Genesis 17:10-14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:14

The uncircumcised - shall be cut off from his people - By being cut off some have imagined that a sudden temporal death was implied; but the simple meaning seems to be that such should have no right to nor share in the blessings of the covenant, which we have already seen were both of a temporal and spiritual kind; and if so, then eternal death was implied, for it was impossible for a person who had not received the spiritual purification to enter into eternal glory. The spirit of this law... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:10

Verse 10 10.Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Although God promised alike to males and females, what he afterwards sanctioned by circumcision, he nevertheless consecrated, in one sex, the whole people to himself. For whereas, by this symbol, the promise which was given, indiscriminately, to males and females, is confirmed, and it is certain that females as well as males had need of confirmation, it is hence evident, that the symbol was ordained for the sake of both sexes. Nor is it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:11

Verse 11 11.Ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin Very strange and unaccountable would this command at first sight appear. The subject treated of, is the sacred covenant, in which righteousness, salvation, and happiness are promised; whereby the seed of Abraham is distinguished from other nations, in order that it may be holy and blessed; and who can say that it is reasonable for the sign of so great a mystery to consist in circumcision? (408) But as it was necessary for Abraham to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:12

Verse 12 12.And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised (409) God now prescribes the eighth day for circumcision; whence it appears that this was a part of that discipline, under which he intended to keep his ancient people; for greater liberty is at this day, permitted in the administration of baptism. Some, however maintain that we must not contend earnestly about the number of days, because the Lord spared the children on account of their tenderness, since it was not without danger to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:13

Verse 13 13.For an everlasting covenant The meaning of this expression may be twofold: either that God promises that his grace, of which circumcision was a sign and pledge, should be eternal; or that he intended the sign itself to be perpetually observed. Indeed, I have no doubt that this perpetuity ought to be referred to the visible sign. But they who hence infer, that the use of it ought to flourish among the Jews even of the present time, are (in my opinion) deceived. For they swerve from... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:14

Verse 14 14.And the uncircumcised man-child In order that circumcision might be the more attended to, God denounces a severe punishment on any one who should neglect it. And as this shows God’s great care for the salvation of men; so, on the other hand, it rebukes their negligence. For since God thus benignantly offers a pledge of his love, and of eternal life, for what purpose does he add threatening but to rouse the sluggishness of those whose duty it is to run with diligence? Therefore, this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:10

This is my covenant ( i.e. the sign of it, as in Genesis 9:12 ), which ye shall keep ( i.e. observe to. do), between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised . Literally, circumcise among . (or of ) you every male , the inf. abs. הִמּוֹל , when it stands abruptly at the commencement of a sentence, having the force of a command. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:11

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin. עָרְלָה , ἀκροβυστία , membrum prveputiatum, from עָרַל , to be naked, bare, hence to be odious, unclean, impure, was regarded afterwards as unclean ( Deuteronomy 10:16 ; Isaiah 52:3 ; Jeremiah 4:4 ), and is here directed to be deprived of the skin covering its extremity, not because through it sin first discovered its effects (Poole), and original corruption is still transmitted, or to promote cleanliness (Philo), or to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:12

And he that is eight days old —literally, and the son of eight days (cf. Genesis 17:1 )— shall be circumcised among you (Le Genesis 12:3 ; Luke 2:21 ; Philippians 3:5 ), every man child —" The fact that several times the circumcision of the males only is enjoined may point to the legislator's intention to exclude that rite in the other sex, though it was customary among many ancient nations, but not universal among the Egyptians" (Kalisch). Though not administered to both,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:13

He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised . Literally, circumcised, must be circumcised, he that is born, &c; the niph. inf. abe. with the finite verb occupying the place of emphasis at the beginning of the sentence. And my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. read more

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