Characteristic features of malbim's interpretive method in the light of his commentary to i samuel 8

The article presents characteristic features of the interpretive method of Malbim (1809-1879), by examining his commentary to a single consecutive text - I Samuel 8. The article presents eight such features: Malbim's questions as background for the commentary, the attitude to the Rabbis, the attitude to earlier commentators, the search for coherence, the perception of the monarchy, binary oppositions, distinguishing between synonyms, and psychological interpretation (i.e., Samuel's motives). Malbim is seen to be an original commentator, in his novel understandings of Rabbinic dicta as in his Bible commentary.