# exegesis

/ɛɡzɪdʒˈiːsɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exegesis
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

a careful explanation of a difficult text, especially a religious book like the Bible. You use it when someone studies the words closely to show what they really mean.

For teachers: a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture. Often contrasts with eisegesis, which reads meaning into a text rather than drawing meaning out of it.

## Examples

- The teacher gives a short exegesis of the poem.
- In Sunday school, the pastor offers an exegesis of the passage to explain its historical background.
- Her published exegesis traces the parable through early manuscripts, showing how translation choices shaped later readings of mercy and duty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.