# On the Making of the World

- Author: [Victorinus of Pettau](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/victorinus-of-pettau/)
- Latin title: *De fabrica mundi*
- Date: late 3rd century (approximate)
- Source: Johannes Haussleiter, ed., Victorini episcopi Petavionensis opera, CSEL 49 (Vienna: Tempsky, 1916) (Latin text: J. Haussleiter (CSEL 49, 1916), digitized by Open Greek and Latin, University of Leipzig (csel-dev), CC BY-SA 4.0)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/
- Passages: 10

## On the Making of the World 1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-1
- Source: CSEL 49:3
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Victorinus announces that he will reflect on the seven days of creation, since everything is governed by the number seven.

### Latin text

Cogitanti mihi (et) una cum animo meo conferenti de fabrica mundi istius, in quo clausi tenemur, etiam uelocitas fabricae ipsius haec est, sicut in libro Moysi continetur, quem de conditione ipsius scripsit, qui genesis appellatur. totam molem istam deus sex diebus ex nihilo in ornamentum maiestatis suae expressit, septimum quietus (a) labore benedictione consecrauit. idcirco igitur quoniam septenario numero dierum et caelestia et terrestria omnia reguntur, principii loco de hac septimana, omnium septimanarum regina, meditabor et prout potuero uirtutis diem in eius consummationem conabor exprimere.

### English translation (Claude)

As I reflect and turn over in my mind the making of this world in which we are held enclosed, even the speed of its making is this, as it is contained in the book of Moses which he wrote about its creation, the book called Genesis: God fashioned this whole mass out of nothing in six days, to adorn his majesty, and on the seventh, resting from labor, he consecrated it with a blessing. Therefore, since all things both heavenly and earthly are governed by the sevenfold number of days, I will meditate first on this week, the queen of all weeks, and as far as I am able I will try to set forth the day of power toward its fulfillment.

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:1: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:2: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:3: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The last clause (“prout potuero uirtutis diem in eius consummationem conabor exprimere”) is obscure; it is translated literally.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 1 (CSEL 49:3; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-1).

## On the Making of the World 2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-2
- Source: CSEL 49:3–4
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God made light divided into twelve hours of day and night, and on the fourth day the sun, moon, and stars to mark times.

### Latin text

In principio fecit deus lucem eamque duodenario numero horarum die noctuque diuisit, idcirco uidelicet, ut laboribus hominum requiei locum noctem dies superduceret, rursus dies superuinceret ac sic alterna uice labor quiet(e noct)is refoueretur, quies exercitatione rursus diei temperaretur. quarto die fecit duo luminaria in caelo, maius et minus, ut alterum praeesset diei, alterum nocti — solis et lunae — ceteraque sidera posuit in caelo, ut lucerent super terram et discernerent tempora et annos et menses et dies et horas per stationes.

### English translation (Claude)

In the beginning God made the light and divided it by the number twelve into hours of day and night, evidently so that day might bring on night as a place of rest from human labors, and day in turn overcome the night, and so, by alternation, labor might be refreshed by the rest of night, and rest in turn be tempered by the exercise of the day. On the fourth day he made two lights in the sky, a greater and a lesser, so that one might rule the day and the other the night (the sun and the moon), and he set the other stars in the sky to shine on the earth and to mark out, by their stations, seasons and years and months and days and hours.

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:3: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 1:4: allusion, medium confidence
- Gen 1:14: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 1:16: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 1:17: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The words in round brackets in the Latin (“quiet(e noct)is”) are the editor's supplement and are translated.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 2 (CSEL 49:3–4; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-2).

## On the Making of the World 3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-3
- Source: CSEL 49:4
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Victorinus explains the Wednesday fast by the sacred number four and by Christ's arrest on the fourth day of the week.

