Circumcision: Moses
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Circumcision, a covenantal sign given to Abraham and his descendants, holds significant theological and cultural importance within the biblical narrative. In the context of Moses, circumcision emerges as a critical theme, particularly in the early chapters of Exodus.

Moses' Birth and Early Life

Moses, born to Hebrew parents during a time of severe oppression in Egypt, was subject to the covenantal practice of circumcision, as prescribed in Genesis 17:10-14. This rite was a physical mark of the Israelites' unique relationship with God, distinguishing them from other nations. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention Moses' circumcision at birth, it is implied that his parents, being faithful Hebrews, would have adhered to this covenantal requirement.

The Incident at the Lodging Place

A pivotal moment concerning circumcision in Moses' life occurs in Exodus 4:24-26. As Moses returns to Egypt under God's command to lead the Israelites out of bondage, the Lord confronts him at a lodging place, seeking to put him to death. This mysterious and alarming encounter is resolved when Zipporah, Moses' Midianite wife, circumcises their son and touches Moses' feet with the foreskin, declaring, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me" (Exodus 4:25).

This incident underscores the seriousness of the circumcision covenant. Moses, chosen as the leader of God's people, could not neglect this fundamental sign of the covenant. The act of circumcision by Zipporah averts divine wrath, highlighting the necessity of obedience to God's commands and the importance of covenantal faithfulness.

Moses and the Israelites in the Wilderness

During the wilderness journey, the practice of circumcision becomes a point of contention and renewal. The generation that left Egypt had been circumcised, but those born during the forty years in the wilderness had not undergone the rite. This lapse is addressed in Joshua 5:2-9, where God commands Joshua to circumcise the new generation before entering the Promised Land. Although Moses had passed away by this time, his leadership and the covenantal framework he upheld set the stage for this renewal of commitment to God's covenant.

Theological Implications

Moses' association with circumcision reflects broader theological themes within the biblical narrative. Circumcision is not merely a physical act but a symbol of the Israelites' covenantal relationship with God, requiring both external compliance and internal faithfulness. Moses, as the mediator of the Old Covenant, exemplifies the necessity of aligning one's life with God's commands, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture.

In the New Testament, circumcision becomes a point of theological discussion, particularly in the context of Gentile inclusion in the early Church. The Apostle Paul addresses the issue in letters such as Galatians and Romans, emphasizing faith in Christ as the true mark of covenantal belonging, transcending physical circumcision.

Moses' life and leadership, intertwined with the theme of circumcision, serve as a testament to the enduring significance of covenantal faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.
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Exodus 4:25
Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband are you to me.
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Library

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... that He was about to give this circumcision to the people of Israel for "a sign,"
not for salvation, urges the circumcision of the son of Moses, their future ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... Enoch, too, pleasing God, without circumcision, discharged the office of God's ... lived
before Abraham, and of those patriarchs who preceded Moses, were justified ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

Circumcision Unknown Before Abraham.
... Therefore to you alone this circumcision was necessary, in order that the people ...
God; and after them Abraham with all his descendants until Moses, under whom ...
/.../chapter xix circumcision unknown before abraham.htm

The Law Anterior to Moses.
... should come to pass that, just as "the law was given through Moses" [1152] at a ... Sabbath
is still to be observed as a balm of salvation, and circumcision on the ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ii the law anterior to.htm

Although the Jews, Then, Pride Themselves on Circumcision, they ...
... before the shedding of the blood, but who became powerless through the blood of
circumcision. For which reason the words were addressed to Moses, "A bloody ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii although the jews.htm

After This, Celsus, Without Condemning Circumcision as Practised ...
... condemning circumcision as practised by the Jews, asserts that this usage was derived
from the Egyptians; thus believing the Egyptians rather than Moses, who ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxii after this celsus.htm

John Chapter vii. 19-24
... and ye all marvel." And immediately He subjoined: "Moses therefore gave unto you
circumcision." It was well done that ye received circumcision from Moses. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxx john chapter vii.htm

Whether the Rite of Circumcision was Fitting?
... eighth day, sinned, even though it were the sabbath, according to Jn.7:23: "(If)
a man receives circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the Law of Moses may not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rite of circumcision.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... XII. Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus. ... [Luke 1:31.] 22 And when
the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

Whether Circumcision was Instituted in a Fitting Manner?
... But the observance of the Law was not promulgated at the time of Abraham, but rather
at the time of Moses. Therefore it was unfitting for circumcision to be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether circumcision was instituted in.htm

Resources
Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.org

What are the bodily discharges mentioned in Leviticus 15, and why did they make a person unclean? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Colossians - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Circumcision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Circumcision

