exegetical

[ ek-si-jet-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to exegesis; explanatory; interpretative.

Other Words From

• ex·e·get·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exegetical¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Greek exēgētikós “explanatory; pertaining to a narrative” + -al ¹; exegesis ( def )

Example Sentences

Eager fans have analyzed that 30-second teaser clip with the exegetical rigor typically reserved for ancient hieroglyphs.

From New York Times

She is also an “exegetical powerhouse,” said Kate Bowler, a historian at Duke Divinity School who wrote about Ms. Moore in her 2019 book, “The Preacher’s Wife: The Precarious Power of Evangelical Women Celebrities.”

From New York Times

People who are roughly my age, lucky to have entered high school when Morrison was already a legendary figure, will disproportionately, I’d bet, think of Morrison’s work as an early exegetical playground.

From The New Yorker

But the German Bishops’ Conference said Thursday there were strong “philosophical, exegetical, liturgical and, not least, ecumenical” reasons to leave it unchanged.

From Seattle Times

It seems intended less as a definitive solution to the mystery than as a virtuoso play in the endless exegetical game, which has a different outcome for each reader.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• analytical
• informative
• interpretive
• supplementary