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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 17:13 Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_17_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:13 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. 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My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A slave who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall certainly be circumcised; so My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“A <i>servant</i> who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A <i>servant</i> who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A <i>servant</i> who is born in your house or one who is purchased with your money must be circumcised; and [the sign of] My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whether born in your household or purchased, he must be circumcised. My covenant will be marked in your flesh as a permanent covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />a slave born in your house, as well as one purchased with money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be marked in your flesh as an everlasting covenant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Every male born in your household or bought with your money is to be circumcised without exception. So my promise will be a sign on your flesh, an everlasting promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Each one must be circumcised, and this will be a physical sign to show that my covenant with you is everlasting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The servant born in your house or the one purchased with money is to be circumcised. My covenant is to remain in your flesh as an eternal covenant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They must indeed be circumcised, whether born in your house or bought with money. The sign of my covenant will be visible in your flesh as a permanent reminder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />he is certainly circumcised who [is] born in your house, or bought with your money; and My covenant has become in your flesh a perpetual covenant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> he is certainly circumcised who is born in thine house, or bought with thy money; and My covenant hath become in your flesh a covenant age-during;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He shall be circumcised with circumcising, he being born in thy house, and bought with thy silver: and my covenant was in your flesh for an eternal covenant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And my covenant shall be in your flesh for a perpetual covenant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And my covenant shall be with your flesh as an eternal covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yes, both the houseborn slaves and those acquired with money must be circumcised. Thus my covenant will be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He that is born in your house, and he that is bought with your money, shall be circumcised; and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin will not be circumcised, that soul will be destroyed from his people; he has withdrawn from my covenant.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with money shall be surely circumcised, and my covenant shall be on your flesh for an everlasting covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-13.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=3550" 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">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. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3211.htm" title="3211: yə·lîḏ (N-msc) -- Born. From yalad; born.">Whether they are born</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in your household</a> <a href="/hebrew/4736.htm" title="4736: ū·miq·naṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- A purchase. Feminine of miqneh; properly, a buying, i.e. Acquisition; concretely, a piece of property; also the sum paid.">or purchased,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: kas·pe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: him·mō·wl (V-Nifal-InfAbs) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">they must be circumcised.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: yim·mō·wl (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: ḇə·rî·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">My covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: biḇ·śar·ḵem (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">in your flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">an everlasting</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: liḇ·rîṯ (Prep-l:: N-fsc) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">covenant.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”…<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="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-12</a></span><br />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 circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Genesis 21:4</a></span><br />When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-48.htm">Exodus 12:48</a></span><br />If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.<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="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a></span><br />The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.<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="/ezekiel/44-9.htm">Ezekiel 44:9</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.<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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/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—</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that is born in your house, and he that is bought with your money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.</p><p class="hdg">born.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Genesis 14:14</a></b></br> And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained <i>servants</i>, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued <i>them</i> unto Dan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3</a></b></br> And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-44.htm">Exodus 12:44</a></b></br> But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.</p><p class="hdg">bought.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27,36</a></b></br> Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he <i>is</i> our brother <i>and</i> our flesh. And his brethren were content… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">Genesis 39:1</a></b></br> And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2,16</a></b></br> If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Household</a> <a href="/revelation/17-14.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Money</a> <a href="/james/2-16.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Price</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/17-27.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/24-44.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Money</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/genesis/23-9.htm">Price</a> <a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/18-21.htm">Whether</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>Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of the covenant God established with Abraham. It highlights that the covenant sign of circumcision was not limited to Abraham's direct descendants but extended to all males within his household, including servants and those acquired through purchase. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice where household members, regardless of their origin, were considered part of the family unit. The requirement for circumcision for all males signifies the comprehensive nature of God's covenant, symbolizing purity and dedication to God. This act of circumcision is a physical manifestation of the spiritual covenant, marking those who belong to God's chosen people. It prefigures the New Testament concept of spiritual circumcision of the heart, as seen in <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Romans 2:29</a> and <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a>, where true belonging to God is marked by inward transformation rather than external rites.