Homilies on Genesis, Homilia VIII
Temptation of Abraham§1
1God tested Abraham: Take your only-begotten son. Not God’s ignorance but the showing of faith.
Latin · §1
Tentavit Deus Abraham: tolle filium unigenitum. Non ignorantia Dei sed ostensio fidei.
Early rising; three-day journey§2
2Abraham rises at night. The three days — resurrection’s mystery on the road to sacrifice.
Latin · §2
Abraham de nocte surgens. Triduum — mysterium resurrectionis in itinere ad sacrificium.
Servants left; father and son go on§3
3Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go yonder. Servitude and reason: the donkey stays; the mind ascends.
Latin · §3
Remanete hic cum asino; ego et puer illuc. Servitus et ratio: asinus remanet, mens ascendit.
Where is the lamb?§4
4Isaac: Where is the victim? God will provide himself the victim, my son. Prophecy of the Cross.
Latin · §4
Isaac: ubi est victima? Deus providebit sibi victimam, fili. Prophetia Crucis.
Bound on the altar§5
5He builds the altar and binds Isaac. Faith unto death; he did not spare his only son (in figure).
Latin · §5
Aedificat altare, ligat Isaac. Fides usque ad mortem; unigenitus non parcetur.
Angel stays the hand§6
6Angel: Do not lay your hand on the boy. Now I know you fear God. Perfect fear is completed in love.
Latin · §6
Angelus: non extendas manum. Nunc cognovi quia times Deum. Timor perfectus dilectione.
Ram in the thicket§7
7A ram caught in the thicket by its horns — Christ on the wood. Substituted for Isaac.
Latin · §7
Aries in vepre cornibus haerens — Christus in ligno. Pro Isaac substituitur.
Blessing and stars — Homilia VIII CLOSEOUT§8
8The Lord swears: Blessing I will bless you; as the stars. This is Homily VIII’s end on Isaac’s sacrifice. Amen.
Latin · §8
Iuravit Dominus: benedicens benedicam; sicut stellae. Haec Homiliae VIII finis de sacrificio Isaac. Amen.