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

Bible > Topical > Circumcision

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

Topical Encyclopedia

Circumcision, a covenantal sign given by God to Abraham, holds significant religious and cultural importance within Judaism. It is a physical mark of the covenant between God and His chosen people, Israel. This practice, instituted in Genesis 17:10-14, serves as a perpetual reminder of the unique relationship between God and the descendants of Abraham. The act of circumcision is not merely a physical procedure but a profound spiritual symbol of dedication and separation unto God.

The Jewish people, as recipients of this covenant, were called to maintain their distinct identity, which included adhering to specific laws and customs that set them apart from surrounding nations. One such custom was the prohibition against intermarriage with those who were not part of the covenant community. This prohibition was rooted in the desire to preserve the purity of worship and to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by foreign influences.

The Torah explicitly warns against intermarriage with non-Israelites. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4 , God commands, "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods, and the anger of the LORD will burn against you and will swiftly destroy you." This directive underscores the concern that intermarriage could lead to idolatry and a departure from the covenantal faith.

The historical context of this prohibition is further illustrated in the post-exilic period, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Upon returning from Babylonian exile, the Jewish community faced the challenge of re-establishing their identity and religious practices. Ezra 9:1-2 reports, "The leaders came to me and said, 'The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices... They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them.'" This intermingling was seen as a direct violation of God's command and a threat to the community's spiritual integrity.

Nehemiah also confronted this issue, as seen in Nehemiah 13:23-27 , where he rebukes the people for marrying foreign women, reminding them of Solomon's downfall due to similar actions. Nehemiah's reforms included measures to rectify these marriages and restore the community's commitment to God's laws.

The New Testament continues to reflect the significance of circumcision and the Jewish identity, though it introduces a broader understanding of the covenant through faith in Jesus Christ. The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentile believers, as seen in Acts 15, where the Jerusalem Council determined that circumcision was not required for Gentile converts. However, the cultural and religious implications of circumcision and intermarriage remained a point of tension and discussion.

In summary, circumcision as a covenantal sign was integral to Jewish identity and religious practice. The prohibition against intermarriage with non-Jews was a safeguard to maintain the purity of worship and adherence to God's commandments. This practice underscored the importance of remaining distinct as God's chosen people, dedicated to His service and faithful to His covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 34:14
And they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach to us:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 14:3
Then his father and his mother said to him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me; for she pleases me well.
Torrey's Topical Textbook