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An illustration of a 4300-year tomb relief at Ankhmaho, Saqqara showing circumcision.
Circumcision existed before the time of Abraham (c. 2000 BC). It was performed as early as 4000 BC among the Horite and Sethite Hebrew who maintained separate temples and shrines along the Nile River. This has been verified by temple texts and images dated to 4000 BC that show priests circumcising young men. (4000 BC is before Egypt emerged as a political entity.) Since Abraham was of the Hebrew ruler-priest caste, circumcision for him and his household was a received tradition.
Circumcision is one of the customs associated with the early Hebrew, a ruler-priest caste. Other customs include animal sacrifice, concern about ritual purity, dietary restrictions, caste endogamy, ministry at temples and shrines, and sacred moral codes.
It appears that Zipporah was angry about having to perform a rite that should have been performed by her priest father back in Midian. This is because, among the Hebrew, the firstborn son of the cousin wife belonged to the household of his maternal grandfather.
Finally, there is the ambiguous account of the renewal of the covenant whereby Joshua was to circumcise the "people" a second time. Presumably, the circumcision was performed on uncircumcised boys who had been born during the wanderings of the clan of Jacob (Israelites).
At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the people of Israel again the second time." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the people of Israel at Gibeath ha-aralot (Josh. 5:2-3). This appears to be an explanation for Ha-aralot, which means a "hill of foreskins." It is a reference to an uncircumcised people.
Some considerations
Christian parents have asked whether or not they should have their infant sons circumcised. I offer these considerations.
In as much as Christians are grafted into the faith of Abraham the Hebrew, circumcision is appropriate.
In as much as Christians are not under the Law of Moses, parents should not feel compelled to circumcise their infant sons.
In as much as the Apostolic Tradition poses Baptism using the Trinitarian Formula as the Christian equivalent to circumcision, all Christian parents should have their children baptized, thereby making them members of the mystical Body of Christ.
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9 comments:
This article was posted on 8/07/2024 on Facebook. The comments revealed that people only read and responded to the title. Most did not read the article. The post was removed the next day by Facebook claiming that it violated community standards. May the reader be the judge.
Do you think there is any point in circumcision for hygiene reasons for boys?
Jane, yes. Even the ancient wise ones believed that this practice contributed to hygiene. It is about more than ritual purity. https://jandyongenesis.blogspot.com/2024/08/should-babies-of-christian-parents-be.html
When I was young, I worked in an orphanage. We usually circumcised boys for hygiene purposes. I recently heard that some Christians believe that this should not be done to sons, and I was puzzled by this question.
Do you think the results of circumcising boys in those days were different from today?
Helena, circumcision was performed by priest-physicians who specialized in this. Circumcision was done on the eighth day after birth. It is of medical importance that male circumcision be done on the eighth day since the level of vitamin K is highest on this day. Vitamin K plays a significant role in regulation of clotting factors that help to stop bleeding.
Thank you for your studies. As for me, I'm a strong supporter of circumcision of boys for hygiene reasons.
I have an adopted child (3 years old). He is not circumcised, I do not know what is the best way to proceed? I have been reading your blog for a long time and Sister Elizabeth from the church said that it would be good to consult with you
Amelia, as a parent responsible for the welfare and spiritual nurture of your son, consult a physician, your clergy, and pray for divine guidance to make the decision that is pleasing to God.
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