The Covenant of Circumcision

Genesis 17

The Lord appears to the ninety-nine-year-old Abram, renames him Abraam and his wife Sarrha, and promises that despite their old age Sarrha will bear a son to be called Isaac, through whom the covenant will continue. God establishes circumcision as the everlasting sign of this covenant, and Abraam circumcises himself, Ismael, and every male of his household.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am thy God, be well-pleasing before me, and be blameless.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ Ἅβραμ ἐτῶν ἐννενηκονταεννέα. Καὶ ὤφθη Κύριος τῷ Ἅβραμ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεός σου· εὐαρέστει ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, καὶ γίνου ἄμεμπτος.

KJVAnd when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

JPSAnd when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him: ‘I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted.

Thomsonand I will establish that covenant of mine between me and thee and multiply thee exceedingly.

BrentonAnd I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and I will multiply thee exceedingly.

GreekΚαὶ θήσομαι τὴν διαθήκην μου ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον σου, καὶ πληθυνῶ σε σφόδρα.

KJVAnd I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

JPSAnd I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.’

ThomsonWhereupon Abram fell on his face, and God spake to him saying,

BrentonAnd Abram fell upon his face, and God spoke to him, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἔπεσεν Ἅβραμ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

JPSAnd Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying:

ThomsonOn My part, lo! this is My covenant with thee, thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations,

BrentonAnd I, behold! my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of a multitude of nations.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς, λέγων, Καὶ ἐγὼ ἰδοὺ ἡ διαθήκη μου μετὰ σοῦ· καὶ ἔσῃ πατὴρ πλήθους ἐθνῶν.

KJVAs for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

JPS’As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.

Thomsonand thy name shall no more be called Abram but thy name shall be Abraham; because I have made thee the father of many nations:

BrentonAnd thy name shall no more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraam, for I have made thee a father of many nations.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ κληθήσεται ἔτι τὸ ὄνομά σου Ἅβραμ, ἀλλʼ ἔσται τὸ ὄνομά σου Ἁβραὰμ, ὅτι πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν τέθεικά σε.

KJVNeither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

JPSNeither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.

ThomsonAnd I will increase thee exceedingly, and cause thee to become nations; and kings shall spring from thee:

BrentonAnd I will increase thee very exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

GreekΚαὶ αὐξανῶ σε σφόδρα σφόδρα, καὶ θήσω σε εἰς ἔθνη· καὶ βασιλεῖς ἐκ σοῦ ἐξελεύσονται.

KJVAnd I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

JPSAnd I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

ThomsonAnd I will establish this My covenant with thee and thy seed after thee, throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee.

BrentonAnd I will establish my covenant between thee and thy seed after thee, to their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be thy God, and the God of thy seed after thee.

GreekΚαὶ στήσω τὴν διαθήκην μου ἀνὰ μέσον σου, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σπέρματός σου μετὰ σὲ εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν, εἰς διαθήκην αἰώνιον εἶναί σου Θεὸς, καὶ τοῦ σπέρματός σου μετὰ σέ.

KJVAnd I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

JPSAnd I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

ThomsonAnd I will give thee and thy seed after thee this land in which thou sojournest; even all the land of Chanaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.

BrentonAnd I will give to thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou sojournest, even all the land of Chanaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be to them a God.

GreekΚαὶ δώσω σοι καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου μετὰ σὲ τὴν γῆν, ἣν παροικεῖς, πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν Χαναὰν, εἰς κατάσχεσιν αἰώνιον· καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς Θεόν.

KJVAnd I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

JPSAnd I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.’

ThomsonMoreover God said to Abraham, On thy part thou shalt keep this My covenant; thou and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.

BrentonAnd God said to Abraam, Thou also shalt fully keep my covenant, thou and thy seed after thee for their generations.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Ἁβραὰμ, σὺ δὲ τὴν. διαθήκην μου διατηρήσεις, σὺ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα σου μετὰ σὲ εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

JPSAnd God said unto Abraham: ‘And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.

ThomsonAnd this is the covenant which thou shalt keep between Me and you, even thy seed after thee throughout their generations, Every male of you shall be circumcised.

