King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 1:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 1:6 in the King James Version says “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 1:6 · KJV

Context

4

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. ordained: Heb. gave

6

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

7

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah's response—'Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child'—reveals genuine humility and human inadequacy in face of divine calling. The exclamation 'Ah, Lord GOD!' (ahah, Adonai YHWH, אֲהָהּ אֲדֹנָי יְהוִֹה) expresses dismay, overwhelm, or protest—not defiance but honest recognition of the calling's magnitude. His objection 'I cannot speak' uses the verb yada (יָדַע, 'know') in its negative form—literally 'I do not know how to speak'—indicating felt incompetence for prophetic proclamation. The phrase 'I am a child' (na'ar, נַעַר) refers to youth, inexperience, or minority—Jeremiah may have been late teens or early twenties, lacking the age, authority, and experience typically required for public ministry. His objection parallels Moses ('I am slow of speech,' Exodus 4:10) and shows that God's calls often exceed human capacity by design—forcing dependence on divine enablement rather than natural ability. This pattern reveals that spiritual effectiveness depends not on human credentials but God's empowerment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures highly valued age, experience, and social standing as prerequisites for authority. Elders governed cities; seasoned warriors led armies; aged priests mediated sacred duties. For God to call a young, inexperienced priest to prophesy against kings, condemn temple worship, and pronounce national destruction overturned cultural expectations. Jeremiah's youth likely intensified opposition—who was this novice to contradict established religious leaders? Yet Scripture repeatedly shows God choosing unlikely instruments: David the shepherd boy over his older brothers, young Samuel over Eli, young Timothy to lead churches. This divine pattern demonstrates that calling doesn't depend on human qualifications but divine sovereignty. Jeremiah's forty-year ministry proved God's empowerment—he outlasted all the kings he confronted and saw his prophecies fulfilled exactly. His initial sense of inadequacy gave way to bold proclamation as God's word proved powerful through him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's honest expression of inadequacy differ from false humility or excuse-making when God calls us to difficult obedience?
  2. What does God's consistent pattern of calling unlikely, inadequate people teach us about where spiritual authority and effectiveness originate?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וָאֹמַ֗ר1 of 11

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲהָהּ֙2 of 11

“I Ah”

H162

oh!

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 11

“Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֹ֔ה4 of 11

“GOD”

H3069

god

הִנֵּ֥ה5 of 11
H2009

lo!

לֹא6 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַ֖עְתִּי7 of 11

“behold I cannot”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

דַּבֵּ֑ר8 of 11

“speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

כִּי9 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נַ֖עַר10 of 11

“for I am a child”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אָנֹֽכִי׃11 of 11
H595

i

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 1:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 4:10-16Exodus 6:12Jeremiah 32:171 Kings 3:7-9Exodus 4:1Jeremiah 14:13

Test Your Knowledge

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