### Latin text

Nunc ratio ueritatis ostenditur, quare dies IIII. tetras nuncupatur, quare usque ad horam nonam ieiunamus (aut) usque ad uesperum aut superpositio usque in alterum diem fiat. mundus itaque iste ex quattuor elementis constat: igne aqua caelo terra. haec igitur quattuor elementa [temporum tetradem faciunt. sol quoque et luna per anni spatium quattuor tempora efficiunt: ueris aestatis autumni hiemis, et haec tempora tetradem faciunt. et ut ex ea re longius enarrem: ecce quattuor animalia ante thronum dei, quattuor euangelia, IIII flumina in paradiso fluentia, IIII generationes populorum ab Adam usque ad Noe, a Noe usque ad Abraham, ab Abraham usque ad Moysen, a Moyse usque ad Christum dominum filium dei. et quattuor animalia: hominis uituli leonis aquilae, et quattuor flumina: Fison Geon Tigris et Eufrates. homo Christus Iesus auctor eorum quae supra memorauimus tetrade ab impiis conprehensus est. itaque ob captiuitatem eius tetradem, ob maiestatem operum suorum et (ut) tempora humanitati salubria, frugibus laeta, tempestatibus tranquilla decurrant, ideo (aut stationem) aut superpositionem facimus.

### English translation (Claude)

Now the reason of the truth is shown: why the fourth day is called “tetras,” and why we fast until the ninth hour or until evening, or else an extended fast is kept over into the next day. This world consists of four elements: fire, water, sky, and earth. These four elements, then, make the tetrad of the seasons. The sun and moon also produce four seasons over the course of the year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and these seasons make a tetrad. And to follow the matter further: behold, four living creatures before the throne of God, four Gospels, four rivers flowing in paradise, four generations of peoples, from Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from Moses to Christ the Lord, the Son of God. And the four living creatures, of a man, a calf, a lion, and an eagle; and the four rivers, Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. The man Christ Jesus, the author of the things we have mentioned above, was seized by the wicked on the fourth day. Therefore, because of his arrest on the fourth day, because of the majesty of his works, and so that the seasons may run their course healthful to humanity, rich in crops, and calm in weather, we keep either a station or an extended fast.

### Scripture references

- Rev 4:6: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 4:7: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:10: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:14: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 26:47: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Tetras” (tetrade) here means the fourth day of the week (Wednesday), on which, Victorinus says, Christ was arrested; ANF takes it as a “quaternion” of soldiers. A “station” is a fast until the ninth hour; the “superpositio” (extended fast) continues into the following day.
- The Latin has an opening square bracket before “temporum” with no closing bracket; the words are translated.
- Words in round brackets are the editor's supplements and are translated.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 3 (CSEL 49:4; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-3).

## On the Making of the World 4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-4
- Source: CSEL 49:4–5
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: On the sixth day, the Preparation, God made man; Christians keep a station or fast on Friday because of Christ's passion.

### Latin text

Die quinto terra et aqua fetus suos ediderunt. die sexto creata sunt quae deerant. ac sic deus hominem de humo instruxit dominum omnium rerum, quas super terram et super aquam creauit. prius tamen angelos atque archangelos creauit, [hominem finxit] spiritalia terrenis anteponens. prius enim lux, quam caelum et terra. hic dies sextus parasceue appellatur, praeparatio scilicet regni. Adam enimque ad imaginem et similitudinem suam consummauit. idcirco autem prius opera sua consummauit, quam angelos crearet et hominem fabricauit, ne forte adiutores se fuisse falsa dictione adseuera(re)ut. hoc quoque die ob passionem domini Iesu Christi aut stationem deo aut ieiunium facimus.

### English translation (Claude)

On the fifth day the earth and the water brought forth their offspring. On the sixth day the things that were lacking were created; and so God formed man out of the soil, as lord of all the things he had created upon the earth and upon the water. Yet before this he created angels and archangels, placing spiritual beings before earthly ones; for light came before sky and earth. This sixth day is called Parasceve, that is, the preparation of the kingdom. For he completed Adam after his own image and likeness. But he completed his works before he created angels and formed man for this reason: so that they might not falsely claim that they had been his helpers. On this day also, because of the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, we keep either a station to God or a fast.

