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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 17:11 You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_17_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:11 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be the sign (symbol, memorial) of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All of you must be circumcised. That will be the sign of the promise from me to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are all to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this is to be the sign of the covenant between me and you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskins. This will be a reminder of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a sign of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you have circumcised the flesh of your foreskin, and it has become a token of a covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and ye have circumcised the flesh of your foreskin, and it hath become a token of a covenant between Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye circumcised the flesh of your uncircumcision; and it was for a sign of the covenant between me and between you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a h sign of the covenant between me and you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, so that it may be a sign of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Circumcise the flesh of your foreskin. That will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a son of eight days shall be circumcised among you, every male for your generations, born in the house, and bought with money from any son of a foreigner that was not from your seed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt Me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between me and you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3527" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">The Covenant of Circumcision</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: ū·nə·mal·tem (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">You are to circumcise</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śar (N-msc) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">the flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/6190.htm" title="6190: ‘ā·rə·laṯ·ḵem (N-fsc:: 2mp) -- Foreskin. Feminine of arel; the prepuce.">of your foreskin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and this will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/226.htm" title="226: lə·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- A sign. Probably from 'uwth; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.">a sign</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ (N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- An interval, space between. ">between Me and you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇê·nê·ḵem (Conj-w:: Prep:: 2mp) -- An interval, space between. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11</a></span><br />And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Galatians 5:2-3</a></span><br />Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. / Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8</a></span><br />Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11-12</a></span><br />In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. / And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a></span><br />For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a></span><br />For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">1 Corinthians 7:18-19</a></span><br />Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. / Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Ephesians 2:11-13</a></span><br />Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-22.htm">John 7:22-23</a></span><br />But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.) / If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a></span><br />And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a></span><br />Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a></span><br />Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Exodus 4:24-26</a></span><br />Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. / But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. / So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2-9</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant between me and you.</p><p class="hdg">the flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Exodus 4:25</a></b></br> Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast <i>it</i> at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband <i>art</i> thou to me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Joshua 5:3</a></b></br> And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">1 Samuel 18:25-27</a></b></br> And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines… </p><p class="hdg">a token.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8</a></b></br> And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so <i>Abraham</i> begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac <i>begat</i> Jacob; and Jacob <i>begat</i> the twelve patriarchs.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11</a></b></br> And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which <i>he had yet</i> being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Betwixt</a> <a href="/acts/21-21.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/9-17.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-16.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Foreskins</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/genesis/15-17.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-20.htm">Private</a> <a href="/genesis/9-17.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/genesis/9-17.htm">Token</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">You</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/genesis/23-15.htm">Betwixt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Foreskins</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/genesis/42-9.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Private</a> <a href="/genesis/24-27.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Token</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/24-41.htm">You</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">God renews the covenant with Abram, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Circumcision is instituted.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin</b><br>Circumcision was a physical act commanded by God to Abraham and his descendants as a sign of the covenant. It involved the removal of the foreskin of the male genitalia, a practice that was not unique to the Israelites but was given a unique theological significance in this context. In the ancient Near East, circumcision was practiced by several cultures, but for the Israelites, it symbolized their distinct identity and commitment to God. This act was to be performed on the eighth day after birth, as later specified in <a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a>, which aligns with modern medical understanding that blood clotting is optimal on this day. Theologically, circumcision represented the cutting away of impurity and a dedication to holiness, prefiguring the New Testament concept of spiritual circumcision of the heart (<a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Romans 2:29</a>, <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a>).<p><b>and this will be a sign of the covenant</b><br>The covenant referred to here is the Abrahamic Covenant, a foundational element of biblical theology. This covenant included promises of land, descendants, and blessing (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3, 15</a>:18-21). The sign of circumcision was a perpetual reminder of God's promises and the Israelites' obligation to live in obedience to Him. In biblical terms, a "sign" is a visible, tangible reminder of a spiritual reality, similar to the rainbow as a sign of the Noahic Covenant (<a href="/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12-17</a>). Circumcision as a sign also pointed forward to the New Covenant, where baptism serves as a sign of faith and inclusion in the community of believers (<a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11-12</a>).<p><b>between Me and you</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the personal and relational aspect of the covenant. It was not merely a legal contract but a personal commitment between God and Abraham, extending to his descendants. The use of "Me and you" highlights the intimate relationship God desires with His people, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. This covenant relationship is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ (<a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a>, <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>). The covenant with Abraham is foundational for understanding God's redemptive plan, culminating in the person and work of Jesus, who fulfills the promises made to Abraham (<a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-maker who establishes a sign of His promise with Abraham and his descendants.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch chosen by God to be the father of many nations, receiving the covenant promise.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>The physical act and sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>A solemn agreement between God and Abraham, signifying a lasting relationship and promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/descendants_of_abraham.htm">Descendants of Abraham</a></b><br>The future generations who are to uphold the covenant through the practice of circumcision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sign_of_the_covenant.htm">Sign of the Covenant</a></b><br>Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, symbolizing a deeper spiritual truth of belonging to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Abraham's willingness to undergo circumcision and to circumcise his household demonstrates obedience and faith in God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_significance.htm">Spiritual Significance</a></b><br>In the New Testament, circumcision is seen as a metaphor for the cutting away of sin and living a life dedicated to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_righteousness.htm">Faith and Righteousness</a></b><br>Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness before the act of circumcision, highlighting that faith, not works, is the basis of righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/continuity_and_fulfillment.htm">Continuity and Fulfillment</a></b><br>The covenant with Abraham finds its fulfillment in Christ, who brings a new covenant that includes all believers, Jew and Gentile alike.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin.</span> <span class="hebrew">עָרְלָה</span>, <span class="greek">ἀκροβυστία</span>, <span class="accented">membrum prveputiatum</span>, from <span class="hebrew">עָרַל</span>, to be naked, bare, hence to be odious, unclean, impure, was regarded afterwards as unclean (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a>; <a href="/isaiah/52-3.htm">Isaiah 52:3</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a>), and is here directed to be deprived of the skin covering its extremity, not because through it sin first discovered its effects (Peele), and original corruption is still transmitted (Lapide, Augustine), or to promote cleanliness (Philo), or to express detestation of certain idolatrous rites which were paid to it by the Egyptians and other heathen nations (Lyra, Kalisch), but <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> as a sign of the faith that Christ should be descended from him (Lapide); <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> as a symbolic representation of the putting away of the filth of the flesh and of sin in general (Calvin). Hence it served a variety of uses: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> to distinguish the seed of Abraham from the Gentiles, . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You are to circumcise</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְמַלְתֶּ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·mal·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5243.htm">Strong's 5243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Branch to be cut down off, circumcise </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשַׂ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your foreskin,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרְלַתְכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rə·laṯ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6190.htm">Strong's 6190: </a> </span><span class="str2">The prepuce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and this will be</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a sign</span><br /><span class="heb">לְא֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_226.htm">Strong's 226: </a> </span><span class="str2">A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִ֔ית</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between Me and you.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּינִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interval, space between</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>