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What is exegesis?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

Exegesis refers to the grammatical study of the Word of God. It is the study of individual words and how those words are put together in sentences and paragraphs. To exegete is to lead or bring out of a passage what is there.

Because the Bible is inspired by God the Holy Spirit, every word is important. For example, the exact word used in Exodus 20:13, ratsach, refers specifically to premeditated murder, which clarifies that the commandment is better translated as, "You shall not commit homicide."

Effective exegesis requires studying in context. To understand words, one must study the surrounding sentences and verses; to understand verses, one must study them in light of the chapters and the scheme of the entire book.

Also asked: What is meant by grammatical Bible interpretation?
Also asked, more loosely
How do I properly study and understand each word in the Word of God? · Can every single word in the Bible be significant, or are some words more important than others?

Source: The Basics The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Exegesis' (printed pp. 59, 61) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

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Exegesis

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Scripture this answer rests on

Scripture the book prints on the pages this answer was drawn from. The passages printed closest to it are shown, in Bible order.

Exodus 20:13What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.61
Also printed on these pages
Matthew 16:28What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.61
Matthew 17What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.61
1 Corinthians 2:9What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.61

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

p.61p.59p.60

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.