Genesis 17:10

KJV

This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is my covenant {H1285}, which ye shall keep {H8104}, between me and you and thy seed {H2233} after thee {H310}; Every man child {H2145} among you shall be circumcised {H4135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is my covenant, which you are to keep, between me and you, along with your descendants after you: every male among you is to be circumcised.

Berean Standard Bible

This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised.

American Standard Version

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 17:10 articulates the divine mandate for circumcision as the perpetual, physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant, a solemn and enduring agreement established between God and Abraham, extending irrevocably to all his male descendants. This pivotal command underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, the reciprocal human responsibility of obedience, and the distinct identity of God's chosen people, setting them apart through a tangible mark that symbolized their unique and sacred relationship with the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis chapter 17 marks a profound and pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. Following the initial call and promises in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "God's Call to Abram and Initial Promises") and the ratification of the covenant through a dramatic vision in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "The Covenant with Abram Confirmed"), chapter 17 introduces new, critical dimensions. Occurring thirteen years after Ishmael's birth, when Abraham is ninety-nine years old, this chapter details God's appearance to Abraham, reaffirming His promise of innumerable descendants and renaming Abram to Abraham, signifying his role as "father of a multitude of nations" ([Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "Abraham Renamed and Blessed")). The introduction of circumcision in verse 10 is not merely an arbitrary command but a divinely instituted sign, a visible and permanent marker that solidifies the covenant's terms and ensures its generational continuity, distinguishing Abraham's lineage as God's peculiar people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, covenants were common, often involving rituals, oaths, and visible signs to solemnize agreements between parties, whether individuals or nations. While various forms of bodily mutilation or marking existed in some cultures, circumcision was not universally practiced, and its specific theological significance as a covenant sign was unique to Israel. The practice itself, involving the cutting of the foreskin, was sometimes associated with fertility rites or tribal identity in other societies, but for Abraham's descendants, it was explicitly commanded by God as a sign of their exclusive relationship with Him. This command would have been understood within a patriarchal society where lineage and physical marks of identity were highly significant, especially in distinguishing one's group from surrounding peoples who did not share this practice.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 17:10 is deeply interwoven with several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when human faith falters. The introduction of circumcision reinforces the theme of **Divine Initiative and Human Response**, where God establishes the terms, and humanity is called to obediently "keep" them. It also powerfully highlights the theme of **Separation and Distinctiveness**, as the physical mark sets Abraham's "seed" apart as a holy people, consecrated to God. Furthermore, the covenant's extension to "thy seed after thee" emphasizes **Generational Continuity** and the enduring nature of God's redemptive plan through a chosen lineage, a theme that echoes throughout the biblical narrative, foreshadowing the ultimate "seed" in Christ as seen in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 17:10 declares, "This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised." This verse is a direct divine pronouncement, detailing the specific sign by which the renewed covenant with Abraham and his lineage would be visibly maintained.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root suggesting "cutting," this term refers to a solemn, binding agreement, often established through a ritual involving the cutting of flesh (as in [Genesis 15:9-10](/genesis/15-9-10 "God's Covenant with Abram Confirmed by Sacrifice")). Here, it signifies a divinely initiated compact, a sacred bond between God and humanity, characterized by promises, obligations, and a visible sign. It is a relationship of mutual commitment, though God's faithfulness is absolute.
* **keep (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** This verb means to "guard," "protect," "observe," or "preserve." It implies a diligent and careful adherence to the terms of the covenant. It is not merely passive acceptance but active obedience and watchful maintenance of the relationship and its stipulations. This highlights the human responsibility within the divine-human partnership.
* **circumcised (Hebrew, _mûwl'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cut short" or "to curtail," specifically referring to the removal of the foreskin. In this context, it is a divinely commanded physical act that serves as the unique, permanent, and personal sign of the covenant. It is a mark of identity, consecration, and belonging to God's chosen people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep":** God's declaration immediately establishes the divine origin and binding nature of this agreement. The possessive "my covenant" emphasizes God's sovereign initiative. The phrase "which ye shall keep" underscores the reciprocal human responsibility within this divinely initiated relationship, indicating that while God is faithful to His promises, there is an explicit expectation of obedience and adherence from His people.
* **"between me and you and thy seed after thee;":** This clause highlights the generational continuity and expansive scope of the covenant. The promises and obligations were not limited to Abraham alone but were explicitly extended to all his male descendants, emphasizing the importance of lineage and family in God's unfolding plan for His chosen people, Israel. This ensured that the covenant identity would be passed down through successive generations, forming a distinct people group.
* **"Every man child among you shall be circumcised.":** This is the specific, concrete command and the visible sign of the covenant. The act of circumcision, the removal of the foreskin, was not merely a tribal custom or a hygienic practice, but a divinely instituted ritual with profound theological significance. It served as a unique, physical mark that set Abraham's household and future generations apart from all other peoples, serving as a visible reminder of their covenant relationship with the Almighty God. This physical sign also served as a precursor to the deeper spiritual circumcision of the heart emphasized in the New Testament, hinting that the external sign pointed to an internal reality of dedication and purity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as circumcision functions as a powerful symbol of the covenant itself, representing the cutting away of the old and the dedication to God. The act physically marks the male line, symbolizing the spiritual separation and consecration of Abraham's descendants. **Repetition** of the concept of "covenant" throughout Genesis 17 reinforces its centrality and enduring nature. Furthermore, the command carries an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this external, physical mark points forward to the internal, spiritual "circumcision of the heart" that would be fully revealed in the New Covenant, emphasizing a deeper transformation than mere outward ritual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 17:10 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness in establishing and maintaining His covenant, while simultaneously stressing the human obligation to obey and "keep" its terms. The command for circumcision serves as a distinctive physical mark, identifying Abraham's descendants as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes and consecrated to Him. This physical sign also prefigures deeper spiritual realities, hinting at the need for an internal transformation that marks true belonging to God. The covenant's extension to "thy seed after thee" further demonstrates God's long-term, generational plan for His people, ensuring the transmission of His promises and requirements through successive generations, ultimately pointing to the spiritual lineage of faith.

