Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 1:6
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.
6. Jeremiah shews that the prophetic office was not one of his own seeking.
Ah ] Rather, Alas! The word in the Hebrew expresses not so much an entreaty that things should be arranged otherwise, as a lament that they are as they are; cp. Jos 7:7; 2Ki 3:10. Jeremiah’s position is thus different from that of Moses (Exo 4:10). The latter pleaded inability, “Oh Lord, I am not eloquent,” while the former acquiesces in the appointment, now announced to have been made so long before, deploring only youth and inexperience (cp. Isa 6:5; Eze 3:15 ff.), and replies to the Almighty in the same spirit as Solomon at the beginning of his reign (1Ki 3:7).
Lord God ] lit. Lord Yahweh (Jehovah). When the Hebrew word Adnai (Lord), which was ordinarily used in reading as a substitute for Yahweh, immediately (as here) precedes that word, the latter was read as God ( Elhm), and in such cases is printed in E.VV. in capitals.
I cannot speak ] meaning, I have not the powers necessary to win a hearing. For the prophet of those days eloquence, natural or acquired, was as necessary as it is for one who would be a popular preacher or prominent statesman now.
I am a child ] meaning, a very young man. The length of Jeremiah’s ministry shews that he was very youthful at its commencement. So Isaiah must have been still a young man when he began to prophesy.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
There is no resistance on Jeremiahs part, but he shrinks back alarmed.
I cannot speak – i. e., I cannot prophesy, I have not those powers of oratory necessary for success. The prophets of Israel were the national preachers in religious matters, and their orators in political.
I am a child – This implies nothing very definite about Jeremiahs age. Still the long duration of his prophetic mission makes it probable that he was very young when called to the office, as also were Isaiah, Hosea, Zechariah, and others.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. I cannot speak] Being very young, and wholly inexperienced, I am utterly incapable of conceiving aright, or of clothing these Divine subjects in suitable language. Those who are really called of God to the sacred ministry are such as have been brought to a deep acquaintance with themselves, feel their own ignorance, and know their own weakness. They know also the awful responsibility that attaches to the work; and nothing but the authority of God can induce such to undertake it. They whom God never called run, because of worldly honour and emolument: the others hear the call with fear and trembling, and can go only in the strength of Jehovah.
“How ready is the man to go,
Whom God hath never sent!
How timorous, diffident, and slow,
God’s chosen instrument!”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Ah! an introductory interjection, making way for his excuse in a way of grief and complaint, endeavouring with all reverence to clear himself of undertaking such a work rashly, it being properly the sigh of one that hath too great a weight upon his shoulders.
I cannot speak; not dumb, as Zacharias, Luk 1:20,22, nor stammering, as Moses, Exo 4:10,14; but not with that becoming gravity and commanding majesty as is suitable to a prophet; he modestly excuseth himself, from a consideration of the weight of the work, and the tenderness of his age, as in the next expression.
I am a child; either,
1. In years, and so not ripe or apt for the declaring of great things, and that to princes and nobles. Or,
2. In experience, being altogether unskilful in such affairs, not having been used to prophesy, and therefore in neither respect likely to be much regarded.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. From the long duration of hisoffice (Jer 1:2; Jer 1:3;Jer 40:1; Jer 43:8,c. Jer 43:8, c.), it is supposed that he was at the time of his callunder twenty-five years of age.
childthe same word istranslated, “young man” (2Sa18:5). The reluctance often shown by inspired ministers of God(Exo 4:10 Exo 6:12;Exo 6:30; Jon 1:3)to accept the call, shows that they did not assume the office underthe impulse of self-deceiving fanaticism, as false prophets oftendid.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then said I, Ah, Lord God!…. The word , “Ah”, or “Ahah”, is used in distress and grief, as Kimchi observes; and is expressive of mourning and complaint, as Jarchi notes; and shows that the prophet was troubled and uneasy at his call, and would gladly have been excused on the following account:
behold, I cannot speak; or, “I know not how to speak” r; properly and pertinently, politely and eloquently, especially before great personages, kings and princes, and the citizens of Jerusalem, being brought up in a rustic manner in the country. A like excuse Moses made, Ex 4:10. The Targum is, “I know not to prophesy: for I am a child”; meaning either in knowledge and understanding, or in years; not a mere child, but a “junior”, as the Septuagint version renders the word; or a “young man”, as the Arabic version; so Samuel and Zechariah were young men, when they first ministered in their office, 1Sa 3:1. Abarbinel supposes that Jeremiah was now twelve or fifteen years of age; but it should seem rather that he was more, perhaps twenty years of age; since he seems to have prophesied to the men of Anathoth before he was sent to Jerusalem, Jer 11:21.
