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De civitate Dei (CCSL)

Caput XXXI: De Isaac secundum promissionem nato, cui nomen ex risu utriusque parentis est inditum.

Post haec natus est Abrahae secundum promissionem dei de Sarra filius, eumque nominauit Isaac, quod interpretatur risus. riserat enim et pater, quando ei promissus est, admirans in gaudio; riserat et mater, quando per illos tres uiros iterum promissus est, dubitans in gaudio; quamuis exprobrante angelo, quod risus ille, etiamsi gaudii fuit, tamen plenae fidei non fuit, post ab eodem angelo in fide etiam confirmata est. ex hoc ergo puer nomen accepit. nam quod risus ille non ad inridendum obprobrium, sed ad celebrandum gaudium pertinebat, nato Isaac et eo nomine uocato Sarra monstrauit; ait quippe: risum mihi fecit dominus; quicumque enim audierit, congaudebit mihi. sed post aliquantulum tempus ancilla de domo eicitur cum filio suo, et duo illa secundum apostolum testamenta significantur, uetus et nouum, ubi Sarra illa supernae Hierusalem, hoc est ciuitatis dei, figuram gerit.

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The City of God

Chapter 31.--Of Isaac, Who Was Born According to the Promise, Whose Name Was Given on Account of the Laughter of Both Parents.

After these things a son was born to Abraham, according to God's promise, of Sarah, and was called Isaac, which means laughter. For his father had laughed when he was promised to him, in wondering delight, and his mother, when he was again promised by those three men, had laughed, doubting for joy; yet she was blamed by the angel because that laughter, although it was for joy, yet was not full of faith. Afterwards she was confirmed in faith by the same angel. From this, then, the boy got his name. For when Isaac was born and called by that name, Sarah showed that her laughter was not that of scornful reproach, but that of joyful praise; for she said, "God hath made me to laugh, so that every one who hears will laugh with me." ¹ Then in a little while the bond maid was cast out of the house with her son; and, according to the apostle, these two women signify the old and new covenants,--Sarah representing that of the Jerusalem which is above, that is, the city of God. ²