Homilies on Numbers, Homilia XIV

Origen of Alexandria · c. 240–245 · Baehrens, Origenes Werke VII = GCS 30 (1921) · Original English Translation

Contents3 passages

1Balaam and the donkey — unfinished questions
2The angel in the way
3Mouth opened; eyes opened

About this text

Origen’s Homilia XIV on Numbers (Rufinus’s Latin). Complete on this page: §§1–3.

English follows Baehrens, Origenes Werke VII (GCS 30, 1921), Rufinus’s Latin of Homilia XIV. Scheck FOTC was not used as wording. This page is Homilia XIV §§1–3 (closeout).

Witnesses

Copy-text Baehrens, Origenes Werke VII = GCS 30 (1921) (Latin · Homilia XIV §§1–3)

English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.

Balaam and the donkey — unfinished questions§1

1Much remains on Balaam and his donkey. A timed church sermon cannot weigh every word; we return to what still needs inquiry.

Latin · §1

Plura restant de Balaam et asina eius. Tractatus ecclesiae temporalis non omnia verba discutere potest; quae inquisitione digna repetimus.

The angel in the way§2

2 The angel of the Lord blocks the way. The donkey sees what the prophet does not; God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise.

Latin · §2

Angelus Domini in via obstat. Asina videt quod propheta non videt; stulta mundi eligit Deus ut confundat sapientes.

Mouth opened; eyes opened§3

3 The Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and Balaam’s eyes. Divine correction meets confession: I have sinned unknowingly.

Latin · §3

Aperit Dominus os asinae et oculos Balaam. Correctio divina et confessio: peccavi ignorans.

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