r “uescio loqui”, V. L. Munster, Vatablus, Junius Tremellius “non novi loqui”, Pagninus, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The divine call throws Jeremiah into terror. Knowing well his too great weakness for such an office, he exclaims: Ah, Lord Jahveh! I know not how to speak; for I am , i.e., young and inexperienced; cf. 1Ki 3:7. This excuse shows that means something else than , by which Moses sought to repel God’s summons. Moses was not ready of speech, he lacked the gift of utterance; Jeremiah, on the other hand, only thinks himself not yet equal to the task by reason of his youth and want of experience.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
After having spoken of his call, the Prophet adds, that he at first refused his office, and he states this for two reasons; first, that he might clear himself from every suspicion of rashness, for we know how much ambition prevails among men, according to what James intimates, that many wish to be teachers, (Jas 3:1) and there is hardly one who is not anxious to be listened to. Since, then, most men too readily assume the office of teaching, and many boldly intrude into it, Jeremiah, in order to avoid the very suspicion of rashness, informs us that he was constrained to take the office. Secondly, he says that he refused the office, that he might gain more esteem, and render his disciples more attentive. But why did he refuse to obey God, when called to the prophetic function? Because its difficulty frightened him: and yet this very reason ought to rouse readers to a greater attention, as it no doubt awakened hearers when Jeremiah spoke to them.
If any one asks, whether Jeremiah acted rightly in refusing what God enjoined? the answer is, that God pardoned his servant, for it was not his design to reject his call, or to exempt himself from obedience, or to shake off the yoke, because he regarded his own leisure, or his own fame, or any similar considerations: Jeremiah looked on nothing of this kind; but when he thought of himself, he felt, that he was wholly unequal to undertake an office so arduous. Hence the excuse that is added is that of modesty. We then see that God forgave his timidity, for it proceeded, as we have just said, from a right feeling; and we know that from good principles vices often arise. But it was yet a laudable thing in Jeremiah, that he thought himself not sufficiently qualified to undertake the prophetic office, and that he wished to be excused, and that another should be chosen endued with more courage and with better qualifications. I shall proceed with what remains tomorrow.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) Ah, Lord God!Better, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! as answering to the Hebrew Adonai Jehovah.
I cannot speak.In the same sense as the I am not eloquent of Moses (Exo. 4:10), literally, a man of words, i.e., have no gifts of utterance.
I am a child.Later Jewish writers fix the age of fourteen as that up to which the term rendered child might be used. With Jeremiah it was probably more indefinite, and in the intense consciousness of his own weakness he would naturally use a word below the actual standard of his age; and there is accordingly nothing against assuming any age within the third hebdomad of life. In Gen. 34:19 it is used of a young man old enough for marriage. The words are memorable as striking a note common to the lives of many prophets; common, also, we may add, to most men as they feel themselves called to any great work. So Moses draws back: I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (Exo. 4:10). So Isaiah cries, Woe is me! for . . . I am a man of unclean lips (Isa. 6:5); and Peter, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord (Luk. 5:8). Something of the same shrinking is implied in St. Pauls command to Timothy (1Ti. 4:12). In tracing the whole course of Jeremiahs work, we must never forget the divine constraint by which he entered on them. A necessity was laid upon him, as afterwards on St. Paul (1Co. 9:16).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. I am a child Moses said, (Exo 4:10, margin,) “I am not a man of words;” but Jeremiah, overwhelmed with the greatness of his work, cries out, “I am a child!” The original word, na’ar, ( ,) has more scope of meaning than our word “child,” being in one instance, in plain historical prose, applied to Isaac when he was twenty-eight years old; and yet there is reason to think that Jeremiah was called to the prophetical office at an unusually early age. But these words especially reflect his sense of the greatness of the work before a prophet of God at that time; and so, by implication, the unspirituality and corruption of the time. He was young in the presence of hoary abuses. He was weak to cope with giant evils.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader! do not fail to remark, how humbling grace is in the soul. Before the Prophet was conscious of the work wrought in him, the blessed effects were made to appear, in a lowliness suited to the mercy. He giveth grace to the humble. And let the Reader further observe, how the Lord removed the Prophet’s fears by the sovereignty of his grace. It is remarkable, that each of the Prophets, Isaiah Jeremiah and Ezekiel, at their introduction into their prophetical office, were ordained by an outward visible sign, as well as by the inward, illuminating, and confirming grace. Isa 6:6-7 ; Eze 3:1-3 . And what confidence did these gracious ordinations inspire in the minds of all? I hope the Reader will not, while looking at the ordination service of Prophets in the Old Testament, overlook and pass by the ordination of the Apostles under the New. Behold Jesus in that interesting season, when sending forth his disciples to teach and to preach in the synagogues. Luk 10:1-20 . So again, after his resurrection, Joh 20:21-22 . So again in the moment of his departure, Luk 24:45 to the end. Mat 28:18 to the end. And Reader! is it not so now? Can there be any ordination truly blessed, except Jesus commissions? Oh! that everyone that goeth forth into the ministry, might know, like Jeremiah his warrant, and be convinced, that the same Almighty Spirit which sent forth Barnabas and Saul to the work, sends forth all his faithful servants now to the labouring in the word and doctrine! and accompanies them with his presence, Act 13:2-4 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.
