According to biblical scholars, the number 8 holds deep spiritual and symbolic meaning throughout various passages and stories in the Bible. Here are some of the notable features and interpretations associated with ”8 In The Bible”:
1. New Beginnings: The number 8 is often considered a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts. This belief stems from the fact that the eighth day in the Bible represents a new beginning or a new creation. For instance, it is on the eighth day that a male child is circumcised, marking the entry into the
Introduction:
In the intricate world of biblical numerology, the number 8 stands as a symbol of new beginnings, regeneration, and spiritual rebirth. While many numbers in the Bible hold significant spiritual meanings, 8 holds a unique place, representing a fresh start and the promise of divine transformation. In this blog post, we will explore the biblical meaning of the number 8, shedding light on its significance as a beacon of new beginnings and spiritual renewal.
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The Biblical Significance of 8:
The number 8, in biblical numerology, is often associated with themes of renewal and regeneration. This is largely due to its connection to the concept of new beginnings and the starting of a new era. Understanding the biblical context of 8 is essential to appreciate its spiritual symbolism.
1. New Beginnings:
The most prominent biblical association with the number 8 is the concept of new beginnings. This theme is deeply rooted in the idea of creation and the recreation of God’s work. For example, in the Old Testament, the eighth day marked the beginning of a new week and a fresh cycle of creation.
2. Regeneration and Rebirth:
The number 8 carries connotations of regeneration and spiritual rebirth. It symbolizes the transformative power of God’s grace and the promise of a fresh start. This concept is closely tied to the biblical practice of circumcision on the eighth day, symbolizing a covenant relationship with God.
3. Baptism and Spiritual Renewal:
Baptism, a central sacrament in Christianity, symbolizes spiritual rebirth and cleansing from sin. The number 8 is associated with baptism, signifying a transition from the old life to a new life in Christ.
Conclusion:
The number 8 in the Bible holds a significant spiritual meaning, emphasizing themes of new beginnings, regeneration, and spiritual rebirth. It represents the promise of a fresh start and the transformative power of God’s grace. As we delve deeper into the biblical context of the number 8, we gain a deeper understanding of its significance as a symbol of new beginnings and the continuous cycle of God’s work in the lives of His people. It serves as an invitation to embrace the transformative power of God’s love and embark on our own journeys of spiritual renewal and regeneration.
Significance of The Number Eight in the Old Testament
Gen 17:12 ESV And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring
In this passage we see God choosing circumcision on the eigth day as a reminder of His covenant and as a means to set His people apart from others. For the Jews, the spilled blood signified the beginning of the child’s life. Science confirms that the eighth day is the safest for a baby boy to be circumcised as that is when his blood-clotting ability is at its peak. Coincidence? No way!
Gen 7:13 ESV On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark,
Here the LORD, in His mercy and kindness preserves mankind from the worldwide flood via a family of eight people. A new beginning began with eight.
Leviticus 23:36 ESV For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.
The above passage refers to the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, a seven day period of celebration of God’s provision for His people when they wandered in the desert for 40 years. The Jewish people would construct temporary dwellings, or booths, for this celebration. The eighth day is significant as it ends this festival with an opportunity to commemorate God’s special relationship with His people as they move into a new chapter, a fresh start.
Significance of The Number Eight in the New Testament
You might know the passage well without ever knowing that there are eight beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit… Matt 5:1-12). Here the content is of far greater significance than the actual number of statements as Jesus lays out a description of what a true follower of Christ would look like.
Matthew 5:1-12 ESV
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You might have read through the bible numerous times over the years without ever realizing that the New Testament is written by eight men; Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude.
Matthew 28:1 – 6 ESV Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Jesus’s resurrection happened the day after the Sabbath – the eighth day. Here the number eight signifies the start of something new as it was Christ’s death and resurrection from the dead that flooded the world with hope of eternal life with God.
Number 8 meaning in the Bible:
A new beginning
Genesis 6-9 records how sin and wickedness increased upon the surface of the earth shortly after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
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God was not pleased with the turn of even because His intent was that man flourish, prosper and carry out His will.
Therefore, He decided to wipe out humanity with water but spare Noah and his family because he was a just man, perfect in his generation.
God’s plan to wipe man and keep Noah and his family was not because He was blood-thirsty.
Instead, He wanted a new beginning for humanity. So that His will and purpose of creation would be fulfilled.
The significance of this story is not the destruction of the earth, but the number of people in Noah’s family preserved and given the commission to be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, just as He told Adam in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 9:1, Genesis 1:28)
1 Peter 3:20 states they were eight souls.
“Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20).
Eight symbolizes a new beginning, a fresh start and another opportunity to make amends, right wrongs, and fulfill God’s plan and purpose.
Another truth to consider about the number eight, meaning a new beginning, is that God rested on the seventh day after creation, representing the eighth day as a new beginning (Genesis 2:2–3).
Jesus rose on the eighth day, the first day of the week, which was a new beginning for the world (John 20:1-21).
Jesus’ resurrection marked a new spiritual dispensation and beginning for His disciples and the entire church that will have to navigate the world without their Master.
Jesus’ resurrection on the eighth day also marked the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in believers to teach, comfort, and guide them.
As such, the early church had a new experience, especially when the Holy Spirit came upon them, giving them new utterances and the ability to speak diverse languages and win souls into God’s kingdom (Acts 2:1-13).
God rested on the seventh day, and the eighth day was a new beginning (Genesis 2:2–3). The entire universe turned over a new leaf on the eighth day after God’s seven days of creation.
The eighth day was a new dawn for every living creature and all non-living things.
New birth
The number eight also signifies a new birth. According to Jewish practice, a male child is circumcised on the eighth day after birth.
Circumcision is the act of removing the foreskin of a male child on the eighth day after birth as a sign of a covenant with God.
In the Old Testament, God appeared to Abraham to establish a covenant with Him (Gen. 17:1-14).
God told Abraham that He would make him great and the father of all nations. He must circumcise his son, Isaac, and the male in his household, including his servant, to be partakers of the blessings of God’s covenant with the patriarch, Abraham.
However, since the practice of circumcision was restricted to only the Jews in the Old Testament and the Bible has proven that Jesus came for the Jews and Gentiles, Paul argued that the circumcision of the heart, which is genuine repentance, makes anybody accepted by God and qualified for God’s blessings (Colossians 2:11, Philippians 3:3, Romans 2:28-29)
Circumcision of the heart signifies a new birth, where a sinner becomes a new creature in Christ, accepts His Holy Spirit, and begins a new life.
Every believer, especially those with no Jewish root, has experienced a new birth or circumcision of the heart, a spiritual fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham to circumcise on the eighth day.
