Exegetes

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɛksɪˌdʒiːts/

Definitions

1. A scholar or expert who interprets texts, especially sacred writings, providing explanations and insights into their meaning
2. An individual skilled in elucidating the meanings of written works, particularly those of religious significance
3. A person engaged in the critical analysis and interpretation of texts, often focusing on scriptural documents

Etymology: "Exegetes" is the plural of "exegete," so the word's story is really the story of its singular form. It comes from Ancient Greek "exēgētēs," meaning "expounder" or "interpreter," built from "exēgeisthai," to lead out or explain. The root sense is physical: to lead someone out of a place, which the Greeks extended to leading someone through the meaning of something. That extension is what gives the word its shape today. A Greek "exēgētēs" was someone who explained sacred matters, such as the rules of religious rites or the meaning of oracles, so the idea of guiding a listener out of obscurity into clarity was built in from the start. English took the word over from Greek in its learned, scholarly form, and the people it describes are still the ones who lead readers through difficult scriptures and texts.

Synonyms: interpreters, commentators, scholars, analysts, expositors