Notes on Exodus

Name: Notes on Exodus
Author: Origen of Alexandria

Adnotationes in Exodum

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–c. 254 AD) · de La Rue (1857)

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–c. 254) wrote these notes on Exodus. They are not his homilies on Exodus, and they are not his selections on Exodus.

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Contents4 passages

15God tests for benefit
20Idol versus likeness; bowing versus serving
28The high priest's protective care before and behind
31Why God kept Moses forty days

Author

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–c. 254 AD) — Teacher at Alexandria and later Caesarea, and the first great Christian scholar of the Bible. He wrote commentaries, sermons and treatises on nearly every book of Scripture and compiled the Hexapla, a six-column Old Testament. He was tortured in the Decian persecution and died soon after.

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About this text

Origen's short notes on selected verses of Exodus, such as the command against idols and the high priest's robe.

He takes up the command against an idol. An idol is not the same as a likeness, and bowing down is not the same as serving. The hypocrite bows down and does not serve. The note points to the book it calls Arithmoi.

He also speaks of the high priest's covering in front and behind, a shield against hostile counsel, and of why God kept Moses forty days. The delay would expose the hidden impiety in the hearts of the Jews. The citations use the old names of the biblical books.

New English from the Greek base text; no published English used as wording.

Printed text used

Translated from de La Rue, Origen's Works, vol. 7 (Migne PG 17, Paris 1857) (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.

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God tests for benefit§15

Origen begins his commentary on Exodus 15:25, explaining why God tested Israel at the place where he gave them ordinances and judgments.

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15There God set ordinances and judgments for him, and there he was testing him (Exodus 15:25). God tests for our benefit. For he is untested by evils. But he tests for this reason: so that if they obey him, they may obtain good things and be delivered from evils.

Greek · §15

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Idol versus likeness; bowing versus serving§20

Origen is commenting on Exodus 20:4-5, explaining the difference between an idol and a likeness, and between bowing down and serving.

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20"You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Exodus 20:4). An idol is one thing, and a likeness is another. For it is a likeness if you make a likeness of a fish or a four-footed animal or a beast, whether by craftsmanship or by painting. But an idol is whatever the soul forms as an image and makes from things that do not exist in an original way—for example, a mixed creature from a human and a horse.

"Whatever is in heaven above, and whatever is on the earth below, and whatever is in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them, nor shall you serve them" (Exodus 20:5).

Bowing down is one thing, and serving is another. For the one who serves these things from the whole soul does not only bow down but also serves. But the one who plays the hypocrite and acts for the sake of custom does not serve, yet he does bow down. You will find such people in Numbers, gratifying women and bowing down to idols.

Greek · §20

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The high priest's protective care before and behind§28

Origen is explaining the high priest's front and back covering as complete protective care against hostile spiritual powers.

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28It is fitting that the high priest carry protective care both in front and behind, like a shield, so that no hostile counsel of the evil spirits may wound the rational soul, disturb the soundness of its judgments, and by the admixture of evil make its clarity and truth depart.

Greek · §28

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Why God kept Moses forty days§31

Origen is commenting on Exodus 31:1, explaining why God kept Moses on the mountain for forty days before giving the law.

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31And the Lord spoke to Moses (Exodus 31:1). The all-wise God held Moses for whole forty days to give the law, although he was fully able to give the law in three days. But he did this so that the time of Moses' absence might expose the hidden impiety in the depth of the Jews' hearts.

Greek · §31

The Greek is on each section page: §31

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