Formulating a typological association between the biblical figure of Cain and the Jews, Augustine of Hippo crafts a highly intricate theology that justifies and even demands the continuing presence of Jews and their religious practices in a Christian society.

This book examines the development of Augustine of Hippo’s theology of the Jewish people and Judaism. Formulating a typological association between the biblical figure of Cain and the Jews, he crafts a highly intricate theology that justifies and even demands the continuing presence of Jews and their religious practices in a Christian society. Such a theology emerges out of his highly original interpretation of Genesis 4:1–15 and yet mirrors and theologically justifies the reality of Jews and Judaism in the late Roman Empire.