| exegesis |
| Definition: Explaining or interpreting a text, especially scripture. Note: Those who do this are called exegetes. |
| Example: What God is saying in this passage is …. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Greek exegeisthai, explain or interpret (from ex, out + hegeisthai, to lead or guide). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first OED citation in this sense is from 1823: "Exegesis, an explication of words or an elucidation of sentences." (in Crabb, Technology Dictionary) |