The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Genesis 21:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

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

Douay-Rheims

וַיָּ֤מָל אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֔וֹ בֶּן־שְׁמֹנַ֖ת יָמִ֑ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

4 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

It was decreed by God that infants are to receive circumcision on the eighth day.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Christ, who conquered death and rose again, despoiling hell, did so on the eighth day, which is known as the first day of the week (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2). Indeed. Therefore, the ancient commandment instituted physical circumcision as a precursor to spiritual and truthful circumcision (Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11-12), to be observed on the eighth day (Gen. 21:4). However, the superior circumcision of the past, that being the spiritual circumcision, is found in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the original grace, which Christ restored to us when He proclaimed, "receive the Holy Spirit" upon His resurrection (John 20:22).

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

circumcision, as aligned with God’s divine plan and adherence to His commandments in Abraham's lineage (Gen. 18:19)... As God decreed. The act of Abraham circumcising his newborn child, as instructed by God, exemplifies the essential principle governing the administration of the Sacraments. They should be practiced faithfully, precisely as God has commanded, rather than according to personal understanding.

Read more (185 words)

Circumcision represents the rite that God directed Abraham to undertake, serving as the sign of His covenant with this Patriarch, distinguishing the chosen people from all others. In the New Testament, the uncircumcision refers to the removal of the body of sinful flesh (Col. 2:11)—represented in the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, which purifies our souls from original sin and brings us into the family of God—co-heirs with Christ: for we suffer with Him, so that we may be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17). Behold the exalted title and calling of the Christian! With reverence and gratitude toward God, with a renewed commitment to serve Him more faithfully, reflect upon the sacred day of your baptism and the significant promises made to God in the holy waters; with profound respect, contemplate the name bestowed upon you—it is the name of the Holy One: let the thought of Him kindle within you a longing to emulate His virtues. The saint whose name you bear is your guardian, your advocate before God: invoke him with faith, and he will grant you gracious assistance in fulfilling your noble duties.

Vissarion (Nechaev)

19th centuryCommentator

Isaac, the child of Sarah (Gen. 21:3), received his name in accordance with God's earlier directive (Gen. 17:19) and became the very first newborn to whom the command of circumcision was properly administered.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.