Pharos Journal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 99 - (2018) Copyright: ©2018 Open Access/Author/s - Online @ http//: www.pharosjot.com 1 Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics of Biblical Texts: African Approaches Dr Kelebogile Thomas Resane Teaching and Learning Manager : Centre for Teaching and Learning University of the Free State South Africa ResaneKT@ufs.ac.za Abstract This article argues the importance of exegesis and hermeneutics in the African context. There is a need for bible translation to be exercised within the African context as opposed to the Western context. The end-readers should become partners in the translation; as these partners. The example of name giving is cited as arguable case that can assist Bible translators to indigenize biblical names by translating them into indigenous meanings. These partners can use their worldviews, proverbs, and idiomatic expressions to make the text meaningful. Afro hermeneutics and exegesis integrates life and biblical narratives and life experiences, are wrapped with indigenous knowledge, and exercises personal involvement of the reader of the text and the context. The paper proposes three influencers in African hermeneutics and exegesis. These are liberation hermeneutics which acknowledges the importance of both the spiritual and the material with the emphasis on economic and the political dimensions of African life. Then inculturation hermeneutics, which basically means that the interpretive process should be informed by the worldview and experience within the cultural context. And finally, contextualisation whereby translation should aim at preparing and empowering translators to facilitate translation processes by involving communities instead of top-down decision making and implementation. This is overall the acknowledgement of the role of indigenous knowledge systems in text translation and interpretation. Keywords: Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Text, Context. Introduction There is a shift in the hermeneutical and contextual approach, emphasizing ‘a move from what the text meant to its original audience to what it means to Africans in their context” (Nyiawung 2013:1). Contextual issues had become an obligation for the contemporary exegesis. Biblical hermeneutics is the art or technique of interpreting the biblical text in order to understand its original context and then find its contemporary meaning. Nthamburi and Waruta (1997:40) note that ‘unless an African is enabled to understand Scripture in his/her own cultural patterns, the Scripture will not only lose its validity but its authoritative relevance as well.’ In a nutshell, biblical hermeneutics is the scholarly engagement of the indigenous language translations of the Bible in order to understand what they say and mean to the readers. On the other hand, Biblical exegesis involves the examination of a particular text of Scripture in order to interpret it properly. Good Biblical exegesis is commanded in Scripture (Kuwornu-Adjaottor 2012:10). By Afro- biblical hermeneutics, we mean biblical interpretations done in Africa especially by African Instituted Churches. These hermeneutical works are typically African in character in the sense that they consciously or unconsciously borrow heavily from African religious heritage in their dialogue with the gospel of Christ (Gathogo & Kinyua 2010:251).