Topical Bible: Circumcision: Figurative

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In the Scriptures, circumcision is not only a physical act but also carries significant figurative and spiritual meanings. While the physical act of circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14), the Bible also uses the concept of circumcision metaphorically to describe spiritual truths and the condition of the heart.

Circumcision of the Heart

The concept of the "circumcision of the heart" is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing the need for inner transformation and purity. In Deuteronomy 10:16, Moses exhorts the Israelites, "Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more." This call to circumcise the heart signifies a turning away from stubbornness and rebellion, urging the people to be receptive and obedient to God's commandments.

Jeremiah also speaks to this figurative understanding, warning the people of Judah and Jerusalem: "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or My wrath will break out like fire because of the evil you have done" (Jeremiah 4:4). Here, the prophet highlights the necessity of genuine repentance and spiritual renewal, rather than mere outward compliance with religious rituals.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament further develops the figurative use of circumcision, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 2:28-29, Paul writes, "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." Paul emphasizes that true belonging to God's people is not determined by external rites but by an inward transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit.

In Colossians 2:11, Paul explains the spiritual circumcision that believers experience in Christ: "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." This passage underscores the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection, marking a decisive break from the power of sin.

Circumcision and the New Covenant

The figurative use of circumcision is closely tied to the New Covenant, which promises a new heart and spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-27 prophesies, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." This transformation is the essence of the circumcision of the heart, where God Himself initiates and completes the work of renewal.

Conclusion

The figurative use of circumcision in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation and covenantal faithfulness. It calls believers to a life marked by inward purity, genuine repentance, and a heart fully devoted to God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the believer's heart is circumcised, enabling a life that reflects the righteousness and holiness of God.

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Exodus 6:12
And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
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Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff necked.
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Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.
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Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
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Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot listen: behold, the word of the LORD is to them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
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Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
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Romans 2:28,29
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
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Romans 15:8
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:
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Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
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Colossians 2:11
In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
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Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
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Library

Whether the Ceremonial Precepts have a Literal Cause or Merely a ...
... seem that the ceremonial precepts have not a literal, but merely a figurative cause.
For among the ceremonial precepts, the chief was circumcision and the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonial precepts have.htm

Whether Circumcision was a Preparation For, and a Figure of ...
... But circumcision was a sacrament, and a preparation for Baptism; although less clearly
figurative of Baptism, as to externals, than the aforesaid. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether circumcision was a preparation.htm

Some Rules for Discerning what is Said About Christ the ...
... Christ is oftentimes called a Stone in parable, and in figurative speech Jacob ... For
your first circumcision was and is performed by iron instruments, for you ...
/.../chapter cxiv some rules for discerning.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law Ceased at the Coming of ...
... Therefore at least circumcision and the other legal solemnities should not have
ceased ... then, nothing in regard to worship of God will be figurative; there will ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the 3.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... The figurative reason for circumcision was that it foreshadowed the removal of
corruption, which was to be brought about by Christ, and will be perfectly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Neither do they Confess that they are Awed by those Citations from ...
... from the books of the New Testament, except the figurative pre-significations ... he
preached that neither are the Gentiles the better for circumcision, nor the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 7 neither do they.htm

Typology
... that God delighted not in temples made with hands, but in a pure and contrite heart;
that the circumcision of the ... All that tends not to charity is figurative. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section x typology.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... "And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac ... Do you observe
all along a figurative enacting, so to say, of the resurrection of the dead? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

Whether Baptism was Instituted after Christ's Passion?
... Christ's Passion men were not bound to be baptized: for Circumcision was still ... First,
because Christ's Passion put an end to the figurative sacraments, which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism was instituted after.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... If circumcision be typical of infant baptism, it is only the boy infant that would
be ... The wolf dwelling with the Lamb is figurative language, and never will be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm