Topical Bible: Proselytes: Required: To be Circumcised

◄ Proselytes: Required: To be Circumcised ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of ancient Israel, a proselyte refers to a Gentile who converted to Judaism, embracing the faith, laws, and customs of the Jewish people. The process of conversion involved several requirements, one of which was circumcision for male converts. This practice is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where circumcision was established as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.

Biblical Foundation

The requirement for circumcision is first introduced in Genesis 17:10-14, where God commands Abraham: "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you" (Genesis 17:10-11). This commandment was not only for Abraham's direct descendants but also extended to any male who wished to join the community of Israel, including servants and foreigners.

Proselytes in the Mosaic Law

The Mosaic Law further codified the requirement for circumcision among those who wished to partake in the religious life of Israel. In Exodus 12:48, concerning the Passover, it is stated: "If a foreigner residing with you wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in his household must be circumcised; then he may take part, like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised male may eat of it" (Exodus 12:48). This passage underscores the necessity of circumcision for full participation in the religious rites and community life of Israel.

Historical Context

During the Second Temple period, the Jewish community continued to uphold the requirement of circumcision for proselytes. The practice was a significant marker of identity and commitment to the God of Israel. It symbolized a proselyte's full acceptance of the covenant and their integration into the people of God.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the issue of circumcision for Gentile converts to Christianity became a point of contention. The early church grappled with whether Gentile believers needed to adhere to Jewish laws, including circumcision. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed this issue. The apostles and elders concluded that Gentile converts were not required to be circumcised, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ as the basis for salvation. However, this decision was specific to the Christian context and did not negate the historical requirement for Jewish proselytes.

Conclusion

The requirement of circumcision for proselytes in ancient Israel was a significant aspect of their conversion process, symbolizing their entry into the covenant community. This practice, deeply rooted in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, highlighted the importance of obedience and identity within the Jewish faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 17:13
He that is born in your house, and he that is bought with your money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 12:48
And when a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

His Great Controversy
... at issue was whether the Gentiles were required to become Jews ... words, whether they
had to be circumcised in order ... had to seek entrance as proselytes within the ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ix his great controversy.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... who had become Levitically defiled, required imersion, it ... invalidate), that the baptism
of proselytes existed in ... allowed a proselyte who was circumcised on the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... nothing;" [695] that is, if they were circumcised, as they ... to such observances had
been made proselytes in the ... that the coming of Christ still required to be ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... in the estimation of the Jews; whereas proselytes of righteousness who were circumcised,
and kept the ... But the case required an unusual procedure. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... implies that we, who are not proselytes, but educated from ... to correct Peter, but
his animadversion required to be ... For though few are now circumcised, yet, by ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

The Pastoral Epistles
... Paul had him circumcised, that he might be able to ... brought to Crete by those Jews
or proselytes from Crete ... be able to ordain the presbyters required in every ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvii the pastoral epistles.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... the Sabbatic year, as Josephus supposed, required a rest ... the opinion of Josephus,
made them proselytes of justice ... Jews, and compelled to be circumcised, and to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... had it, that Adam was born circumcised, [484] and ... and, finally, a curious tractate
on Proselytes (Gerim, in ... to heaven by death, although this required a miracle ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... That Christ did himself perform, as our example, whatever he required of us to do;
yea, that he trod himself EVERY step of our way to heaven (p.148).19. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm