Genesis 17:13
What does Genesis 17:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 17:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 17:13 means
God reiterated the universal requirement for all males within Abraham's household to be circumcised, regardless of their birth or origin. The command "He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised" underscores the comprehensive nature of the covenant inclusion. The concluding statement, "and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant," emphasizes that this physical mark was a permanent, bodily seal. It visually represented God's enduring commitment and the continuous obligation of His people throughout all their generations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who comes to birth in your house and he who is made yours for a price, all are to undergo circumcision; so that my agreement may be marked in your flesh, an agreement for all time.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he is certainly circumcised who <FI>is<Fi> born in thine house, or bought with thy money; and My covenant hath become in your flesh a covenant age-during;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And my covenant shall be in your flesh for a perpetual covenant.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He who is born in thy house, and he who is bought with thy money, must be circumcised; and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Context
This verse reinforces and crystallizes the instructions given in verse 12. By repeating the command for all males in the household to be circumcised, it leaves no ambiguity regarding the universality of the requirement within Abraham's sphere. The concluding phrase, stating the covenant's presence "in your flesh for an everlasting covenant," provides the theological grounding for this practice. It then naturally sets the stage for the severe consequences outlined in the next verse for failing to observe this foundational covenant sign.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 21:16
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
- Genesis 15:3
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
- Matthew 18:25
But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
- Genesis 39:1
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither.
- Nehemiah 5:5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
- Genesis 37:36
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.
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