Old Testament

Circumcision is the sign or token of the Abrahamic covenant during old testament times. And was revealed to Abraham as such.

“And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you" (Genesis 17:11).

Abaham circumcised himself, Ishmael his son, and every male of his house (Genesis 17:23).  Later Abraham circumcises Isaac when he is 8 days old (Genesis 21:4). 

Paradoxically, circumcision symbolized both separation and connection or unity. The rite symbolised Israel’s separation from the world, separation from the uncircumcised nations and from carnality.  It also symbolised connection to God.  Thus circumcision was a requirement for all (male) jews.

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An important ‘Abrahamic’ symbol that isn’t often discussed in context of circumcision is the symbol of sacrifice. We learn from the Pearl of Great Price that Abraham was almost sacrificed to idols (Abraham 1). So, it is deeply and personally poignant that Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac.  With circumcision Abraham was challenged similarly: He was asked to circumcise himself and his sons, thereby damaging and threatening the very organs that were to enable posterity and many promised blessings.

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God asks many of his children to make difficult sacrifices, without obvious or immediate physical blessings. In previous dispensations the children of Israel were asked to sacrifice things such as livestock.  Although the Law of Moses was a lower law, the sacrifices must have been difficult as ‘the the choicest part of the flesh’ or whole animal (see BD ‘Sacrifices’) was burnt.

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It should be noted that the LDS footnote for Genesis 17:13 reads:

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The covenant is everlasting, but circumcision as a sign of such a covenant was later discontinued. See Acts 15:1, 24–29; Gal. 2:3–4; 5:12–15.

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Study Questions to ask yourself and God

• What does it mean to be circumcised of heart?  (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 9:25–26; Ezek. 44:7)  How can we better understand this phrase by understanding actual circumcision?

• When do we receive blessings from Sacrifice?

• Can we get predicated blessings from obeying already fulfilled laws?  Can you think of scriptural examples? 

• What additional truths do we learn about circumcision from JST Genesis 17?

• Many people connect circumcision more with the dietary codes of the law of Moses as a way of living healthier. Is this association valid or more deserving than a connection to animal sacrifices?

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Learn next about Circumcision at the time of Christ in the New Testiment

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