KJV: 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;
YLT: circumcision on the eighth day! of the race of Israel! of the tribe of Benjamin! a Hebrew of Hebrews! according to law a Pharisee!
Darby: as to circumcision, I received it the eighth day; of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
ASV: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Circumcision of the flesh was one thing that the Judaizers trusted in for acceptance by God. Paul had been circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, as the Law of Moses prescribed ( Leviticus 12:3; cf. Genesis 17:12). He had not received circumcision in his thirteenth year, as Ishmaelites did, nor later in life, as many Gentiles did who converted to Judaism (e.g, Acts 16:3). [1][source]
Second, Paul was an Israelite by birth, not a Gentile proselyte to Judaism. He was a pure Jew by race and descent. When the Jews wanted to stress their special relationship to God in its most unique sense, they used the word "Israelite" to describe themselves. [2][source]
Furthermore, third, he was a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the younger of the two sons born to Jacob"s favorite wife, Rachel. Benjamin was the only son of Jacob who was born in the Promised Land. The tribe of Benjamin provided many noble warriors throughout Israel"s history (cf. Hosea 5:8). Israel"s first lawful king came from the tribe of Benjamin. Jerusalem and the temple stood within Benjamin"s territory. This tribe alone, beside Judah, remained loyal to David"s house when the monarchy divided in931 B.C. The feast of Purim celebrated the salvation of the Jews by a Benjamite, Mordecai. After the Exile, Benjamin and Judah formed the core of the restoration community. Of course, this tribe"s history was not without its shame as well (e.g, Saul"s failures, the Gibeans" atrocity that led to the civil war that almost wiped this tribe out, etc.). Nevertheless Paul could legitimately take pride in his Benjamite heritage. [source][source][source]
Fourth, a "Hebrew of Hebrews" means that Paul"s parents brought him up as a strict Jew observing Jewish customs, unlike many Hellenistic Jews (cf. Acts 6:1). Specifically he learned the Hebrew language and studied the Old Testament in the original tongue, not like so many other Jews of the Diaspora who could only speak and read Aramaic (cf. Acts 22:2). [source][source][source]
Fifth, Paul had chosen to join the party of the Pharisees, the most orthodox of the sects within Judaism in his day. The Pharisees were punctilious in their observance of the Mosaic Law. This, by the way, is the only occurrence of the word "Pharisee" outside the Gospels and Acts. [source][source][source]
"Not content merely to obey the Law of Moses, the Pharisees bound themselves also to observe every one of the myriad of commandments contained in the oral Law, the interpretive traditions of the Scribes. The most ardent of the Pharisees scrupulously avoided even accidental violations of the Law and did more than they were commanded to do .... Paul, a son of Pharisees ( Acts 23:6), and a disciple of the great Pharisee, Gamaliel ( Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3), chose to be a Pharisee himself and set himself to be the most earnest of the earnest observers of the Jewish Law ( Galatians 1:14). "Pharisee" for Paul was not a term of reproach, but a title of honor, a claim to "the highest degree of faithfulness and sincerity in the fulfilment [3] of duty to God as prescribed by the divine Torah" (Beare)." [4][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 3:1-12 - Losing All To Know Christ
Precept must be on precept, line on line. The false teachers who dogged Paul's steps insisted on rigid conformity to Judaism, with its rabbinical accretions, as the condition of being saved by Christ. Paul's answer was that he had gone through all the requirements of Judaism, but had found it absolutely unsatisfactory and inefficient to subdue the sin of his soul. But in Christ he had found everything he needed. What had been gain to him now seemed but dross. He had found the pearl of great price, and was only too glad to sacrifice all else to purchase and keep it, as the talisman of complete victory.
