exegete

From Ancient Greek ἐξηγητής (exēgētḗs).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɛksɪdʒiːt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɛksɪd͡ʒit/

exegete (plural exegetes)

1. A person skilled in exegesis; an interpreter of texts, difficult passages, signs, law, the words of an oracle, and similar obscure or esoteric sources.
   • 2009, Karen Armstrong, The Case for God, Vintage, published 2010, page 94:

     A text that could not speak to the present was dead, and the exegete had a duty to revive it.

   • 1960, Glenn R. Morrow, Charles Harry Kahn, Plato's Cretan City: A Historical Interpretation of the Laws, →ISBN:

     In Plato's state all three exegetes will be selected by Apollo. This is contrary to the practice of Hellenistic times, according to the evidence so ably marshaled by Oliver, when only two of the exegetes were named by the oracle.

   • 1960, ibid.:

     Theophrastus' "superstitious man" finds that a mouse has gnawed a hole in his meal sack and, obviously thinking it a portent, consults the exegete as to what he shall do... The exegete tells him, according to Theophrastus, to take the sack to a leather shop and have it mended. If this is drawn from life, it indicates that the exegetes discharged their functions with humour and common sense.

exegete (third-person singular simple present exegetes, present participle exegeting, simple past and past participle exegeted)

1. (chiefly religion) To interpret; to perform an exegesis.
   • 1905, Borden P. Bowne, “Moral Training in the Public Schools”, in Homiletic Review, page 93:

     History, not the dictionary, must exegete this doctrine. When thus exegeted, the secularity of our Government, as shown by the intentions of its founders, the customs of the people, and the continuous decisions of the courts, means simply the separation of church and state.