BIBLICAL EXEGESIS: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
This research guide is designed around the basic types of Bible resources available
to our students for beginning a biblical exegesis paper. Many instructors also design
their assignments with these basic research resources in mind. Therefore this guide
has several sections based on the most common types of Bible tools.
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Backgrounds
Commentaries
Journal Articles
Books
Overview
Be certain that you fully understand your professor’s instructions for your paper (often
an exegesis of a text), since there is room in the process for individual variations.
Needless to say, always follow your instructor's requirements and advice!
The typical steps involved in doing exegetical work can include the following:
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Establish or orient the context of the pericope in the Biblical book as a whole
Examine the historical context or setting
Analyze the text. This can involve literary, textual, grammatical, and/or lexical
analysis
Critical analysis: employing various critical methods to ask questions of the
texts
Theological analysis
Your analysis and/or application
Pericope
A pericope comes from the Greek language, meaning, "a cutting-out". It is a set of
verses that forms one coherent unit or thought, thus forming a short passage suitable
for public reading from a text, that usually refers to sacred scripture.
Steps in Writing an Exegesis Paper
Although your professor may have specific instructions that differ from what this guide
presents, here are the basic steps common to most exegesis papers. You may go
step-by-step, or jump to the topic of interest to you.
1. Choose a Passage
2. Examine the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Background
3. Perform Exegesis of Each Verse
4. Offer an Overall Interpretation
5. Provide an Application of the Passage
There is an additional thing you need to consider:
* Document Your Sources Correctly (See Citing Materials tab above).
First, Choose a Passage.