Origen of Alexandria (185-254), one of the most prolific authors of antiquity and arguably the most important and influential pre-Nicene Christian theologian, was a man of deep learning and holiness of life. Regrettably, many of his works are no longer extant.
Origen’s numerous homilies provide the oldest surviving corpus of Christian sermons and shaped exegesis for succeeding centuries. With Jerome he was one of the early church’s great critical and literal exegetes. Devoutly he sought to develop a spiritual exegesis of the Old Testament grounded in the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Homilies on Numbers presented here offer a splendid example of his spiritual interpretation of Old Testament texts. He asks, What foreshadowing, what warning, what instruction, what encouragement, reproof, correction or exhortation, do we find in the narratives of Numbers for our benefit as Christians?
FEATURES
Offers introductory biography of Origen as well as a survey of his surviving works and exegetical method
Provides clear, contemporary English translation of Origen’s homilies on Numbers
Notes difficulties in the original Greek text by the Latin translator Rufinus of Aquileia
Makes an important work available to English speakers from a key pre-Nicene exegete
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