* [Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "True Circumcision of the Heart")
* [Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "The Circumcision of Christ")
* [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Faith Working Through Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While physical circumcision, as a sign of the Old Covenant, is no longer required for believers under the New Covenant (as articulated in [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Faith and Circumcision")), Genesis 17:10 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It powerfully reminds us of God's initiating grace and unwavering faithfulness in establishing covenants with humanity. Just as Abraham was called to obey a specific, tangible command, we, as believers, are called to respond to God's grace with active obedience to His Word and to live lives that visibly reflect our covenant relationship with Him. The physical mark of circumcision pointed to an identity rooted in God's covenant promises; similarly, our identity as Christians is found in our spiritual union with Christ, marked by faith and the "circumcision made without hands" ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "The Circumcision of Christ")), which is the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. This verse encourages us to consider how we visibly and spiritually live out our commitment to God, setting ourselves apart for His glory in a world that often opposes His ways, demonstrating a heart truly consecrated to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness in establishing the covenant with Abraham encourage your trust in His promises today?**
* **In what ways are we, as New Covenant believers, called to "keep" God's covenant in our daily lives?**
* **What are the visible signs of your identity as a follower of Christ in your community and personal conduct?**
* **How does the concept of "spiritual circumcision" (e.g., [Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "True Circumcision of the Heart")) challenge you to pursue deeper internal transformation rather than mere external conformity?**

### FAQ
**Why was circumcision chosen as the sign of the covenant?**

Answer: While the Bible does not explicitly state all reasons, circumcision served as a unique, permanent, and personal mark on the male body, signifying a deep, indelible commitment to the covenant. It was a physical act that pointed to a spiritual reality of belonging, purity, and separation unto God. Its location also symbolically represented the passing down of the covenant through generations, ensuring that future generations were visibly identified with the covenant community. It was a constant, undeniable reminder of the covenant obligations and promises.

**Is physical circumcision still required for believers today?**

Answer: No, the New Testament makes it clear that physical circumcision is not required for salvation or for inclusion in the New Covenant community. The Jerusalem Council in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "The Jerusalem Council on Circumcision") decisively addressed this issue, concluding that Gentile believers were not required to be circumcised. Passages like [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Faith Working Through Love") and [Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "True Circumcision of the Heart") emphasize that what matters is "faith working through love" and a "circumcision of the heart by the Spirit," not a physical ritual. The sign of the New Covenant is baptism, which symbolizes spiritual cleansing, identification with Christ's death and resurrection, and inclusion into the body of Christ.

**What is the significance of "thy seed after thee" in this context?**

Answer: "Thy seed after thee" signifies the generational and hereditary nature of the Abrahamic covenant. It means that the covenant promises and obligations were passed down through Abraham's physical descendants, particularly through Isaac and Jacob, forming the nation of Israel. This highlights God's long-term plan for a chosen people through whom His redemptive purposes would unfold. The phrase underscores the continuity of God's faithfulness across generations and His intention to work through a specific lineage, which ultimately culminates in the "Seed" who is Christ, as explained in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 17:10, with its emphasis on a physical sign of covenant, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Christ. While physical circumcision marked the old covenant people, Christ Himself is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all the covenant promises are fulfilled ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham")). In the New Covenant, the physical act is replaced by a profound spiritual reality: the "circumcision made without hands" ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "The Circumcision of Christ")), which is the putting off of the sinful nature through union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are now identified as God's people not by an external, physical mark, but by faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which truly sets them apart and purifies their hearts ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "True Circumcision of the Heart")). Thus, the external sign commanded in Genesis 17:10 points forward to the internal transformation, new identity, and spiritual belonging found exclusively in Christ, who perfectly embodies and fulfills all the covenant's intentions.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:8

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob; and Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs.

Colossians 2:11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Colossians 2:12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 4:9

¶ [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 4:11

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Romans 3:30

Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Galatians 5:3

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.