Jeremiah 1:6

6 “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

Jeremiah 1:6 in Other Translations

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth."

6 “O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.

6 I, Jeremiah, said, "Almighty LORD, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!"

6 But I protested, "Oh no, Lord God ! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am [only] a youth."

6 "You are my LORD and King," I said. "I don't know how to speak. I'm only a child."

Jeremiah 1:6 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord God!
&c.] The word (hha) , "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" ^F18; 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, ( Exodus 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, ( 1 Samuel 3:1 ) ( Zechariah 2:4 ) . 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, ( Jeremiah 11:21 ) ( Jeremiah 12:5 Jeremiah 12:6 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F18 (rbd ytedy al) "uescio loqui", V. L. Munster, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius; "non novi loqui", Pagninus, Montanus.

Jeremiah 1:6 In-Context

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 3:11; Exodus 4:10; S Exodus 6:12
• 2. 1 Kings 3:7