The essence of Judaism was not external but within. True circumcision was deliverance from the self-life, and that could only be gained by the Cross of Christ. The "Israelite indeed," like Nathanael, had three traits of character-his worship was spiritual, he gloried in the Crucified, and he was delivered from reliance upon the self-life. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to know Jesus in the intimacy of personal fellowship, to feel the pulse of His resurrection life, to experience the power of His death, and to realize the whole of His divine program. For this we might be more than content to trample on our boasted pride. [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 3
1He warns them to beware of the false teachers; 4showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law; 7which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness; 12acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal; 15He exhorts them to be thus minded; 17and to imitate him, 18and to decline carnal ways
Greek Commentary for Philippians 3:5
Thinketh to have confidence [δοκει πεποιτεναι] Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, “seems to himself to have confidence.” Later idiom like Matthew 3:9 “think not to say” and 1 Corinthians 11:16, “thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself.” [source]
I yet more [εγω μαλλον] “I have more ground for boasting than he” and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of Phlippians 3:5,Phlippians 3:6. Circumcised the eighth day (περιτομηι οκταημερος peritomēi oktaēmeros). “In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man.” Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος tetartaios (John 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Of the stock of Israel Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Circumcised the eighth day [περιτομηι οκταημερος] “In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man.” Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος tetartaios (John 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). [source]
Of the stock of Israel [εκ γενους Ισραηλ] Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Benjamin [ενιαμιν] Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). [source]
A Hebrew of the Hebrews [Εβραιος εχ Εβραιων] Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
A Pharisee [Παρισαιος] In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Circumcised the eighth day [περιτομῇ ὀκταήμερος] Lit., eight days old in circumcision; or passing the eighth day. For the idiom, see on John 11:39, and compare Acts 28:13. Converts to Judaism were circumcised in maturity: Ishmaelites in their thirteenth year. He was thus shown to be neither a heathen nor an Ishmaelite. [source]
Of the stock of Israel [] Not a proselyte, but of the original stock ( γένους ); not grafted into the covenant race. A descendant of Jacob, not an Idumaean nor an Ishmaelite. For Israel, see on Acts 3:12, and compare Romans 9:4; Romans 11:1; John 1:47. Descended not from Jacob, the supplanter, but from Israel, the prince of God. See Genesis 32:28. [source]
Of the tribe of Benjamin [] Not from one of the lost tribes, but from that which gave to Israel its first king; which alone was faithful to Judah at the separation under Rehoboam, and which had always held the post of honor in the army. See Judges 5:14; Hosea 5:8. Benjamin only of the twelve patriarchs was born in the land of promise. Mordecai, the deliverer of the Jews from Haman was a Benjamite. Paul's own original name, Saul, was probably derived from Saul the son of Kish, the Benjamite. [source]
A Hebrew of the Hebrews [Ἑβραῖος ἐξ Ἑβραίων] The (Hebrews) of the A.V. gives a wrong coloring to the phrase, as if Paul were claiming to be preeminently a Hebrew among other Hebrews. He means a Hebrew from ( ἐξ ) Hebrew parents. Rev., a Hebrew of Hebrews, which is no special improvement. The expression implies characteristics of language and manners. He might be an Israelite and yet a child of Greek-speaking Jews: but his parents had retained their native tongue and customs, and he himself, while understanding and speaking Greek, also spoke in Hebrew on occasion. See Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. [source]
The law [] The Mosaic law. See on Romans 2:12. The validity of that law was the principle upheld by the Judaizers. [source]
Greek Commentary for Philippians 3:5
Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, “seems to himself to have confidence.” Later idiom like Matthew 3:9 “think not to say” and 1 Corinthians 11:16, “thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself.” [source]
“I have more ground for boasting than he” and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of Phlippians 3:5, Phlippians 3:6. Circumcised the eighth day (περιτομηι οκταημερος peritomēi oktaēmeros). “In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man.” Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος tetartaios (John 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Of the stock of Israel Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
“In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man.” Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος tetartaios (John 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). [source]
Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin (ενιαμιν Beniamin). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). A Hebrew of the Hebrews Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul‘s own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was “After thee, O Benjamin” (Judges 5:14). [source]
Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee (Παρισαιος Pharisaios). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts 23:6). Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]
Lit., eight days old in circumcision; or passing the eighth day. For the idiom, see on John 11:39, and compare Acts 28:13. Converts to Judaism were circumcised in maturity: Ishmaelites in their thirteenth year. He was thus shown to be neither a heathen nor an Ishmaelite. [source]
Not a proselyte, but of the original stock ( γένους ); not grafted into the covenant race. A descendant of Jacob, not an Idumaean nor an Ishmaelite. For Israel, see on Acts 3:12, and compare Romans 9:4; Romans 11:1; John 1:47. Descended not from Jacob, the supplanter, but from Israel, the prince of God. See Genesis 32:28. [source]
Not from one of the lost tribes, but from that which gave to Israel its first king; which alone was faithful to Judah at the separation under Rehoboam, and which had always held the post of honor in the army. See Judges 5:14; Hosea 5:8. Benjamin only of the twelve patriarchs was born in the land of promise. Mordecai, the deliverer of the Jews from Haman was a Benjamite. Paul's own original name, Saul, was probably derived from Saul the son of Kish, the Benjamite. [source]
The (Hebrews) of the A.V. gives a wrong coloring to the phrase, as if Paul were claiming to be preeminently a Hebrew among other Hebrews. He means a Hebrew from ( ἐξ ) Hebrew parents. Rev., a Hebrew of Hebrews, which is no special improvement. The expression implies characteristics of language and manners. He might be an Israelite and yet a child of Greek-speaking Jews: but his parents had retained their native tongue and customs, and he himself, while understanding and speaking Greek, also spoke in Hebrew on occasion. See Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. [source]
The Mosaic law. See on Romans 2:12. The validity of that law was the principle upheld by the Judaizers. [source]
See Acts 23:6; Galatians 1:14. Compare on the whole verse, 2 Corinthians 11:22. [source]