The term "selfsame" is an archaic English word that appears in several translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . It is used to emphasize the exactness or identical nature of a particular day, event, or object. In biblical contexts, "selfsame" often underscores the precision and fulfillment of God's promises and commands.

Biblical Usage:

1. Exodus 12:41 : "At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt." In this passage, the term "selfsame" is used to highlight the exact day when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham regarding the duration of their sojourn. The use of "selfsame" underscores the precision of God's timing and His faithfulness in delivering His people.

2. Genesis 17:23 : "Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them that very day, just as God had told him." Here, "selfsame" is implied in the phrase "that very day," indicating Abraham's immediate obedience to God's command regarding circumcision. This act of faith and obedience is pivotal in the Abrahamic covenant, marking the physical sign of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants.

3. Joshua 5:11 : "The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain." The use of "selfsame" in this context emphasizes the transition from the wilderness to the Promised Land. It marks the fulfillment of God's promise to bring the Israelites into a land flowing with milk and honey, as they partake of the produce of Canaan for the first time.

Theological Significance:

The use of "selfsame" in Scripture often serves to highlight God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His divine plan. It underscores the idea that God's timing is perfect and that His promises are executed with precision. This term reassures believers of the reliability and faithfulness of God, encouraging them to trust in His timing and providence.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of precise timing was significant in covenantal relationships and religious observances. The emphasis on the "selfsame" day in biblical narratives often aligns with the importance of ritual precision and the fulfillment of divine covenants. This precision reflects the broader cultural understanding of time and events as being under the control of a sovereign deity.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the concept of the "selfsame" day serves as a reminder of God's meticulous care and attention to detail in their lives. It encourages Christians to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain faithful in their obedience to His commands, knowing that He fulfills His promises with exactness and reliability.(a.) Precisely the same; the very same; identical.1565. ekeinos -- that one (or neut. that thing), often intensified ...
... From ekei; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed --
he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1565.htm - 8k6106. etsem -- bone, substance, self
... wood (1). body, bone, life, selfsame, strength, very. From atsam; a bone (as
strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance ...
/hebrew/6106.htm - 6k

Cyprian Writes Also to Pompeius About this Selfsame Matter...
... Book V. Chapter 23. " 31. Cyprian writes also to Pompeius about this
selfsame matter? "31. Cyprian writes also to Pompeius ...
/.../chapter 23 31 cyprian.htm

Whether it Will be Identically the Same Man that Shall Rise Again?
... And since it behooves the end to be obtained by the selfsame thing that was made
for that end, lest it appear to be made without purpose, it is necessary for ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it will be identically.htm

Whether in the Resurrection the Soul Will be Reunited to the Same ...
... of the vision after the resurrection, as appears from the preceding words: "In the
last day I shall rise out of the earth." Therefore the selfsame body will ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the resurrection the.htm

God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
... mystical body; reaching down so far that even the least esteemed, who are but as
the hem of His garment, are pervaded by the selfsame precious ointment. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx god the holy spirit.htm

(On Whitsuntide, iii. )
... we shall without doubt so accept what has been wrought for us by humiliation and
in the body as to think nothing unworthy about the One and Selfsame Glory of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxvii on whitsuntide iii.htm

Fortunatus of Thuccabori Said: "Jesus Christ Our Lord and God...
... For there is not so much difference between bad and worse as between good and bad;
and yet, when the bad baptizes, he gives the selfsame sacrament as the good. ...
/.../chapter 24 42 fortunatus.htm

July 17 Evening
... Behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness
it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 17 evening.htm

Whether all Will Rise Again of the Same Stature?
... Now the selfsame, namely the Divine, power will restore all bodies; and all the
ashes from which the human bodies will be restored are equally disposed to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all will rise again 3.htm

Paul Worthy to be the Prince of the Apostles, and yet a Sinner.
... that Zacharias and Elisabeth had a perfect righteousness without any sin, that we
must even regard the apostle himself, according to the selfsame rule, as not ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 20 paul worthy to be.htm

The Eternity of Heaven's Happiness.
... change, or even of the power to change. He is the selfsame forever. He
is, as St. James beautifully expresses it, "The Father of ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xxi the eternity of.htm

Selfsame (18 Occurrences)
... (a.) Precisely the same; the very same; identical. Multi-Version Concordance Selfsame
(18 Occurrences). ... And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (KJV). ...
/s/selfsame.htm - 12k

Ish'mael (40 Occurrences)
... and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God ...
/i/ish'mael.htm - 18k

Invested (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezekiel 24:2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this
selfsame day: the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this selfsame day. ...
/i/invested.htm - 7k

Draws (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV). Ezekiel 24:2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, of this selfsame
day: on this selfsame day the king of Babylon draws near to Jerusalem. ...
/d/draws.htm - 12k

Wrought (186 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who
also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/wrought.htm - 37k

Self-righteousness
Self-righteousness. Selfrighteousness, Self-righteousness. Selfsame . ... William
Owen Carver. Selfrighteousness, Self-righteousness. Selfsame . Reference
/s/self-righteousness.htm - 8k

Self-same (17 Occurrences)
Self-same. Selfsame, Self-same. Self-seeking . Multi-Version Concordance
Self-same (17 Occurrences). ... Selfsame, Self-same. Self-seeking . Reference Bible
/s/self-same.htm - 11k

Hosts (326 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame
day have I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ...
/h/hosts.htm - 38k

Corn (107 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears,
until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it ...
/c/corn.htm - 41k

Vehement (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly
sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves ...
/v/vehement.htm - 11k

Selfsame: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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