περιτομή
circumcision
Definition
Peritomē refers to the physical act of circumcision, the removal of the male foreskin. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the Jewish religious rite instituted in Genesis 17:10-14 as a sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. However, the term also develops a profound spiritual meaning, representing the inward transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit, in contrast to the mere outward physical sign (Romans 2:28-29). Paul further uses it metaphorically for the true people of God, the 'circumcision' who worship by the Spirit, not by the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
Biblical Usage
The word is used 32 times, predominantly in the Pauline epistles (Romans, Galatians, Colossians) and Acts. In narrative contexts like Acts 7:8 and 10:45, it refers to the literal, physical rite. In theological discourse, especially in Romans 2:25-29 and Colossians 2:11, Paul contrasts physical circumcision with its spiritual counterpart—the 'circumcision of the heart' performed by Christ. The Gospel of John (7:22-23) records a debate about performing the rite on the Sabbath, highlighting its cultural and legal importance.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around' or 'about,' and the root τέμνω (temnō), meaning 'to cut.' Thus, peritomē literally means 'a cutting around.' The related noun τομή (tomē) means 'a cutting' or 'section.' This etymology directly describes the physical procedure.
Semantic Range
This word is central to the New Testament's treatment of covenant, law, and grace. It represents the major controversy in the early church: whether Gentile converts must adopt Jewish customs like physical circumcision to be saved (Acts 15, Galatians 5:1-6). Understanding peritomē unlocks Paul's argument that the true sign of belonging to God's people is faith in Christ and the inward work of the Spirit, not an external ritual (Romans 2:28-29, Colossians 2:11-12). It highlights the transition from the old covenant sign to the new covenant reality in Christ.
In the 1st-century Jewish world, physical circumcision (peritomē) was the definitive, non-negotiable marker of membership in the covenant people of Israel, separating Jews from Gentiles. It was a sign of obedience to the Mosaic Law and ethnic identity. For the early church, the question of requiring this rite for Gentile believers became a major point of conflict, as it forced a decision on whether Christianity was a sect within Judaism or a new, universal faith. This cultural weight is essential for understanding the intense debates in Acts and Galatians.
ἀκροβυστία (akrobustia, G203) — The direct antonym, meaning 'uncircumcision,' used to designate Gentiles. καρδίας περιτομή (kardias peritomē) — The phrase 'circumcision of the heart' (Romans 2:29), specifying the spiritual, metaphorical sense.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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