Commentary on the Song of Songs, Book IV · §6 · Origen of Alexandria

Turtledove’s voice — hidden wisdom among the perfect

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The turtledove’s voice is the wisdom the Word’s steward speaks among the perfect, God’s wisdom hidden in a mystery. The turtledove lives in more secret places, apart from the crowd — mountain wastes or woodland secrets.

Latin

Vox turturis: sapientia quam dispensator Verbi loquitur inter perfectos, abscondita in mysterio. Turtur in secretioribus locis vitam agit, a multitudine aliena — deserta montium aut secreta silvarum.

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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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