Book XVI: The Progress of the Two Cities from Noah to Abraham and Beyond explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Two Cities

  The chapter explicitly traces the progress of the earthly and heavenly cities from Noah to Abraham, contrasting the society of the sons of God with the earthly city represented by the tower of Babel.

• Sin, Grace, and Redemption

  The discussion of circumcision and original sin highlights the need for grace and regeneration, as infants are born in sin and require redemption through the covenant.

• Divine Providence and History

  God's actions in history, such as the confusion of languages and the promises to Abraham, are interpreted as providential events that shape the destiny of the two cities.

Characters to notice

• Noah

  Noah is the central figure in the early part of the chapter, whose prophetic benediction of his sons Shem and Japheth and curse of Canaan prefigure future events.

• Shem

  Shem, meaning 'named,' is blessed by Noah and is the ancestor from whom Christ was born in the flesh, representing the line of the heavenly city.

• Japheth

  Japheth, meaning 'enlargement,' is blessed to dwell in the houses of Shem, symbolizing the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church.

• Ham

  Ham, the middle son, is cursed in his son Canaan for his disrespect, representing heretics or those who dishonor Christ by their conduct.

• Abraham

  Abraham is the focus of the latter part of the chapter, receiving the promise of land and the covenant of circumcision, and his name is changed.

• Sarah

  Sarah is mentioned in the context of the promise of fecundity and the change of her name, despite her barrenness and old age.

Key passages

• “thee, the land in which thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession”

  God promises Abraham the land of Canaan as an eternal possession, though the term 'everlasting' is understood to mean lasting until the end of this age.

  Augustine clarifies the meaning of 'everlasting' in the context of the promise to Abraham.

• “The male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people, because he hath broken my covenant”

  An uncircumcised male infant will be cut off from his people because he has broken God's covenant, which Augustine interprets as the original sin inherited from Adam.

  Augustine explains that infants are guilty of original sin, not personal sin, and thus need regeneration.

• “Come, and let us go down and confound their speech”

  God addresses the angels to descend and confuse the language of the builders of Babel, showing that He works through His servants.

  Augustine interprets this as God speaking to the angels, who are fellow-laborers with God.