An exegesis is an explanation and interpretation of a piece of writing, especially a religious piece of writing, after very careful study.
[formal]
...the kind of academic exegesis at which Isaacs excels.
...a substantial exegesis of his work. [+ of]
Synonyms: explanation, interpretation, clarification, exposition More Synonyms of exegesis
exegesis in British English
(ˌɛksɪˈdʒiːsɪs)
nounWord forms: plural-ses (-siːz)
explanation or critical interpretation of a text, esp of the Bible
Compare eisegesis
Word origin
C17: from Greek, from exēgeisthai to interpret, from ex-1 + hēgeisthai to guide
exegesis in American English
(ˌɛksəˈdʒisɪs)
nounWord forms: pluralˌexeˈgeˌses (ˌɛksəˈdʒiˌsiz)
explanation, critical analysis, or interpretation of a word, literary passage, etc., esp. in the Bible
Derived forms
exegetic (ˌexeˈgetic) (ˌɛksəˈdʒɛtɪk)
adjective or ˌexeˈgetical
exegetically (ˌexeˈgetically)
adverb
Word origin
Gr exēgēsis, explanation < exēgeisthai, to lead, explain < ex-, out + hēgeisthai, to lead, guide < IE base *seg-, *sag-, to trace, suspect > seek, L sagire, to perceive quickly
Examples of 'exegesis' in a sentence
exegesis
Think of biblical exegesis as the wine.
Christianity Today (2000)
In the midst of the much bigger structured arguments lie countless examples of significant exegesis on specific biblical passages.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
(noun)
Definition
explanation of a text, esp. of the Bible
a substantial exegesis of his work
Synonyms
explanation
his lucid explanation of the mysteries of cricket
interpretation
the interpretation of the scriptures
clarification
I have written to the union asking for clarification of my position.
exposition
Her speech was an exposition of her beliefs in freedom and justice.
explication
his explication of the major concepts of modern physics
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clarification
I have written to the union asking for clarification of my position.
Synonyms
explanation,
interpretation,
exposition,
illumination,
simplification,
elucidation
in the sense of explication
his explication of the major concepts of modern physics
Synonyms
explanation,
resolution,
demonstration,
description,
definition,
interpretation,
illustration,
clarification,
exposition,
simplification,
elucidation
in the sense of exposition
Definition
a systematic explanation of a subject
Her speech was an exposition of her beliefs in freedom and justice.