Four Levels of Meaning to the Scriptures

There are four levels to interpreting Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective. They are:
Peshat = Literal meaning; the plain, simple meaning of the text;
Remez = An implied deeper meaning below a surfave reading of the text; this includes an allegorical meaning; or, a cross-reference to other texts; or at a philosophical level
Derash = Moral or homiletic meaning; for example, a Biblical writer can take two or more seemingly unrelated verses and combine them to create a verse(s) with a third meaning; Scripture is to interpret Scripture; one caution, this level cannot be used to strip the verse of its peshat meaning; and
Sod = Mystical or secret meaning of the text.

I am of the opinion that everything begins at the peshat level. None of the other levels should be allowed to contradict the plain simple meaning of a text. I once had a man tell me that the Scriptures allowed for a release of the slaves every seven years. He then argued to me that he should be allowed to divorce his wife so he could be released from the bondage of slavery that resulted from the marriage. Obviously, the peshat meaning had nothing to do with the marriage covenant. Therefore, it was simple to point out the gross error of his interpretation of Scripture.

I have always been somewhat troubled by some interpretations at the derash level. Scriptures that use the same word or consonants are combined to create a meaning that while may not directly contradict the peshat level, it seems very far from the simple plain meaning. What is the point? The point is that I have found it best to focus on obtaining the plain and simple meaning of texts. By concentrating on that level, I believe you will stay grounded and not be as likely to fly off on some spiritual tangent as so many do.

Credit is given to www.nazarene.net for some of the definitions of the four levels of interpretations.