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:20: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 1:24: allusion, medium confidence
- Gen 1:26: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:7: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The editor deletes “hominem finxit” (“he formed man”) after “he created angels and archangels.”
- The text says both that the angels were created before man and that God completed his works before creating the angels; the tension is in the Latin and is translated as it stands.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 4 (CSEL 49:4–5; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-4).

## On the Making of the World 5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-5
- Source: CSEL 49:5
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christians fast on Saturday, not keeping the Jewish Sabbath, which Christ dissolved; Moses' raised hands prefigured the cross.

### Latin text

Die septimo requieuit ab omnibus operibus suis et benedixit eum et sanctificauit. hac die solemus superponere, idcirco, ut die dominico cum gratiarum actione ad panem exeamus. et parasceue superpositio fiat, nequid cum Iudaeis sabbatum obseruare uideamur, quod ipse dominus sabbati Christus per prophetas suos odisse animam suam dicit, quod sabbatum corpore suo resoluit. prius autem, cum ipse Moysi praeciperet, ne circumcisio diem octauam praeteriret, quae die sabbato plerumque incurrit, sicut in euangelio scriptum legimus, Moyses prospiciens duritiam populi illius idcirco die sabbati leuauit manus et se ipsum crucifixit in proelio, quod ab allophylis sabbato (factum est), ut caperentur et [uelut] seueritate legis ad deuitandum disciplinam formarentur.

### English translation (Claude)

On the seventh day he rested from all his works, and he blessed it and sanctified it. On this day we are accustomed to extend the fast, so that on the Lord's day we may go out to the bread with thanksgiving. And let an extended fast be kept on the Preparation, so that we may not seem to keep the Sabbath with the Jews, the Sabbath which Christ himself, the Lord of the Sabbath, says through his prophets that his soul hates, the Sabbath which he dissolved by his body. Earlier, however, when he himself commanded Moses that circumcision should not pass beyond the eighth day, which often falls on the Sabbath, as we read written in the Gospel, Moses, foreseeing the hardness of that people, for that reason raised his hands on the Sabbath day and crucified himself in the battle, which was waged by the foreigners on the Sabbath, so that they might be captured and be trained by the severity of the law toward avoiding discipline.

### Scripture references

- Gen 2:2: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 2:3: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 12:8: allusion, high confidence
- Isa 1:13: allusion, high confidence
- Isa 1:14: allusion, high confidence
- John 7:22: allusion, high confidence
- John 7:23: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:11: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:12: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The Saturday “superpositio” is an extended fast leading to the Sunday Eucharist (“to the bread with thanksgiving”).
- The Sabbath that God's “soul hates”: Isa 1:13–14. Circumcision on the eighth day even on the Sabbath: John 7:22–23. Moses' raised hands in the battle with Amalek: Exod 17:11–12, read as a figure of the cross.
- The final clause (“ut caperentur … ad deuitandum disciplinam formarentur”) is obscure, and it is not clear who is captured; it is translated literally. The editor deletes “uelut” (“as it were”). Round brackets are the editor's supplement.
- The polemic against the Jewish Sabbath is the author's own view, translated as written.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 5 (CSEL 49:5; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-5).

## On the Making of the World 6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-6
- Source: CSEL 49:5–6
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Joshua, Mattathias, and the prophets set aside the Sabbath; the true Sabbath is the seventh millennium, when Christ will reign with his elect.

