Genesis 17:11 kjv

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 nkjv

and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

Genesis 17:11 niv

You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

Genesis 17:11 esv

You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Genesis 17:11 nlt

You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 11 Meaning

Genesis 17:11 mandates the physical act of circumcision for every male within Abraham's household and his future descendants. This cutting of the flesh of the foreskin is declared to be the designated "token" or "sign" of the everlasting covenant established between God and Abraham's lineage. It serves as an indelible, bodily mark signifying their unique identity as God's chosen people and their participation in His divine promises and relationship.

Genesis 17 11 Context

Genesis 17 records God's re-affirmation and expansion of His covenant with Abram, now renamed Abraham ("father of many nations"). Abram, aged 99, is again promised a son (Isaac) through Sarah (also renamed) despite their old age. The previous covenant (Gen 15) was primarily unilateral, focusing on God's unconditional promise of land and descendants. Chapter 17 introduces a bilateral aspect: a divine command for human obedience – the physical sign of circumcision. This ritual, specified for all males within the household (born and bought) on the eighth day, permanently marks them as participants in God's everlasting covenant. It underscores a shift from merely receiving promises to active identification with God's covenant community and acceptance of its obligations. This visible distinction set Abraham's descendants apart from other peoples.

Genesis 17 11 Word analysis

• And ye shall circumcise (וְנִמַּלְתֶּם, wənimmalʹtem): This is a Hebrew imperfect verb, serving as an imperative, carrying the sense "and you must be circumcised" or "and you shall get yourselves circumcised." The root mûl (מול) means "to cut off" or "to sever." This is a divine, non-negotiable command, not a suggestion or a cultural preference. It conveys an action that sets apart, emphasizing the act of separation and dedication.
• the flesh (אֵת בְּשַׂר, ʾēt bǝśar): Bāśār (בשר) means "flesh" or "body." This specifies the exact location for the sign – on the physical body. It indicates a visible, indelible, and personal mark. The permanence of the mark on the flesh reflects the enduring nature of God's covenant.
• of your foreskin (עָרְלַתְכֶם, ʿorlātkem): ʿOrlâ (ערלה) refers to the foreskin, literally "uncircumcisedness." The term ʿorlâ is used metaphorically elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Exod 6:12; Jer 6:10) for something "unresponsive" or "unclean," implying that the removal of the foreskin symbolically purifies or dedicates the person to God. The choice of the reproductive organ may symbolize the covenant's connection to Abraham's numerous offspring and the generational continuity of the covenant.
• and it shall be (וְהָיְתָה, wəhāyətâ): Connects the action with its purpose. It's the result and consequence.
• a token / sign (אוֹת, ʾôt): This key term signifies a "sign," "mark," or "pledge." An ʾôt is something visible that testifies to an invisible reality or commitment. It's not the covenant itself but the witness or seal of it. It serves as a constant reminder to the covenant participants of their unique relationship with God and His promises, as well as their obligations.
• of the covenant (בְּרִית, bǝrît): A "covenant" is a solemn agreement, often involving promises and stipulations, binding two or more parties. In this context, it refers to the binding agreement God unilaterally initiated but now required a human response to validate inclusion. This is a covenant that ensures Abraham's seed will be God's chosen people, through whom all nations will be blessed.
• betwixt me and you (בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, bênî ûbênêkem): This phrase clarifies the direct, personal parties involved: God Himself and Abraham and his descendants. It highlights the intimacy and direct relationship inherent in the covenant.

Words-group Analysis:

• "ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin": This phrase details the required action: a precise, physical surgical procedure. This command established circumcision as the distinctive practice of the Abrahamic covenant. Unlike other ancient cultures (e.g., Egyptians, Phoenicians) who sometimes practiced circumcision for various reasons (hygiene, puberty rites), for Israel, it was explicitly commanded by God as a religious obligation with theological significance, differentiating it sharply. It symbolized a dedication and belonging, a physical manifestation of a set-apart people. The precise eighth day instruction (Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3), unique among surrounding cultures, underscored its divine origin and separation from pagan customs.
• "it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you": This defines the purpose and meaning of the act. It's not an arbitrary ritual but a signifier of a divine agreement. The permanence of the bodily mark emphasized the everlasting nature of God's commitment to His people and their enduring obligation to Him. This polemicized against merely outward conformity; it pointed to an exclusive divine relationship that demanded internal allegiance and differentiated Abraham’s lineage as the chosen recipients of God’s redemptive plan.

Genesis 17 11 Bonus Section

• The medical advantage of circumcision occurring on the eighth day (when Vitamin K levels, essential for blood clotting, are at their highest in an infant) has been noted by some as evidence of God's providential wisdom.
• The severity of neglecting this command—being "cut off from his people" (Gen 17:14)—underscored its indispensable nature for full participation in the Old Covenant community and its benefits. It was a matter of life within the community versus spiritual death/separation.
• The New Testament, particularly in Paul's letters, clarifies the transition from the physical sign of circumcision to the spiritual reality it represented. True "circumcision" in the new covenant is of the heart, by the Spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 2:29, Col 2:11). The external act is no longer required for salvation or identification with God's people (Gal 5:6; Gal 6:15), as the covenant's purpose culminates in Christ.

Genesis 17 11 Commentary

Genesis 17:11 lays down the specific command for circumcision as the visible embodiment and seal of God's covenant with Abraham. This was more than a ceremonial act; it was a deeply personal, physical inscription that identified every male within Abraham's household as belonging to God's chosen lineage. As a "token" (אוֹת), it was not the covenant itself but a perpetual, tangible reminder of God's promises of numerous descendants, nationhood, and His own faithfulness. It was a required response to God's grace, underscoring that inclusion in the covenant community came with responsibilities. For the original audience, this mark physically separated them from other nations and served as a constant testimony of their identity as God's peculiar people, burdened with the expectation of holy living in light of their special relationship. Ultimately, this physical cutting foreshadowed the deeper spiritual circumcision of the heart, where sinful desires are "cut off" by the Spirit (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11), pointing to Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant promises without the need for physical adherence to the sign.