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Biblical Exegesis: Step One: Establish the Text

Step One: Establish the Text

Guiding question: Which passage?

1. Selection of a text

Selection of a text for in-depth study is somewhat arbitrary. Reasons of selecting a particular text are not limited to the following.

  1. Text may be assigned
  2. Personal interest – selection may be in connection with devotional or academic study
  3. Selection of text to address some issue, circumstance, etc.

The following classifications of texts may be helpful in selecting a passage for in-depth study.

  • Prescriptive texts, instructive texts, indicate the way things ought to be among the people of God.
  • Descriptive texts, as the name implies, describe practices or actions assumed appropriate at the time.
  • Corrective texts deal with situations, problems, or misunderstandings among the people of God. The interpreter should seek to understand the situation that made the corrective necessary. [1]

       2. Resolve any Text Critical Issues

Guiding Question: What does the text say?

Two methods for establishing the text are textual criticism and translation comparison. For interpreters who are adept at working with biblical languages and are familiar with textual critical methods, a study of textual variants is best. For interpreters unfamiliar with biblical languages and/or text critical methods, translation comparison will produce workable results.

A. Text Critical Analysis [2]

  1. Old Testament Textual Criticism
  2. New Testament Textual Criticism

B. Translation Comparison

Translation comparison allows the interpreter to identify potential textual and interpretive issues for further study.

Textual Base NASB NET TNIV Message
         
  1. Select versions from the translation philosophies or methods (i.e. literal or formal equivalence, dynamic or functional equivalence, and mediating or blend of functional and formal methods For example, compare the passage in the New English Translation (NET), English Standard Version (ESV), New International Version (NIV), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
  2. Note any differences in the translations that would identify any interpretive ambiguities. Interact with the notes in study Bibles concerning translation preferences, key word analysis, interpretive ambiguities, and theological questions.
  3. Comment on important features (possible interpretive ambiguities, idioms, etc.) revealed by the translation comparison.
  4. Identify words or phrases for further study (e.g., background study or word study)

Summary of Translation Methods [3]

  Formal Equivalence Mediating Functional or Dynamic Equivalence
Goal Comprehension Clarity Naturalness
Examples KJV, NKJV, NASU, NRSV, RSV, ESV NIV, TNIV, NAB, NJB, HCSB, NET NLT, NCV, GNT, GW, GNT, CEV
Strengths Helps to capture metaphors, verbal allusions, and ambiguities Achieves both accuracy and clarity Greatest comprehension. Communicates the message clearly and naturally
Weaknesses Can result in awkward English, obscurity, and inaccuracy. Comprehension test often fails. More interpretation, so greater margin for interpretive error. Sometimes uses unnatural English. Even more interpretation, so greater margin for interpretive error. Sometimes loses nuances of meaning in pursuit of simplicity and clarity.

[1] Walter C. Kaiser, Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Brauch. Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 27-9.

[2] Ellis Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994); Harold J.  Greenlee, The Text of the New Testament from Manuscript to Modern Edition (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008).

[3] Gordon D. Fee and Mark L. Strauss, How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), 26-34.