Commentary on the Song of Songs, Book IV · §17 · Origen of Alexandria

Nobis — Bridegroom and Bride; little vines reading

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For us: for me the Bridegroom and for the Bride, or for me and my companions. Or with a pause: catch us the foxes — little ones that spoil vineyards — so that little refers to the vineyards. Small souls can be hurt; greater ones not likewise.

Latin

Nobis: mihi sponso et sponsae, vel mihi et sodalibus. Vel distinctio: capite nobis vulpes — pusillas exterminantes vineas, ut pusillas ad vineas referatur. Parvae animae laedi possunt; maiores non item.

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About this text

Origen on Song of Songs 2:10-15: the Bridegroom calls the soul out as winter passes, and the little foxes that spoil the vines stand for sins and heretics.

English follows Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII (GCS 33, 1925), Rufinus’s Latin of Commentary Liber IV. Lawson ACW 26 was not used as wording.

Printed text used

Translated from Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII = GCS 33 (1925) (Latin · Commentary Liber IV §§1 – 20)

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