The answer is: 8th

Lev 12:3

Circumcision in ancient times was not just a cultural or medical act; it was a vital religious ceremony and a prominent statement of identity for the Israelite people. According to Leviticus 12:3, male infants were to undergo circumcision on the eighth day after birth. The number eight holds significant meaning within the biblical narrative, often symbolizing a new beginning or regeneration. This reflects not just physical change but also spiritual initiation into the community of Israel.

Interestingly, this practice links back to the covenant between God and Abraham, who was instructed to circumcise himself and his descendants as a sign of their unique relationship (Genesis 17). This sets the stage for the Jewish people, signifying their distinctiveness among neighboring nations, often referred to as the “people of the covenant.”

Fun fact: The eighth day not only represents conformity to this ancient ritual but, coincidentally, is also considered a good time for the baby's health relative to vitamin K production in their body, crucial for blood clotting. Could ancient wisdom have unknowingly aligned with biological science?

Moreover, this ceremonial practice echoes further into the New Testament, highlighting how Jewish customs played a critical role in early Christianity and the understanding of traditions. Thus, the eighth day marks a crossroads of physical, cultural, and spiritual crossroads—a day infants would begin to forge their place in history as heirs of what can be considered a rich spiritual inheritance.