Devine Scripture

Genesis 17:11

What does Genesis 17:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 17:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 17:11 means

God clarified the nature of the sign, specifying, "And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin." He then declared that this physical act would serve as "a token of a covenant betwixt me and you." The word "token" signifies a visible sign or seal that validates and confirms the invisible reality of the covenant relationship. It was a permanent, bodily mark, a constant reminder to every circumcised male and to the community of God's special calling and their participation in His everlasting promises. It was an outward sign of an inward commitment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the flesh of your private parts you are to undergo it, as a mark of the agreement between me and you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye have circumcised the flesh of your foreskin, and it hath become a token of a covenant between Me and you.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and [that] shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Context

Building immediately on the command for male circumcision (v. 10), this verse provides the specific anatomical detail of the procedure and, crucially, defines its purpose as a "token of a covenant." This explanation clarifies *what* is to be done and *why*. It establishes the symbolic significance of the act, preparing for the subsequent verses that outline the practical application and enforcement of this new covenant requirement across generations and household members.

v.10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.

v.11This passage

v.12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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 the twelve patriarchs.

  • Deuteronomy 10:16

    Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

  • Exodus 12:48

    And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Jehovah, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

  • 2 Samuel 3:14

    And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

  • Exodus 4:25

    Then Zipporah took a flint, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet; and she said, Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me.

  • 1 Samuel 18:25

    And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

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