Origen’s Exegesis and Theology in the Interpretation of Jer. 1, 6: ‘I do not know how to speak because I am too young’

Abstract

The article analyzes Origen’s exegesis and theology in the interpretation of the passage from the book of Jeremiah (1, 6): I do not know how to speak because I am too young. Every prophet, according to Origen, is a symbol of Christ. Basing on this, Origen considers the above text, developing its interpretation in a Christological way. Jeremiah could not speak because he was young, but he is a symbol of Christ. In this case, is it possible to attribute similar properties to Christ? Origen answers this question positively, making a distinction between the Deity and the humanity of Christ. Origen’s exegesis proceeds in the usual way: Scripture is the word of God and should be properly interpreted for the benefit of Christians.