Understanding Peshat: Plain Meaning in the Hebrew Bible

The Hebrew Bible has been read and interpreted for millennia. Jews developed a rich hermeneutical tradition that includes multiple layers of meaning. At the foundation lies peshat, the simple, obvious, literal meaning of the text. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, peshat refers to the plain meaning of a biblical passage, while other methods—remez (hint), derash (interpretation) and sod (secret)—are built upon this foundation. Without first understanding the peshat, deeper interpretations risk becoming untethered from the author’s intent.

In my years as a Christian and later as a Messianic preacher, I was taught to find types, shadows and allegories everywhere. Numbers took on mystical significance and stories were mined for hidden prophecies. This approach often led to misreading the Hebrew text. By contrast, the peshat method calls us to read scripture in its historical and literary context. We ask: Who wrote this? When and why? What did these words mean to their original audience? Only after answering these questions should we explore non‑literal interpretations.

Honouring peshat can prevent misuse of scripture. For example, Christians often cite Isaiah 53 as a prophecy of a suffering messiah. Yet when we read the chapter in context, it describes the suffering of God’s servant—Israel—during exile. As Jewish commentators note, Isaiah speaks of the nation’s restoration, not of a future God‑man. Recognising this plain meaning does not eliminate personal or spiritual application, but it grounds interpretation in reality. Similarly, Psalm 22 is a lament by David, not a hidden narrative of crucifixion. Peshat invites us to appreciate the poetry without imposing foreign agendas.

Studying peshat helped me let go of numerology and speculative “prophecy fulfillment.” It taught me to respect the Hebrew Bible on its own terms and to learn from Jewish tradition rather than trying to Christianize it. Whether you are a believer or a seeker, taking time to understand the plain meaning of scripture can deepen your appreciation and guard against misinterpretation.

Related Books

To see the peshat method in action, explore these volumes from Frans Hansen’s series: