Leviticus 12:3

KJV

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the eighth {H8066} day {H3117} the flesh {H1320} of his foreskin {H6190} shall be circumcised {H4135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the eighth day, the baby's foreskin is to be circumcised.

Berean Standard Bible

And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.

American Standard Version

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 12:3, a concise yet profound commandment within the Mosaic Law, mandates the circumcision of a male child on the eighth day after birth. This injunction, situated within the purification laws for a woman after childbirth, underscores a foundational and ancient practice for the Israelite nation, serving as a perpetual sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, signifying identity, belonging, and precise obedience to divine instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Leviticus 12, a chapter primarily dedicated to the laws of purification for a woman following childbirth. The preceding verses, [Leviticus 12:1-2](/leviticus/12-1 "Leviticus 12:1-2 - Laws of Purification After Childbirth"), establish the duration of ritual uncleanness for the mother, differentiating between the birth of a male and a female child. Immediately following these purification periods, verse 3 introduces the mandatory rite of circumcision for the male child. This placement highlights the integration of individual and family purity with the broader covenantal identity of the community, emphasizing that even within the context of physical birth, the spiritual and covenantal obligations of the Israelite people were paramount.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of circumcision did not originate with the Mosaic Law but was instituted much earlier as a central tenet of God's covenant with Abraham. In [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Abrahamic Covenant and Circumcision"), God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male among his descendants as a "sign of the covenant" ([Genesis 17:11](/genesis/17-11 "Genesis 17:11 - Circumcision as a Sign of the Covenant")). This rite distinguished Abraham's lineage from all other nations, marking them as God's chosen people. By the time of Leviticus, circumcision had been practiced for centuries, serving as an indelible physical mark of identity, belonging, and commitment to the covenant promises. The specific timing of the "eighth day" also carries significant implications, as it was understood to be a period of new beginnings and completeness, following the seven-day cycle of creation and the Sabbath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eighth day (Hebrew, _yom ha-shemini_):** This precise timing is highly significant. The number eight often symbolizes new beginnings, resurrection, and completeness beyond the cycle of seven (e.g., the new creation after the flood, the day after the Sabbath). Furthermore, ancient Jewish tradition, now corroborated by modern medical science, recognized that on the eighth day, the levels of Vitamin K and prothrombin in a newborn are at their highest, ensuring optimal blood clotting and minimizing the risk of hemorrhage during the procedure. This divinely ordained timing showcases God's perfect wisdom and care for His people's well-being.
* **Circumcised (Hebrew, _mul_):** The verb "mul" refers to the act of cutting off the foreskin. In the biblical context, this physical act carries profound spiritual and covenantal weight. It was not merely a hygienic or cultural practice but a divinely commanded sign, an indelible mark on the body that signified one's inclusion in the covenant community of Israel, distinguishing them as God's chosen people and heirs of the promises made to Abraham.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the eighth day":** This phrase specifies the exact timing for the ritual, emphasizing the divine precision and importance of adherence to God's instructions. The "eighth day" carries symbolic weight of newness and completion, and, as noted, demonstrates God's providential wisdom regarding the infant's physiological development.
* **"the flesh of his foreskin":** This refers to the specific part of the male anatomy to be removed. It highlights the physical, tangible nature of the covenant sign, making it an external and visible mark of identity and belonging to the Abrahamic lineage.
* **"shall be circumcised":** This is a divine imperative, a non-negotiable command. The passive voice ("shall be circumcised") implies that the act is performed upon the child, signifying that the child is brought into the covenant by the actions of the parents, representing the community's obedience to God's established order.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 12:3 employs several key literary devices. The primary device is **Command**, expressed through the imperative "shall be circumcised," which underscores the non-negotiable nature of this divine ordinance. This command is characterized by **Precision**, specifically in the mention of the "eighth day," highlighting God's meticulous attention to detail and the importance of exact obedience. Furthermore, the act of circumcision itself functions as **Symbolism**. While a physical act, it profoundly symbolizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, representing purity, identity, and the cutting away of the old, unholy nature to enter into a consecrated relationship with the divine. This symbolic act also foreshadows the later New Testament concept of spiritual circumcision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 12:3 firmly establishes circumcision as a central pillar of Israelite identity and covenant faithfulness. It reiterates God's ancient command to Abraham, demonstrating the continuity of divine revelation and the enduring nature of God's covenant promises. The precise timing and physical nature of the rite underscore the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions, even when their full rationale might not be immediately apparent. Theologically, it points to the concept of being "set apart" for God, a physical sign of a spiritual reality, prefiguring the deeper spiritual transformation emphasized in the New Covenant.

