Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:4

What does Genesis 21:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:4 means

In obedience to God's command given in Genesis 17, Abraham circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old. This act was not merely a cultural tradition but a divinely ordained sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. By performing the circumcision, Abraham demonstrated his faith and commitment to God's instructions, ritually integrating Isaac, the promised heir, into the covenant community and signifying his separation unto God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham made him undergo circumcision, as God had said to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Abraham circumciseth Isaac his son, <FI>being<Fi> a son of eight days, as God hath commanded him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he circumcised him the eighth day, as God had commanded him,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old, asGod had commanded him.

Context

Having named Isaac, Abraham immediately fulfills the next divine command related to the covenant: circumcision. This action, following on the heels of the birth and naming, confirms Abraham's adherence to God's established covenant law. It solidifies Isaac's identity as the covenanted son, setting him apart as the legitimate heir in both human and divine eyes.

v.3And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

v.4This passage

v.5And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 12:3

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

  • Luke 1:59

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

  • Luke 2:21

    And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

  • Exodus 12:48

    And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Jehovah, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

  • Genesis 17:10

    This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.

  • Acts 7:8

    And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

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