Topical Encyclopedia Circumcision is a significant rite within the Abrahamic covenant, serving as a physical sign of the covenant between God and His people. This practice is first instituted in Genesis 17:10-14, where God commands Abraham and his descendants to circumcise every male on the eighth day after birth. The Berean Standard Bible states: "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised" (Genesis 17:10).The observance of circumcision on the Sabbath presents an interesting intersection of two critical aspects of Jewish law: the covenantal sign of circumcision and the command to rest on the Sabbath. According to the Mosaic Law, the Sabbath is a day of rest, as outlined in Exodus 20:8-10: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God" . Despite the prohibition of work on the Sabbath, circumcision is permitted and even required if the eighth day falls on the Sabbath. This exception is rooted in the understanding that circumcision is a divine commandment of such importance that it supersedes the general prohibition of work on the Sabbath. In John 7:22-23, Jesus addresses this practice, saying, "Yet because Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. 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 a man entirely well on the Sabbath?" . Here, Jesus highlights the precedence of circumcision over Sabbath restrictions, using it to illustrate the principle of doing good and fulfilling God's commandments. The Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, further elaborates on this practice, emphasizing that the act of circumcision is a mitzvah (commandment) that is not to be postponed, even for the Sabbath. This reflects the deep-seated belief in the necessity of adhering to God's covenantal requirements without delay. In the New Testament, the early church grappled with the role of circumcision for Gentile converts. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, ultimately determined that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers, emphasizing faith in Christ as the basis for inclusion in the covenant community. However, the practice continued among Jewish Christians as a cultural and religious tradition. In summary, the rite of circumcision, even when observed on the Sabbath, underscores the enduring significance of the Abrahamic covenant and the prioritization of divine commandments within the Jewish tradition. This practice illustrates the balance between adherence to the law and the recognition of God's overarching purposes. Nave's Topical Index John 7:23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Nave's Topical Index Library Epistle i. To the Roman Citizens. The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ... Galatians Chapter ii. Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories The Book of Jubilees Jewish Homes Acts XVI The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and ... Galatians Chapter I. Christian Casuistry. Resources What is circumcision of the heart? | GotQuestions.orgIs baptism the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about circumcision? What is the Christian view of circumcision? | GotQuestions.org Circumcision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics 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: 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: Enforced by the Law Circumcision: First Performed on Abraham and his Family Circumcision: Instituted by God Circumcision: Introductory Jewish Ordinances Circumcision: Israelites at Gilgal Circumcision: John the Baptist 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: Not Performed in the Wilderness 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 Speech Circumcision: Readiness to Hear and Obey Circumcision: Rite of, Observed on the Sabbath Circumcision: Saints the True Spiritual 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: Trusting To, a Denial of Christ Related Terms Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences) Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences) |
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