The City of God · Chapter
Chapter XXXV explained
Augustine examines the divine answer given to Rebecca about the twins in her womb, interpreting the prophecy 'the elder shall serve the younger' as a foreshadowing of the Jews serving the Christians, and highlighting the Apostle Paul's teac
What happens
Augustine examines the divine answer given to Rebecca about the twins in her womb, interpreting the prophecy 'the elder shall serve the younger' as a foreshadowing of the Jews serving the Christians, and highlighting the Apostle Paul's teaching on grace.
Themes in this chapter
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The election of Jacob over Esau before birth illustrates grace apart from works, a key theme in Augustine's theology.
The Two Cities
The prophecy of two nations from Rebecca's womb prefigures the separation of the earthly city (Jews) and the heavenly city (Christians).
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and interpreter of the prophecy concerning Rebecca's twins.
- Isaac
Father of the twins Esau and Jacob; prayed for his barren wife Rebecca.
- Jacob
The younger twin, chosen by grace, representing the Christian people.
- Paul
Apostle who interprets the story of Jacob and Esau as an instance of grace.
Key passages
“Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall overcome the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger.”
God tells Rebecca that she carries two nations within her, and they will be divided; the older will serve the younger.
This prophecy is central to Augustine's argument about the supersession of the Jews by the Christians.
“The Apostle Paul would have us understand this as a great instance of grace; for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, the younger is chosen without any good desert, and the elder is rejected”
Paul sees this as a demonstration of grace: before the twins had done anything good or bad, God chose the younger over the elder without regard to merit.
Augustine emphasizes that election is based on God's grace, not human works.