Jeremiah 1:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Then said I, O Lord God! see, I have no power of words, for I am a child.
Webster's Revision
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
World English Bible
Then I said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don't know how to speak; for I am a child."
English Revised Version (ERV)
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Clarke's Jeremiah 1:6 Bible Commentary
I cannot speak - Being very young, and wholly inexperienced, I am utterly incapable of conceiving aright, or of clothing these Divine subjects in suitable language. Those who are really called of God to the sacred ministry are such as have been brought to a deep acquaintance with themselves, feel their own ignorance, and know their own weakness. They know also the awful responsibility that attaches to the work; and nothing but the authority of God can induce such to undertake it. They whom God never called run, because of worldly honor and emolument: the others hear the call with fear and trembling, and can go only in the strength of Jehovah.
"How ready is the man to go,
Whom God hath never sent!
How timorous, diffident, and slow,
God's chosen instrument!"
Barnes's Jeremiah 1:6 Bible Commentary
There is no resistance on Jeremiah's part, but he shrinks back alarmed.
I cannot speak - i. e., "I cannot prophesy," I have not those powers of oratory necessary for success. The prophets of Israel were the national preachers in religious matters, and their orators in political.
I am a child - This implies nothing very definite about Jeremiah's age. Still the long duration of his prophetic mission makes it probable that he was very young when called to the office, as also were Isaiah, Hosea, Zechariah, and others.