Book XVI

Whether, after the deluge, from Noah to Abraham, any families can be found who lived
according to God.

What was prophetically prefigured in the sons of Noah.

Of the generations of the three sons of Noah.

Of the diversity of languages, and of the founding of Babylon.

Of God’s coming down to confound the languages of the builders of the city.

What we are to understand by God’s speaking to the angels.

Whether certain monstrous races of men are derived from the stock of Adam or Noah’s sons.

Whether we are to believe in the Antipodes.

Of the genealogy of Shem, in whose line the city of God is preserved till the time of Abraham.

That the original language in use among men was that which was afterwards called Hebrew,
from Heber, in whose family it was preserved when the confusion of tongues occurred.

Of the era in Abraham’s life from which a new period in the holy succession begins.

Why, in the account of Terah’s emigration, on his forsaking the Chaldeans and passing over
into Mesopotamia, no mention is made of his son Nahor.

Of the years of Terah, who completed his lifetime in Haran.

Of the time of the migration of Abraham, when, according to the commandment of God, he
went out from Haran.

Of the order and nature of the promises of God which were made to Abraham.

Of the three most famous kingdoms of the nations, of which one, that is, the Assyrian, was
already very eminent when Abraham was born.

Of the repeated address of God to Abraham, in which He promised the land of Canaan to
him and to his seed.

Of the divine preservation of Sarah’s chastity in Egypt, when Abraham had called her not his
wife but his sister.

Of the parting of Lot and Abraham, which they agreed to without breach of charity.

Of the third promise of God, by which He assured the land of Canaan to Abraham and his
seed in perpetuity.

Of Abraham’s overcoming the enemies of Sodom, when he delivered Lot from captivity and
was blessed by Melchizedek the priest.

Of the word of the Lord to Abraham, by which it was promised to him that his posterity
should be multiplied according to the multitude of the stars; on believing which he was declared justified while yet in uncircumcision.

Of the meaning of the sacrifice Abraham was commanded to offer when he supplicated to be
taught about those things he had believed.

Of Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar, whom she herself wished to be Abraham’s concubine.

Of God’s attestation to Abraham, by which He assures him, when now old, of a son by the
barren Sarah, and appoints him the father of the nations, and seals his faith in the promise by
the sacrament of circumcision.

Of the male, who was to lose his soul if he was not circumcised on the eighth day, because
he had broken God’s covenant.

Of the change of name in Abraham and Sarah, who received the gift of fecundity when they
were incapable of regeneration owing to the barrenness of one, and the old age of both.

Of the three men or angels, in whom the Lord is related to have appeared to Abraham at the
oak of Mamre.

Of Lot’s deliverance from Sodom, and its consumption by fire from heaven; and of
Abimelech, whose lust could not harm Sarah’s chastity.

Of Abraham’s obedience and faith, which were proved by the offering up of his son in
sacrifice; and of Sarah’s death.

Of Rebecca, the grand-daughter of Nahor, whom Isaac took to wife.

What is meant by Abraham’s marrying Keturah after Sarah’s death.

What was indicated by the divine answer about the twins still shut up in the womb of
Rebecca their mother.

Of the oracle and blessing which Isaac received, just as his father did, being beloved for his
sake.

Of the things mystically prefigured in Esau and Jacob.

Of, Jacob’s mission to Mesopotamia to get a wife, and of the vision which he saw in a dream
by the way, and of his getting four women when he sought one wife.

The reason why Jacob was also called Israel.

How it is said that Jacob went into Egypt with seventy-five souls, when most of those who
are mentioned were born at a later period.

Of the blessing which Jacob promised in Judah his son.

Of the sons of Joseph, whom Jacob blessed, prophetically changing his hands.