Circumcision in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

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What is Circumcision?
CIRCUMCIS'ION
(cutting round), a rite or ceremony of the Jewish religion, which consisted in cutting oflf the foreskin of all males on the eighth day after their birth. It was established as the token of God's covenant with Abraham, Gen 17:9-14, who immediately subjected himself and all his family to its observance. The precept of circumcision was renewed to Moses, Ex 12:44; Lev 12:3; John 7:22-23, requiring that all should submit to it who would partake of the paschal sacrifice. The Jews have always been very scrupulous in its observance, though it was omitted in their journey through the wilderness for some reason. Many other nations have the rite. It existed among the Egyptians, the Ethiopians, the Mexicans, and the West Indians, and to-day among the Caffres of South Africa, the Abyssinians, the islanders of the Pacific Ocean, and the South American tribes. It is the chief ceremony of initiation into the religion of Mohammed, though it is regarded only as a traditionary precept, and is not performed till the child is 13 years old. The instrument used for this purpose was a knife, a razor, or even a sharp stone. Ex 4:25; Josh 5:3. The design of this requirement obviously was to fix upon the persons of all the natural male descendants of Abraham a distinguishing mark, separating them from all the rest of the world. As this rite was peculiar to the Jews, they are called "the circumcision," and the Gentiles "the uncircumcision." Rom 4:9 . The terms "uncircumcised" and "uncircumcision" are also used to denote impurity or wickedness generally, and "to circumcise the heart" was to become tractable and docile. Ex 6:12, 1 Kgs 20:30; Jer 4:4; Jer 6:10; Jer 9:26; Eze 44:7; Acts 7:51. Jews who renounced Judaism sometimes endeavored to erase the mark of circumcision by a surgical operation, and probably Paul alludes to this. 1 Cor 7:18. See Covenant, Concision.

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Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'circumcision' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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