WG: Circumcision
Overview
The circumcision concept in the NT revolves around three words: the noun for the rite/condition/people (περιτομή), the verb for the act itself (περιτέμνω), and its direct antonym (ἀκροβυστία, uncircumcision). Paul uses these words as paired boundary markers for ethnic and covenant identity, then radically redefines them in terms of inner transformation and faith. The OT concept bridges through Hebrew מוּל (H4135, mûl = to circumcise) and עׇרְלָה (H6190, ʻorlāh = foreskin/uncircumcision), which are the primary LXX source words for the Greek pair.
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| G4061 |
περιτομή |
peritomḗ |
feminine noun |
32 |
The rite, the condition, the people (noun) |
G4061-peritome.md |
| G4059 |
περιτέμνω |
peritémnō |
verb |
16 |
The act of circumcising |
TODO(need G4059 study) |
| G203 |
ἀκροβυστία |
akrobystía |
feminine noun |
17 |
Uncircumcision — the antonym / Gentile condition |
TODO(need G203 study) |
Relationships
Shared Roots
- G4061 περιτομή and G4059 περιτέμνω share the root περι- (around) + τέμνω (to cut) — the noun is derived directly from the verb
- G203 ἀκροβυστία is a separate formation (ἄκρος = extreme + modification of πόσθη = prepuce) — semantically opposite, not etymologically related
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| G4061 περιτομή |
G203 ἀκροβυστία |
14 (44% of G4061) |
Circumcision/uncircumcision as contrasting conditions — "justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith" (Rom 3:30) |
| G4061 περιτομή |
G4059 περιτέμνω |
3 (9% of G4061) |
Verb + noun together — "if a man... receive circumcision... Moses gave you circumcision" (John 7:22–23) |
| G4059 περιτέμνω |
G203 ἀκροβυστία |
1 (6% of G4059) |
1 Cor 7:18 — "called being circumcised... called in uncircumcision" |
OT/LXX Bridges
| Hebrew Word |
LXX Bridge To |
Co-occurrences |
Notes |
| H4135 מוּל (mûl = to circumcise) |
G4059 περιτέμνω |
25 |
Primary OT source for the verb |
| H6190 עׇרְלָה (ʻorlāh = foreskin) |
G203 ἀκροβυστία |
13 |
Primary OT source for "uncircumcision" |
| H6190 עׇרְלָה (ʻorlāh) |
G4059 περιτέμνω |
11 |
"Uncircumcised" contexts also use the verb |
| H4135 מוּל (mûl) |
G203 ἀκροβυστία |
8 |
Circumcision contexts mention the uncircumcised |
Roles in the Concept
- The noun (G4061 περιτομή): The rite, the state/condition of being circumcised, or collectively the Jewish people. Paul uses all three senses, often shifting between them within a single argument (e.g., Romans 2–4).
- The verb (G4059 περιτέμνω): The act of circumcising — commanded of Abraham, performed on the 8th day, disputed in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), and spiritually reapplied to the heart (Col 2:11).
- The antonym (G203 ἀκροβυστία): Uncircumcision — the Gentile condition and ethnic marker. In Paul, "the uncircumcision" (ἀκροβυστία) becomes a label for Gentile believers, paired with "the circumcision" for Jewish believers, before Paul relativizes both distinctions in Christ.
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear
- 1 Corinthians 7:18 — G4059 + G203: "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised."
- Galatians 2:7 — G4061 + G203: "the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter"
- Romans 3:30 — G4061 + G203: "it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith"
- Colossians 2:11 — G4061 + G4059: "circumcised with the circumcision made without hands"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, co-occurrence queries
Last updated: 2026-04-02