περιτέμνω (peritemnō)
peritemnō
to circumcise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb peritemnō describes the physical act of circumcision, specifically cutting away the foreskin to consecrate a male into the covenant people of Israel. In the New Testament, it appears in narratives like Luke’s account of Jesus’ own circumcision (Luke 2:21) and Paul’s discussions on whether Gentile believers must undergo the rite (Galatians 5:2-3). The word carries the weight of religious identity, marking the boundary between the Jewish people and the wider world.
Its etymology combines peri ("around") and temnō ("to cut"), reflecting the literal procedure. While primarily used for the physical sign given to Abraham’s descendants, the term also appears in a metaphorical sense in Colossians 2:11. Here, Paul speaks of a "circumcision made without hands," where believers are spiritually stripped of their sinful nature through Christ, rather than by surgical means.
Translators consistently render peritemnō as "circumcise" or "be circumcised." The word’s usage highlights the intense debate in the early church about whether adherence to Mosaic law was necessary for salvation. By contrasting physical cutting with spiritual transformation, the text underscores that true belonging to God involves a change of heart, not just a mark on the body.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word περιτέμνω describes the physical act of cutting away the foreskin, a sign given to Abraham’s descendants as a mark of belonging to God’s covenant people. In the New Testament, this practice appears in key moments, such as Jesus’ own circumcision in Luke 2:21 and the intense debates in Acts about whether Gentile believers must follow Jewish customs. For early Christians, these discussions were not just about ritual; they touched on the very heart of what it means to belong to God.
While the physical act remains a historical reality for Israel, the New Testament also points to a deeper spiritual meaning. In Colossians 2:11, Paul speaks of a “circumcision made without hands,” where believers are stripped of their sinful nature through Christ. This shift from external marks to internal transformation reminds us that true belonging is about a change of heart, not just a mark on the body.
As you reflect on this word, consider how God values sincerity over mere outward appearance. Whether in the Old Testament covenant or the New Covenant in Christ, God looks for faithfulness and a heart aligned with His will. This truth invites us to trust in His grace, which transforms us from the inside out.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to circumcise4×
- to be circumcised,2×
- circumcised2×
- being circumcised2×
- you were circumcised1×
- you shall become circumcised,1×
- you shall become circumcised1×
- you circumcise1×
- to be circumcised;1×
- to be circumcised1×
- he should d be circumcise.1×
- he circumcised1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περιέτεμεν2×
- περιτέμνεσθαι,2×
- περιτέμνειν2×
- περιτεμεῖν2×
- περιτέμνησθε,1×
- περιτέμνετε1×
- περιτέμνεσθαι1×
- περιτμηθῆτε1×
- περιτμηθῆναι·1×
- περιτεμνόμενοι1×
- περιτεμνέσθω.1×
- περιτεμνομένῳ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 2:21
When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
This verse records Jesus’ own circumcision, showing His full participation in the Jewish covenant and law from birth.
-
Acts 15:1
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”
Here the word highlights a major early church conflict, where some insisted salvation required physical circumcision according to Mosaic custom.
-
Galatians 5:2
Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
Paul uses this term to warn that relying on physical circumcision for righteousness nullifies the benefit of Christ’s work.
-
Colossians 2:11
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ,
Paul metaphorically applies the word to describe spiritual transformation, where believers are stripped of sin through Christ rather than by human hands.