Genesis 17:12
New International Version
For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.

New Living Translation
From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.

English Standard Version
He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,

Berean Standard Bible
Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring.

King James Bible
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

New King James Version
He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.

New American Standard Bible
And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, including a slave who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.

NASB 1995
“And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.

NASB 1977
“And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.

Legacy Standard Bible
And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, one who is born in the house or one who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your seed.

Amplified Bible
Every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, [including] a servant whether born in the house or one who is purchased with [your] money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.

Christian Standard Bible
Throughout your generations, every male among you is to be circumcised at eight days old—every male born in your household or purchased from any foreigner and not your offspring.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Throughout your generations, every male among you at eight days old is to be circumcised. This includes a slave born in your house and one purchased with money from any foreigner. The one who is not your offspring,

American Standard Version
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed.

English Revised Version
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
For generations to come every male child who is eight days old must be circumcised, whether he is born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner who's not related to you.

International Standard Version
Generation after generation, every male among you is to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, including the servant born in your house or the one purchased from a foreigner, who is not of your offspring.

Majority Standard Bible
Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring.

NET Bible
Throughout your generations every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, whether born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants.

New Heart English Bible
He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your descendants.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male-child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who is not of thy seed.

World English Bible
He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a son of eight days is circumcised by you; every male throughout your generations, born in the house, or bought with money from any son of a stranger, who is not of your seed;

Young's Literal Translation
'And a son of eight days is circumcised by you; every male to your generations, born in the house, or bought with money from any son of a stranger, who is not of thy seed;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the son of eight days shall be circumcised, every male of your generations being born in the house, and he bought with silver, from every son of the stranger which is not of thy seed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant shall be circumcised, and whosoever is not of your stock:

Catholic Public Domain Version
An infant of eight days will be circumcised among you, every male in your generations. So also servants born to you, as well as those bought, shall be circumcised, even those who are not of your stock.

New American Bible
Throughout the ages, every male among you, when he is eight days old, shall be circumcised, including houseborn slaves and those acquired with money from any foreigner who is not of your descendants.

New Revised Standard Version
Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, who is not of your descendants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To circumcise, let the one born in your house and bought with your silver be circumcised, and my covenant will be in your flesh for an eternal covenant.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner, that is not of thy seed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the child of eight days old shall be circumcised by you, every male throughout your generations, and the servant born in the house and he that is bought with money, of every son of a stranger, who is not of thy seed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant of Circumcision
11You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner— even those who are not your offspring. 13Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.…

Cross References
Leviticus 12:3
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.

Acts 7:8
Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Romans 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Galatians 5:3
Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

Colossians 2:11-12
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. / And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Exodus 12:48-49
If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. / The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.”

Joshua 5:2-9
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...

Luke 2:21
When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

John 7:22-23
But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.) / 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 the whole man well on the Sabbath?

Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more.

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

Ezekiel 44:9
This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.

Acts 15:1
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Romans 2:28-29
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. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.


Treasury of Scripture

And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of your seed.

he that is eight days old.

Genesis 21:4
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Leviticus 12:3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Luke 1:59
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

is born.

Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Exodus 12:48,49
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, 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…

Jump to Previous
Born Bought Child Circumcised Circumcision Country Descendants Eight Foreigner Generation Generations House Household Including Male Male-Child Money Offspring Seed Servant Someone Stranger Throughout Undergo Whether
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Born Bought Child Circumcised Circumcision Country Descendants Eight Foreigner Generation Generations House Household Including Male Male-Child Money Offspring Seed Servant Someone Stranger Throughout Undergo Whether
Genesis 17
1. God renews the covenant with Abram,
5. and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.
9. Circumcision is instituted.
15. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.
17. Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.
23. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.














Throughout your generations
This phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the covenant God established with Abraham. The Hebrew word for "generations" is "dôr," which signifies an ongoing lineage or succession. This command was not just for Abraham's immediate family but was intended to be a lasting ordinance for all his descendants. It underscores the timelessness of God's covenants and His desire for His people to remain distinct and set apart through the ages.

Every male among you
The focus on "every male" highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the male lineage was crucial for inheritance and identity. In the Hebrew culture, males were seen as the carriers of the family name and covenant promises. This command ensured that every male, as a representative of the family, was marked by the covenant, signifying their inclusion in God's promises.

Who is eight days old
The specification of "eight days old" is significant both medically and theologically. Medically, the eighth day is when a newborn's blood clotting ability is at its peak, making it the safest time for circumcision. Theologically, the number eight often symbolizes new beginnings in the Bible. Circumcising on the eighth day signifies a new start, a life consecrated to God from its earliest moments.

Must be circumcised
Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. The Hebrew word "mûl" means to cut or to circumcise. This act was a profound symbol of purity, dedication, and separation unto God. It was an outward sign of an inward commitment, a physical reminder of the spiritual relationship between God and His people.

Including those born in your household
This phrase extends the covenant sign to all males within the household, not just biological descendants. It reflects the inclusive nature of God's covenant, where even those who are not direct descendants by blood are brought into the community of faith. It underscores the idea that God's promises and blessings are available to all who are part of His people, regardless of their origin.

Or bought with money from a foreigner
The inclusion of those "bought with money from a foreigner" indicates that the covenant community was not limited to ethnic Israelites. This provision allowed for the integration of non-Israelites into the covenant community, foreshadowing the New Testament revelation that God's salvation is available to all nations. It highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

Those who are not your offspring
This phrase reiterates the inclusivity of the covenant. It emphasizes that the covenant sign of circumcision was not restricted to biological descendants but was extended to all who were part of the household. This inclusivity points to the broader biblical theme of God's desire for all people to be part of His family, a theme that finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through Christ.

(12) Eight days old.--That is, just one week after birth, as the day of birth was counted among the eight days.

Verse 12. - And he that is eight days old - literally, and the son of eight days (cf. Genesis 17:1) - shall be circumcised among you (Leviticus 12:3; Luke 2:21; Philippians 3:5), every man child - "The fact that several times the circumcision of the males only is enjoined may point to the legislator's intention to exclude that rite in the other sex, though it was customary among many ancient nations, but not universal among the Egyptians" (Kalisch). Though not administered to both, the symbol was ordained for the sake of both sexes (Calvin) - in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. Not only a proof of the Divine benignity to Abraham in embracing all the members of his household within the pale of the visible Church now constituted, but likewise a hint of the world-wide aspect of the Abrahamic covenant, a first-fruits as it were of the "all the families of the earth" that should be blessed in Abram.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Generation after generation,
לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֑ם (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

male
זָכָ֖ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

must be circumcised
יִמּ֥וֹל (yim·mō·wl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4135: To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy

when he is eight
שְׁמֹנַ֣ת (šə·mō·naṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

days old,
יָמִ֗ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

including those born
יְלִ֣יד (yə·lîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3211: Born

in your household
בָּ֔יִת (bā·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and those purchased
וּמִקְנַת־ (ū·miq·naṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4736: A buying, acquisition, a piece of property, the sum paid

from a
מִכֹּ֣ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

foreigner—
נֵכָ֔ר (nê·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5236: That which is foreign, foreignness

even those
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

who
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

are not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

your offspring.
מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֖ (miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity


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OT Law: Genesis 17:12 He who is eight days old will (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 17:11
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