* [Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9 "Genesis 17:9-14 - God's Covenant with Abraham and Circumcision")
* [Romans 4:9-12](/romans/4-9 "Romans 4:9-12 - Abraham's Faith and Circumcision")
* [Colossians 2:11-12](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11-12 - Spiritual Circumcision in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While physical circumcision is not a requirement for New Covenant believers, Leviticus 12:3 offers profound lessons for contemporary faith. It reminds us of God's meticulous care in His commands, His expectation of precise obedience, and the deep significance He attaches to signs of covenant. For Christians, the emphasis shifts from an external physical mark to an internal spiritual reality—a "circumcision of the heart" that signifies a radical transformation by the Holy Spirit, a cutting away of sin and the old nature. This verse challenges us to consider what truly marks us as God's people today: not outward rituals, but a heart made right with God through faith in Christ, evidenced by a life lived in humble obedience, reflecting His holiness, and pursuing genuine spiritual purity in every aspect of our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's commands, as seen in the "eighth day" instruction, inform our approach to obedience in our own lives?**
* **In what ways do we, as New Covenant believers, demonstrate our covenant identity with God, if not through physical signs?**
* **What "foreskins of the heart" (spiritual impurities or old habits) might God be calling us to "cut away" in our lives today to live more fully consecrated to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "eighth day" specifically chosen for circumcision?**

Answer: The selection of the eighth day for circumcision carries both symbolic and practical significance. Symbolically, the number eight often represents new beginnings and resurrection, coming after the completion of the seven-day cycle (like the Sabbath). Practically, and remarkably, modern medical science has confirmed that the eighth day of a male infant's life is optimal for the procedure. On this day, the levels of Vitamin K, crucial for blood clotting, and prothrombin, a protein involved in coagulation, are at their highest. This minimizes the risk of excessive bleeding, showcasing God's perfect wisdom and care for the well-being of His people, long before such medical knowledge was scientifically understood ([see also Genesis 17:12](/genesis/17-12 "Genesis 17:12 - Command for Circumcision on the Eighth Day")).

**What is the theological significance of circumcision in the Old Testament?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, circumcision served as the physical, indelible sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. It was a visible mark that distinguished the Israelites as God's chosen people ([Genesis 17:10-11](/genesis/17-10 "Genesis 17:10-11 - Circumcision as a Sign of the Covenant")). Theologically, it represented identity, belonging, and a commitment to the covenant promises. It was a sign of being set apart, consecrated to God, and a reminder of the unique relationship between God and Israel. It also foreshadowed the need for a deeper, internal purity.

**How does Old Testament physical circumcision relate to New Testament faith?**

Answer: The New Testament reinterprets the concept of circumcision, shifting the focus from a physical rite to a spiritual reality. While Jesus Himself was circumcised on the eighth day ([Luke 2:21](/luke/2-21 "Luke 2:21 - Jesus' Circumcision")), the Apostle Paul clarifies that salvation and inclusion in God's people are no longer dependent on physical circumcision but on faith in Christ ([Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision is of the Heart") and [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Galatians 5:6 - Faith Working Through Love")). Paul introduces the concept of "circumcision of the heart," which is a spiritual transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit, a cutting away of the sinful nature through union with Christ ([Colossians 2:11-12](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11-12 - Spiritual Circumcision in Christ")). Thus, the Old Testament physical sign points to the New Testament spiritual reality of regeneration and new life in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 12:3 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the continuation of a physical rite, but in the spiritual reality inaugurated by Jesus Christ. While Jesus, born under the Law, Himself submitted to circumcision on the eighth day ([Luke 2:21](/luke/2-21 "Luke 2:21 - Jesus' Circumcision")), thereby fulfilling all righteousness and identifying with His people, His coming marked a profound shift. The physical cutting of the foreskin, a sign of the Old Covenant, pointed forward to the "cutting away" of sin and the old nature achieved through Christ's atoning work. The Apostle Paul powerfully articulates this in the New Testament, explaining that true circumcision is now "a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter" ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Romans 2:29 - True Circumcision is of the Heart")). Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers undergo a spiritual circumcision, a "putting off of the body of the flesh" ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Spiritual Circumcision in Christ")), signifying our union with Him in His death and resurrection through baptism ([Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried with Him in Baptism")). Thus, the ancient command in Leviticus 12:3 ultimately directs our gaze to Christ, who, by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, provides the spiritual reality that the physical sign foreshadowed, bringing about a new covenant where spiritual transformation, not outward ritual, defines God's people ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 2:21

¶ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 1:59

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

John 7:22

Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

John 7:23

If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Romans 4:11

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Romans 4:12

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised.