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Origen · Annotations on Genesis §46.34

The Allegory of the Egyptians' View of Shepherds and Hirelings

Passage 6 of 6 · Greek

Summary

Based on the description in Genesis 46:34 that every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians, this passage allegorically explains how a leader is perceived by worldly people depending on whether they act as a shepherd or a hireling.

§46.34(9) Στίχ. λδ΄.
(9) Verse 34.
Ἄνδρες κτηνοτρόφοι ἐσμέν. Βδέλυγμα Αἰγυπτίοις πᾶς ποιμὴν προβάτων, ἀλλ᾿ οὐχ Ἑβραίοις.
"We are keepers of cattle." Every shepherd of sheep is an abomination to the Egyptians, but not to the Hebrews.
Εἰ μὲν οὖν ὧς ποιμὴν ἐφέστηκεν ἡμῖν, βδέλυγμά ἐστιν Αἰγυπτίοις· εἱ δὲ ὡς μισθωτὸς, τάχς καὶ φίλος Αἰγυπτίοις.
Therefore, if indeed he stands over us as a shepherd, he is an abomination to the Egyptians; but if as a hireling, perhaps he is even a friend to the Egyptians.

Notes

  1. §46.34ἐφέστηκεν ἡμῖν — The subject of the verb ἐφέστηκεν (perfect of ἐφίστημι) is not explicitly stated, but in this allegorical context, it is understood as referring to a 'leader/overseer' of the community or 'Christ'.
  2. §46.34τάχς — The word τάχς in the text is considered a copyist's error (typo) for the adverb τάχα (perhaps) or τάχ' ἂν, and is translated accordingly.
  3. §46.34εἱ — The word εἱ in the original text is a typo with incorrect breathing and accent for the conditional conjunction εἰ (if).

Cite this passage

Origen, Annotations on Genesis §46.34. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg2042.tlg066.humanitext-grc1:46.34

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