Genesis 17:10 Meaning and Explanation
“This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God specifies circumcision as the covenant sign that all males must receive.
The Context of Genesis 17:10
God establishes circumcision as the physical sign and seal of the covenant.
What Does Genesis 17:10 Mean?
Circumcision becomes the physical sign of the covenant, a mark in the flesh that identifies the covenant people. Every man child—from the newborn to the adult—must undergo this rite. The covenant is not abstract or spiritual only but embodied in the physical bodies of Abraham's male descendants, making it visible and tangible. This sign must be maintained across all generations.
The requirement applies to ye shall keep—it is not optional but binding on Abraham's family. Circumcision serves as both a reminder of the covenant commitment and a public marker identifying one as part of God's covenant people. The physical act and the scar it leaves become a perpetual memorial.
Genesis 17:10 in the Original Language
mul (מוּל), 'circumcise' — to cut away the foreskin, literally and symbolically marking covenant membership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 17:10
What does Genesis 17:10 mean?
God specifies circumcision as the covenant sign that all males must receive.
What is the context of Genesis 17:10?
God establishes circumcision as the physical sign and seal of the covenant.