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According to Leviticus 22:27, this was the rule for offering newborn animals:

“When a bull or a sheep or a goat is born, it shall be seven days with its mother; and from the eighth day and thereafter it shall be accepted as an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Why was this the case and what was the significance of the eighth day?

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    The eighth day is a whole week, then a first day. Like the third day, the eighth day is significant of resurrection, for Jesus rose on the first day of the week, 'in the end of the sabbath' (which has two meanings). Sacrifices are forbidden after Christ rises in resurrection as he has fulfilled all the sacrifices in his one offering. Up-voted +1.
    – Nigel J
    Oct 15, 2021 at 10:57
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    Great explanation. Thank you, Nigel!
    – Philip
    Oct 16, 2021 at 1:23

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On the eighth day יּ֤וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי֙ Yom Ha-Shemini (Like a child that is circumcised in Leviticus 12:3) means the first day of its life [1st Day Clean from impurity] that animal is subject to be sanctified as being a sacrificial animal.

The sanctification requirement of purity after 7-days comes from [Leviticus 12:2] : "If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she shall be unclean for seven days; as [in] the days of her menstrual flow, she shall be unclean." (אִשָּׁה֙ כִּ֣י תַזְרִ֔יעַ וְיָֽלְדָ֖ה זָכָ֑ר וְטָֽמְאָה֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים כִּימֵ֛י נִדַּ֥ת דְּו‍ֹתָ֖הּ תִּטְמָֽא) - [Leviticus 12:3] "And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised." (וּבַיּ֖וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֑י יִמּ֖וֹל בְּשַׂ֥ר עָרְלָתֽוֹ)

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  • Makes sense. Thanks!
    – Philip
    Oct 16, 2021 at 1:22

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