Leviticus 12:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the eighth day after birth, the male child receives circumcision as the covenant sign.
The Context of Leviticus 12:3
Circumcision occurs on the eighth day, marking the child's covenant entry.
What Does Leviticus 12:3 Mean?
The eighth day marks the transition from the initial period of ritual impurity. Circumcision on the eighth day, not the first or seventh, establishes a specific timing within Israel's ritual calendar and connects the newborn to the covenant with Abraham established in Genesis 17. This ancient practice of male circumcision serves as the physical sign binding each generation to God's covenantal promises.
The prescription for circumcision on the eighth day appears throughout Israel's law and practice, reflecting consistency in the covenant observance. This rite marks the male child's entry into the covenant community and is prerequisite to full participation in Israel's religious life and practice.
Leviticus 12:3 in the Original Language
brit milah (ברית מילה) — covenant circumcision; literally 'flesh of his foreskin' references 'orlah (עָרְלָה), the foreskin that is removed
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 12:3
What does Leviticus 12:3 mean?
On the eighth day after birth, the male child receives circumcision as the covenant sign.
What is the context of Leviticus 12:3?
Circumcision occurs on the eighth day, marking the child's covenant entry.