Genesis 17:14
What does Genesis 17:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 17:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 17:14 means
God pronounced a severe consequence for any male who failed to be circumcised: "that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant." This penalty signifies exclusion from the covenant community, implying not only physical ostracization but also spiritual separation from God's blessings and promises. The uncircumcised individual was deemed to have directly violated God's sacred agreement. This stark warning highlights the gravity of covenant obedience and the seriousness with which God regarded this physical sign as a testament to one's commitment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And any male who does not undergo circumcision will be cut off from his people: my agreement has been broken by him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and an uncircumcised one, a male, the flesh of whose foreskin is not circumcised, even that person hath been cut off from his people; My covenant he hath broken.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The male whose flesh of his foreskin shall not be circumcised, that soul shall be destroyed out of his people: because he hath broken my covenant.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the uncircumcised male who hath not been circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his peoples: he hath broken my covenant.
Context
Following the clear instructions for circumcision (verses 10-13), this verse introduces the severe penalty for non-compliance. It serves as a strong deterrent, underscoring the absolute necessity of observing the covenant sign. This declaration of being "cut off from his people" provides the theological and social consequences of disobedience, making the significance of circumcision strikingly clear. This then allows the narrative to shift from the universal covenant command to a more specific, equally critical, promise regarding Sarai's role in the covenant's fulfillment.
v.13He 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.
v.14This passage
v.15And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 7:25
For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people.
- Exodus 30:38
Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereof, he shall be cut off from his people.
- Isaiah 24:5
The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
- Leviticus 7:27
Whosoever it be that eateth any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
- Jeremiah 31:32
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.
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