Definition: And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 21:4: “And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.” Here’s a simple explanation: This is one of the most important stories in the Bible – it’s about God’s plan for humanity and how he started the story of our family. “And Abraham…” : This tells us we're talking about Abraham, who was a very important man in Jewish and Christian tradition. “…circumcised his son Isaac…” : "Circumcision" means cutting the tip of the penis. In this context, it’s referring to the act of cutting Isaac’s foreskin (the fleshy part of the head) – a ritual that was practiced by the Jewish people as a sign of covenant and remembrance of God's special relationship with them. “being eight days old…” : This is key! This tells us that Isaac was just born, but it was only eight days old when Abraham performed this action. “…as God had commanded him.” : This is the most significant part. It means God gave Abraham a specific instruction – to circumcise his son. What’s the big deal? This act of circumcision is believed by many Christians to be a sign that Isaac was chosen and blessed by God for a special purpose in the future. It's often seen as a symbol of covenant – a promise between God and Abraham, and ultimately, between God and all of humanity. In essence, this verse shows God’s plan to establish a special relationship with humanity through his son, Isaac. It’s a foundational story that lays the groundwork for the entire narrative in Genesis! --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the Genesis 21 verses? Discuss the significance of circumcision in more detail (beyond just its symbolic meaning)?