His Holiness Pope Shenouda III spoke about the symbol of the number eight and explained its spiritual meaning in the Holy Bible and in the life of Coptic Orthodox faith.
🕊 Main idea
The number eight symbolizes a new beginning after the completion of seven, and it is a special symbol of the resurrection, new life, and new covenants with God.
🔹 Biblical and symbolic examples
The Resurrection: Christ rose on the eighth day (the first of the new week), and the resurrection is a symbol of new life.
Resurrection incidents: His Holiness mentioned that the Holy Bible records eight incidents of raising the dead — some in the Old Testament and some in the New Testament — indicating the presence of new life.
Baptism and circumcision: Circumcision in the Old Testament was on the eighth day as a symbol of the beginning of a covenant, and baptism in the New Testament is a symbol of dying with Christ and rising with Him.
Noah and the Ark: Eight persons were saved in the ark, making the number eight a symbol of a new life after the flood.
Abraham and his offspring: He noted that Abraham had eight sons, the last of whom, the son of the promise, represents the start of a new covenant.
Establishment of priesthood and offerings: Aaron’s priesthood began on the eighth day, and feasts like Pentecost (the fiftieth) symbolize entering a new time after seven weeks.
🔹 The spiritual dimension
Seven indicates the completion of times, while eight signifies the divine beginning after human completion — the start of a covenant, the start of God’s complete work, and the start of life that does not depend on the earth but on the resurrection.
Brief conclusion
The number eight in biblical Coptic thought carries an invitation: human effort filling is important, but God is the one who initiates new beginnings and grants true life.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Number eight in the Bible
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III spoke about the symbol of the number eight and explained its spiritual meaning in the Holy Bible and in the life of Coptic Orthodox faith.
🕊 Main idea
The number eight symbolizes a new beginning after the completion of seven, and it is a special symbol of the resurrection, new life, and new covenants with God.
🔹 Biblical and symbolic examples
The Resurrection: Christ rose on the eighth day (the first of the new week), and the resurrection is a symbol of new life.
Resurrection incidents: His Holiness mentioned that the Holy Bible records eight incidents of raising the dead — some in the Old Testament and some in the New Testament — indicating the presence of new life.
Baptism and circumcision: Circumcision in the Old Testament was on the eighth day as a symbol of the beginning of a covenant, and baptism in the New Testament is a symbol of dying with Christ and rising with Him.
Noah and the Ark: Eight persons were saved in the ark, making the number eight a symbol of a new life after the flood.
Abraham and his offspring: He noted that Abraham had eight sons, the last of whom, the son of the promise, represents the start of a new covenant.
Establishment of priesthood and offerings: Aaron’s priesthood began on the eighth day, and feasts like Pentecost (the fiftieth) symbolize entering a new time after seven weeks.
🔹 The spiritual dimension
Seven indicates the completion of times, while eight signifies the divine beginning after human completion — the start of a covenant, the start of God’s complete work, and the start of life that does not depend on the earth but on the resurrection.
Brief conclusion
The number eight in biblical Coptic thought carries an invitation: human effort filling is important, but God is the one who initiates new beginnings and grants true life.
For better translation support, please contact the center.