Ver. 6. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! ] Verbum angustiae. The old Latin hath it A, A, A, whereby is noted, say some, a threefold defect – scil., of age, of knowledge, and of eloquence; but that is more subtle than solid. True worth is ever modest; and the more fit any man is for whatsoever vocation, the less he thinketh hinlself; forwardness argueth insufficiency.
Behold, I cannot speak.
For I am a child.
a His Life and Death, by Dr Bern.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4.
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
I cannot speak, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 4:10). App-92. This is true of all God’s messengers.
a child. Hebrew. na’ar, a youth. Probably about Josiah’s age; for he began to reign at 8 years of age, and 8+13 would make him 21. But this refers more to inefficiency than to age.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Lord: Jer 4:10, Jer 14:13, Jer 32:17
I cannot: Exo 4:1, Exo 4:10-16, Exo 6:12, Exo 6:30, Isa 6:5
for I am: 1Ki 3:7-9
Reciprocal: Exo 3:11 – General Exo 4:11 – General Exo 4:13 – send Num 11:26 – went not out Jdg 6:15 – wherewith 1Sa 3:15 – feared 1Sa 18:18 – Who am I 1Ki 3:9 – who is able 1Ch 29:1 – young Pro 25:6 – in the presence Jer 20:7 – deceived Eze 4:14 – Ah Zec 2:4 – young Mar 13:11 – take 1Co 2:1 – with 2Co 3:5 – but 2Co 10:10 – and his 2Co 12:9 – My grace Jam 1:5 – any
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 1:6. Then is an adverb of time and refers to the occasion when the word of the Lord came first to Jeremiah. The exact date of his birth is not available; Funk and Wagnalls Bible Dictionary says he was perhaps twenty when he received his prophetic call. At any rate his own statement in this verse indicates be was young at the time; we also have the information of the lexicon. The word child is from NAHAB and Strong defines it, “A boy (as active), from the age of Infancy to adolescence. Jeremiah seemed to underestimate his qualification as a prophet due to his tender years. He certainly overlooked the truth that inspiration does not need to rely on natural talents for Its work since the power comes from Him who made all things.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 1:6. Then said I, Ah, Lord God, &c. He modestly excuses himself from a consideration of the weight of the work, and the tenderness of his age, as in the next expression. Behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child We cannot infer from this, that Jeremiah was within the years of what is properly called childhood. For he might call himself a child by way of extenuating his abilities; as Solomon calls himself a little child, 1Ki 1:7, although at that time he was married, and must have been at least twenty years of age. And the word child, or youth, is elsewhere used of those who were arrived at the first years of manhood.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1:6 Then said I, {i} Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.
(i) Considering the great judgments of God which according to his threatening would come on the world, he was moved with a certain compassion on the one hand to pity them that would thus perish, and on the other hand by the infirmity of man’s nature, knowing how hard a thing it was to enterprise such a charge, as in Isa 6:11, Exo 3:21; Exo 4:1 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
When the Lord revealed his calling to him, Jeremiah expressed dismay: first, because he was still a youth, and second, because he had not yet learned how to speak confidently and effectively.
Jeremiah’s age at his call is not clear except that he was a youth (Heb. na’ar, a word that elsewhere in the Old Testament describes children through young men; cf. Gen 14:24; Gen 22:3; Gen 34:19; Exo 2:6; Exo 33:11; 1Sa 4:21; Jdg 8:14). Jeremiah was probably about 20 years old. The estimates of several reliable commentators range from about 16 to 25 years old.
Jeremiah’s response to his call reveals the first of his many similarities to Moses (cf. Exo 4:1-17). The people to whom they spoke did not believe either prophet, and both men claimed to be inadequate as speakers, to name only two likenesses. Jeremiah’s contemporaries could very well have mistaken him for "the prophet like Moses," which Moses predicted would come after himself (Deu 18:18).