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 the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

GENESIS 17:23KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 17:23 (KJV)

What does Genesis 17:23 mean?

Genesis 17:23 describes how Abraham immediately obeyed God's command by circumcising his son Ishmael, every male born in his household, and every male servant he had purchased, all on the same day God instructed him. This verse shows Abraham's prompt and complete response to what God had told him to do.

In this part of Genesis, God has just given Abraham (then called Abram) the covenant of circumcision as a sign of their special relationship. Abraham acts without delay, involving not only his own family but also everyone under his authority, showing the seriousness with which he treats God's instructions. The verse highlights the unity and thoroughness of Abraham's obedience.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 17:23

  • The word for "circumcised" is מָל (mal, H4135), which means to cut or remove the foreskin. This is the central command God gave Abraham, marking the physical sign of the covenant.
  • The phrase "the selfsame day" uses עֶצֶם (etsem, H6106), meaning "bone" or "essence," but here it emphasizes that Abraham acted on the very same day, highlighting his immediate obedience.
  • The word for "bought" is מִקְנָה (miqnah, H4736), which refers to those acquired as property or servants. This shows that the covenant sign extended beyond Abraham’s biological family to everyone in his household, regardless of origin.

Why Genesis 17:23 matters

  • Genesis 17:23 clarifies that Abraham did not delay or partially obey; he responded fully and immediately to God's command, which is a key theme in the story.
  • The verse emphasizes that the covenant sign was not limited to Abraham's direct descendants but included all males in his household, showing the wide reach of God's promise.
  • This verse connects directly to the previous verses where God gives the command, and it sets up the pattern of obedience that will be important for Abraham’s descendants.

Where else these words appear

“born” Hebrew H3211 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Leviticus 22:11 But if the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat.
  • 2 Samuel 21:16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

“bought” Hebrew H4736 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised 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.
  • Exodus 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
  • Jeremiah 32:11 So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

“foreskin” Hebrew H6190 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
  • Exodus 4:25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.
  • 1 Samuel 18:25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

“circumcised” Hebrew H4135 · used in 32 verses

  • 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.
  • Genesis 34:17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
  • Joshua 5:4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: 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.