Jesus and Judaism-continuedblog

blog #4

Another indicator of the Jewishness of Jesus, revealing his background and upbringing is recorded by the author of Luke’s Gospel, and concerns the circumcision of the baby Jesus. Circumcision had been established long before the law of Moses had been given at Sinai. In Genesis 17:10, the Lord had appeared unto Abraham saying; This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Genesis 17:12 relates that at the age of 8 days, and throughout generations, every male child of Abraham’s lineage be circumcised. In the Hebrew language the term is berit milah, and literally means covenant cut. The circumcision must take place on the 8TH day, even if it falls on a Sabbath. There is an exception to circumcision, in the case where two family members have died because of excessive bleeding (hemophilia).

Luke 2:21 gives the account of the berit milah of Jesus: And when the eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called [Yeshua], which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (refer to Matthew 1:20-21).

Jewish boys received a Hebrew name on the day of circumcision, rather than an English transliteration of a Greek word, or a Greek name. A Jew is known by his own Hebrew name and that of his father (X son of Y). In that form he is “called up” to the Reading of the Law in the synagogue.