Eight

The completeness of eights

The Hebrew word for Eight as a noun is shemoneh (שְׁמֹנֶה). Another word that is said to also mean eight as an adjective is shemini (שְׁמִינִי) which functions as the ordinal “eighth,” pointing to what follows a complete seven-day span. But is there a deeper meaning?

The both come from the root word apparently from 08082 shamen (שָׁמֵן) through the idea of plumpness, fat, rich or enrich.

Hebrew does not have separate symbols for numbers like Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...). Instead, the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet double as numbers.

Prophetic eight of change

The symbolism of eight arises from a layered convergence in Hebrew thought and in Leviticus 9 it has nothing to do with the numerical "8" represented by the letter Chet (ח). The Chet (ח) resembles a doorway or fence, a wall or a portal you might pass through into something new (Isaiah 43:19). It is even associated with resurrection life, entry into covenant, or a step beyond the natural 7 into the supernatural.

The etymology of the actual word shemoneh (שְׁמֹנֶה) addressed in the text from a prophetic point of view really has nothing to do with 8 or the eighth day.

As a part of a prophetic narrative in Scripture itself the metaphors, idioms, and allegories are pointing to the patterns God, His Holy Spirit, and the resulting divine fire.

The prophetic authorship of Moses and later prophets would use the number eight intentionally to point to divine renewal, transcendence, and abundant that comes from new life offered by the Holy Spirit of God beyond the natural order of mankind.

If the symbols become the object and the ritual becomes the rite the substance and the meaning is often lost.

Word like shemoneh (שְׁמֹנֶה) and shemini (שְׁמִינִי) or other forms like hašhəmînî (הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י) are all from the root word shaman (שָׁמַן)‎ meaning wax or make fat or rich.

While the number 8 (Chet ח ) is said to mean the numerical 8 but also is suggesting a new beginnings or transcendence:

• "Beyond the 7 days of creation" there is a replenishment; or
• The ritual of circumcision on the 8th day that is proclaiming of the circumcision of the heart.
• The number by itself is often linked to miracles or renewal of the mind, soul or times.

Path of prosperity

• Does שְׁמִינִי (shemini) only function as the ordinal number “eight”?

The answer is clearly no but points to what follows (what shall come to pass) if Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel continue to repeat the way Moses which was advocated in Leviticus. This prosperity and wealth will come to pass as the detailed instructions presented in the seven-day outline for the protection and provisions for a righteous society?

Within Scripture shemini is almost always marking decisive transitions. Like the washing at the foot of Sinai or circumcision, or the Baptism of John the Baptist rituals mark the point of change. But is the doing, deeds and practices that alter the heart.

Moses was transitioning people from a Babylonic/Egypt system of bondage to a state of liberty under God. The apostasy of the Pharisees and their Corban was making the word of God to none effect bringing again that Bondage of Egypt. But the way of Jesus would set the captive free not just with the Baptism of water but also the Baptism of fire and the Holy Spirit.

With the freewill offerings of his sacrificial offerings the ministers or public servants of His government were able to provide all social welfare for a free nation.

While the consecration of men to service to the tents of the congregations. The social safety net set up through the altars of Moses were moving the people from the pollution of the world, that which is unclean to the restoration of the righteousness, from the celebration of rituals and ceremonies and to the practices of a renewed obedience to the word of God.

The warning of prosperity

There is a danger that comes with the prosperity of a system of righteousness. There are fatal consequences for every society or community, or peoples and nations when there is an increase in affluences that may lead to apathy.

In Leviticus 9 verse 1 we see:

• "And it came to pass on the eighth (haššəmînî, הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י) day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;"

Does this verse actually mean that on the eighth day or does mean that when it comes to pass in an age of abundance and plenty you are to continue in these freewill sacrifices of love and generosity?

In that day that shall come pass

Should the following Hebrew read:

• ויהי ביום השמיני
  
• In that eighth day that shall come pass
  
• In that day of abundance that shall come pass?

The word for "day" is yom (יוֹם) but in the text we see bayyōwm בַּיּ֣וֹם which can mean a literal day from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next, or a figurative space of time and has been translated "In that day". It may be defined by an associated term or in context.

Some will suggest that it is the eighth day after seven day ceremony but that would not seem to be the case since the first word of the verse is "And it came to pass".

It would seem that the phrase "And it came to pass" from the verb hayah (הָיָה) which is written in the the Hebrew text as wayhî (וַיְהִי֙) is not just talking about the next day or the eighth day but about what is "to be or become" or is what is "to come into being"

Compared the roots

The term "eighth" is from שְׁמִינִי‎ shemini but appears as הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י (haššəmînî) The root for eight is:

• 08080 שָׁמַן‎ shaman meaning to be make fat
• 08081 שֶׁמֶן‎ shemen sheh’-men annoint, fat, fruitful from 08080 שָׁמַן‎ shaman
• 08082 שָׁמֵן‎ shamen through the idea of plumpness or rich
• 08083 שְׁמֹנֶה‎ shëmoneh eight (symbolic completeness)

[Eight]] שְׁמִינִי (shemini) functions as the ordinal “eighth,” pointing to what follows a complete seven-day span. As we have seen it almost always marks decisive transitions.

• Does שְׁמִינִי (shemini) only function as the ordinal number “eight”?
• Or is it pointing to what follows if "Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel" and their successors continue to repeat the complete direction of what Moses advocated as detailed instructions in the seven-day outline for protection and provisions for society?

As the verb shaman (שָׁמַן) (Strong’s 8080) may paint a vivid picture drawn from agrarian life. Literally it may describe livestock or the people that have been well-fed until the flesh thickens with fat.

But this שָׁמַן‎ shaman becomes figuratively after 7 day in the abundance of time "becomes a penetrating metaphor for the human heart that has enjoyed abundance yet drifted into self-satisfaction, insensitivity, and moral laxity."

Summary

The term  שְׁמִינִי‎ shemini in Summary "threads through the Law, the Writings, and the Prophets as a divinely appointed hinge between completion and fresh beginning. Whether marking priestly inauguration, covenantal circumcision, festal culmination, or eschatological renewal, the “eighth day” invites the people of God—ancient and contemporary—to step from finished work into fuller fellowship and forward-looking service."

Scripture uses the verb to expose how material prosperity can thicken spiritual arteries, leaving people dull to God’s commands and indifferent toward human need.