Exegesis versus Eisegesis

“Hermeneutics” is a common word in theological and biblical studies, but we don’t use it often in our daily lives. Many of us will notice that the word “hermeneutics” derives from the family of Greek terms that includes the name “Hermes,” the mythological messenger of the gods. The word itself derives from the verb hermeneuo, which means “interpret” or “explain.” So, broadly speaking when we refer to hermeneutics, we have in mind the interpretation or explanation of some kind of message or communication.

In general, biblical interpreters distinguish two ways of investigating Scripture: exegesis and eisegesis. Exegesis comes from a Greek term meaning “led out of” or “derived from” and means to pull out or derive meaning from a text, especially by looking at things like the historical context, literary forms, use of grammar and vocabulary, theological setting, and so on. Although there are many things we might say about exegesis, for now, we just want to point out that the exegesis we’ve done in the past helps prepare us for the task of interpretation.

By contrast, eisegesis has the connotations of “led into” or “put into.” It means to read meaning into a passage. Scientifically-oriented biblical interpreters work very hard to avoid eisegesis. Instead, they employ principles of interpretation that they believe will ensure them of exegetical, not eisegetical, understandings of Scripture.

Every involvement we have with the exegesis of Scripture prepares us for further interpretation of the Bible. The knowledge, skills and attitudes we develop from one encounter with the Bible influence us the next time we go to Scripture. For instance, every time we study biblical vocabulary and grammar, we increase our ability to handle these aspects of Scripture more responsibly. When we work to understand the literary types of Scripture, such as narratives, laws, poetry, prophecies, proverbs and the like, we’re better equipped to understand them at a later time. And as we learn about the ancient history of the Bible, we’re prepared to come back to the Scriptures for further understanding. Every effort we put into the exegesis of Scripture helps prepare us for further study.

As we interpret Scripture it’s so important that we remember that we’re not just handling the words of human authors, that the Holy Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity has breathed out these words through the distinctive personalities, styles, experiences of those human authors. As we go to Scripture, that means because the Spirit who breathed these words out is also resident and at work within us as believers, in a sense we have access to the author of Scripture. And we need that desperately; we need as we approach Scripture to come prayerfully, dependent upon the Spirit to open our minds as well as to open the Scriptures to our minds. [Dr. Dennis E Johnson]