The word exegesis comes from the Greek and literally means to explain or interpret. In this way, an exegesis is any interpretation of a text. It must be remembered that exegesis and hermeneutics are synonymous terms, since both refer to the intellectual process by which the true meaning of a text is discovered. The person who performs this activity is known as an exegete.
Certain texts, especially those of the ancient world or those related to the Judeo-Christian tradition, cannot be read with conventional criteria. In fact, to understand its true meaning, it is necessary to know various questions: who wrote the text and what was their motivation, the historical context of the document and the possible symbolic elements that appear.
The exegete is someone who knows all the elements and keys that allow the correct interpretation of a text. When the exegete incorporates a personal assessment in his interpretation, an exegesis is not made but an eisegesis (exegesis implies an objective position and eisegesis is based on the subjectivity of the interpreter).
Biblical exegesis
Experts in the Holy Scriptures are faced with a complex task, to correctly interpret the meaning of the Gospels
In Jewish tradition exegetes are known as mefarshim, a term that means commentator. Today the Jewish communities continue to analyze sacred texts such as the Talmud or the Torah based on exegetical studies.
In the Christian tradition, the authentic meaning of the Holy Scriptures is also investigated. It must be taken into account that the Christian exegete, especially the Catholic, must accept the official Bible (the well-known Vulgate) and, on the other hand, value the interpretations of the Church Fathers (for example, Saint Thomas) and not forget that the sacred texts were written by the inspiration of God.
Legal exegesis
Legal texts not only expose a set of norms, but these norms have arisen in a determined social context and, therefore, require an adequate interpretation.
In this sense, legal exegesis is a stream of legal science.
The exegetical tradition arose in France in the nineteenth century when it was understood that law is not simply a matter of rules that fit a particular situation. Thus, those who advocate legal exegesis consider that legal texts must be adapted to the social context of each historical moment. In other words, a legal text without exegesis or interpretation becomes a formal document disconnected from reality.
