Now, it was on the 'first day of the week' that Jesus rose from the dead ( Matthew 28:1). Since in the week there are seven days, the 'eighth' day and the 'first' are obviously the same. (1) The eighth day remarkably characterizes the gospel.

But what has this to do with the 'eighth day'? (3) All were 'purged with blood,' the blood of circumcision or that of animal sacrifices, which anticipated that precious blood of Christ by which we are redeemed from 'all sin.'ģ. (2) The pollutions of adults would stand for sins committed 'after the similitude of Adam's transgression.' The reason of the law of uncleanness in relation to the young of animals is that in the Levitical system they were made representatives of human beings. This, in the case of the children, is so obvious as to need no comment. (1) The pollutions of the birth refer to original sin.

(4) So here, the tabernacle, the altar, all the vessels of the ministry, together with the priests, were seven days in the process of purification, and on the eighth day the purity of all became established (comp. The eighth day, in all such cases, was memorable as that upon which they were accounted clean ( Leviticus 14:8-10 Leviticus 15:13, 14 Numbers 6:9, 10). (3) Persons unclean through leprosy, or through any issue, or a Nazarite in case of accidental defilement by the dead, all had to abide seven days in uncleanness. But on the eighth day and thenceforward that unfitness ceased they were accounted clean ( Leviticus 22:27). They were therefore unfit to be offered as sacrifices. (2) The young of beasts, in like manner, were ceremonially unclean before their eighth day. Then they received circumcision, and thenceforward were recognized as holy, having the seal of the covenant or purification of God upon them ( Leviticus 12:2, 3). (1) All children were, according to the Law, in the uncleanness of their birth until the eighth day. The eighth is a day signalized by sanctity. ON THIS DAY THE CONSECRATIONS WERE COMPLETED.ġ. There is sacred mystery in the numbers of Holy Scripture well worthy of attention. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel …

The Eighth Day by Joseph John