### Latin text

Et ideo Dauid in psalmo VI. pro die octauo dominum rogat, ne in ira neque in furore suo arguat eum aut iudicet. hic est enim reuera futuri illius iudicii dies octauus, qui extra ordinem septimanae dispositionis excessurus est. Iesus quoque Naue successor Moysi et ipse sabbatum resoluit. die enim sabbati praecepit filiis Israel, ut muros ciuitatis Hiericho tubicinibus circuirent et bellum allophylis indicarent. Matthias autem princeps Iudae sabbatum resoluit. nam praefectum Antiochi regis Syriae sabbato occidit et allophylos sua persecutione subiecit. et apud Mattheum scriptum legimus. Esaias quoque et ceteri collegae eius sabbatum resoluerunt, ut uerum illud et iustum sabbatum septimo miliario annorum obseruaretur. quamobrem septem diebus istis dominus singula milia annorum adsignauit. sic enim cautum est: in oculis tuis, domine, mille anni ut dies una. ergo in oculis dei singula milia annorum constituta sunt: septem enim habeo oculos domini. quapropter, ut memoraui, uerum illud sabbatum est septimum miliarium, in quo Christus cum electis suis regnaturus est.

### English translation (Claude)

And so David, in Psalm 6, “for the eighth day,” asks the Lord not to rebuke or judge him in his anger or his wrath. For this is truly the eighth day of that future judgment, which will go beyond the order of the seven-day arrangement. Joshua the son of Nun, the successor of Moses, himself also dissolved the Sabbath: for on the Sabbath day he commanded the children of Israel to go around the walls of the city of Jericho with trumpets and declare war on the foreigners. Mattathias, the leader of Judah, also dissolved the Sabbath: for he killed the officer of Antiochus king of Syria on the Sabbath and subdued the foreigners by his pursuit. And we read it written in Matthew. Isaiah too and the rest of his colleagues dissolved the Sabbath, so that that true and just Sabbath might be kept in the seventh millennium of years. For this reason the Lord assigned a thousand years to each of these seven days. For so it is stated: “In your eyes, Lord, a thousand years are as one day.” So in the eyes of God each thousand of years is appointed; for I find that the eyes of the Lord are seven. Therefore, as I have said, that true Sabbath is the seventh millennium, in which Christ will reign with his elect.

### Scripture references

- Ps 6:1: allusion, high confidence
- Josh 6:3: allusion, high confidence
- Josh 6:4: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 12:5: allusion, low confidence
- Ps 90:4 (89:4 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Zech 4:10: allusion, medium confidence
- Rev 20:4: allusion, medium confidence
- Isa 1:13: allusion, low confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 Macc 2:25 (1 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence
- 1 Macc 2:41 (1 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Psalm 6 bears the title “for the eighth” (Vulgate “pro octaua”), which Victorinus reads as the eighth day of judgment; the plea is Ps 6:1.
- Joshua at Jericho: Josh 6. Mattathias (“Matthias”) killing the king's officer and resolving to fight on the Sabbath: 1 Macc 2:25, 41. “We read it written in Matthew” probably refers to Matt 12:1–8, but the reference is unclear. Isaiah and the prophets “dissolving” the Sabbath is unidentified (perhaps Isa 1:13).
- “A thousand years as one day”: Ps 90:4 (LXX 89:4). The seven eyes of the Lord: Zech 4:10.
- Victorinus holds a millenarian view (a thousand-year reign of Christ with the saints on earth in the seventh millennium); translated as written.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 6 (CSEL 49:5–6; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-6).

## On the Making of the World 7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-7
- Source: CSEL 49:6–7
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The seven heavens correspond to the seven gifts of the Spirit on Christ, and the Word, the author of creation, bears these seven names in the seven days.

