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Topical Encyclopedia

The Covenant of Circumcision is a significant biblical covenant established by God with Abraham, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between God and His chosen people. This covenant is first introduced inGenesis 17 and serves as a physical sign of the enduring promise between God and Abraham's descendants.

Biblical Foundation

The covenant is detailed inGenesis 17:9-14 , where God commands Abraham to circumcise every male in his household as a sign of the covenant:

"Then God said to Abraham, 'As for you, you must keep My covenant, you and your descendants for the generations to come. 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. For the generations to come, every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who has not been circumcised in the flesh will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.'"

Theological Significance

The Covenant of Circumcision is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual symbol. It signifies the setting apart of Abraham's descendants as God's chosen people, a community distinct from other nations. This act of obedience is a tangible expression of faith and commitment to God's promises.

Circumcision represents the cutting away of the flesh, symbolizing the need for purity and holiness among God's people. It is a reminder of the covenantal relationship that requires faithfulness and adherence to God's commands. The act of circumcision on the eighth day, as prescribed, underscores the importance of this covenant from the earliest stages of life.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the spiritual implications of circumcision, emphasizing that it is not the physical act that justifies a person before God, but faith in Jesus Christ. InRomans 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. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God."

Paul's teachings highlight that the true essence of the covenant is fulfilled in the spiritual transformation brought about by faith in Christ, which transcends the physical ritual.

Historical and Cultural Context

Historically, circumcision was a common practice among various ancient Near Eastern cultures, but its adoption by the Israelites as a covenantal sign set them apart. It became a defining mark of Jewish identity and was strictly observed throughout the generations.

In the early Christian church, the question of circumcision became a point of contention, particularly regarding Gentile converts. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded inActs 15, ultimately determined that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers, affirming that salvation comes through grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Conclusion

The Covenant of Circumcision remains a foundational element of biblical theology, illustrating the depth of God's promises and the call to holiness for His people. It serves as a precursor to the New Covenant, where the focus shifts from physical signs to the spiritual transformation of the heart through faith in Christ.

Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia

Covenant of Circumcision

After Abram had sojourned in the land of promise twenty-four years, The Lord made a covenant with him and changed his name to Abraham (Genesis 12:4,5;Genesis 17:1-5). The Lord proposed to make of him a great nation and to perpetuate the covenant through his offspring (Genesis 17:6,7). Birth and purchase were the conditions of membership in this covenant (Genesis 12:13). Of circumcision:

(A) It was a visible mark in the flesh. (B) It affected only the males of Abraham's family. (C) The children were circumcised on the eighth day. (D) The uncircumcised were to be cut off from the covenant (Genesis 17:6-14).

Greek

4061. peritome --circumcision
... cut around, ie the removal of the male foreskin in (the visible sign of God'scovenant
in the OT). See 4059 (). Theof physicalcircumcision relates to , the...

203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
... Christ, the ). Physicalcircumcision is the of God'scovenant, representing
the from God to by -- through (). [203 literally means...

4059. peritemno -- to cut around, circumcise
... Hiscovenant). Word Origin from peri and the same as tomos Definition to cut around,
circumcise NASB Word Usage circumcise (4), circumcised (10),circumcision (...

Library

WhatCovenant of God the New-Born Babe Breaks. What was the Value...
... The fact is, thecovenant of God which he then broke was not this which commanded
circumcision, but that which forbade the tree; when "by one man sin entered...

Both Covenants were Prefigured in Abraham, and in the Labour of...
... and caused to take a place beside him who was made the chief and the forerunner
of our faith (who did also receive thecovenant ofcircumcision, after that...

By theCircumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden...
... Now Abraham, when he first received thecovenant ofcircumcision, seems to signify,
by receivingcircumcision in a member of his own body, nothing else than...

God'sCovenant with Abram
... Henceforth they had, as it were, one life. We have not here the shedding
of Abram's blood, as in thecovenant ofcircumcision. Still...

Acts XVI
... So thecovenant ofcircumcision must be everlasting, because it is to continue
as long as the flesh of Abraham is perpetuated. This...

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of...
... God accordingly had declared: Israel shall not make thecovenant ofcircumcision,
but thou shalt see it,' and the sages decreed that (atcircumcision) a seat...

The Spiritual Meaning ofCircumcision.
... every Syrian and Arab, and all the priests of idols: are these then also within
the bond of Hiscovenant? [1566] Yea, the Egyptians also practisecircumcision....

On the Sacraments of the Old Testament, the Tree of Life...
...Circumcision is the sign of thecovenant into which God entered with Abraham to
seal or witness the promise about the blessed seed that should be born of him...

Of the Male, who was to Lose his Soul if He was not Circumcised on...
... broken this mycovenant, He would have compelled us to understand by it only this
ofcircumcision; but since He has not expressly said whatcovenant the infant...

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither byCircumcision nor by...
... Enoch, too, pleasing God, withoutcircumcision, discharged the office of God's legate
to... the people in Deuteronomy: "The Lord thy God formed acovenant in Horeb...