Rashi will frequentlly make a comment by making broad database inquiries. A database inquiry is simply a question a31ressed to a large databank---typically a large collection of verses. Thus database methods typically span many diverse verses.

In todays query we ask When one person excels in a group how does the Bible record the history of the group/person?

The answer we find is that
• The Bible at least mentions everyone in the group--typically for only a verse or two
• By contrast, the Bible devotes alot of text to the person who excels

Rashi brings the following examples
• Gn05, Gn06 record the 10 generations from Adam to Noach. Each generation has 3 verses. But the story of Noach has many verses. Here Noach is indicated as excelling in the group since he is declared as rigtheous in his generation (Gn06-09).
• Gn11, Gn12 record the 10 generations from Noach to Abraham. These generations typically have 3 verses each. But the story of Abraham has many verses. Here Abraham excels as walking in God's ways.
• Gn36, Gn37 record the genealogies and history of Esauv and Jacob. The genealogies and history of Esauv are terse; whole stories are often only hinted at in a few verses; but the genealogies and stories of Jacob are dealt with in many verses. Here Jacob excels as one of the Patriarchs.

Advanced Rashi:The above examples were brought by Rashi. To these examples I supplement the following further examples.
• Nu07 and Nu08 describe the gifts at the consecration of the Wilderness Temple. The gifts of each of the tribes occupies 6 verses. The contribution of Aaron occupies a whole chapter. Here Aaron excels as the High Priest.
• 1C01 thru 1C12 deal quickly with all of human history to King David's time. By contrast 1C13 thru 1C17 are slow paced, describing the beginning of the centralization of temple worship under King David's reign. Here King David excelled.

This approach, of taking Rashi's basic method, database queries, and supplementing Rashi's examples with one's own examples, is exemplary of superior study of Rashi. We encourage all students of Rashi to attempt commentary extension since it is an enriching interpretive experience.

Verse Gn37-31a discussing the cover-up of the sale of Joseph states And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a goat's kid, and dipped the coat in the blood; Rashi comments: They chose a goat's kid because goat's blood resembles human blood. Consequently by dipping Joseph's coat in blood they made it reasonably appear that Joseph had been murdered.

Rashi here, does not comment on
• the meaning of words
• grammatical niceties
• comparisons with other verses
Rather Rashi simply gives background material to enrich the text. The background material does not however come from other verses, grammar or word meanings. When Rashi's comment give background material we say Rashi uses the spreadsheet method since spreadsheets are a good example of meaningful commentary that emanates from non-verse methods.

Advanced Rashi: The above Rashi comment can be enriched by noting that Jacob was a master shepard. Jacob was undoubtedly familiar with wolf and sheep blood. Indeed, he frequently lost sheep to hunting animals. He would detect a subterfuge! Therefore the cover up had to be perfect. The brothers therefore chose goat's blood since it highly resembles human blood.