Interpreting the Past with Care: Understanding Exegesis and Eisegesis
What happens when we look at a historical source and see ourselves reflected back?
That question has been sitting with me for a while, especially after a thoughtful lunch conversation with my Laurel and two close friends, Gigi and Jess. We found ourselves discussing how often modern perspectives unintentionally reshape the way we interpret the past—and how important it is to talk openly about that.
Whether we’re doing deep academic research or building a persona for reenactment, we bring our own experiences, identities, and assumptions to the table. That’s natural. But when we stop recognizing those filters—or when we use them to claim, adapt, or project onto cultures not our own—we cross into territory that deserves more awareness and care.
This post is a response to that conversation and a reflection I’ve been working toward for a long time. I’ve drawn from earlier notes, lectures, and research and shaped them into something more cohesive: a guide to understanding two core concepts that shape how we approach history—exegesis and eisegesis.
What You’ll Find in the Article
The article explores:
- What exegesis (ˈek-sə-ˌjē-səs) and eisegesis (ˌī-sə-ˈjē-səs) mean—and why they matter.
- How these interpretive habits show up in research and reenactment.
- Examples from ancient Egypt (my area of study) that illustrate the stakes of misinterpretation.
- The risks of modern projection—especially when people begin to claim or reshape parts of history that don’t belong to them.
- Tools and suggestions for approaching historical sources more ethically and accurately.
- Reflections on intersectionality, translation bias, and navigating gaps in the historical record.
This piece uses ancient Egypt as a lens, but the framework applies to anyone studying or portraying historical cultures—whether you work in museums, write historical fiction, teach, reenact, or simply love learning about the past.
Why I Wrote This
My own research as an Egyptologist and psychologist focuses on how the ancient Egyptian mind understood the world—through healing, ritual, identity, and daily life. That work requires ongoing awareness of how modern frameworks can distort ancient meaning. I still find myself asking: Am I interpreting the past—or reshaping it in my own image?
This article grew out of a desire to help others—especially those working with cultures that have been historically misrepresented or underrepresented—ask the same question. Not to gatekeep. Not to shame. But to open space for better questions, richer portrayals, and more inclusive discussions.
📖 Read the full article here:
👉 [ link to full article page, here ]
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
I share this not as a final word, but as a starting point for further reflection. If you’re someone who works with history—through research, education, persona development, or public interpretation—I invite you to read, share, and discuss.
Feel free to leave a comment, share the link, or reach out with your own thoughts and insights.
Thank you, as always, for being part of this thoughtful, evolving conversation on how we approach the past—with respect, clarity, and care.
—Anela