Notes on Exodus · §15 · Origen of Alexandria

God tests for benefit

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

There 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

Στίχ. κε΄. Ἐκεῖ ἔθετο αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς δικαώματα καὶ κρίσεις, καὶ ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ἐπείραζε.

Ἐπʼ ὠφελείᾳ πειράζει ὁ Θεός. Ἀπείραστος γάρ κακῶν. Ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο πειράζει, ἵνα ἐὰν ὑπακούσωσιν αὐτῷ, τύχωσιν ἀγαθῶν, καὶ ἀπαλλα γῶσι κακῶν.

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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.

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.

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.

Fresh 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 our source check. We made this study translation with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open Greek on any section to see the source text. It is not a critical edition.

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