Word: exegesis

Associations

Exegesis is the critical interpretation or explanation of a text, especially religious scriptures. It often involves detailed analysis and commentary to uncover deeper meanings.

• In a Bible study, a pastor might provide exegesis to clarify the meaning of a complex scripture passage. This helps the congregation understand its relevance today.
• A scholar wrote an exegesis of a famous philosophical work, breaking down the arguments and offering insights that were not immediately clear.
• In a literary course, students may be asked to do an exegesis of a poem, examining themes, symbolism, and language to explain its significance. The main synonym for exegesis is "interpretation." However, exegesis is specific to a formal and often deep analysis of texts, particularly in religious or scholarly contexts, while interpretation can refer to a broader and less formal understanding.

Substitution

Instead of "exegesis," you might use:

• "analysis" when discussing a general breakdown of a text without the religious context.
• "commentary" when referring to explanations typically accompanying scriptures or legal documents.
• "interpretation" when talking about a general understanding or view of a text without the deep scholarly aspect.

Deconstruction

The word "exegesis" comes from the Greek word "exegeisthai," which means "to lead out of" or "to explain."

• The prefix "ex-" means "out of" or "from."
• The root "hegeisthai" means "to lead" or "to guide." This breakdown shows that exegesis is about leading the meaning out of a text for better understanding.

Inquiry

• How do you think exegesis might be different when applied to a religious text versus a work of literature?
• Can you think of a time when you needed to deeply analyze something to understand it better? How did you approach it?
• What challenges do you think someone might face when doing an exegesis on a complex text?