Notes on Exodus · §28 · Origen of Alexandria

The high priest's protective care before and behind

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

It 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

Στίχ. λ΄. Ἐπειδὴ προσήκει τὸν ἀρχιερέα καὶ ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν, καθάπερ ἀσπίδα, περιφέρν τὴν προφυλακετικὴν ἐπιμέλειαν, μήπου τις ἐναντία βουλὴ τῶν τῆς πονηρίας πνευμάτων τὸ λογικὸν τρώσειεν, καὶ τὸ δόκιμον τῶν κρίσεων συνταράξῃ, καὶ τὴν δήλωσιν καὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τῇ ἐπιμιξίᾳ τῆς κακίας ἀποστῆναι ποιήσειεν.

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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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