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La cité de dieu

CHAPITRE XXXI.

DE LA NAISSANCE D’ISAAC, DONT LE NOM EXPRIME LA JOIE ÉPROUVÉE PAR SES PARENTS.

Après cela, un fils naquit à Abraham¹ de sa femme Sarra, selon la promesse de Dieu, et il le nomma Isaac, nom qui signifie rire, car le père avait ri quand un fils lui fut promis, témoignant par là sa joie et son contentement, et la mère avait ri aussi quand la promesse lui fut réitérée par les trois anges, quoique ce rire fût mêlé de doute, comme l’auge le lui reprocha². Mais ce doute fut ensuite dissipé par l’ange. Voilà d’où Isaac prit son nom. Sarra montre bien que ce rire n’était pas un rire de moquerie, mais de joie, lorsqu’elle dit, à la naissance d’Isaac « Dieu m’a fait rire, car quiconque saura ceci se réjouira avec moi³ ». Peu de temps après, la servante fut chassée de la maison avec son fils; et l’Apôtre voit ici une figure des deux Testaments, où Sarra représente la Jérusalem céleste, c’est-à-dire la Cité de Dieu⁴.

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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