### Latin text

Septem quoque caeli [sunt] illis diebus conueniunt. sic enim cautum est: uerbo domini caeli firmati sunt et spiritu oris eius omnis uirtus eorum. hi septem spiritus. nomina sunt eorum spiritus, qui supra Christum dei requieuerunt. ut apud Esaiam prophetam cautum est: et requiescit super eum spiritus sapientiae et intellectus, spiritus consilii et uirtutis, spiritus scientiae et pietatis, et repleuit illum spiritus timoris dei. summum ergo caelum sapientiae, secundum intellectus, tertium consilii, quartum uirtutis, quintum scientiae, sextum pietatis, septimum timoris dei. ex hoc ergo tonitrua mugiunt, fulmina extenduntur, ignes conglobant(ur), trabes ardentes apparent, sidera radiant, comae horribiles coruscant, nonnunquam accedit etiam sol et luna: inuicem uisitantur atque illa ultra formidabilia lumina, radiantia in acie aspectu eius, efficiunt. auctori autem totius creaturae istius— uerbo cognomen est ei. sic enim dicit pater eius: eructatum est cor meum uerbum bonum. Iohannes euangelista sic dicit: in principio erat uerbum et uerbum erat apud deum et deus erat uerbum. hoc erat in principio apud deum. omnia per ipsum facta sunt et sine eo factum est nihil. ergo primus factus creaturae est, secundus hominis (uel) humani generis, ut ait apostolus. hoc igitur uerbum, cum lucem fecit, sapientia uocatur; cum caelum, intellectus; cum terram et mare, consilium; cum solem et lunam ceteraque clara, uirtus; cum terrae ac mari (fetus) excitat, scientia; cum hominem finxit, pietas; cum hominem benedicit et sanctificat, timor dei nomen habet.

### English translation (Claude)

The seven heavens also correspond to those days. For so it is stated: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made firm, and all their power by the Spirit of his mouth.” These are the seven spirits. Their names are those of the Spirit who rested upon the Christ of God, as it is stated in the prophet Isaiah: “And there rests upon him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God filled him.” The highest heaven, then, is of wisdom, the second of understanding, the third of counsel, the fourth of power, the fifth of knowledge, the sixth of godliness, the seventh of the fear of God. From this the thunders roar, the lightnings stretch out, fires gather into balls, burning beams appear, the stars shine, dreadful comets flash; at times sun and moon also come near: they visit one another in turn and produce those more than fearful lights, radiant in the line of his sight. Now the author of this whole creation — his name is the Word. For so his Father says: “My heart has poured forth a good word.” John the evangelist says thus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made.” So he is the first of creation, the second of man, or of the human race, as the apostle says. This Word, then, when he made light, is called wisdom; when he made the sky, understanding; when the earth and sea, counsel; when the sun and moon and the other bright bodies, power; when he calls forth the offspring of land and sea, knowledge; when he formed man, godliness; when he blesses and sanctifies man, he bears the name of the fear of God.

### Scripture references

- Ps 33:6 (32:6 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Isa 11:2: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 11:3: quotation, high confidence
- Ps 45:1 (44:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- John 1:1: quotation, high confidence
- John 1:2: quotation, high confidence
- John 1:3: quotation, high confidence
- Col 1:15: allusion, low confidence
- 1 Cor 15:47: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Quotations: Ps 33:6 (LXX 32:6); Isa 11:2–3 in the Old Latin form, with “godliness” (pietas) as the sixth spirit; Ps 45:1 (LXX 44:2); John 1:1–3.
- “The first of creation, the second of man … as the apostle says” probably alludes to Col 1:15 (firstborn of all creation) and to Christ as the second Adam (1 Cor 15:45–47); the phrasing is compressed and uncertain.
- The description of the celestial phenomena (“nonnunquam accedit etiam sol et luna … efficiunt”) is obscure and is translated literally. Round brackets are the editor's supplements.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 7 (CSEL 49:6–7; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-7).

## On the Making of the World 8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-8
- Source: CSEL 49:7–8
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Victorinus lists the sevens of Scripture.

