The term "self-same" is an archaic expression found in various 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, "self-same" 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 "self-same" is implied in the phrase "to the very day," highlighting the exact fulfillment of the time God had appointed for the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. This precision underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in delivering His people at the appointed time.

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, the phrase "that very day" reflects the immediacy and obedience of Abraham to God's command. The use of "self-same" in older translations emphasizes the exactness of Abraham's compliance with God's covenantal requirement.

3. Exodus 12:17 : "So you are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come." The phrase "on this very day" signifies the importance of the specific day God chose for the Israelites' deliverance, marking it as a perpetual memorial of His mighty act of salvation.

Theological Significance:

The use of "self-same" in Scripture often points to the meticulous nature of God's plans and the importance of obedience to His commands. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people with precision. The emphasis on exact timing and action reflects the divine order and purpose inherent in God's dealings with humanity.

In the context of the Exodus, the "self-same" day marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing liberation and the beginning of a covenant relationship with God. It underscores the significance of God's timing and the fulfillment of His word, which is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the concept of "self-same" can serve as an encouragement to trust in God's perfect timing and His faithfulness to His promises. It calls for a response of obedience and faith, recognizing that God's plans are executed with precision and purpose. The emphasis on exactness in biblical events invites believers to reflect on the reliability of God's word and His unchanging nature.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 - 8k

5124. touto -- this; he, she, it
... Neuter singular nominative or accusative case of houtos; that thing -- here (-unto),
it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5124.htm - 6k

6106. etsem -- bone, substance, self
... atsam; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance,
ie (as pron.) Selfsame -- body, bone, X life, (self-)same, strength, X very. ...
/hebrew/6106.htm - 6k

2088. zeh -- this, here
... pronoun, this or that -- he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the
one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that ...
/hebrew/2088.htm - 7k

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

State of the Question Between the Pelagians and the Catholics. ...
... Catholics. Holy Men of Old Saved by the Self-Same Faith in Christ Which We
Exercise. But why need we tarry longer on general statements? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 51 xliv state of the.htm

Whether it Will be Identically the Same Man that Shall Rise Again?
... at the resurrection there will be the selfsame body, and the selfsame rational soul ...
it is clear that generation and resurrection are not the self-same movement. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it will be identically.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... Alike, as the duty of repentance bids, they sit in sackcloth and bristle in ashes;
with the self-same weeping they groan; with the selfsame prayers they make ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

On the Resurrection of the Dead
... and, unmixed with the dust of other bodies, be all placed in the same order and
posture that they were before, so as to make up the very self-same body which ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 137 on the resurrection.htm

The Origin of Female Ornamentation, Traced Back to the Angels who ...
... For you too, (women as you are,) have the self-same angelic nature promised [100]
as your reward, the self-same sex as men: the self-same advancement to the ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter ii the origin of female.htm

Of the Prodigal Son.
... But, however, the majority of interpreters of the parables are deceived by the
self-same result as is of very frequent occurrence in the case of embroidering ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter viii of the prodigal son.htm

But Whence had it this Degree of Being, but from Thee...
... Thou therefore, Lord, Who art not one in one place, and otherwise in another, but
the Self-same, and the Self-same, and the Self-same, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii but whence had.htm

Out of Nothing God Made Heaven and Earth.
... Thou, therefore, O Lord, who art not one thing in one place, and otherwise in another,
but the Self-same, and the Self-same, and the Self-same, [1078] Holy ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter vii out of nothing god.htm

In what Sense Created Beings are Out of God.
... saying that the soul is a part of God, but it is of indispensable importance that
we should say that the soul and God are not of one and the self-same nature. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 5 iii in what sense.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

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

Leaned (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:2 Son of man, write for thee the name of the day -- this self-same day
leaned hath the king of Babylon toward Jerusalem in this self-same day -- (YLT ...
/l/leaned.htm - 10k

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

Age-during (167 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:17 and ye have observed the unleavened things, for in this self-same day
I have brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt, and ye have observed ...
/a/age-during.htm - 36k

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

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