General Principles of Hermeneutics and Exegesis

1926 Words May 7th, 2011 8 Pages

This paper attempts a scholarly investigation into the general principles of hermeneutics and exegesis to facilitate a better understanding of biblical texts. Before we can determine what a given text might mean for us today, we must establish what it meant for its original audience. 1

Hermeneutics and exegesis are inter-woven in the perspective of considering them as the science of biblical interpretations. Therefore hermeneutics cannot be said to be complete without exegesis. The relevance of the principles of hermeneutics and exegesis cannot be over emphasized in regards to biblical interpretation. To interpret the bible properly, one’s hermeneutical principles must be based upon a correct understanding of biblical
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Each of these literary genres requires addition exegetical consideration. Yet all of the steps do not apply equally to all New Testament passages. Some passages, for example, present no major textual problems; others are seriously problematic.6 Also to be considered along this is the nature of the Sentence if it is simple with one main clause, compound with two main coordinate clauses or complex with main clause with subordinates


I n establishing the text, the interpreter must ensure that the text is found in the best manuscripts not just any script like the apocryphal and cannot be traced back to an unintentional alteration by the copyist.

Fee sees this as the first concern of the interpreter of any ancient text, it borders with words and their orders as used by the author 7


This has to do with knowing the form and the force of the grammar used in the passage. This also includes investigating into the verbs, nouns and the force of prepositions and conjunctions used.

Analyzing the grammar also includes the ability of the interpreter to critically look into do usage of words to ascertain any figurative trace in the word or expressions. This is because the Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew,
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