exegesis
nounUK /ɛksɪˈdʒiːsɪs/ · US /ɛksɪˈd͡ʒisɪs/
Etymology Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐξήγησις (exḗgēsis, “interpretation”), from ἐξηγέομαι (exēgéomai, “to explain, interpret”), from ἐξ (ex, “out”) + ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai, “to lead, guide”).
1
A critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text.
- Accordingly Athanasius complains loudly of their exegesis (Ep. Æg. 3–4, cf. Orat. i. 8, 52), and insists (id. i. 54, cf. already de Decr. 14) on the primary necessity of always conscientiously studying the circumstances of time and place, the person addressed, the subject matter, and purpose of the writer, in order not to miss the true sense.1885, Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (original translators and editors), Arthur Cleveland Coxe (editor of American edition), Philip Schaff (also credited as editor), Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II:
- As with Deism and Materialism, the German Rationalism invaded the department of Biblical exegesis.1913, Francis Aveling, “Rationalism”, in Catholic Encyclopedia (1913):
3 more examples
- Historical scholarship bears exclusively on interpretive reading; when it is properly subordinated as a means, its end is exegesis; all of its techniques are of service to the grammatical art. But exegesis is not the end; nor is grammar the highest art. Exegesis is for the sake of a fair critical judgment, grammar for the sake of logic and rhetoric.1940, Mortimer J. Adler, Two Essays on Docility:
- It is a fitting device for an artist who has long seen herself as the creator of a parallel world: one where fans can go “down a rabbit hole,” as she has put it, hunting for clues to the star’s next move and subjecting her every word to endless exegesis.2025 October 16, Mitch Therieau, “Taylor Swift Is Our Biggest Cinematic Universe. But the Magic Is Fading.”, in The New York Times Magazine, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
- Influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and streaming sites […] dispense warnings about bops (those with many sexual partners), exegesis on the importance of body count (the number of people someone has slept with) and the dangers of simping (being excessively attentive or submissive to an uninterested love object), constructing entirely new categories by which to sort and judge potential mates.2026 March 3, Christine Emba, “The Reason Gen Z Isn’t Dating”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2
An explanatory note; a gloss.
- Related terms
- eisegesis, epexegesis, exegete, exegetic, exegetical, exegetics, exegetist, hermeneutics, textual criticism