Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Child - the same word is translated "young man," . From the long duration of his office, from Josiah's time until at least the passing of the Jewish remnant into Egypt after the capture of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 1:2; , etc.; 43:8, etc.), it is supposed he was at his call at least under 25 years of age. The reluctance often shown by inspired ministers of God (as Moses, ; ; ; Jonah, ) to accept the call, shows that they did not assume the office under the impulse of self-deceiving fanaticism, as false prophets often did.