exégesis

Exegesis is the critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of the Bible. The term comes from the Greek word exēgēsis, meaning "to lead out" or "to draw out." Exegesis is concerned with understanding the meaning of a text as it was intended by its author and understood by its original audience. This involves a careful examination of the text's language, historical context, literary genre, and cultural background.

The process of exegesis typically involves several steps. First, a thorough reading of the text is undertaken to grasp its overall meaning. Then, the text is analyzed at a more detailed level, paying attention to individual words, phrases, and grammatical structures. Historical and cultural background information is researched to understand the world in which the text was written. Literary context, including the surrounding passages and the overall structure of the work, is also considered.

The goal of exegesis is to uncover the intended meaning of the text, distinguishing it from eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a text by reading one's own ideas or assumptions into it. Different theological traditions and academic disciplines may employ varying methodologies for exegesis, but the core principle remains the careful and scholarly engagement with the text itself. Exegetical methods are applied not only to religious texts but also to legal documents, literature, and any other form of written communication where precise understanding is paramount.