MIDRASH
(Heb. “investigation”, cf. 2 Chr. 13: 22, where this term is translated “history”; pl.: “midrashim”). This name is given to a series of stories, sermons and commentaries, the oldest of which belong to the 2nd century AD, and the latest to the 6th century.
There is a compilation of midrashim from the 11th century, or, according to another authority, the 13th century, covering the entire OT. Its title is Yalkut Shim’õnî. There are several other collections of various of these rabbinical complements.
In them a fourfold system of interpretation is followed: (a) the literal, (b) the allegorical explanation, (c) the homiletic commentary, (d) the esoteric teaching.
Thus, from the plain meaning of the text, applications of all kinds are achieved, ranging from sober conceptions to extremely speculative ones lacking a solid basis.