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Genesis 17:23 - Avraham fulfills divine covenant swiftly

Genesis 17:23 - בראשית 17:23

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ וְאֵת כָּל־יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ וְאֵת כָּל־מִקְנַת כַּסְפּוֹ כָּל־זָכָר בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵּית אַבְרָהָם וַיָּמָל אֶת־בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתָם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים׃

English Translation

And Avraham took Yishma᾽el his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Avraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said to him.

Transliteration

Vayikach Avraham et-Yishmael bno ve'et kol-yelidei veito ve'et kol-miknat kaspo kol-zachar be'anshei beit Avraham vayamol et-besar orlatam be'etzem hayom haze ka'asher diber ito Elohim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֨ח אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בְּנ֗וֹ וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־יְלִידֵ֤י בֵיתוֹ֙ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־מִקְנַ֣ת כַּסְפּ֔וֹ כׇּל־זָכָ֕ר בְּאַנְשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיָּ֜מׇל אֶת־בְּשַׂ֣ר עׇרְלָתָ֗ם בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים׃
וַיִּקַּ֨ח אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בְּנ֗וֹ וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־יְלִידֵ֤י בֵיתוֹ֙ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־מִקְנַ֣ת כַּסְפּ֔וֹ כׇּל־זָכָ֕ר בְּאַנְשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיָּ֜מׇל אֶת־בְּשַׂ֣ר עׇרְלָתָ֗ם בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Circumcision of Avraham's Household

The verse describes Avraham Avinu fulfilling the commandment of brit milah (circumcision) as instructed by Hashem (Bereishit 17:10-14). This act demonstrates Avraham's complete devotion to fulfilling divine commandments without delay, as emphasized by the phrase "בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה" ("in the selfsame day").

Inclusion of Yishmael

Rashi (Bereishit 17:23) notes that Avraham circumcised Yishmael despite his later spiritual shortcomings, teaching that one must not withhold a mitzvah from someone due to future uncertainties. The Rambam (Hilchot Milah 1:7) further explains that Avraham's immediate compliance sets a precedent for performing mitzvot promptly.

Significance of "All the Men of His Household"

The Torah specifies that Avraham circumcised:

  • Yishmael his son - despite being 13 years old (Bereishit 17:25)
  • Those born in his house - his Hebrew servants
  • Those bought with money - his Canaanite servants

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 47:9) explains this demonstrates Avraham's commitment to bringing all under his influence into covenant with Hashem.

The Precision of "On That Very Day"

The Talmud (Kiddushin 29a) derives from this phrase that circumcision should be performed during daylight hours. The Kli Yakar emphasizes that Avraham didn't delay even one hour, showing his zeal for mitzvot.

Spiritual Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 2) explains this event established brit milah as an eternal sign of Jewish identity. The Maharal (Gevurot Hashem ch. 52) notes this physical act represents the Jewish people's unique spiritual connection to Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 59b
The verse is discussed in the context of the commandment of circumcision and its application to Abraham's household, including Ishmael.
📖 Nedarim 32a
Referenced in a discussion about the timing and fulfillment of God's commandments, specifically the circumcision of Abraham's household.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Avraham circumcise himself and his household?
A: Avraham performed the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision) as a sign of the covenant (brit) between him and Hashem, as commanded in Genesis 17:10-14. This act demonstrated his complete devotion to fulfilling G-d's commandments, even at an advanced age (Rashi on Genesis 17:23).
Q: Why is Yishmael included in the circumcision?
A: Yishmael was included because the commandment applied to all males in Avraham's household, whether born into it or acquired (Genesis 17:12-13). Though Yishmael was not the child of promise (that would be Yitzchak), he was still part of Avraham's family and thus included in this mitzvah (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Milah 1:7).
Q: What does 'on that very day' teach us about performing mitzvot?
A: The phrase 'on that very day' teaches the importance of performing mitzvot without delay when the opportunity arises. Avraham didn't postpone fulfilling G-d's commandment, even though it involved himself and his entire household (Talmud, Kiddushin 29a). This sets an example for how we should approach mitzvot today.
Q: How old was Avraham when he was circumcised?
A: Avraham was 99 years old when he performed brit milah on himself (Genesis 17:1, 24). This teaches that one is never too old to embrace Torah commandments and draw closer to Hashem (Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 46:2).
Q: Why is circumcision so important in Judaism?
A: Brit milah is the physical sign of the eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people, beginning with Avraham. It represents our special relationship with Hashem and our commitment to follow His ways (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Milah 3:1). This mitzvah is so fundamental that it takes precedence over Shabbat when the eighth day falls on Shabbat (Talmud, Shabbat 132a).