Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7334 circumcision » 7335 circumcision, physical
In the OT, circumcision is seen as an outward sign of membership of Israel, the people of God.
The significance of circumcision in God's covenant with Abraham
Genesis 17:10-14 See also Acts 7:8
Circumcision is also for Abraham's descendants
Genesis 17:7
Circumcision as a sign of national identity
Dinah's brothers and the Shechemites:
Genesis 34:8-9,14-17 Exodus 4:24-26; Joshua 5:4-8
Circumcision is integrated into the Mosaic law
Leviticus 12:3; John 7:22 It was later sometimes forgotten that circumcision predated the Mosaic law.
Circumcision as an important Passover restriction
Exodus 12:44,48-49; Judges 14:3 Some of Israel's neighbours practised circumcision, but not the Philistines.
Circumcision was not necessarily a sign of consecration to God
Jeremiah 9:25-26
NT accounts of circumcision practised in obedience to the law
Luke 1:59 John; Luke 2:21 Jesus Christ; John 7:23 Circumcision was permitted on the Sabbath; Philippians 3:5 Paul refers to his own circumcision; Acts 16:3 Timothy
The subject of circumcision debated by the first Christians
Acts 10:45; Acts 11:2; Acts 15:5; Galatians 2:3 That Titus, a Greek, was not required to be circumcised illustrates the change in the attitude of the church concerning the relevance of the law to Gentile believers; Ephesians 2:11; Colossians 3:11; Titus 1:10
See also
1348 covenant with Abraham 1680 types 5378 law, OT 6260 uncircumcised 7140 people of God 7422 ritual 7957 sacraments
