Circumcision in the Bible

In the Bible, circumcision plays an important role. It was seen as a sign of the covenant with God. The concept can be used both literally and figuratively.

Circumcision is first mentioned as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham. Circumcision involves removing the foreskin of the male sex organ. In principle, this was done when a little boy was eight days old. However, there are stories in the Bible of men who were circumcised later in life, for example after the journey through the desert, in Joshua 5:2-9. The story about Zipporah circumcising her son in Exodus 4:25-26, suggests that women could carry out this procedure and that the custom is very old, given that a stone knife is used.

In the New Testament, the moment of circumcision is linked to the naming of the child, as can be seen in Luke 2:21. Among the first Christians there was discussion whether circumcision was necessary for Christians. According to Paul, this was not the case. To him, following Christ was the only thing that mattered.

In the Old and New Testament, “circumcision” is also used figuratively. For example, the circumcision of the heart or the tongue is a metaphor for obedience to the commandments and love for God. Being “uncircumcised of heart” means that someone does not follow the Torah and is therefore like the “uncircumcised”. In Colossians 2:11, circumcision is a metaphor for baptism.