John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:59
And it came to pass that on the eighth day ,.... The precise time fixed in the normal restitution of the ordinance of circumcision, Genesis 17:12 though this was not always attended to, but circumcision was sometimes deferred to another time; yet keeping the exact time was judged most commendable and praiseworthy; see Gill on Philemon 3:5 . they came to circumcise the child ; that is, the neighbours and cousins of Elisabeth, who were at the time of her delivery; eight days after they... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 1:58
And her neighbours, and her cousins ,.... That lived in Hebron, and the parts adjacent, whether of the house of Aaron, or of the tribe of Judah; to both which she was related, and who dwelt near her, the priests in the city of Hebron, and the children of Judah in the places about it: heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her ; or "had magnified his mercy with her"; see Genesis 19:19 in removing her barrenness, and so taking away her reproach from among men; in giving her... read more