BrentonAnd this is the covenant which thou shalt fully keep between me and you, and between thy seed after thee for their generations; every male of you shall be circumcised.

GreekΚαὶ αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διατηρήσεις, ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σπέρματός σου μετὰ σὲ εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν· περιτμηθήσεται ὑμῶν πᾶν ἀρσενικόν.

KJVThis is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

JPSThis is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.

ThomsonYe shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

BrentonAnd ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between me and you.

GreekΚαὶ περιτμηθήσεσθε τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας ὑμῶν, καὶ ἔσται εἰς σημεῖον διαθήκης ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν.

KJVAnd ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

JPSAnd ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt Me and you.

ThomsonAnd the child of eight days old shall be circumcised among you. Every male throughout your generations, including the home-born servant, and him who is bought with money from any stranger, not of thy seed.

BrentonAnd the child of eight days old shall be circumcised by you, every male throughout your generations, and the servant born in the house and he that is bought with money, of every son of a stranger, who is not of thy seed.

GreekΚαὶ παιδίον ὀκτὼ ἡμερῶν περιτμηθήσεται ὑμῖν, πᾶν ἀρσενικὸν εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν· καὶ οἰκογενὴς καὶ ὁ ἀργυρώνητος ἀπὸ παντὸς υἱοῦ ἀλλοτρίου, ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματός σου,

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner, that is not of thy seed.

ThomsonThy home-born servant and he who is bought shall surely be circumcised. And this My covenant shall be on your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

BrentonHe that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with money shall be surely circumcised, and my covenant shall be on your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

GreekΠεριτομῇ περιτμηθήσεται ὁ οἰκογενὴς τῆς οἰκίας σου, καὶ ὁ ἀργυρώνητος· καὶ ἔσται ἡ διαθήκη μου ἐπὶ τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν εἰς διαθήκην αἰώνιον.

KJVHe 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.

JPSHe 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.

ThomsonAnd with regard to the uncircumcised male, the flesh of whose foreskin shall not be circumcised on the eighth day, that soul shall be cut off from its family, because it hath broken My covenant.

BrentonAnd the uncircumcised male, who shall not be circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin on the eighth day, that soul shall be utterly destroyed from its family, for he has broken my covenant.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπερίτμητος ἄρσην, ὃς οὐ περιτμηθήσεται τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτοῦ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ, ἐξολοθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ἐκ τοῦ γένους αὐτῆς, ὅτι τὴν διαθήκην μου διεσκέδασε.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant.’

ThomsonMoreover God said to Abraham, Sara thy wife shall not be called Sara. Her name shall be Sarah.

BrentonAnd God said to Abraam, Sara thy wife—her name shall not be called Sara, Sarrha shall be her name.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἁβραὰμ, Σάρα ἡ γυνή σου, οὐ κληθήσεται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς Σάρα, Σάῤῥα ἔσται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

JPSAnd God said unto Abraham: ‘As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

ThomsonAnd I will bless her and give thee a son by her. And I will bless him. And he shall become nations, and from him there shall be kings of nations.

BrentonAnd I will bless her, and give thee a son of her, and I will bless him, and he shall become nations, and kings of nations shall be of him.

GreekΕὐλογήσω δὲ αὐτὴν, καὶ δώσω σοι ἐξ αὐτῆς τέκνον, καὶ εὐλογήσω αὐτὸ, καὶ ἔσται εἰς ἔθνη, καὶ βασιλεῖς ἐθνῶν ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἔσονται.

KJVAnd I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

JPSAnd I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her; yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Abraam fell upon his face, and laughed; and spoke in his heart, saying, Shall there be a child to one who is a hundred years old, and shall Sarrha who is ninety years old, bear?

GreekΚαὶ ἔπεσεν Ἁβραὰμ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐγέλασε· καὶ εἶπεν ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ αὐτοῦ, λέγων, εἰ τῷ ἑκατονταετεῖ γενήσεται υἱός; καὶ εἰ ἡ Σάῤῥα ἐννενήκοντα ἐτῶν τέξεται;

KJVThen Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

JPSThen Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: ‘Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?’

ThomsonAnd Abraham said to God, Let this Ismael live before thee.

