Lexical Summary peritomé: Circumcision Original Word: περιτομή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively) -- X circumcised, circumcision. see GREEK peritemno HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4061 peritomḗ – properly, cut around, i.e. the removal of the male foreskin in circumcision (the visible sign of God's covenant in the OT). See 4059 (peritemnō). The sign of physical circumcision relates to the Seed, the Messiah (the Christ) – the one prophesied to incarnate through the physical line of David (the tribe of Judah). Accordingly, the "promise-sign" of circumcision became physically associated with the (procreative) male organ. [Christ was prophesied to come through the physical seed (line) of Judah (the kingly tribe).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peritemnó Definition circumcision NASB Translation circumcised (11), circumcision (25). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4061: περιτομήπεριτομή, περιτομῆς, ἡ (περιτέμνω), circumcision (on which see περιτέμνω); a. properly, α. the act or rite of circumcision: John 7:22; Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11; Galatians 5:11; Philippians 3:5; οἱ ἐκ τῆς περιτομῆς (see ἐκ, II. 7), the circumcised, they of the circumcision, used of Jews, Romans 4:12; of Christians gathered from among the Jews, Acts 11:2; Galatians 2:12; Titus 1:10; οἱ ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς, Colossians 4:11. β. the state of circumcision, the being circumcised: Romans 2:25-28; Romans 3:1; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; Colossians 3:11; ἐν περιτομή ὤν, circumcised, Romans 4:10. γ. by metonymy, 'the circumcision' for οἱ περιτμηθέντες the circumcised, i. e. Jews: Romans 3:30; Romans 4:9, 12; Romans 15:8; Galatians 2:7-9; Ephesians 2:11; οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς πιστοί, Christian converts from among the Jews, Jewish Christians, Acts 10:45. b. metaphorically, α. of Christians: (ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν) ἡ περιτομή, separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God, Philippians 3:3 ((where see Lightfoot)). β. ἡ περιτομή ἀχειροποίητος, the extinction of the passions and the removal of spiritual impurity (see περιτέμνω, at the end), Colossians 2:11a; ἡ περιτομή καρδίας in Romans 2:29 denotes the same thing; περιτομή τοῦ Χριστοῦ, of which Christ is the author, Colossians 2:11b. (The noun περιτομή occurs three times in the O. T., viz. Genesis 17:13; Jeremiah 11:16; for מוּלָה, Exodus 4:26; besides in Philo, whose tract περί περιτομῆς is found in Mangey's edition 2, pp. 210-212 (Richter's edition 4, pp. 282-284); Josephus, Antiquities 1, 10, 5; (13, 11 at the end; contra Apion 2, 13, 1, 6); plural, Antiquities 1, 12, 2.) Topical Lexicon Old Testament Background and Covenant Origins Circumcision originated with the covenant God cut with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14), marking the physical descendants of the patriarch as set apart for the promises. It became the covenantal sign given on the eighth day of a male child’s life and was reinforced under Moses (Leviticus 12:3; Joshua 5:2-9). The prophets, however, already pointed beyond the ritual to heart obedience: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts” (Jeremiah 4:4). New Testament Usage Patterns The noun appears thirty-six times in the Greek New Testament, largely clustered in Acts and the Pauline epistles. Usage falls into three main categories: 1. The physical rite distinguishing ethnic Israel (John 7:22-23; Acts 7:8). Pauline Theology of True Circumcision of the Heart Paul elevates the prophetic call to inward transformation. “A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” (Romans 2:28-29). In Romans 4 he demonstrates that Abraham was justified while still uncircumcised, so the sign never conferred righteousness; it sealed a righteousness obtained by faith (Romans 4:9-12). Jew-Gentile Unity in Christ Physical circumcision once marked the dividing wall between Israel and the nations. Christ demolished that wall: “In Him the whole building is fitted together” (Ephesians 2:11-22). Believing Gentiles, once “the uncircumcision,” now share “the covenants of the promise” through union with the crucified and risen Messiah. Legalism Versus Faith and the Works of the Law False teachers pressed the rite upon Gentile converts as necessary for salvation. Paul’s answer resounds: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). The gospel nullifies any system that adds human merit to Christ’s finished work. Christ’s Circumcision and Fulfillment of the Law Jesus underwent circumcision on the eighth day (Luke 2:21), identifying Himself with Abraham’s family and placing Himself under the Law so He might redeem those under the Law (Galatians 4:4-5). His obedience encompasses every righteous demand the sign once symbolized. Spiritual Circumcision Performed by Christ Paul links believers’ union with Christ’s death and resurrection to a heavenly circumcision: “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, not by a physical operation, but by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:11-12). The old self is forever cut away; regeneration accomplishes what the knife never could. Early Church Controversy and the Jerusalem Council Acts 15 records the church’s first doctrinal crisis, centered on whether Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James affirmed salvation by grace through faith apart from the ritual. The Council’s decision safeguarded gospel purity and missionary advance. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications 1. Guard congregations from adding cultural or ceremonial requirements to the gospel. Missionary Strategy and Cross-Cultural Ministry Paul remained flexible in nonessentials—circumcising Timothy (Acts 16:3) yet refusing to compel Titus (Galatians 2:3-5)—to remove obstacles to the gospel while defending its core. Modern missions likewise distinguish gospel essentials from cultural forms. Eschatological Completion The prophetic hope culminates in a people wholly devoted to God, hearts perfectly responsive. The spiritual circumcision granted now anticipates the day when every remnant of sin is removed and the bride of Christ stands faultless before Him. Forms and Transliterations περιτομη περιτομή περιτομὴ περιτομῇ περιτομην περιτομήν περιτομὴν περιτομης περιτομής περιτομῆς peritome peritomē peritomḗ peritomḕ peritomêi peritomē̂i peritomen peritomēn peritomḗn peritomḕn peritomes peritomês peritomēs peritomē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 7:22 N-AFSGRK: ὑμῖν τὴν περιτομήν οὐχ ὅτι NAS: has given you circumcision (not because KJV: unto you circumcision; (not INT: you circumcision not that John 7:23 N-AFS Acts 7:8 N-GFS Acts 10:45 N-GFS Acts 11:2 N-GFS Romans 2:25 N-NFS Romans 2:25 N-NFS Romans 2:26 N-AFS Romans 2:27 N-GFS Romans 2:28 N-NFS Romans 2:29 N-NFS Romans 3:1 N-GFS Romans 3:30 N-AFS Romans 4:9 N-AFS Romans 4:10 N-DFS Romans 4:10 N-DFS Romans 4:11 N-GFS Romans 4:12 N-GFS Romans 4:12 N-GFS Romans 15:8 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 7:19 N-NFS Galatians 2:7 N-GFS Galatians 2:8 N-GFS Galatians 2:9 N-AFS Galatians 2:12 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4061 |