Homilies on the Song of Songs, Homily II · §11 · Origen of Alexandria

My brother is like a gazelle on the mountains of Bethel

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My brother is like a gazelle and like a young stag on the mountains of Bethel. These two animals are named rather often in the Scriptures, and the more they are to be wondered at, the more they signify the Lord. The gazelle sees most sharply; the young stag crosses the mountains with a swift leap. Christ both sees hidden things sharply and, with a swift leap, came down from heaven to earth and ascended from earth to heaven. The mountains of Bethel — Bethel is interpreted house of God — understand as the prophets and apostles, in whom God dwells.

Latin

Similis est fratruelis meus capreae hinnuloque cervorum in montibus Bethel. Haec duo animalia in scripturis saepius nominantur, et quo magis admiranda sunt, eo magis Dominum significant. Caprea acutissime videt; hinnulus cervorum saltu celeri montes transit. Christus et acute videt occultorum et saltu celeri de caelo in terras descendit et de terris ad caelum ascendit. Montes Bethel — Bethel interpretatur domus Dei — prophetas et apostolos intellege, in quibus habitat Deus.

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