Genesis 17:14

Authorized King James Version

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And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Original Language Analysis

וְעָרֵ֣ל׀ And the uncircumcised H6189
וְעָרֵ֣ל׀ And the uncircumcised
Strong's: H6189
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
זָכָ֗ר man child H2145
זָכָ֗ר man child
Strong's: H2145
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר whose H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר whose
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמּוֹל֙ is not circumcised H4135
יִמּוֹל֙ is not circumcised
Strong's: H4135
Word #: 5 of 15
to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּשַׂ֣ר flesh H1320
בְּשַׂ֣ר flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 7 of 15
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
עָרְלָת֔וֹ of his foreskin H6190
עָרְלָת֔וֹ of his foreskin
Strong's: H6190
Word #: 8 of 15
the prepuce
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה shall be cut off H3772
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה shall be cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 9 of 15
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ that soul H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ that soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַהִ֖וא H1931
הַהִ֖וא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 11 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ from his people H5971
מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ from his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 12 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִיתִ֖י my covenant H1285
בְּרִיתִ֖י my covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 14 of 15
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
הֵפַֽר׃ he hath broken H6565
הֵפַֽר׃ he hath broken
Strong's: H6565
Word #: 15 of 15
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

Analysis & Commentary

And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be c... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish:

  1. salvation by grace through faith rather than works
  2. covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people
  3. the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible
  4. the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort
  5. the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith.

The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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