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.
Everyone born in your household and everyone you buy as a servant must be circumcised. This will be a permanent sign of my covenant written in your bodies forever.
God is telling Abraham that circumcision must be performed on all males in his household as a permanent, physical sign of their covenant relationship.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of God's covenant with Abraham when he was 99 years old. In ancient Near Eastern culture, circumcision was practiced by various peoples, but God was establishing it as a specific sign of his special relationship with Abraham's descendants. This command applied not only to Abraham's biological family but also to servants and slaves in his household, showing the inclusive nature of God's covenant community.
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