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Translated by Allan Menzies.
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5 Pages
Page 3
2. This Procedure is Typified by the Story of the Spoiling of the Egyptians.
It is something of this sort perhaps that is enigmatically indicated in the directions God is represented in the Book of Exodus [4448] as giving to the children of Israel. They are directed to beg from their neighbours and from those dwelling in their tents vessels of silver and of gold, and raiment; thus they are to spoil the Egyptians, and to obtain materials for making the things they are told to provide in connection with the worship of God. For out of the things of which the children of Israel spoiled the Egyptians the furniture of the Holy of Holies was made, the ark with its cover, and the cherubim and the mercy-seat and the gold jar in which the manna, that bread of angels, was stored. These probably were made from the finest of the gold of the Egyptians, and from a second quality, perhaps, the solid golden candlestick which stood near the inner veil, and the lamps on it, and the golden table on which stood the shewbread, and between these two the golden altar of incense. And if there was gold of a third and of a fourth quality, the sacred vessels were made of it. And of the Egyptian silver, too, other things were made; for it was from their sojourn in Egypt that the children of Israel derived the great advantage of being supplied with such a quantity of precious materials for the use of the service of God. Out of the Egyptian raiment probably were made all those requisites named in Scripture in embroidered work; the embroiderers working [4449] with the wisdom of God, [4450] such garments for such purposes, to produce the hangings and the inner and outer courts. This is not a suitable opportunity to enlarge on such a theme or to show in how many ways the children of Israel found those things useful which they got from the Egyptians. The Egyptians had not made a proper use of them; but the Hebrews used them, for the wisdom of God was with them, for religious purposes.
[4448] ix. 2.
[4449] Reading with Draeseke, raphideouton, surraptonton ton raphideuton.
[4450] Exod. xxxi. 3, 6; xxxvi. 1, 2, 8.
Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/letter-gregory.asp?pg=3
