Genesis 17:13 Meaning and Explanation
“He 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All males in Abraham's household must be circumcised; the covenant is inscribed in flesh forever.
The Context of Genesis 17:13
Circumcision is mandatory for all males and inscribes the eternal covenant in the body.
What Does Genesis 17:13 Mean?
The covenant community includes both those born in the house and those bought with money. Circumcision is mandatory—must needs be circumcised—for full membership in the covenant people. This binding requirement applies across social categories, unifying Abraham's household under a single covenant obligation. The covenant is not individualistic but communal and familial.
My covenant shall be in your flesh emphasizes the embodied nature of the covenant. The mark becomes not merely external but intrinsic, written into the very body of the covenant people. An everlasting covenant means this practice and its meaning extend without end across all generations. The flesh itself becomes the evidence and reminder of God's binding commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 17:13
What does Genesis 17:13 mean?
All males in Abraham's household must be circumcised; the covenant is inscribed in flesh forever.
What is the context of Genesis 17:13?
Circumcision is mandatory for all males and inscribes the eternal covenant in the body.