Bible Strands
Genesis 17:13
Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Abraham during a covenant establishment, specifying the physical sign required for every male in his domestic sphere. The command applies simultaneously to native-born sons and acquired servants.
The words — הִמּוֹל (hi.Mol) functions as a definite imperative <be circumcised>, while בְרִיתִי (ve.ri.T/i) translates literally as covenant my. These terms establish a binding, non-negotiable obligation.
The thread — The circumcision requirement for purchased slaves appears in Exodus 12:44 and frames the surrounding regulations in Genesis 17:12 and Genesis 17:14. The text consistently ties covenant inclusion to physical circumcision.
Why it lands — The text states that circumcision is mandatory for all males in the household and declares the covenant everlasting. It requires the reader to accept a permanent, physical boundary as the condition for covenant membership.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 12:44 But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him.
- Genesis 37:36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
- Nehemiah 5:8 and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say.
- Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
- Genesis 15:3 Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
- Genesis 37:27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.
- Genesis 39:1 Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
- Exodus 21:2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything.
- Exodus 21:4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
- Exodus 21:16 Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.