Jeremias 1:4-10
In those days the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations. And I said, Ah, ah, ah, Lord God; behold I can not speak; for I am a child. And the Lord said to me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee; and whatever I shall command thee, thou shalt speak. Be not afraid at their presence; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. And the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth: and the Lord said to me, Behold I have given My words in thy mouth: lo, I have set thee this day over the nations, and over kingdoms, to root up, and to pull down, and to waste, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant; saith the Lord almighty.
Haydock
Verse 5. Knew, with affection, and designed thee for this office for eternity. Many think (C.) that Jeremias was purified from original sin before his birth. S. Aug. — He had this privilege, and was also a priest, prophet, virgin, and martyr. W. — Yet to sanctify, often means only to set aside. Ex. xiii. 2. Eccli. xlix. 9. — Nations, whose overthrow he points out. C. xxv. 27. 44. &c. C.
Verse 6. Ah. Heb. ahah. Sept. “thou Being.” Prot. “Then said I: Ah, Lord God.” H. — He does not imitate a child. He might be above 30 years old, though some say (C.) only 14, (T.) or less; yet he finds himself devoid of eloquence, like Moses. Ex. xiv. 10. C.
Verse 9. Mouth; perhaps H. with a coal, by means of an angel, (Is. vi. 5.) in a sort of dream. He found himself changed into a new man.
Verse 10. Root up, to announce the fall and restoration of many nations. Ezec. iv. 2. C. — Jeremias spoke of the Gentiles, as well as of the Jews. W.