqqarim. A veritable “Defence and Illustration” of Judaism, the Sefer ha-Iqqarim cannot be reduced to its polemical dimension, yet this dimension should be taken into account for an exact appreciation of its purpose, reception and scope.

Written in 1425 by one of the participants in the Disputation of Tortosa (1413-1414), the Sefer ha-Iqqarim is one of the most important philosophical-theological writings of the 14th and 15th centuries. It was composed during the period comprised between the persecutions of 1391 and the expulsion of 1492 and characterised by the multitude of conversions. Like Sa‘adya Gaon, Maimonides and Hasdai Crescas – the latter being his teacher – Joseph Albo examines the “Principles” of Judaism, their relation with reason and their religious specificity. This reflection is constructed by means of references to the Jewish tradition, but also, in one particular context, by opposing everything that calls this tradition into question. Thus, references to Christianity, in various forms, are omnipresent in the Sefer ha-Iqqarim. A veritable “Defence and Illustration” of Judaism, the Sefer ha-Iqqarim cannot be reduced to its polemical dimension, yet this dimension should be taken into account for an exact appreciation of its purpose, reception and scope.