<p><b>My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.</b><br>The phrase "My covenant in your flesh" underscores the tangible and physical nature of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Circumcision serves as a perpetual sign of this covenant, a physical reminder of the promises God made to Abraham, including the promise of land, descendants, and blessing. The term "everlasting covenant" indicates the enduring nature of God's promises, which are not limited by time. This covenant is foundational to the identity of the Israelite people and their relationship with God. It also points forward to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, which fulfills and transcends the Old Covenant. In the New Testament, the concept of an everlasting covenant is expanded to include all believers, Jew and Gentile alike, through faith in Christ, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20</a>. This continuity and fulfillment highlight the unchanging nature of God's promises and His faithfulness throughout history.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch with whom God establishes His covenant, marking a significant moment in biblical history.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine initiator of the covenant, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>Abraham's son, who is also included in the covenant through circumcision.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing God's promise and faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>The physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants, representing obedience and commitment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>God's covenant with Abraham is everlasting, demonstrating His unchanging nature and faithfulness to His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_identity.htm">Obedience and Identity</a></b><br>Circumcision was a mark of identity and obedience for Abraham's descendants, reminding believers today of the importance of living out their faith visibly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_god's_promise.htm">Inclusivity of God's Promise</a></b><br>The inclusion of those "born in your household or purchased with your money" shows that God's covenant extends beyond biological lineage, prefiguring the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_significance.htm">Spiritual Significance</a></b><br>While circumcision was a physical act, its spiritual significance points to the need for a heart transformation, as emphasized in the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_present_in_his_people's_praise.htm">Why did God seek to kill Moses in Exodus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_colossians_2_11-12_contradict_genesis_17.htm">Colossians 2:11-12 teaches a spiritual circumcision; does this contradict the everlasting covenant of physical circumcision in Genesis 17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_require_circumcision.htm">Why would an all-powerful God require the physical sign of circumcision, and does this practice have non-biblical parallels (Genesis 17:10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_circumcision_needed_(gen_17_10_vs_gal_5_6).htm">Is circumcision necessary? (Genesis 17:10 vs. Galatians 5:6)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">He that is born in thy house . . . --</span>Two things follow from this wide extension of the rite of circumcision: the first, that all members of Abram's household, being thus sharers in the covenant, were also numbered as belonging to the nations that sprang from him. We have seen that even in early days his followers must have numbered six or seven hundred men (<a href="/genesis/14-14.htm" title="And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them to Dan.">Genesis 14:14</a>), and they were growing in multitude all the rest of his life, and during the lifetime of Isaac. They were then divided between Esau and Jacob at Isaac's death (<a href="/genesis/35-27.htm" title="And Jacob came to Isaac his father to Mamre, to the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.">Genesis 35:27</a>; <a href="/context/genesis/36-6.htm" title="And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.">Genesis 36:6-7</a>), but the diminution in the number of Jacob's family thus caused must have been compensated by those whom he gathered for himself in Mesopotamia (<a href="/genesis/30-43.htm" title="And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.">Genesis 30:43</a>). All his household went down with him into Egypt, as part of his <span class= "ital">taf, </span>translated "little ones" in <a href="/genesis/46-5.htm" title="And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.">Genesis 46:5</a>, but really signifying the whole body of dependents, men, women, and children. Placed there in the fruitful Delta, they would be counted as members of that tribe to the chief of which they belonged, and would swell the numbers of the vast host which left Egypt (<a href="/exodus/12-37.htm" title="And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.">Exodus 12:37</a>). The second point is, that as all who were circumcised were regarded as Israelites, so also circumcision was confined to the Israelites. It was not 'a catholic ordinance, intended, like baptism, for all people and all times. Nor was it primarily a religious institution. The bought slave was circumcised first, and instructed afterwards. No profession of faith was required, but he was admitted to the privilege in right of his master. The reason of this was that it was an admission into the Jewish nation first, and by consequence only into the church. It is one of the many points which distinguish slavery, as practised among the Jews, from the degrading form of it which existed in modem times, that from the days of Abram onwards the slave by being circumcised was proclaimed to be one of the same race and nation as his master, and thereby entitled to share in his national and religious privileges. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">circumcised, must be circumcised</span>, he that is born, etc., the niph. inf. abe. with the finite verb occupying the place of emphasis at the beginning of the sentence (<span class="accented">vide</span> Gesenius, 'Grammar,' § 131). <span class="cmt_word">And my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-13.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">Whether they are born</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלִ֥יד</span> <span class="translit">(yə·lîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3211.htm">Strong's 3211: </a> </span><span class="str2">Born</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your household</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּֽיתְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(bê·ṯə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or purchased,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִקְנַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miq·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4736.htm">Strong's 4736: </a> </span><span class="str2">A buying, acquisition, a piece of property, the sum paid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they must be circumcised.</span><br /><span class="heb">הִמּ֧וֹל ׀</span> <span class="translit">(him·mō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4135.htm">Strong's 4135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">בְרִיתִ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·rî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common 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">in your flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(biḇ·śar·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<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">will be</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיְתָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine 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">an everlasting</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹלָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><br /><span class="word">covenant.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְרִ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:13 He who is born in your house (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:14" /></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>