Jeremiah 1:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah, awed and frightened by his calling, protests that he is too young and inarticulate to be a prophet.
The Context of Jeremiah 1:6
Jeremiah is likely in the Temple or his priestly home when this vision comes. His protest is immediate and personal, showing the intimacy of his address to God.
What Does Jeremiah 1:6 Mean?
Jeremiah's response is wonderfully honest. He does not pretend faith he does not yet possess; he speaks his terror aloud. 'Ah, Lord God' is the cry of one overwhelmed by the weight of what has just been spoken. Jeremiah is young, probably in his late teens or early twenties. He lacks the authority and eloquence he believes a prophet must have. 'I cannot speak' might mean either that he is inarticulate or that he lacks the power to compel listeners' obedience. Whatever the exact meaning, Jeremiah names his deepest fear: he is unequal to the task. This objection is not pride; it is humility in the face of an impossible commission. Yet in his honesty, Jeremiah opens the door for God's answer.
Many of us have known this moment of terror when we sense God calling us to something we feel unfit to do. We notice the gap between what God asks and what we believe ourselves capable of giving. Jeremiah's cry of weakness is the appropriate response of a finite, fallen creature meeting the infinite will of the Living God. There is no pride in admitting our inadequacy. The question is not whether we feel equal to the task, but whether we will trust the One who calls us despite our fear.
Jeremiah 1:6 in the Original Language
Na'ar (נער), 'child' -- could mean anywhere from a young boy to a man in his twenties; Jeremiah uses it to emphasize his inexperience and lack of authority, not necessarily his chronological age
How to Apply Jeremiah 1:6 Today
God often calls the unprepared for the very reason that their unpreparedness keeps them dependent on Him. When we feel inadequate to the tasks God asks of us, that is not a sign we have misheard Him. It is a sign we are about to experience the sufficiency of His grace. What have we been afraid to attempt because we felt unequal to it?
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 1:6
What does Jeremiah 1:6 mean?
Jeremiah, awed and frightened by his calling, protests that he is too young and inarticulate to be a prophet.
What is the context of Jeremiah 1:6?
Jeremiah is likely in the Temple or his priestly home when this vision comes. His protest is immediate and personal, showing the intimacy of his address to God.
How can I apply Jeremiah 1:6 today?
God often calls the unprepared for the very reason that their unpreparedness keeps them dependent on Him. When we feel inadequate to the tasks God asks of us, that is not a sign we have misheard Him. It is a sign we are about to experience the sufficiency of His grace. What have we been afraid to attempt because we felt unequal to it?