Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Origin:Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the male genitalia. This practice holds significant religious and cultural importance within the Judeo-Christian tradition. The term "circumcise" is derived from the Latin "circumcidere," meaning "to cut around."
Biblical Significance:Circumcision is first introduced in the Bible as a covenantal sign between God and Abraham. In
Genesis 17:10-11 , God commands Abraham: "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This act was to be performed on the eighth day after birth, as further instructed in
Genesis 17:12.
Theological Implications:Circumcision in the Old Testament is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual symbol. It represents the Jewish people's commitment to God and their distinct identity as His chosen people. In
Deuteronomy 10:16 , the Israelites are exhorted to "Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more." This verse emphasizes the importance of inner spiritual transformation over mere physical compliance.
New Testament Perspective:In the New Testament, the practice of circumcision becomes a point of theological debate, particularly in the context of Gentile converts to Christianity. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue extensively, arguing that physical circumcision is not necessary for salvation. In
Romans 2:28-29 , Paul writes, "A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code."
The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in
Acts 15, further clarifies that Gentile believers are not required to undergo circumcision, affirming that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Galatians 5:6 reinforces this, stating, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love."
Cultural and Historical Context:Circumcision was a common practice in the ancient Near East, but its religious significance in Israel set it apart from neighboring cultures. It served as a physical mark of the covenant and a reminder of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants.
Modern Implications:Today, circumcision remains a significant rite within Judaism, symbolizing the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant. In Christianity, the emphasis has shifted from physical circumcision to the spiritual circumcision of the heart, reflecting a life transformed by faith in Christ.
Related Concepts:· Covenant: The binding agreement between God and His people, of which circumcision is a sign.
· Law and Grace: The transition from the Old Testament law, including circumcision, to the New Testament emphasis on grace and faith.
· Identity and Community: Circumcision as a marker of belonging to the community of God's people.
Key Biblical References:·
Genesis 17:10-14·
Leviticus 12:3·
Deuteronomy 10:16·
Jeremiah 4:4·
Acts 15:1-29·
Romans 2:28-29·
Galatians 5:6Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To cut off the prepuce of foreskin of, in the case of males, and the internal labia of, in the case of females.
2. (v. t.) To purify spiritually.
Greek
4059. peritemno -- to cut around,circumcise... to cut around,
circumcise. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: peritemno Phonetic
Spelling: (per-ee-tem'-no) Short Definition: I
circumcise Definition: I cut
...564. aperitmetos -- uncircumcised
... uncircumcised. 564 (from 1 "without" and 4059 , "circumcise") -- properly, "not
cut around," referring to an male organ. 564 ("uncircumcised...
Strong's Hebrew
4135. mul -- tocircumcise... 4134, 4135. mul. 4136 . to
circumcise. Transliteration: mul Phonetic Spelling:
(mool) Short Definition: circumcised. Word Origin a prim.
...5243. namal -- branch to be cut down off,circumcise
... branch to be cut down off,circumcise. Transliteration: namal Phonetic Spelling:
(naw-mal') Short Definition:circumcise.... branch to be cut down off,circumcise...
4448d. malal -- tocircumcise
... malal. 4449 . tocircumcise. Transliteration: malal Short Definition: headless.
Word Origin a prim. root Definition tocircumcise NASB Word Usage headless (1)...
4107. mahal -- tocircumcise, weaken
... 4106, 4107. mahal. 4108 . tocircumcise, weaken. Transliteration: mahal Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-hal') Short Definition: diluted. Word Origin a prim....
7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... break, build,circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down,. A
primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or...
Library
That the First Circumcision of the Flesh is Made Void, and the...
... Thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah, and to them who inhabit Jerusalem, Renew
newness among you, and do not sow among thorns:circumcise yourselves to your...
John Chapter vii. 19-24
... [585] "And yecircumcise on the Sabbath-day... Will ye abstain from work to keep the
Sabbath, or will yecircumcise to fulfill the sacrament of the eighth day?...
Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... if Zipporah, [1165] had not circumcised the foreskin of the infant with a pebble;
whence, "there is the greatest peril if any fail tocircumcise the foreskin...
Of the Superstitions of the Jews, and their Hatred against Jesus.
...Circumcise yourselves to the Lord your God, and take away the foreskins of your
heart, lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it...
The Breaking Out of Discord
... that God had done with them.5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
which believed, saying, That it was needful tocircumcise them, and to...
Acts XVI
... profit you nothing." [351] When he was in Jerusalem upon the appeal of the Antioch
Church, brethren urgently insisted that he shouldcircumcise Titus, who was...
The Spiritual Meaning of Circumcision.
... He saith to them, "These things saith the Lord your God""(here [1560] I find a new
[1561] commandment)""Sow not among thorns, butcircumcise yourselves to...
New Covenant Obedience
... xix.5. "And the Lord Thy God willcircumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed,
to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul....
Note F. --Chap. xviii the Whole Heart
... all thy heart and all thy soul." xxx.2: "Thou shalt obey His voice with all thine
heart and with all soul." xxx.6: "The Lord thy God willcircumcise thine heart...
True Righteousness is Obtained by Christ.
...Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, andcircumcise the foreskin of your heart.'
[2019] Do not sow, therefore, among thorns, and in untilled ground, whence you...
Thesaurus
Circumcise (13 Occurrences)...Circumcise (13 Occurrences).
... John 7:22 Moses has given you circumcision (not that
it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you
circumcise a boy.
...Flint (12 Occurrences)
... foreskin of her son," and in Joshua 5:2, "Yahweh said unto Joshua, Make thee knives
of flint (the King James Version "sharp knives"), andcircumcise again the...
Foreskin (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Deuteronomy 10:16Circumcise therefore
the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked....
Observe (216 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It
is necessary tocircumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses...
Circumcised (58 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofCircumcise. Multi-Version Concordance
Circumcised (58 Occurrences). Luke 2:21 And when eight...
Walk (315 Occurrences)
... (1) Observance of laws or customs: "Thou teachest all the Jews who are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not tocircumcise their children...
Gentiles (150 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It
is necessary tocircumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses...
Quench (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your
heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth...
Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came tocircumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father....
Knives (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 5:2 At that time, Yahweh said to Joshua, "Make flint knives, andcircumcise
again the children of Israel the second time." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS...
Resources
What does the Bible say about circumcision? What is the Christian view of circumcision? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is circumcision of the heart? | GotQuestions.orgDid Moses have children? | GotQuestions.orgCircumcise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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