Definition

1. Noun:
   • An explanation or critical interpretation of a text, especially a religious or literary one: "Exegesis" refers to the detailed, scholarly explanation and interpretation of a text, most classically applied to sacred scriptures like the Bible. It involves analyzing the meaning, context, and intent behind the words.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The professor's exegesis of the ancient poem revealed layers of meaning we had missed.
  • Biblical exegesis requires knowledge of historical context and original languages.
  • Her paper provided a thorough exegesis of the key philosophical passage.

Advanced Usage

• "To perform an exegesis on": To conduct a detailed interpretation of a specific text.

  • The scholar spent years performing an exegesis on the newly discovered manuscript.

• "Hermeneutics and exegesis": Often used together, where "hermeneutics" refers to the theory and methodology of interpretation, and "exegesis" is the practical application of it.

  • The course covered both the hermeneutics of religious texts and their practical exegesis.

Variants and Related Words

• Exegete (n): A person skilled in exegesis; an interpreter, especially of religious texts.

  • The exegete offered a compelling reading of the parable.

• Exegetical (adj): Relating to or containing exegesis.

  • The book includes several exegetical notes in the margins.

• Eisegesis (n): The opposite process; interpreting a text by reading one's own ideas into it, rather than deriving meaning from the text itself.

  • His interpretation was criticized as eisegesis rather than sound exegesis.

Synonyms

• Interpretation: The action of explaining the meaning of something.
• Explication: The process of analyzing and developing an idea or principle in detail.
• Explanation: A statement or account that makes something clear.

Related Phrases

• Textual exegesis: Interpretation focused strictly on the words and structure of the text itself.
  • His approach favored rigorous textual exegesis over broader thematic analysis.

Related Idioms

• "A close exegesis": An interpretation that pays extremely careful attention to the details of the text.
  • The article is a close exegesis of the founding document, examining every clause.

Noun

1. an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)