What Is An Exegetical Essay?

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An exegetical paper is a type of essay that seeks to interpret or explain a certain Biblical text . There are two types of exegetical papers that students may be asked to write at Columbia but both follow the same basic procedure.

What’s an exegetical paper?

An exegesis paper offers a close, thoughtful analysis of one passage of scripture . The passage should generally be less than a chapter in length with an identifiable beginning and ending. Although you are offering interpretation of the passage, an exegetical paper is different from a sermon or Bible study.

How do you write an exegetical essay?

An exegesis can be structured like any other essay, with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph explores a single idea. For example, how a certain work inspired you to characterise your protagonist in a certain way, or, how you used symbolism to explore a certain theme.

How long is an exegetical paper?

The following outline is for a 10-13 page paper. If the professor requires less than 10 pages or more than 13 pages, be sure to proportion the various sections of the paper so that every element is included within the page limit.

What is a exegesis example?

Exegesis is defined as a critical analysis, interpretation or explanation of a written work. A critical academic approach to biblical scripture is an example of exegesis. ... An exposition or explanation of a text, especially a religious one.

What is an exegetical study?

According to the Anchor Bible Dictionary,” exegesis is the process of careful, analytical study of biblical passages undertaken in order to produce useful interpretations of those passages . Ideally, exegesis involves the analysis of the biblical text in the language of its original or earliest available form.”

What is an exegetical argument?

Exegesis is also known as argument reconstruction, and in this type of writing your task is to read through a text critically and then put the argument back together in your own words .

What are exegetical methods?

Exegetical method is a tool to help interpreters hear the passage and not impose inappropriate notions upon it . As with any other useful tool, exegesis takes time to learn how to use. ... Apart from utilizing the original biblical languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek it is impossible to do thorough exegesis.

What is the exegetical idea?

When stating the exegetical big idea, the preacher’s goal is to restate the truth of the Bible as accurately as possible in the ancient context . Thus, the exegetical big idea is best presented using terms such as “David,” “Paul,” “the Ephesians,” “the Israelites,” and so forth.

How do you start an exegesis paper?

Start by taking notes on the passage and making an outline for the essay . Then, write the exegesis using your interpretations and your research. Always revise the exegesis once you are done so it is at its best.

How do you write a thesis for an exegetical paper?

  1. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper.
  2. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
  3. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my paper is...”

What is the study of interpretation?

Hermeneutics is the study of interpretation. ... For example, in theology, Biblical hermeneutics concerns the general principles for the proper interpretation of the Bible.

What is the difference between Eisegesis and exegesis?

Exegesis is legitimate interpretation which “reads out of’ the text what the original author or authors meant to convey. Eisegesis, on the other hand, reads into the text what the interpreter wishes to find or thinks he finds there. It expresses the reader’s own subjective ideas, not the meaning which is in the text.

What is exegesis and why is it important?

exegesis, the critical interpretation of the biblical text to discover its intended meaning . ... To that extent the nonhistorical writings of the Bible are themselves critical interpretations of the sacred history, and in large measure they form the basis for all other biblical exegesis.

What are the 4 types of theology?

So what are the four types of theology? The four types include biblical theology, historical theology, systematic (or dogmatic) theology, and practical theology .

What is the purpose of exegesis?

The purpose of exegesis is thus to explain, not to distort or to conceal or to add; it is to let the original writer speak clearly through the modem interpreter , and not to make him say what he did not mean to say. If this is true, is there any reason or justifica- tion for speaking of “theological” exegesis?

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.