De Genesi ad litteram
Augustine's literal commentary on Genesis, completed in AD 415.
Augustine of Hippo wrote *De Genesi ad litteram* (Latin for "Literal Commentary on Genesis") as an exegetical study of the Book of Genesis. This Latin work, likely finished in 415 AD, was his second effort at a literal interpretation of the Genesis story. The text is organized into twelve books: the first five cover the seven days of creation, books six through eleven address the second creation account and the Garden of Eden, and the twelfth book discusses the "Third Heaven" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
Within this commentary, Augustine notably proposed that God created everything in the universe simultaneously in eternity, and that the six-day structure in Genesis describes how that creation unfolded in time. He also rejected the transmigration of souls, Tertullian's view that the soul is physical, and the notion that souls existed before birth. While not dismissing allegorical interpretation outright, Augustine argued that it cannot be the sole method a theologian uses, thereby breaking from the approaches favored by Philo and Origen. He contended that objections to the literal truth of Genesis's opening chapters are based on the unfounded assumption that the objector has already grasped the text's true meaning.
Augustine advised caution when multiple interpretations of a passage are possible, warning against presenting any single reading as absolute. He feared that doing so would make Christians appear naive to experts in other fields, thereby devaluing the Bible itself. This passage was later quoted by Galileo Galilei in his 1615 essay *Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina*, during the Galileo affair, where he unsuccessfully tried to persuade the Catholic Church to abandon the geocentric model. Galileo's essay is considered a key text in the history of science and theology, and a foundational document of the Scientific Revolution. *De Genesi ad litteram*, and this passage in particular, have also been cited in modern religious debates about evolution and Young Earth creationism.
- author
- Augustine of Hippo
- completed
- AD 415
- language
- Latin
- genre
- Exegetical commentary
- books
- 12
- known_for
- Literal interpretation of Genesis; simultaneous creation; influence on science-theology debates
Lore & Background
One of the more notable assertions made by Augustine in De Genesi ad litteram is the idea that everything in the universe was created simultaneously in eternity by God and that the six-day structure presented in the book of Genesis represents how creation manifested itself in a temporal sense. This work also saw Augustine reject the transmigration of souls, Tertullian's idea that the soul is corporeal, and the idea of pre-existent souls. While De Genesi ad litteram does not reject allegorical exegesis, it does argue that this cannot be the only approach a theologian takes, breaking from the interpretive methods favored by Philo and Origen.
Reader's Guide
De Genesi ad litteram is significant for its nuanced approach to biblical interpretation and its lasting impact on the relationship between science and theology. Augustine argues that objections against the literal truth of Genesis often rest on baseless assumptions about the text's meaning. He recommends prudence when multiple interpretations are possible, warning against presenting specific readings as absolute, to avoid experts outside theology seeing Christians as naive and devaluing the Bible. A key passage from the work was quoted by Galileo Galilei in his 1615 essay Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina during the Galileo affair, in which Galileo tried to dissuade the Catholic church from supporting the geocentric model. This passage has also been referenced in contemporary religious debates about evolution and Young Earth creationism. Augustine's emphasis on not forcing Scripture to conform to one's own views, but rather conforming one's views to Scripture, has made this work a touchstone for discussions on science and faith.
Did You Know?
- Augustine asserts in De Genesi ad litteram that everything in the universe was created simultaneously in eternity by God.
- The work rejects the transmigration of souls, Tertullian's idea that the soul is corporeal, and the idea of pre-existent souls.
- A passage from De Genesi ad litteram was quoted by Galileo Galilei in his 1615 essay Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina.
- Augustine warns against presenting specific interpretations of Scripture as absolute, to avoid Christians being seen as naive by experts in other fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is De Genesi ad litteram?
It is a Latin exegetical commentary on the Book of Genesis written by Augustine of Hippo, completed around AD 415. The title translates to 'Literal Commentary on Genesis,' and it marks his second attempt at reading the creation narrative on its own terms.
How is De Genesi ad litteram organized?
The work spans twelve books: the first five walk through the seven days of creation, books six through eleven address the second creation account and the Garden of Eden, and book twelve takes up the 'Third Heaven' reference in 2 Corinthians 12.
What is Augustine's central claim in De Genesi ad litteram?
His most discussed proposal is that God brought all things into existence at once rather than in a strict day-by-day sequence, even though the text presents six distinct days. This simultaneous-creation idea has become a recurring touchstone in later science-and-theology conversations.
Why do people still reference De Genesi ad litteram today?
Because Augustine's simultaneous-creation argument is frequently invoked in debates over how to reconcile biblical creation accounts with modern natural science. It remains one of the earliest systematic attempts to read Genesis literally without forcing a mechanical timeline onto the text.
How does De Genesi ad litteram relate to Augustine's earlier Genesis work?
It was his second literal-interpretation effort, meaning he had already produced an earlier commentary on Genesis before revising and expanding his reading in this later work. The title itself signals a commitment to taking the text at face value rather than reading it purely allegorically.
More in Genesis creation narrative 1-24
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