Circumcision was Performed by Persons in Authority

Circumcision was Performed by the Heads of Families

Circumcision was Performed in the Presence of the Family

Circumcision was Performed with Knives of Flint

Circumcision was Performed: Even on the Sabbath Day

Circumcision was Performed: On Males Home-Born and Bought

Circumcision was Performed: On the Eighth Day

Circumcision without Faith, Vain

Circumcision without Obedience, Vain

Circumcision: A Designation of Christians

Circumcision: A Designation of the Jews

Circumcision: A Painful and Bloody Rite

Circumcision: A Prerequisite of the Privileges of the Passover

Circumcision: A Seal of Righteousness

Circumcision: A Seal of the Covenant

Circumcision: Abolished by the Gospel

Circumcision: Abraham

Circumcision: Abrogated

Circumcision: Accompanied With Naming the Child

Circumcision: Called The: Circumcision in the Flesh

Circumcision: Called The: Concision

Circumcision: Called The: Covenant of Circumcision

Circumcision: Characterized by Paul As a Yoke

Circumcision: Child Named at the Time of

Circumcision: Covenant Promises of

Circumcision: Described

Circumcision: Enforced by the Law

Circumcision: Figurative

Circumcision: First Performed on Abraham and his Family

Circumcision: Instituted by God

Circumcision: Institution of

Circumcision: Introductory Jewish Ordinances

Circumcision: Inward Grace

Circumcision: Israelites at Gilgal

Circumcision: Jesus

Circumcision: John the Baptist

Circumcision: Moses

Circumcision: Necessary to Enjoying the Privileges of the Jewish State

Circumcision: Necessity of, Asserted by False Teachers

Circumcision: Necessity of, Denied by Paul

Circumcision: Necessity of, Falsely Taught by Judaizing Christians

Circumcision: Neglect of, Punished

Circumcision: Neglected

Circumcision: Not Performed in the Wilderness

Circumcision: Outward Sign of

Circumcision: Paul

Circumcision: Paul Denounced for Opposing

Circumcision: Paul's Argument Against the Continuance of

Circumcision: Performed by Joshua at Gilgal

Circumcision: Performed on all Males on the Eighth Day

Circumcision: Performed on Timothy As a Matter or Expediency Because of The

Circumcision: Promises to Abraham Previous To

Circumcision: Punishment for Neglecting

Circumcision: Purity of Heart

Circumcision: Purity of Speech

Circumcision: Readiness to Hear and Obey

Circumcision: Rite of, Observed on the Sabbath

Circumcision: Saints the True Spiritual

Circumcision: Shechemites

Circumcision: Sometimes Performed on Slain Enemies

Circumcision: The Jews: Denominated By

Circumcision: The Jews: Despised As Unclean Those not of The

Circumcision: The Jews: Held It Unlawful to Intermarry With Those not of The

Circumcision: The Jews: Held No Intercourse With Those not of The

Circumcision: Timothy

Circumcision: Trusting To, a Denial of Christ

Related Terms

Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences)

Underwent (22 Occurrences)

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)

Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)

Concision (1 Occurrence)

Reckoned (98 Occurrences)

Credited (19 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Counts (15 Occurrences)

Profit (143 Occurrences)

Undergo (91 Occurrences)

Knife (10 Occurrences)

Keeps (154 Occurrences)

Undergoes (11 Occurrences)

Law-transgressor (2 Occurrences)

Transgressor (9 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Counted (122 Occurrences)

Avail (15 Occurrences)

Real (26 Occurrences)

Opposite (137 Occurrences)

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

Seal (47 Occurrences)

Performed (110 Occurrences)

Jew (34 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Though (623 Occurrences)

Agreement (341 Occurrences)

Party (47 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Undergone (20 Occurrences)

Outward (17 Occurrences)

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)

Literal (2 Occurrences)

Letter (112 Occurrences)

Group (32 Occurrences)

Workers (76 Occurrences)

Importance (9 Occurrences)

Footsteps (30 Occurrences)

Families (272 Occurrences)

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)

Receives (43 Occurrences)

Removal (42 Occurrences)

Equally (21 Occurrences)

Eight (81 Occurrences)

External (8 Occurrences)

Example (54 Occurrences)

Doer (25 Occurrences)

Profiteth (9 Occurrences)

Profits (19 Occurrences)

Practise (52 Occurrences)

Breaker (2 Occurrences)

Circumcise (13 Occurrences)

Accounted (32 Occurrences)

Attacked (93 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Availeth (6 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Steps (113 Occurrences)

Sign (181 Occurrences)

Boy (94 Occurrences)

Benefit (39 Occurrences)

Existence (35 Occurrences)

Galatians (2 Occurrences)

Practice (71 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Christian (41 Occurrences)

Won't (144 Occurrences)

Responsible (242 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Nature (80 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Obey (219 Occurrences)

Observe (216 Occurrences)

Circumcision: John the Baptist
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