noun

exegesis

ek-suh-JEE-sis

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Exegesis (noun) means a close, systematic explanation of a text, especially a religious one, aimed at drawing out what it actually says and meant to its first readers. Example: “His exegesis of the passage draws on the original Hebrew.”

noun

A close, systematic explanation of a text, especially a religious one, aimed at drawing out what it actually says and meant to its first readers.

"His exegesis of the passage draws on the original Hebrew."

"The seminar was devoted to the exegesis of a single chapter."

academic A detailed critical explanation of any difficult work, such as a poem, a law or a philosophical argument.

"The judgment includes a long exegesis of the disputed clause."

How to use exegesis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA careful, detailed explanation of what a piece of writing means.

When to use it

Scholarly and theological; in general writing 'interpretation' or 'analysis' reads better.

Memory tip

Note the pronunciation: the middle syllable is 'JEE', not 'GEE' as in 'get'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

eisegesis hermeneutics → exodus → genesis →

Common pairings

biblical exegesis exegesis of the text careful exegesis exegesis and commentary

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “exegesis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

His _____ of the passage draws on the original Hebrew.

Etymology

From Greek exēgēsis ('interpretation'), from exēgeisthai ('to lead out, explain'), from ex ('out') plus hēgeisthai ('to lead').

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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interpretation explication commentary analysis

Related words

research review reading version analysis comment description definition

Rhymes for exegesis

thesis nemesis genesis diaeresis anamnesis apheresis synthesis antithesis epenthesis hypothesis prosthesis abiogenesis

See all rhymes for exegesis →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?

Exegesis draws meaning out of a text by attending to its language, context and original audience. Eisegesis reads meaning into a text, projecting the reader's own assumptions onto it. The first is the goal of scholarship; the second is the error it tries to avoid.

What is the difference between exegesis and hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics is the theory: the principles and methods that govern how texts should be interpreted. Exegesis is the practice: applying those principles to a particular passage. You use hermeneutics to do exegesis.

What is the plural of 'exegesis'?

'Exegeses', pronounced ek-suh-JEE-seez, following the Greek pattern seen in 'thesis' and 'theses'. The adjective is 'exegetical'.

What is the meaning of exegesis?

"exegesis" (noun) means a close, systematic explanation of a text, especially a religious one, aimed at drawing out what it actually says and meant to its first readers.

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