Phili 3:5 | RWP | e4.org | Thinketh to have confidence ( δοκε πεποιθενα ). Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, "seems to himself to have confidence." Later idiom like "think not to say" and , "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself." I yet more ( εγω μαλλον ). "I have more ground for boasting than he" and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of verses , . Circumcised the eighth day ( περιτομη οκταημερος ). "In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man." Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος ( ). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day ( ). Of the stock of Israel ( εκ γενους Ισραηλ ). Of the original stock, not a proselyte. Benjamin ( Βενιαμιν ). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul's own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was "After thee, O Benjamin" ( ). A Hebrew of the Hebrews ( Εβραιος εξ Εβραιων ). Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews ( ). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic ( ; ) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. A Pharisee ( Φαρισαιος ). In distinction from the Sadducees ( ) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection ( ). Cf. .

‏ Philippians 3:5

Thinketh to have confidence ( δοκε πεποιθενα ). Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, "seems to himself to have confidence." Later idiom like Mt 3:9 "think not to say" and 1Co 11:16, "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself."

I yet more ( εγω μαλλον ). "I have more ground for boasting than he" and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of verses 5, 6.

Circumcised the eighth day ( περιτομη οκταημερος ). "In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man." Use of the ordinal with persons like τεταρταιος (Joh 11:39). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Lu 2:21).

Of the stock of Israel ( εκ γενους Ισραηλ ). Of the original stock, not a proselyte.

Benjamin ( Βενιαμιν ). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul's own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was "After thee, O Benjamin" (Jud 5:14).

A Hebrew of the Hebrews ( Εβραιος εξ Εβραιων ). Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Ac 6:1). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Ac 21:40; 22:2) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized.

A Pharisee ( Φαρισαιος ). In distinction from the Sadducees (Ga 1:14) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Ac 23:6). Cf. 2Co 11:22.