Jeremiah 1:6
New International Version
“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

New Living Translation
“O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

English Standard Version
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”

King James Bible
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

New King James Version
Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

New American Standard Bible
Then I said, “Oh, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.”

NASB 1995
Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.”

NASB 1977
Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I do not know how to speak Because I am a youth.”

Amplified Bible
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, For I am [only] a young man.”

Christian Standard Bible
But I protested, “Oh no, Lord GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I protested, “Oh no, Lord GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.”

American Standard Version
Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.

Contemporary English Version
I replied, "I'm not a good speaker, LORD, and I'm too young."

English Revised Version
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I, Jeremiah, said, "Almighty LORD, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!"

Good News Translation
I answered, "Sovereign LORD, I don't know how to speak; I am too young."

International Standard Version
I replied, "Ah, LORD God! Look, I don't know how to speak, because I'm only a young man."

Majority Standard Bible
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”

NET Bible
I answered, "Oh, Lord GOD, I really do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young."

New Heart English Bible
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD. Look, I do not know how to speak; for I am a child."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I say, “Aah! Lord YHWH! Behold, I have not known—to speak, for I [am] a youth.”

Young's Literal Translation
And I say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah! lo, I have not known -- to speak, for I am a youth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying, Ah, Lord Jehovah, behold I knew not to speak: for I a boy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I said: Ah, ah, ah, Lord God: behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I said: “Alas, alas, alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am a boy.”

New American Bible
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said, “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then I said, I beseech thee, O LORD God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am but a child.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I said: "I beg you LORD JEHOVAH God, behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a boy!"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said I: 'Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I said, O Lord, thou that art supreme Lord, behold, I know not how to speak, for I am a child.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Call of Jeremiah
5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” 7But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.…

Cross References
Exodus 4:10
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Isaiah 6:5-8
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” / Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” ...

Judges 6:15
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

1 Kings 3:7
And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

Isaiah 49:1-5
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me. / He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver. / He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.” ...

Acts 7:22
So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

1 Corinthians 2:1-4
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. / I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ...

2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Exodus 3:11
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Jonah 1:2-3
“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.” / Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Matthew 10:19-20
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 1:18
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Acts 4:13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Ah, Lord

Jeremiah 4:10
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

Jeremiah 14:13
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

I cannot

Ezekiel 4:10-16
And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it…

Ezekiel 6:12
He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.

Isaiah 6:5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

for I am

1 Kings 3:7-9
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in…

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Ah Alas Child Power Sovereign Speak Words Youth
Jeremiah 1
1. The time
4. And the calling of Jeremiah
11. His prophetical visions of an almond rod and a seething pot
15. His heavy message against Judah
17. God encourages him with his promise of assistance














Ah, Lord GOD
The Hebrew word for "Ah" is "אֲהָהּ" (ahhah), an expression of deep emotion, often used to convey a sense of distress or overwhelming feeling. Jeremiah's use of this word indicates his immediate reaction to God's call, reflecting a sense of inadequacy or hesitation. The phrase "Lord GOD" in Hebrew is "אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (Adonai Yahweh), emphasizing the sovereignty and supreme authority of God. This combination of terms underscores Jeremiah's recognition of God's ultimate power and his own humble position before Him.

I do not know how to speak
The phrase "I do not know how to speak" reveals Jeremiah's self-doubt and perceived lack of eloquence or experience. The Hebrew verb "יָדַע" (yada) means "to know," suggesting an intimate understanding or skill. Jeremiah feels unprepared and unqualified for the prophetic mission due to his perceived inadequacy in communication. This echoes the sentiments of other biblical figures like Moses, who also expressed reluctance in speaking roles (Exodus 4:10).

for I am only a child
The term "child" in Hebrew is "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can refer to a young boy or a youth. Jeremiah's use of this term highlights his youth and inexperience, which he sees as a barrier to fulfilling God's call. Historically, prophets were often older and more experienced, so Jeremiah's youth would have seemed an unlikely choice for such a significant role. This phrase emphasizes the theme of God's power to equip and use those whom He calls, regardless of their age or experience, demonstrating that divine calling transcends human limitations.

(6) Ah, Lord God!--Better, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! as answering to the Hebrew Adonai Jehovah.

I cannot speak.--In the same sense as the "I am not eloquent" of Moses (Exodus 4:10), literally, "a man of words," i.e., have no gifts of utterance.

I am a child.--Later Jewish writers fix the age of fourteen as that up to which the term rendered "child" might be used. With Jeremiah it was probably more indefinite, and in the intense consciousness of his own weakness he would naturally use a word below the actual standard of his age; and there is accordingly nothing against assuming any age within the third hebdomad of life. In Genesis 34:19 it is used of a young man old enough for marriage. The words are memorable as striking a note common to the lives of many prophets; common, also, we may add, to most men as they feel themselves called to any great work. So Moses draws back: "I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exodus 4:10). So Isaiah cries, "Woe is me! for . . . I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5); and Peter, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Something of the same shrinking is implied in St. Paul's command to Timothy (1Timothy 4:12). In tracing the whole course of Jeremiah's work, we must never forget the divine constraint by which he entered on them. A necessity was laid upon him, as afterwards on St. Paul (1Corinthians 9:16). . . .

Verse 6. - Ah, Lord God! rather, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! It is a cry of alarm and pain, and recurs in Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 32:17. I am a child. I am too young to support such an office. The word rendered "child" is used elsewhere of youths nearly grown up (comp. Genesis 34:19; Genesis 41:12; 1 Kings 3:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Ah,
אֲהָהּ֙ (’ă·hāh)
Interjection
Strong's 162: Alas!

Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,”
יְהֹוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

I said,
וָאֹמַ֗ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I surely
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֖עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

how to speak,
דַּבֵּ֑ר‪‬ (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

for
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I [am]
אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

only a child!”
נַ֖עַר (na·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 1:6 Then said I Ah Lord Yahweh! (Jer.)
Jeremiah 1:5
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