Definition: And 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 1:59. It’s a really important and fascinating story about God’s plan for a baby. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God decided to bless a young boy named Zacharias. He wanted to give him a special mark – a symbol of his love and protection. He then told the people who were watching over him, who were about to circumcise (cut) his penis, to call him “Zacharias.” What’s Happening? “It came to pass…”: This is just a fancy way of saying "happened." It's a regular occurrence in the Bible. “…that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child…”: This tells us exactly when this happened – it was on the eighth day after Zacharias was born. "...and they called him Zacharias..." They decided to give him a name – Zacharias – which means "God has heard." Why is this significant? This story is a key part of God’s plan for Zacharias' life. It shows that God is actively involved in our lives, working behind the scenes to bless us and guide us. It's about God’s Love: The most important thing to understand is that this act – circumcising the baby – wasn’t a punishment or a decree of evil. It was a gift of God's love. He was choosing to mark Zacharias, giving him a symbol of his protection and blessing. In short, it’s a story about God’s care for us and how he chooses to bless us. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this story in more detail?