What does the Bible say about circumcision?

Definition and Origin

Circumcision is the physical act of removing the foreskin of a male. In Scripture, it first appears as a covenantal sign commanded by God for Abraham and his descendants. Genesis 17:10–11 records:

“‘This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.’”

The Hebrew term often rendered “to circumcise” means “to cut” or “to remove.” While circumcision in the ancient Near East was practiced among various peoples, the biblical account underscores that Israel’s circumcision is uniquely rooted in a divine covenant. Anthropological and archaeological evidence, including some findings in ancient Egypt (where faint mummified remains of circumcised bodies have been noted), corroborates that this ritual was recognized in the region for millennia.

Old Testament Covenant Sign

God established circumcision with Abraham approximately around the early second millennium BC, as a visible mark setting apart Abraham’s lineage. Through this sign, male children born into the Israelites’ homes or servants acquired into the household were to be included in the covenant community. Leviticus 12:3 later reaffirms, “On the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.”

In Israel’s collective identity, circumcision became more than a ritual. It was a boundary between those who worshiped Yahweh and neighboring peoples. Certain narratives, such as Joshua 5:2–9, describe renewed circumcisions of the Israelites who were born in the wilderness and had not yet received the sign, emphasizing obedience to God before entering the Promised Land.

Ritual Practices and Cultural Background

Family lineage and national identity intertwined with this covenant sign. It signaled submission to God’s commands and a willingness to identify with His people. Outside cultures of that time also had forms of bodily rites, yet the biblical narrative highlights that the purpose and timing (on the eighth day) set Israelite practice apart as an act of faith and obedience.

In archaeology, references from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish writings, such as the Book of Jubilees, further detail the continued stress on circumcision. Communities like the Essenes and other Second Temple groups uniformly regarded circumcision as connected to faithfulness toward God’s law.

Circumcision in the Prophets

Although the sign was external, the prophets consistently proclaimed that true circumcision was ultimately a matter of the heart. Jeremiah 4:4 declares, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem….” This points to a deeper spiritual reality—that mere physical observance without a transformed heart was incomplete in God’s sight.

Deuteronomy 10:16 likewise asserts, “So circumcise your hearts and stiffen your necks no more.” This concept foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on faith tied to genuine inward change, rather than sole reliance on external symbols.

Transition into the New Testament

With the coming of the Messiah, the focus visibly shifts from physical circumcision to the spiritual circumcision of the heart. Nevertheless, the New Testament upholds the historical reality that Jesus Himself, as a Jewish male, was circumcised on the eighth day (see Luke 2:21).

Many Jewish believers in the early church continued the practice of circumcision, regarding it as part of their heritage and covenant identity. However, the unfolding apostolic doctrine emphasizes that the true fulfillment of what circumcision represented is realized in Christ.

Jesus’ Teaching and Example

Though the Gospels do not depict Jesus explicitly commanding or abolishing circumcision, His own participation in the ritual highlights His faithfulness to the Law. John 7:22–23 presents Jesus addressing accusations about healing on the Sabbath, noting that circumcision itself was performed on the Sabbath for the sake of keeping Mosaic Law. He uses this reasoning to underline mercy and wholeness, pointing toward the deeper principle behind the letter of the Law.

Apostolic Teaching on Circumcision

The Apostle Paul addresses circumcision multiple times, especially in Romans, Galatians, and Colossians. Paul clarifies that while there is value in the original covenant sign, salvation is not contingent on external works but on faith in Christ.

• Romans 2:28–29 reads, “A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly… No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit.”

• Galatians 5:2–3 warns believers not to depend on this ritual for justification, saying, “Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all….” Here, the concern was that some were promoting circumcision as necessary for salvation.

• Colossians 2:11 speaks of a “circumcision performed by Christ” in the putting off of the sinful nature.

Paul’s letters reveal the crux: the symbol of circumcision is fulfilled through faith in Jesus. A believer’s standing before God is based on Christ’s righteousness, not solely an external rite.

Spiritual Significance: The Circumcision of the Heart

This metaphorical concept denotes a decisive removal of spiritual uncleanness and a dedicated alignment with God. Repeatedly, Scripture stresses that true covenant relationship is grounded in a transformed heart. The physical ordinances of the Old Testament, while good and purposeful, were never intended to replace genuine faith and repentance. Romans 4:11 even refers to Abraham’s circumcision as a “seal of the righteousness he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.”

This principle resonates with the broader biblical theme: outward signs without inward submission accomplish little. Instead, through Christ’s sacrifice and the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is an internal renewal available to all who believe.

Controversies and Clarifications

In the early church, significant debate arose over whether Gentile converts must be circumcised to become part of God’s people. Acts 15 details the Jerusalem Council, which concluded that Gentile believers did not need to undergo circumcision to follow Jesus. This decision was based on God’s granting of the Holy Spirit to uncircumcised Gentiles, demonstrating that faith, not the Mosaic ritual, justified and sealed a believer.

Elsewhere, Paul circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:1–3) to avoid being a stumbling block for certain Jewish communities, but this was a strategic choice, not a salvation requirement. Such examples illustrate that the early Christian leaders recognized proper contexts but consistently taught that the basis of salvation is through Christ alone.

Present Applicability

In many regions globally, circumcision remains practiced for cultural, religious, or health reasons. However, biblically speaking, physical circumcision is no longer mandated for believers in Christ. Still, the call for a “circumcised heart”—a life set apart, cleansed, and wholly devoted to God—stands firm.

This spiritual dimension reflects the continuity and consistency of Scripture, uniting the covenant sign given to Abraham with the new covenant ministry of the Holy Spirit. The sign originally given to mark a special nation now points to the ultimate transformation available to all who place their faith in the risen Christ.

Key Biblical References (Berean Standard Bible)

• Genesis 17:10–14 – Initiation of circumcision as a covenant sign

• Leviticus 12:3 – Command to circumcise on the eighth day

• Deuteronomy 10:16 – Call to circumcise the heart

• Joshua 5:2–9 – Renewing the covenant sign after the wilderness journey

• Luke 2:21 – Christ’s circumcision on the eighth day

• John 7:22–23 – Jesus referencing circumcision

• Acts 15 – Jerusalem Council’s ruling about Gentiles

• Romans 2:28–29 – True circumcision as a matter of the heart

• Galatians 5:2–6 – Warning about relying on circumcision for righteousness

• Colossians 2:11 – Spiritual circumcision by Christ

Any study on circumcision within the Bible must reckon with both its foundational Old Testament role and its Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While it remains a historical, cultural, and covenantal marker in Judaism, the ultimate biblical emphasis rests on heart transformation and saving faith in the risen Messiah.