We first encounter the practice of circumcision early in the Bible. In Genesis 17, the Lord appeared to Abraham to reiterate his promise that he would have many descendants and become the father of nations. This was a stunning commitment, given Abraham’s advanced age of 99 and the fact that he and his wife had no children. Then came the awkward part. The Lord said, “This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you shall keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised” (Genesis 17:10). Jim Gaffigan, the comedian, has a fantastic routine imagining what this conversation between God and Abraham was like. “My wife told me that in the Bible Abraham circumcised himself,” Gaffigan said. “Wow. I can’t even get to the bank before it closes.” (The whole bit is really worth a listen.)
