anagoge

also an·a·go·gy (ăn'ə-gō'jē)
n., pl., -ges, also -gies.
A mystical interpretation of a word, passage, or text, especially scriptural exegesis that detects allusions to heaven or the afterlife.

[Late Latin anagōgē, from Late Greek, spiritual uplift, from anagein, to lift up : ana-, ana- + agein, to lead.]

anagogic an'a·gog'ic (-gŏj'ĭk) or an'a·gog'i·cal adj.
anagogically an'a·gog'i·cal·ly adv.

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anagogical [an‐ă‐goj‐ik‐ăl], revealing a higher spiritual meaning behind the literal meaning of a text. Medieval Christian exegesis of the Bible (see typology) reinterpreted many episodes of Hebrew scripture according to four levels of meaning: the literal, the allegorical, the moral, and the anagogical. Of these, the anagogical sense was seen as the highest, relating to the ultimate destiny of humanity according to the Christian scheme of universal history, whereas the allegorical and moral senses refer respectively to the Church and to the individual soul. Anagogy or anagoge is thus a specialized form of allegorical interpretation, which reads texts in terms of eschatology. See also allegory.

(Greek, leading up, raising) An uplifting allegorical interpretation of a text. Also in the theory of the syllogism, direct reduction to a figure of the first kind.

[from Gk anagoge]  (also anagoge)  /an uh GOH jee/  
mystical interpretation of words (esp. Scripture)

The spiritual or mystical interpretation of a word or passage beyond the literal, allegorical or moral sense.

For a list of words related to anagogic, see:

• Practice, Discipline, and Belief - anagogic: (adj) having spiritual meaning or sense; arising from or striving toward lofty ideals

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