Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Original Language Analysis
περιτομῇ
Circumcised
G4061
περιτομῇ
Circumcised
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
1 of 13
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
ἐξ
day of
G1537
ἐξ
day of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 13
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
γένους
the stock
G1085
γένους
the stock
Strong's:
G1085
Word #:
4 of 13
"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)
Ἰσραήλ
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
5 of 13
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
ἐξ
day of
G1537
ἐξ
day of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
9 of 13
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
κατὰ
as touching
G2596
κατὰ
as touching
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
11 of 13
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.Romans 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.Acts 23:6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.Acts 22:3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.Genesis 17:12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.Luke 1:59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Historical Context
Benjamin was Israel's smallest tribe but produced Israel's first king (Saul—Paul's namesake, 1 Sam 9). 'Hebrew of Hebrews' distinguished Palestinian Jews from Diaspora Jews who'd adopted Greek language/customs. Paul spoke Aramaic (Acts 21:40, 22:2), studied in Jerusalem, maintained cultural purity. His Judaism was orthodox, not compromised. This made his rejection of law-righteousness all the more striking.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul list ethnic and ceremonial credentials before religious achievements (vv. 5-6)?
- How do pedigree and credentials become idols even in Christian contexts?
- What privileges by birth or upbringing might you wrongly trust for standing before God?
Analysis & Commentary
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews (περιτομῇ ὀκταήμερος, ἐκ γένους Ἰσραήλ, φυλῆς Βενιαμίν, Ἑβραῖος ἐξ Ἑβραίων, peritomē oktaēmeros, ek genous Israēl, phylēs Beniamin, Hebraios ex Hebraiōn)—Seven privileges begin unfolding.
Paul's pedigree was unimpeachable: right ritual, right ethnicity, right tribe, right language/culture.