### Latin text

Ecce septem cornula agnuli, septem oculi dei, septem oculi stagnei, [septem oculi], septem spiritus, septem faces ardentes ante thronum dei, septem candelabra aurea, septem ouiculae, septem mulieres apud Esaiam, septem ecclesiae apud Paulum, septem diacones, septem angeli, septem tubae, septem signacula libri, septem septimanae quibus pentecoste concluditur, septem septimanae apud Danihelum, item sexaginta tres septimanae apud Danihelum, apud Noe septem omnia munda in arca, septem uindictae de Cain, septem anni remittendi debiti. lucerna cum septem orificiis, septem columnae sapientiae in domum Salamonis.

### English translation (Claude)

Behold the seven horns of the Lamb, the seven eyes of God, the seven eyes of the tin stone, the seven spirits, the seven torches burning before the throne of God, the seven golden lampstands, the seven ewe lambs, the seven women in Isaiah, the seven churches in Paul, the seven deacons, the seven angels, the seven trumpets, the seven seals of the book, the seven weeks by which Pentecost is completed, the seven weeks in Daniel, and also the sixty-three weeks in Daniel; with Noah, seven of all clean things in the ark; the seven vengeances on Cain; the seven years for remitting debts; the lamp with seven openings; the seven pillars of wisdom in the house of Solomon.

### Scripture references

- Rev 5:6: allusion, high confidence
- Zech 4:10: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 4:5: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 1:12: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 21:28: allusion, low confidence
- Isa 4:1: allusion, high confidence
- Acts 6:3: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 8:2: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 5:1: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 23:15: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 23:16: allusion, medium confidence
- Dan 9:25: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 7:2: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 4:24: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 15:1: allusion, high confidence
- Zech 4:2: allusion, high confidence
- Prov 9:1: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The editor deletes a repeated “septem oculi” (“seven eyes”).
- Sources: Rev 5:6 (horns, eyes, spirits); Zech 4:10 (the “tin stone,” a plummet, with seven eyes); Rev 4:5 (torches); Rev 1:12 (lampstands); Gen 21:28–30 (seven ewe lambs, probably); Isa 4:1 (seven women); Paul's letters to seven churches; Acts 6:3 (seven deacons); Rev 8:2 (angels and trumpets); Rev 5:1 (seals); Lev 23:15–16 (Pentecost); Dan 9:25 (seven weeks); Gen 7:2 (clean animals); Gen 4:24 (Cain); Deut 15:1 (remission of debts); Zech 4:2 (the lamp); Prov 9:1 (wisdom's seven pillars).
- Daniel has sixty-two weeks (Dan 9:25–26); the text reads sixty-three.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 8 (CSEL 49:7–8; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-8).

## On the Making of the World 9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-9
- Source: CSEL 49:8–9
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The saving events of Christ's life correspond to the days of creation, and his deeds show both his humanity and his lordship.

### Latin text

Nunc igitur de ine(na)rrabili gloria dei et prouidentia uideas memorari: tamen, ut mens parua poterit, conabor ostendere. ut Adam illum per septimanam reformauerit atque uniuersae suae creaturae subuenerit, natiuitate filii sui Iesu Christi domini nostri factum est. quis itaque lege dei doctus. quis plenus spiritu sancto non respiciat corde, ea die Gabrihel angelum Mariae uirgini euangelizasse, qua die draco Euam seduxit; ea die spiritum sanctum Mariam uirginem inundasse, qua lucem fecit; ea die in carne esse conuersum, qua terram et aquam fecit; ea die in lacte esse conuersum, qua stellas fecit;. ea die in sanguine, qua terra et aqua fetus suos ediderunt; ea die in carne esse conuersum, qua die hominem de humo instruxit; ea die natum esse Christum, qua hominem finxit; eadem die esse passum, qua Adam cecidit; ea die resurrexisse a mortuis, qua lucem fecit? humanitatem quoque suam septenario numero consummat: natiuitatis, infantiae, pueritiae, adulescentiae, iuuentutis, perfectae aetatis, occasus. Iudaeis quoque humanitatem suam etiam his modis ostendit: cum esurit, sitit, cibum potumque cepit; cum ambulat et secessit: cum super ceruicale dormiuit. cum autem freta orta procella pedibus ingreditur, uentis imperat, aegros curat, et clodos reformat, caecos (illuminat, surdos auditione et mutos) eloquentia instituit, uide eum dominum se esse nuntiare eis.

