Written by Joshua Schachterle, Ph.D
Edited by Laura Robinson, Ph.D.
Posted to Bart Ehrman’s site August 31, 2024
In the vast field of textual analyses of the Bible, few concepts are as crucial and basic as exegesis. Exegesis is fundamentally about moving from a mere surface-level understanding to deeper, more nuanced insights. [Based on your hermeneutics; i.e. your presuppositions.]
Exegesis (pronounced ek·suh·jee·sis)
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More extracts follow.
Exegesis is meant to take someone from ignorance about a text to knowledge through interpretation. [See his explanation at the end of this post of the difference between hermeneutics and exegesis. i.e. once you decide your suppositions then you interpret the text…my words]
In this article, I’ll give an exegesis definition and explain its history, and methodology, offering a glimpse into its evolution over the centuries. By understanding these elements, readers can gain a more profound appreciation of how biblical texts are analyzed and the importance of rigorous, thoughtful interpretation.
Seven Mistakes to Avoid While Doing Exegesis
- Forgetting that the Bible was originally addressed to ancient readers.
When we interpret biblical writings, it’s important to remember that we were not the authors’ intended audience. We are therefore what Hayes and Holladay call “third-party readers,” trying to understand earlier conversations which had nothing to do with our time and place.
- Forgetting that the Bible was written in ancient languages.
Any reading of the Bible in a modern language like English is a translation and, therefore, an interpretation. For English, I highly recommend the NRSV translation, made by teams of reputable scholars well-versed in the ancient biblical languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
- Forgetting that there is a huge cultural gap between the biblical authors and us.
There is plenty of information out there about the ancient cultures in which these texts were written. Take advantage of free websites like Bible Odyssey and other resources to learn about them.
- Forgetting the massive time gap between the biblical authors and us.
Read up on the history of the time periods in which biblical texts were written to understand better the authors’ contexts and assumptions.
- Forgetting that many biblical books were written collectively over time.
Some books of the Bible had parts written in different historical eras. The first half of Isaiah, for example, was written in the 6th century BCE while chapters 40-66 were written in the 8th century BCE. These were very different eras and relied on different assumptions and historical situations.
- Forgetting that we don’t have original manuscripts of any biblical text.
Every manuscript we have of a biblical book is a copy of a copy of a copy, on and on. Fortunately, we have the work of textual critics to help us know what the originals (probably) said.
- Forgetting that the Bible is loaded with centuries of traditional interpretations.
What is exegesis in simple terms, and is it the same as or different from hermeneutics?
As I said at the beginning, hermeneutics is the field of study concerned with types or methods of interpretation. Exegesis, on the other hand, is the actual act of deriving meaning from a text by using those methods. So in order to do biblical exegesis, you first decide what hermeneutic you will use to interpret the text.
