What Does “Circumcision” Mean in the Bible?
A small cut in the body of Jewish males, eight days after birth. It was the sign of the covenant with God.
A detail
- “Uncircumcised”: that is what they called those who were not Jews, like the Philistines.
Where it appears in the Bible
Genesis 17:10-12; Luke 2:21
What the Bible says
Genesis 17:10-12
10This is my covenant which you shall observe, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male kind of you shall be circumcised: 11And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12An 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:
Luke 2:21
And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 527; Genesis 17:10-12