Acts 7:8

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Cross-references

Matthew 1:2 Parallel

Matthew 1:2 traces Jesus' genealogy through Isaac, Jacob, and Judah, echoing the patriarchal line in Acts 7:8.

1 Chronicles 1:34 lists Isaac's sons (Esau and Israel/Jacob), confirming the patriarch from whom the twelve tribes descended.

Genesis 17:12 commands circumcision on the eighth day, which Stephen notes Abraham obeyed with Isaac.

Genesis 21:1-4 records the birth and circumcision of Isaac, exactly as Stephen recounts.

Exodus 1:1–4 Historical context

Exodus 1:1-4 lists the sons of Jacob who went to Egypt, another record of the twelve patriarchs.

Genesis 35:23-26 provides a full list of Jacob's twelve sons by their mothers, directly matching the 'twelve patriarchs' in Acts 7:8.

Genesis 17:9-14 is the original command for circumcision as the covenant sign, directly referenced here.

Genesis 25:21–26 Historical context

Genesis 25:21-26 narrates the birth of Jacob and Esau, fulfilling the lineage Stephen traces from Isaac to Jacob.

Romans 9:9-13 explains God's election of Jacob over Esau, providing theological depth to Jacob's role as father of the twelve.

John 7:22 Parallel

John 7:22 confirms circumcision came from the patriarchs, not Moses — echoing Stephen's mention of Abraham's covenant.

Luke 1:59 Parallel

In Luke 1:59, the practice of circumcision on the eighth day continues for John the Baptist, mirroring the covenant sign given to Abraham.

Genesis 21:4 describes Abraham circumcising Isaac on the eighth day, exactly as Acts 7:8 states he did.

Genesis 21:3 gives Isaac's naming, an event immediately following the birth mentioned in Acts 7:8.

Genesis 21:2 records the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham, which Acts 7:8 summarizes as Abraham becoming father of Isaac.

Genesis 17:11 specifies circumcision as the sign of the covenant, directly corresponding to the covenant of circumcision in Acts 7:8.

Genesis 17:10 is the divine command for circumcision that God gave Abraham, which Stephen cites as the covenant of circumcision.

Genesis 35:16 Historical context

Genesis 35:16 records the birth of Benjamin, Jacob's twelfth son, completing the twelve patriarchs mentioned in Acts 7:8.

Luke 3:34 Parallel

In Luke 3:34, the genealogy lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—the same patriarchal line mentioned in Acts 7:8 as recipients of the covenant.

Genesis 30:1–24 Historical context

Genesis 30:1-24 recounts the births of more sons (Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph), continuing the formation of the twelve.

Romans 4:10 Parallel

Romans 4:10 notes Abraham was declared righteous before circumcision — showing the sign's meaning, not just the act.

Genesis 29:31–35 Historical context

Genesis 29:31-35 records the births of Jacob's first four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah), beginning the list of the twelve patriarchs.

Galatians 3:17 clarifies the law does not invalidate the earlier covenant with Abraham, reinforcing the continuity Stephen describes.