Exegetically Speaking What is Exegesis? (encore), With John Walton
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Feb 16, 2026 John Walton, Old Testament scholar and Professor Emeritus known for the 'Lost World' series, walks through the step-by-step process of exegesis. He talks about starting with genre and ancient context. He explains discourse analysis versus lexical meaning. He outlines how textual study builds toward theology and practical application.
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Exegesis Is A Whole-Process Discipline
- Exegesis is the entire process of analyzing and interpreting the biblical text from start to finish.
- John Walton frames it as literary analysis that asks how the parts work together to achieve the author's purpose.
Begin With Literary Top-Down Analysis
- Start exegesis with a literary top-down analysis that identifies genre and rhetorical strategy.
- Determine how the author composed the book so the pieces cohere toward its purpose.
Know Ancient Genre Expectations
- Ancient genres differ from modern labels, so identify genre by ancient function, not modern categories.
- Understanding ancient concepts like wisdom, prophecy, and cosmology reshapes interpretation.