### English translation (Claude)

Now then, may you see the unspeakable glory and providence of God recounted; yet, as far as my small mind can, I will try to show it. That he re-formed Adam by means of the week and came to the aid of his whole creation was accomplished by the birth of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Who, then, taught in the law of God, who, full of the Holy Spirit, does not see in his heart that the angel Gabriel brought the good news to the Virgin Mary on the day on which the dragon seduced Eve; that the Holy Spirit flooded the Virgin Mary on the day on which he made light; that he was turned into flesh on the day on which he made earth and water; that he was turned into milk on the day on which he made the stars; into blood on the day on which the earth and the water brought forth their offspring; that he was turned into flesh on the day on which he formed man out of the soil; that Christ was born on the day on which he formed man; that he suffered on the same day on which Adam fell; that he rose from the dead on the day on which he made light? He also completes his humanity in the number seven: birth, infancy, boyhood, adolescence, youth, full age, decline. To the Jews too he showed his humanity in these ways: when he hungers, thirsts, took food and drink; when he walks and withdrew; when he slept on a cushion. But when he walks on the sea with his feet as a storm arises, commands the winds, heals the sick, restores the lame, gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to the mute, see him proclaiming to them that he is the Lord.

### Scripture references

- Luke 1:26: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 1:35: allusion, medium confidence
- Gen 3:1: allusion, medium confidence
- Mark 4:38: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 14:25: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 8:26: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 11:5: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The sequence of days is as the Latin gives it, including the repeated “turned into flesh”; ANF, from a different text, has “circumcised” for “into blood.” The sense of each correspondence is not always clear.
- Gabriel and Mary: Luke 1:26–38. Sleeping on a cushion: Mark 4:38. Walking on the sea and commanding the winds: Matt 14:25; 8:26. Healings: Matt 11:5.
- “clodos” is read as “claudos” (“lame”). Round brackets are the editor's supplements.
- The digits “25” are a line number of the printed edition that leaked into the text.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 9 (CSEL 49:8–9; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-9).

## On the Making of the World 10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-10
- Source: CSEL 49:9–11
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The twenty-four elders of Revelation are the angels of the twenty-four hours of day and night.

### Latin text

De duodenario numero dies, ut supra memoraui, per duodenas horas bifarie diuisus est: lucis et noctis. per has namque horas menses et anni et tempora et saecula conputantur. constituti sunt itaque sine dubietate diei angeli duodecim, noctis angeli duodecim, pro numero scilicet horarum. hi sunt namque XXIIII testes dierum et noctium, qui sedent ante thronum dei, coronas aureas in capitibus suis habentes, quos [in] apocalypsis Iohannis apostoli et euangelistae seniores uocat, idcirco, quia seniores sunt et aliis angelis et hominibus.

### English translation (Claude)

As to the number twelve: the day, as I said above, is divided in two by twelve hours each, of light and of night. For by these hours months and years and seasons and ages are reckoned. And so, without doubt, twelve angels of the day and twelve angels of the night have been appointed, according to the number of the hours. For these are the twenty-four witnesses of days and nights who sit before the throne of God with golden crowns on their heads, whom the Apocalypse of John, apostle and evangelist, calls elders, because they are older both than the other angels and than human beings.

### Scripture references

- Rev 4:4: allusion, high confidence
- Rev 4:10: allusion, medium confidence
- John 11:9: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The twenty-four elders: Rev 4:4. The editor deletes “in” before “apocalypsis.”
- The digits “5” and “10” are line numbers of the printed edition that leaked into the text.

### Citation (SBL)

Victorinus, Fabr. mund. 10 (CSEL 49:9–11; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/victorinus-fabrica/1/#p-10).