Figure 1 · Birth of Jesus

One sequence: 7 + 33 = 40

Biblical counts · the eighth day is the first of the further thirty-three.

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940
Initial 7Day 8Remaining 32

7 + 33 = 40
7 + 1 + 32 = 40

BirthDay 1

0 elapsed days

CircumcisionDay 8

7 elapsed days

Purification markerDay 40

39 elapsed days

The eighth day is already includedIt is the first of the further thirty-three days.
The law gives 7 initial days and 33 further days. Circumcision on day 8 lies inside the second period: 7 + 1 + 32 = 40. With birth counted as day 1, day 8 is 7 elapsed days later and day 40 is 39 elapsed days later.

Full supporting table · Leviticus 12:2–4, BSB · Luke 2:21–24, BSB · File 13 §7.3

Person / event index: jesus · mary · moses law · birth of jesus · circumcision · purification

Counting and source notes

This is the biblical Levitical count, without an assigned BC or AD date. It concerns the mother’s purification after a male birth. The boy’s circumcision does not add an extra day to 7 + 33. Luke describes Jesus’ circumcision and naming, then presentation after the purification time was complete.

Image version and downloads for Figure 1
Forty numbered boxes. Days 1 to 7 are green; day 8 is copper and days 9 to 40 are blue. The second period consists of day 8 plus 32 remaining days. Birth is day 1, circumcision is day 8, and the inclusive purification marker is day 40. Elapsed days at these three markers are 0, 7 and 39.
The law gives 7 initial days and 33 further days. Circumcision on day 8 lies inside the second period: 7 + 1 + 32 = 40. With birth counted as day 1, day 8 is 7 elapsed days later and day 40 is 39 elapsed days later.

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