Comment
Already choosing the specific biblical text for exegesis is a matter of hermeneutic consideration. Does the exegete have some pre-understanding about the chosen text? Is such preunderstanding shaped by some specific tradition? The exegete has to critically evaluate these pre-understandigs. The traditional divisions into the verses is not always reliable. The reader must take into the account the broader context of the passage. Reading the passage in the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic), in ancient versions (Septuagint, Vulgate) and in modern translations (English and other available) often exposes the exegetical issues, with which the exegete must deal in the following phases of the exegetical task.
The task of textual criticism is to reconstruct the best original text of the passage. On the level of this course, the student must deal at least with the text-critical notes of BHS and with text-critical notes in the selected commentaries.
The practical steps in this phase include:
- choosing the text for exegesis, settings its limits
- reading the passage in the original language, providing own tentative translation
- reading the passage in ancient versions and modern translations
- textual criticism: dealing with the critical apparatus of BHS, possibly also with own translations of the versions