BrentonAnd Abraam said to God, Let this Ismael live before thee.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἁβραὰμ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν· Ἰσμαὴλ οὗτος ζήτω ἐναντίον σου.

KJVAnd Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

JPSAnd Abraham said unto God: ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee! ’

ThomsonWhereupon God said to Abraham, Nay, behold Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaak. And I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant to be his God and the God of his seed after him.

BrentonAnd God said to Abraam, Yea, behold, Sarrha thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to him and to his seed after him.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Ἁβραὰμ, ναί· ἰδοὺ Σάῤῥα ἡ γυνή σου τέξεταί σοι υἱὸν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰσαάκ· καὶ στήσω τὴν διαθήκην μου πρὸς αὐτὸν, εἰς διαθήκην αἰώνιον, εἶναι αὐτῷ Θεὸς καὶ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτόν.

KJVAnd God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

JPSAnd God said: ‘‘Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

ThomsonAnd as for Ismael, lo! I have hearkened to thee and behold I have blessed him, and I will increase him and multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve nations, and I will make him a great nation.

BrentonAnd concerning Ismael, behold, I have heard thee, and, behold, I have blessed him, and will increase him and multiply him exceedingly; twelve nations shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

GreekΠερὶ δὲ Ἰσμαὴλ ἰδοὺ ἐπήκουσά σου· καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλόγηκα αὐτὸν, καὶ αὐξανῶ αὐτὸν, καὶ πληθυνῶ αὐτὸν σφόδρα δώδεκα ἔθνη γεννήσει, καὶ δώσω αὐτὸν εἰς ἔθνος μέγα.

KJVAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

JPSAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

ThomsonBut this covenant of Mine I will establish with Isaak whom Sarah shall bear about this time next year.

BrentonBut I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarrha shall bear to thee at this time, in the next year.

GreekΤὴν δὲ διαθήκην μου στήσω πρὸς Ἰσαὰκ, ὃν τέξεταί σοι Σάῤῥα εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον, ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ τῷ ἑτέρῳ.

KJVBut my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

JPSBut My covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd he left off speaking with him, and God went up from Abraam.

GreekΣυνετέλεσε δὲ λαλῶν πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀνέβη ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ Ἁβραάμ.

KJVAnd he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

JPSAnd He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

ThomsonAbraham took his son Ismael and all the servants born in his family and all those who were bought with money, even every male of the men in Abraham’s family and circumcised their foreskins that very day, as God had ordered him.

BrentonAnd Abraam took Ismael his son, and all his home-born servants, and all those bought with money, and every male of the men in the house of Abraam, and he circumcised their foreskins in the time of that day, according as God spoke to him.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἁβραὰμ Ἰσμαὴλ τὸν υἱὸν ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς οἰκογενεῖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀργυρωνήτους, καὶ πᾶν ἄρσεν τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Ἁβραὰμ, καὶ περιέτεμε τὰς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτῶν, ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, καθὰ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

ThomsonNow Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

BrentonAnd Abraam was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

GreekἉβραὰμ δὲ ἐννενηκονταεννέα ἦν ἐτῶν, ἡνίκα περιετέμετο τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

JPSAnd Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

ThomsonAnd Ismael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

BrentonAnd Ismael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

GreekἸσμαὴλ δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἦν ἐτῶν δεκατριῶν, ἡνίκα περιετέμετο τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

JPSAnd Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

ThomsonIn one and the same day were circumcised Abraham and his son Ismael

BrentonAnd at the period of that day, Abraam was circumcised, and Ismael his son,

GreekἘν δὲ τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, περιετμήθη Ἁβραὰμ, καὶ Ἰσμαὴλ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ,

KJVIn the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

JPSIn the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

Thomsonand all the men of his household, both his home-born servants and those bought from foreign nations.

Brentonand all the men of his house, both those born in the house, and those bought with money of foreign nations.

Greekκαὶ πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, καὶ οἱ οἰκογενεῖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ οἱ ἀργυρώνητοι ἐξ ἀλλογενῶν ἐθνῶν.

KJVAnd all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

JPSAnd all the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money of a foreigner, were circumcised with him.