"When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.
When, on the eight day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.' They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised. Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?' For they understood that the hand of the LORD was with him." - Luke 1:57-66
(What was circumcision? [See Genesis 17]. Circumcision, cutting of the skin called "foreskin" of the male organ, was an ancient custom of Oriental people. It was one of those "initiation rites" which, among some people, mark the passage of an adolescent into adult society. Circumcision was a religious rite intended to ensure fertility.
Circumcision took on a new meaning for Israel: it was considered the distinct sign of their belonging to the chosen people. A foreigner could enter the religious community of Israel only by being circumcised.)
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