Lexical Summary oktaémeros: Eight days old Original Word: ὀκταήμερος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance the eighth day. From oktos and hemera; an eight-day old person or act -- the eighth day. see GREEK oktos see GREEK hemera NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom októ and hémera Definition of the eighth day, eight days old NASB Translation eighth day (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3637: ὀκταήμεροςὀκταήμερος, ὀκταημερον (ὀκτώ, ἡμέρα), eight days old; passing the eighth day: περιτομή (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 6 a.; Buttmann, § 133, 21; but Rec. περιτομή) ὀκταήμερος, circumcised on the eighth day, Philippians 3:5; see τεταρταῖος; (`the word denotes properly, not interval but duration' (see Lightfoot on Philippians, the passage cited). Graecus Venetus, Genesis 17:12; ecclesiastical writings). Topical Lexicon Biblical ContextThe sole New Testament occurrence of ὀκταήμερος is found in Philippians 3:5, where the Apostle Paul describes himself as being “circumcised on the eighth day”. In doing so, Paul invokes the longstanding covenant requirement given to Abraham (Genesis 17:12) and codified in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12:3). By calling attention to the eighth-day rite, Paul stresses that, from infancy, he stood within the covenant community of Israel and therefore possessed every natural credential valued by his contemporaries. Covenantal Significance of the Eighth Day 1. Divine command: Circumcision on the eighth day served as the outward sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:10–14). Paul’s Testimony in Philippians 3 In Philippians 3:4–11 Paul lists inherited and earned distinctions—beginning with eighth-day circumcision—only to declare them insufficient for righteousness. His point is twofold: Typological and Theological Reflections • New creation motif: The eighth day follows the completed week of creation, foreshadowing renewal and resurrection. Jesus rose on “the first day of the week,” functionally an eighth day, inaugurating the new covenant reality toward which earlier rites pointed. Historical Observations Early Jewish sources (e.g., Josephus, Antiquities 1.12.2) note meticulous observance of the eighth-day requirement during the Second Temple era. Paul’s claim in Philippians fits this backdrop, illustrating the high value placed on precise Torah fidelity among diasporic Jews such as those of Tarsus. Medical and Practical Considerations Modern medicine confirms that neonatal clotting factors peak around the eighth day, providing a providential safeguard for the surgical rite. While Scripture does not invoke medical reasons, the timing reflects divine wisdom benefiting the infant while teaching parents prompt obedience. Ministry Applications • Identity and humility: Heritage and religious accomplishments have no power to justify; ministry must direct hearts to Christ rather than to pedigree or ritual. Summary ὀκταήμερος encapsulates the precision of covenant obedience in Israel and serves Paul’s greater argument that every earthly distinction yields to the surpassing glory of Christ. For modern readers, the term calls both for gratitude that God faithfully kept His promises and for renewed reliance on the finished work of the Savior, in whom the outward sign finds its ultimate fulfillment. Forms and Transliterations οκταημερος οκταήμερος ὀκταήμερος οκτακισχίλια οκτακισχίλιοι οκτακόσια οκτακόσιαι οκτακοσίαις οκτακοσίας οκτακόσιοι οκτακοσίους οκταπήχεσι oktaemeros oktaēmeros oktaḗmerosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |