Circumcise

Was Moses concerned with the foreskin of the body or the lust and wantonness of the heart? Was Moses and Jesus in agreement? Are we in agreement and understand the circumcision of the heart?

Comments

In V10 keep(שָׁמַר) .... my covenant(בְּרִית) .... Keep appears as (תִּשְׁמְר֗וּ) begins with Tav and ending with Vav and covenant spelle ith a different Yod (בְּרִיתִ֞י) suggests a spiritual covenant of faith in motion.

In V11 the term "circumcised" is (וּנְמַלְתֶּ֕ם) VavNunMemLamedTavMem(נָמַל) and "when it stands abruptly at the commencement of a sentence, [Ii has] the force of a command" but the TavMem at the beginning of the term "circumcised" expresses the importance of the "faithful" fulfilment of the "Spirit of the covenant" over the physical sign. The spiritual circumcision of the heart was not a new thing spoken of in the doctrine of Christ but was a continuation of the meaning of Moses. With foreskin being orlah(עָרְלָה) but in text we see (עָרְלַתְכֶ֑ם) with an additional TavKafMem implying the spiritual circumcision of faith.

This idea we see with the circumcision of the heart did not begin with Jesus but with Moses and the prophets.

To understand the teachings of Moses we need to realize that Jesus and Moses were in agreement. To understand To understand the significance of this we need to know that it is not our study within the tree of knowledge but the Holy Ghost only that can teach us all things. Every one should humbly seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The Kingdom was taken from the Pharisees because of their sophistry concerning the Altars of Clay and Stone, the Corban of the Pharisees which was the antitheses of legal charity and the covetous practices of public religion, and what the corruption of the leaven was and how one can circumcise the spirit by letting God write upon their heart and mind. Many may have unmoored the meaning from the message and turned the rituals and ceremonies and their private interpretation into idols of adultery and fornication returning again to the bondage of Egypt while with their lips they cry LORD, LORD.

Questions

Did the pharisees prefer the circumcision of the flesh over the circumcision of the heart?

Old Testament

To circumcise

Genesis 17:10 "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 <04135>." ... 12 "And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised <04135> among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs <04135> be circumcised <04135>: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised <04135>, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."

There are many metaphors and allegories in the Hebrew text that are seen as litteral by modern religionists including:

Leaven, altars, steps, unhewn, breeches, and many more words including the word religion itself.

What was circumcision really about?

Circumcision was not exclusive to Israelites but was a practice of other nation, although may have been exclusive to priest class.

It was merely an outward sign of a commitment and dedication to a spiritual covenant.

Understanding the true roll that priests and the altars and temples fulfilled in the function of and preservation of society is essential to maintain the health and freedom of the people.

In the flesh or spirit

"The flesh was cast away that the spirit might grow strong;"

Circumcision of the flesh was an outward sign of their personal commitment and dedication which may have become more important to the people who only saw things physically, being blind to the things of the Spirit.

If the spirit did not grow then the cutting of flesh was to no avail. The evidence of the spirit should be seen in the deeds of righteousness.

If we will not eat of the tree of life but only of the tree of knowledge the we will hate the light and our eyes will be darkened.

More appearance in the text

Genesis 17:23 "And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised <04135> the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. 24 And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised <04135> in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son [was] thirteen years old, when he was circumcised <04135> in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised <04135>, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised <04135> with him."

Genesis 21:4 And Abraham circumcised <04135> his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Genesis 34:15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised <04135>;

Genesis 34:17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised <04135>; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

Genesis 34:22 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised <04135>, as they [are] circumcised <04135>.

Genesis 34:24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised <04135>, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Exodus 12:44 But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised <04135> him, then shall he eat thereof.

Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised <04135>, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised <04135>.

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise <04135> therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise <04135> thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise <04135> again the children of Israel the second time.

Joshua 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised <04135> the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Joshua 5:4 And this [is] the cause why Joshua did circumcise <04135>: All the people that came out of Egypt, [that were] males, [even] all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Joshua 5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised <04135>: but all the people [that were] born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, [them] they had not circumcised <04135>.

Joshua 5:7 And their children, [whom] he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised <04135>: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised <04135> them by the way.

Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising <04135> all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

Psalms 58:7 Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces <04135>.

Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down <04135>, and withereth.

Psalms 118:10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy <04135> them.

Psalms 118:11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy <04135> them.

Psalms 118:12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy <04135> them.

Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise <04135> yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

Jeremiah 9:25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all [them which are] circumcised <04135> with the uncircumcised;

namal

Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise <05243> the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down <05243>: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Job 18:16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off <05243>.

Job 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all [other], and cut off <05243> as the tops of the ears of corn.

Psalms 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down <05243> like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

New Testament

peritome

John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision <4061>; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

John 7:23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision <4061>, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Acts 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision <4061>: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob; and Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision <4061> which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision <4061> contended with him,

Romans 2:25 For circumcision <4061> verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision <4061> is made uncircumcision.

Romans 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision <4061>?

Romans 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision <4061> dost transgress the law?

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision <4061>, which is outward in the flesh:

Romans 2:29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision <4061> [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision <4061>?

