Genesis 21:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 21:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Genesis 21:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old as, God had commanded him.] (<011712>Genesis 17:12), and was the first that we read of that was circumcised on that day, according to the divine precept, which Abraham strictly observed; for though this was the son of the promise, and of his old age, for whom he had the most affectionate regard, yet he administered this bloody ordinance on him; nor did he defer it beyond the time, and was himself the operator, as it seems; all which shows his strict regard, and ready and cheerful obedience to the command of God.”
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Sources and verification