Jeremiah 1:6

“Then said I, Ah, Lord God! etc.] The word hha, “Ah”, or “Ahah”, is used in distress and grief, as Kimchi observes; and is expressive of mourning and complaint, as Jarchi notes; and shows that the prophet was troubled and uneasy at his call, and would gladly have been excused on the following account: behold, I cannot speak; or, “I know not how to speak”f17; properly and pertinently, politely and eloquently, especially before great personages, kings and princes, and the citizens of Jerusalem, being brought up in a rustic manner in the country. A like excuse Moses made, (<020410>Exodus 4:10). The Targum is, “I know not to prophesy: for I am a child”; meaning either in knowledge and…”

“From the long duration of his office (Jer 1:2-3; Jer 40:1, &c.; Jer 43:8, &c.), it is supposed that he was at the time of his call under twenty-five years of age. child--the same word is translated, "young man" (Sa2 18:5). The reluctance often shown by inspired ministers of God (Exo 4:10; Exo 6:12, Exo 6:30; Jon 1:3) to accept the call, shows that they did not assume the office under the impulse of self-deceiving fanaticism, as false prophets often did.”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“1:6 Jeremiah was young (probably a teenager).”

“Lord: Jer 4:10, Jer 14:13, Jer 32:17 I cannot: Exo 4:1, Exo 4:10-16, Exo 6:12, Exo 6:30; Isa 6:5 for I am: Kg1 3:7-9 Jeremiah 1:7”

“The divine call throws Jeremiah into terror. Knowing well his too great weakness for such an office, he exclaims: Ah, Lord Jahveh! I know not how to speak; for I am נער, i.e., young and inexperienced; cf. Kg1 3:7. This excuse shows that לא יד means something else than לא אישׁ דברים, by which Moses sought to repel God's summons. Moses was not ready of speech, he lacked the gift of utterance; Jeremiah, on the other hand, only thinks himself not yet equal to the task by reason of his youth and want of experience. Jeremiah 1:7”