Romans 3:30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision <4061> by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Romans 4:9 [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision <4061> [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision <4061>, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision <4061>, but in uncircumcision.

Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision <4061>, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Romans 4:12 And the father of circumcision <4061> to them who are not of the circumcision <4061> only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised.

Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision <4061> for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision <4061> is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision <4061> [was] unto Peter; 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision <4061>, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision <4061>.

Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision <4061>.

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision <4061> availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision <4061>, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision <4061> availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision <4061> in the flesh made by hands;

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision <4061>, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Philippians 3:5 Circumcised <4061> the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision <4061> made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision <4061> of Christ:

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision <4061> nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.

Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision <4061>. These only [are my] fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision <4061>:

peritemno

Luke 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise <4059> the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising <4059> of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye <4059> on the sabbath day circumcise <4059> a man.

Acts 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised <4059> him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob; and Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised <4059> after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise <4059> them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised <4059>, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

Acts 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised <4059> him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought <4059> not to circumcise <4059> [their] children, neither to walk after the customs.

1 Corinthians 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised <4059>? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him <4059> not be circumcised <4059>.

Galatians 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised <4059>:

Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised <4059>, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised <4059>, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised <4059>; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised <4059> keep the law; but desire to have <4059> you circumcised <4059>, that they may glory in your flesh.

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised <4059> with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Mutilare genitalia

According to the Vita Hadriani there was a revolt to an imperial edict (quod vetabantur mutilare genitalia) forbidding circumcision . Hadrian had renewed a former statutory prohibition about castration where the practice was interpreted to include circumcision. It was about the abuse of slaves and Jewish circumcision.

Antoninus Pius (a.d. 138) issue decrees that specifically permitted religious practices to circumcise children, while still forbidding circumcision to others. The political leader of 132 A.D. were looking for reasons to revolt.

Simon ben Kosibah (Koziba, "son of the lie") also called Simon bar Kokhba, was one of those political and military commander of the Jewish second revolt. Some Jewish leader supported the revolt and regarded Simon as a messiah having rejected the teachings of the other king one Jesus and saw Simon as a prophet of Balaam quoting Numbers 24.17 "there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel".

Simon bar Kokhba was considered to be a messiah by some and associated with Balaam by others. During the second Jewish revolt against Rome Christian Jews often lived amongst other Jews.

The Apology written to Antonius Pius by Justin the Martyr was not only making a distinction between Christian religious practices and Rome but also between followers of The Way of Christ and other Jews. Paul made many statements that neither required nor forbid circumcision. It was the circumcision of the heart that causes the faithful to abandon the error and appetites of Balaam.

The blind guides of Simon bar Kokhba lived in the darkness of their ideology as many do today. An unforgiving heart keeps faith, hope, and charity at bay where people are more willing to sacrifice others than themselves.

During the Revolt the coins and many documents recently recovered reveal that the conflict was dedicated to the "liberation of Jerusalem" and the "redemption of Israel" but the means and method that was guided by the spirit that dwelt in heart and mind of the people sealed its fate

That spirit was evident in the reasons such as Hadrian's original inclusion of that prohibition of circumcision but also his attempt to build a temple of Jupiter in Jerusalem including a shrine on the temple mount.

Simon Bar Kokhba did promote a complex administrative machinery through top down division of Judea similar to what the Romans had used in the regions. After seizing Jerusalem, he never fought the Romans except in guerrilla-type warfare from villages to outposts. He virtually rented out the fertile to farmers as share croppers who were obliged to pay an annual tax/rent into the "treasury of the Prince of Israel at Herodium" which were government granaries.

"I shall put fetters on your feet" – Simon Bar Kokhba

His promise of liberation was not setting the captive free but delivering them back into the bondage of Egypt. He was concerned about circumcision of the flesh, graven images and the observance of the sabbath, the Feast of booths, but also the arrest of individuals, and the seizure of their property. He did not understand that covetousness is idolatry. He was not following the way of Moses but was building a city of blood like the Corban of the Pharisees and Herod.

Christian wrote of persecutions and torture of Christians who refused to join or support his orthodoxy or his revolution. (Justin the Martyr, Apol. 1.31; Eusebius, Chronicon 283; Die griechischen christlichen Schrift steller der ersten drei Jahrhunderte 47.201).

Local governors could not stop his revolt but Hadrian recalled General Sextus Julius Severus from Britain. He would siege them in the caves of the wadies Murabba’āt, Seiyâl, and Habra which have not produced archeological treasures.

Those who followed Simon Bar Kokhba suffered what they had sown for "The siege lasted a long time before the rebels were driven to final destruction by famine and thirst, and the instigator of their madness paid the penalty he deserved". persecuting and torturing the Christians who would not join his uprising (Justin the Martyr, Apol. 1.31; Eusebius, Chronicon 283; Die griechischen christlichen Schrift steller der ersten drei Jahrhunderte 47.201).

This would result in Hadrian razing Jerusalem to the ground again so he could build Aelia Capitolina and decreeing, "that the whole [Jewish] nation should be absolutely prevented from that time on from entering even the district around Jerusalem, so that not even from a distance could it see its ancestral home"

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