King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The slave born in your house and the person bought with your money must be circumcised; thus my covenant will be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
Berean Standard Bible:
Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.
American Standard Version:
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that is born{H3211} in thy house{H1004}, and he that is bought{H4736} with thy money{H3701}, must needs{H4135} be circumcised{H4135}: and my covenant{H1285} shall be in your flesh{H1320} for an everlasting{H5769} covenant{H1285}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 12:44
- But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
Nehemiah 5:8
- And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer].
Genesis 37:36
- And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.
Genesis 14:14
- And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.
Genesis 15:3
- And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Exodus 21:4
- If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
Nehemiah 5:5
- Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
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Commentary for Genesis 17:13
1. Themes:
- Covenant: The central theme of Genesis 17:13 is the establishment of a covenant between God and Abraham, which includes the sign of circumcision. This covenant is a solemn agreement that involves promises and obligations for both parties.
- Circumcision: The physical act of circumcision serves as a permanent, outward sign of the covenant, symbolizing faith and dedication to God's promises. It applies to every male in Abraham's household, whether born there or acquired as a servant, emphasizing the inclusion of all members in the covenant community.
- Inclusion and Identity: The requirement extends beyond Abraham's direct descendants to all males within his household, indicating that God's covenant is not just biological but also communal and inclusive of those who join the household through other means.
- Everlasting Covenant: The verse underscores the perpetual nature of the covenant, which is to last for all generations, indicating its enduring significance in the religious life of Abraham's descendants.
2. Historical Context:
- Abraham's Life: Genesis 17 occurs during the life of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites, who is considered the father of faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This event is part of the narrative where God reaffirms His promise to Abraham, changing his name from Abram to Abraham and promising him descendants as numerous as the stars.
- Ancient Near Eastern Practices: Circumcision was practiced in various ancient Near Eastern cultures for various reasons, including rites of passage, hygiene, and as a mark of distinction among different peoples. However, in the biblical context, it takes on a unique significance as a religious rite.
- Religious Significance: Circumcision becomes a defining characteristic of the Israelite people, setting them apart from other nations and serving as a constant reminder of their special relationship with God. It also prefigures the idea of spiritual circumcision—the circumcision of the heart—which is a theme later developed in both the Old and New Testaments.
In summary, Genesis 17:13 emphasizes the establishment of an everlasting covenant between God and Abraham, marked by the rite of circumcision, which is a sign of faith and inclusion in God's promises for both the biological and household members of Abraham's lineage. This covenant is a foundational element in the formation of Israel's identity as a people set apart for God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3211
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלִיד
Transliteration: yâlîyd
Pronunciation: yaw-leed'
Description: from יָלַד; born; (home-) born, child, son. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H4736
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִקְנָה
Transliteration: miqnâh
Pronunciation: mik-naw'
Description: feminine of מִקְנֶה; properly, a buying, i.e. acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid; (he that is) bought, possession, piece, purchase. - Strong's Number: H3701
There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּסֶף
Transliteration: keçeph
Pronunciation: keh'-sef
Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling). - Strong's Number: H4135
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּל
Transliteration: mûwl
Pronunciation: mool
Description: a primitive root; to cut short, i.e. curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e. to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy; circumcise(-ing), selves), cut down (in pieces), destroy, [idiom] must needs. - Strong's Number: H1285
There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּרִית
Transliteration: bᵉrîyth
Pronunciation: ber-eeth'
Description: from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting (like בָּרָא)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. - Strong's Number: H1320
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּשָׂר
Transliteration: bâsâr
Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. - Strong's Number: H5769
There are 414 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹלָם
Transliteration: ʻôwlâm
Pronunciation: o-lawm'
Description: or עֹלָם; from עָלַם; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare נֶצַח, עַד.