In the old testament, the men who served God had to be circumcised. I understand that this was to show that they had a covenant with God. But why did it have to be shown through circumcision? Have any bible scholars researched this?
2007-05-12 13:50:33 · 7 answers · asked by pocketful_of_sunshine 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And what did the women do to show that they had a covenant with the Lord?
2007-05-12 13:51:45 · update #1
God commanded it. Why the foreskin of the penis? Probably for health reasons. It was also a reminder of the true circumcision - a circumcision of the heart which meant submission to God.
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked. - Deuteronomy 10,16
Peace and blessings!
2007-05-12 14:47:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry...it was not just "the men who served God" that had to be circumcised. It was ALL males -- of the family and of the slaves...no exceptions. This signified that they were members of God's holy covenant. Why they needed to cut off the foreskin of their privates rather than a physical sign elsewhere -- don't know. Sorry!
2007-05-12 20:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that all males had to do this, not just the ones that served the Lord. I don't see any requirements for the women. You don't really see them serving, either. They did bring sacrifices for offerings to the Lord, as commanded in the law.
2007-05-13 18:01:24 · answer #3 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well since the two shall become one flesh through marriage whatever happened to the man covered the woman too.
In a way I think it foretold of the cutting away of the excess to get to the heart. That's just my opinion.
2007-05-12 21:06:47 · answer #4 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not so much that they had to be circumsized as part of the deal to serve god, but it was general Jewish practice because an uncut penis was considered unclean in the jewish faith.
As for women, well, if you haven't noticed for the most part, women are inconsequential in the bible as heroines.
2007-05-12 20:54:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To have made their hearts clearly visible and uncovered would have killed them.
Circumcision uncovered another kind of 'hidden part'.
2007-05-12 20:54:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because GOD told them to do it. That is enough.
2007-05-12 20:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