ABSTRACT
This is the longest fragment we possess from Origen’s Commentary on Genesis, composed in Alexandria around 229, shortly before Peri Archon. 1 It comes from the third of thirteen books, commenting on the first four chapters of Genesis. Here Origen deals with verse 1:14, in which the Septuagint refers to the stars as being established “for signs” (eis sêmeia). In keeping with what we may presume to have been the intention of its original Priestly author, Origen sees the text as an implicit criticism of astrology. The compilers of the Philocalia preserved this passage among others that vindicate human free will, which Origen refers to as “what is within our power” (to eph’ hêmin). 2 If the stars determine our character, Origen argues, moral responsibility is no longer within our power, and we can neither be praised for doing well nor blamed for doing ill.
