The “anticipation principle” in the biblical commentary of r. Joseph bekhor shor

One of the fundamental principles adhered to by the disciples of Rashi – the proponents of the peshat (“literalist”) school of biblical commentary that flourished in northern France during the Middle Ages – was to interpret the Bible from within itself. A direct consequence of this quest to understand the Bible on its own terms without using any external material was the genesis of the “anticipation principle” – one of the most important characteristics of the peshat school. While this principle is associated mainly with Rashbam, a comprehensive review of the biblical commentary of R. Joseph Bekhor Shor demonstrates that his exegesis recognizes and uses the principle of anticipation as well. R. Bekhor Shor frequently consults Rashbam’s commentary on the Bible, and a proper understanding of his attitude towards the principle of anticipation requires a comparison of his commentaries to those of Rashbam. This comparison reveals that while on the one hand Bekhor Shor accepts Rashbam’s principle with some exceptions, on the other hand his exegetical choices show clear evidence of his independence and unique approach to the biblical text.