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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 17:12 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/01_Gen_17_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:12 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/17-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/17-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm" title="Genesis 17:11">◄</a> Genesis 17:12 <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm" title="Genesis 17:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which <i>is</i> not of thy seed.<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 eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, <i>including</i> a slave who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a <i>servant</i> who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, one who is born in the house or one who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, [including] a <i>servant</i> whether born in the house or one who is purchased with [your] money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Throughout your generations, every male among you is to be circumcised at eight days old—every male born in your household or purchased from any foreigner and not your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Throughout your generations, every male among you at eight days old is to be circumcised. This includes a slave born in your house and one purchased with money from any foreigner. The one who is not your offspring, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />For generations to come every male child who is eight days old must be circumcised, whether he is born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner who's not related to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Generation after generation, every male among you is to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, including the servant born in your house or the one purchased from a foreigner, who is not of your offspring. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Throughout your generations every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, whether born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants.<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 eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male-child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who is not of thy seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a son of eight days is circumcised by you; every male throughout your generations, born in the house, or bought with money from any son of a stranger, who is not of your seed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And a son of eight days is circumcised by you; every male to your generations, born in the house, or bought with money from any son of a stranger, who is not of thy seed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the son of eight days shall be circumcised, every male of your generations being born in the house, and he bought with silver, from every son of the stranger which is not of thy seed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant shall be circumcised, and whosoever is not of your stock: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />An infant of eight days will be circumcised among you, every male in your generations. So also servants born to you, as well as those bought, shall be circumcised, even those who are not of your stock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Throughout the ages, every male among you, when he is eight days old, shall be circumcised, including houseborn slaves and those acquired with money from any foreigner who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who is not of your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />To circumcise, let the one born in your house and bought with your silver be circumcised, and my covenant will be in your flesh for an eternal covenant.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner, that is not of thy seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the child of eight days <i>old</i> shall be circumcised by you, every male throughout your generations, and <i>the servant</i> born in the house and he that is bought with money, of every son of a stranger, who is not of thy seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3536" 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">11</span>You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">Generation after generation,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">male</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></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.">must be circumcised</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇen- (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: šə·mō·naṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth.">when he is eight</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3211.htm" title="3211: yə·lîḏ (N-msc) -- Born. From yalad; born.">including those born</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bā·yiṯ (N-ms) -- 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.">and those purchased</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ke·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kōl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">from a</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5236.htm" title="5236: nê·ḵār (N-ms) -- That which is foreign, foreignness. From nakar; foreign, or a foreigner, or heathendom.">foreigner—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">even those</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">your offspring.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting 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="/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="/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/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/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3</a></span><br />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="/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="/exodus/12-48.htm">Exodus 12:48-49</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. / The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.”<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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-21.htm">Luke 2:21</a></span><br />When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.<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="/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="/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="/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/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1</a></span><br />Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of your seed.</p><p class="hdg">he that is eight days old.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Genesis 21:4</a></b></br> And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a></b></br> And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-59.htm">Luke 1:59</a></b></br> And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.</p><p class="hdg">is born.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Genesis 17:23</a></b></br> And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-48.htm">Exodus 12:48,49</a></b></br> And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Born</a> <a href="/revelation/14-4.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/5-19.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/8-17.htm">Including</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Male</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Male-Child</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">Money</a> <a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/revelation/11-1.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/8-8.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/genesis/17-27.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/17-27.htm">Including</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Male</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Male-Child</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Money</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/genesis/17-27.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/genesis/23-17.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/17.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Throughout your generations</b><br />This phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the covenant God established with Abraham. The Hebrew word for "generations" is "dôr," which signifies an ongoing lineage or succession. This command was not just for Abraham's immediate family but was intended to be a lasting ordinance for all his descendants. It underscores the timelessness of God's covenants and His desire for His people to remain distinct and set apart through the ages.<p><b>Every male among you</b><br />The focus on "every male" highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the male lineage was crucial for inheritance and identity. In the Hebrew culture, males were seen as the carriers of the family name and covenant promises. This command ensured that every male, as a representative of the family, was marked by the covenant, signifying their inclusion in God's promises.<p><b>Who is eight days old</b><br />The specification of "eight days old" is significant both medically and theologically. Medically, the eighth day is when a newborn's blood clotting ability is at its peak, making it the safest time for circumcision. Theologically, the number eight often symbolizes new beginnings in the Bible. Circumcising on the eighth day signifies a new start, a life consecrated to God from its earliest moments.<p><b>Must be circumcised</b><br />Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. The Hebrew word "mûl" means to cut or to circumcise. This act was a profound symbol of purity, dedication, and separation unto God. It was an outward sign of an inward commitment, a physical reminder of the spiritual relationship between God and His people.<p><b>Including those born in your household</b><br />This phrase extends the covenant sign to all males within the household, not just biological descendants. It reflects the inclusive nature of God's covenant, where even those who are not direct descendants by blood are brought into the community of faith. It underscores the idea that God's promises and blessings are available to all who are part of His people, regardless of their origin.<p><b>Or bought with money from a foreigner</b><br />The inclusion of those "bought with money from a foreigner" indicates that the covenant community was not limited to ethnic Israelites. This provision allowed for the integration of non-Israelites into the covenant community, foreshadowing the New Testament revelation that God's salvation is available to all nations. It highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.<p><b>Those who are not your offspring</b><br />This phrase reiterates the inclusivity of the covenant. It emphasizes that the covenant sign of circumcision was not restricted to biological descendants but was extended to all who were part of the household. This inclusivity points to the broader biblical theme of God's desire for all people to be part of His family, a theme that finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through Christ.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Eight days old.</span>--That is, just one week after birth, as the day of birth was counted among the eight days.<span class= "bld"><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he that is eight days old</span> - literally, <span class="accented">and the son of eight days</span> (cf. <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">shall be circumcised among you</span> (<a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a>; <a href="/luke/2-21.htm">Luke 2:21</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5</a>), <span class="cmt_word">every man child</span> - "<span class="accented">The</span> fact that several times the circumcision of the males only is enjoined may point to the legislator's intention to exclude that rite in the other sex, though it was customary among many ancient nations, but not universal among the Egyptians" (Kalisch). Though not administered to both, the symbol was ordained for the sake of both sexes (Calvin) - <span class="cmt_word">in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.</span> Not only a proof of the Divine benignity to Abraham in embracing all the members of his household within the pale of the visible Church now constituted, but likewise a hint of the world-wide aspect of the Abrahamic covenant, a first-fruits as it were of the "all the families of the earth" that should be blessed in Abram. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-12.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">Generation after generation,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">male</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must be circumcised</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמּ֥וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(yim·mō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<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">when he is eight</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמֹנַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mō·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8083.htm">Strong's 8083: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cardinal number, eight, eighth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days old,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">including those born</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלִ֣יד</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">בָּ֔יִת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - 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">and those purchased</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִקְנַת־</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">from a</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכֹּ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(mik·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">foreigner—</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵכָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(nê·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5236.htm">Strong's 5236: </a> </span><span class="str2">That which is foreign, foreignness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even those</span><br /><span class="heb">הֽוּא׃</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your offspring.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:12 He who is eight days old will (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:13" /></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>