Homilies on Numbers, Homilia XII

Origen of Alexandria · c. 240–245 · Baehrens, Origenes Werke VII = GCS 30 (1921) · Original English Translation

The well and Israel’s song§1

1On the well and its song: the reading of the well where Israel sang overflows with mysteries. This is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, Gather the people, and I will give them water to drink.

Latin · §1

De puteo et cantico eius. Lectio putei et cantici quod apud puteum cecinit Israel redundat mysteriis. Hic est puteus quem dixit Dominus: congrega populum et dabo eis aquam bibere.

Gather the people to drink§2

2Bare history is not enough — the people would come to drink of themselves. The command to gather them sends us to spiritual sense: draw the water of God’s word.

Latin · §2

Historia sola non sufficit: populus sponte ad puteum conveniret. Praeceptum congregandi ad spiritualem intelligentiam remittit — aquam verbi Dei haurire.

Coming into Jeshurun / power over the enemy§3

3If we come into Jeshurun — that is, if we keep the Lord’s commands — God will crush Satan under your feet, and we receive power to tread on serpents and scorpions. To whom be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

Latin · §3

Si venerimus in Issachar — id est si mandata Domini servemus — Deus conteret Satanam sub pedibus, et dabitur potestas calcandi serpentes et scorpiones. Cui gloria et imperium in saecula. Amen.

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