Timeline Between Abraham's Faith and Circumcision
Abraham's faith was reckoned to him for righteousness approximately 14 years before he was circumcised [2]. According to Genesis 15:6, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. At that time, he was 75 years old, as indicated by the events preceding this in Genesis 12 and following in Genesis 16, where Abraham is 86 years old when Ishmael is born. Circumcision was instituted when Abraham was 99 years old, as recorded in Genesis 17:24 [1].
The timeline between Abraham's faith being reckoned for righteousness and his circumcision is derived from the ages mentioned in Genesis. Abraham was 75 when he received the initial promise (Genesis 12:4), 86 when Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:16), and 99 when he was circumcised (Genesis 17:24) [1]. This sequence indicates that Abraham's justification by faith occurred about 14 years before his circumcision [2].
The significance of this timeline is highlighted in Romans 4:9-11, where the Apostle Paul argues that Abraham's faith was reckoned to him for righteousness before he was circumcised. This order is crucial because it establishes that faith, not circumcision, is the basis for justification. Circumcision served as a sign and seal of the covenant that Abraham had already received through faith [3].
Various traditions have interpreted the significance of Abraham's circumcision. The early church fathers, such as Augustine, understood circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of faith that Abraham had already received [5]. Similarly, Reformed theologians like John Gill saw circumcision as a sign and seal of the covenant, emphasizing its connection to the righteousness of faith [6].
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John of Damascus, views circumcision as a sign separating Abraham and his offspring from the Gentiles [4]. Lutheran interpreters, such as Keil & Delitzsch, periodize Abraham's life into stages marked by divine revelations, with the institution of circumcision being a significant epoch [7].
The timeline between Abraham's faith and circumcision underscores the primacy of faith in the Abrahamic covenant. Circumcision was a subsequent sign and seal of the covenant already established through faith, highlighting the continuity between the Old and New Testament understandings of justification [3].
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 17:24 (BBE) — Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he underwent circumcision.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 4:10: How was it then reckoned? - In what circumstances was Abraham when this blessing was bestowed upon him? When he was circumcised, or before? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision - Faith was reckoned to Abraham for justification, as we read Gen 15:6, (see the note on Gen 15:6); but circumcision was not instituted till about fourteen or fifteen years after, Gen 17:1, etc.; for faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness or justification at least one year before Ishmael was born; compare Genesis 15, and 16. At Ishmael's birth he was eighty-six years of age, Ge”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 4:11: 4:11-12 When God instituted circumcision, he called it “a sign of the covenant” between himself and Abraham (Gen 17:11). The covenant was already in place (Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-8) even before Abraham was circumcised (Gen 17:9-14). This shows that the covenant was based on faith, not circumcision. So Abraham is the spiritual father of all people, whether circumcised (Jews) or uncircumcised (Gentiles), who have the same kind of faith Abraham had—that is, faith in God’s promises (Rom 4:13-25).”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 101: Chapter XXV .— Concerning the Circumcision. The Circumcision 2694 2694 Just. Martyr., Dial. cum Tryph., p. 241. was given to Abraham before the law, after the blessings, after the promise, as a sign separating him and his offspring and his household from the Gentiles with whom he lived 2695 2695 Gen. xvii. 10 . . And this is evident 2696 2696 Chrys., Hom. 39 in Gen . , 98b for when the Israelites passed forty years alone by themselves in the desert, having no intercourse with any other race, all that were born in the des”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 35 [XXX.]--WHY THE CIRCUMCISION OF INFANTS WAS ENJOINED UNDER PAIN OF SO GREAT A PUNISHMENT.: The Scripture does not inform us whether before Abraham's time righteous men or their children were marked by any bodily or visible sign.12 Abraham himself, indeed, received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of faith.[13] And he received it with this accompanying injunction: All the male infants of his household were from that very time to be circumcised, while fresh from their mother's womb, on the eighth day from their birth;[14] so ”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:5: Circumcised the eighth day,.... Circumcision was an appointment of God to Abraham, and his male issue; to him and them God gave the covenant of circumcision: this to Abraham personally was a sign and seal, that the righteousness of faith, which he had while he was an uncircumcised person, should come upon the uncircumcised Gentiles in the times or the Messiah, when the Gospel should come among them; and it was a distinguishing character of the Jews from the Gentiles, until the coming of Christ; it was typical of the effusion of his blood to cleanse from all the im”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 12:1: The life of Abraham, from his call to his death, consists of four stages, the commencement of each of which is marked by a divine revelation of sufficient importance to constitute a distinct epoch. The first stage (Gen 12-14) commences with his call and removal to Canaan; the second (Gen 15-16), with the promise of a lineal heir and the conclusion of a covenant; the third (Gen 17-21), with the establishment of the covenant, accompanied by a change in his name, and the appointment of the covenant sign of circumcision; the fourth (Gen 22-25:11), with the temptat”