The first step we are going to take is to discover the etymological origin of the term exegesis that concerns us now. In this case, we can state that it is a word that derives from Greek, specifically from “exegesis” and that literally meant “to guide out.”
It is a word that translates as “story” . The term, which can also be pronounced with an accent on the third syllable ( exegesis ), refers to a disquisition , an elucidation or an explanation .
The concept of exegesis is used in reference to the critical interpretation of certain texts . The person who is dedicated to the development of this activity is known as an exegete .
Among the synonyms of exegesis we can highlight some such as explanation, interpretation, commentary, gloss, decoding or exposition, for example.
Exegesis consists of considering the text objectively to extract its meaning . Eisegesis , on the other hand, involves the inclusion of a subjective view in the interpretation that is made.
To carry out the exegesis, the most significant words must be analyzed and both the context of the production of the text and the context of the passage analyzed within the content must be studied. The purpose of the process is to develop another discourse in which the exegete's interpretation of the original text is presented.
Typically, exegesis is oriented towards the analysis of sacred texts . That is why it appears linked to religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In any case, it is also developed with legal texts .
In addition to all of the above, we cannot ignore that it is important for the exegete to carry out his work using different methodologies, among which the following stand out:
-Historical criticism, where you will be in charge of evaluating the biblical text in question taking into account the historical context in which it was created.
-Textual criticism, sticking to the text to be able to “reconstruct” it in a reliable, truthful and trustworthy way.
-Literary criticism, which would lead to having to study and analyze in depth from the composition and form of the text in question to the religious environment of the time.
Likewise, it is important that the exegete who is a believer will have to combine what his faith is with his methodical and rigorous work.
It should be noted that, by its very definition, exegesis can be used as a synonym for hermeneutics . According to the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), hermeneutics is the art consisting of the interpretation of texts, which is why it is a notion equivalent to the idea of exegesis.
However, there are theories that, although they recognize that exegesis and hermeneutics are very similar, there is something that differentiates them. Thus, it is determined that the first is the action that involves extracting the meaning that a specific biblical text has. On the contrary, they indicate that the second thing it is responsible for is describing the interpretation of that text.
Starting from this differentiation it would be clear that they are different things, but really complementary.
Although each specialist has his or her own thoughts on the matter, it can be argued that exegesis, in a general sense, requires understanding a text in its historical context and bringing its meaning to current terms.