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περιτομή

peritomḗ

G4061 noun

SILEX Entry

Root περιτομ- to cut around, to remove by cutting

Definition

Circumcision—the act or rite of cutting around, specifically the surgical removal of the foreskin; by extension, the state of being circumcised; also used metonymically for those who are circumcised or adhere to the practice. In extended use: refers to a distinct group or identity marker, especially in contrast to those not circumcised (the ἀκροβυστία, 'uncircumcised').

Semantic Range

circumcision (ritual act), state of being circumcised, group identified by circumcision, covenantal or communal marker, distinction from the uncircumcised

Root / Etymology

From the verbal root περιτεμν- (περιτέμνω), meaning 'to cut around', composed of the prefix περί ('around') and the verb τέμνω ('to cut'). The noun suffix -ή forms an abstract noun indicating the result or state of 'cutting around'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, περιτομή refers to the physical act of circumcision, but it is rare outside of contexts relating to Near Eastern peoples. In the Septuagint (LXX), the term appears frequently as a translation of Hebrew מוּל (mul) and is connected to the Israelite initiation rite outlined in Genesis and the Torah. By the Second Temple period, the term no longer refers merely to the surgical act but increasingly serves as an identity marker distinguishing Judeans (and proselytes) from other peoples, often functioning as a metonym for the whole community of those so marked. In the New Testament, especially Paul’s writings, περιτομή commonly contrasts with ἀκροβυστία (foreskin, uncircumcision) not only at a physical level but as social categories, occasionally acquiring symbolic significance regarding group inclusion, covenant participation, and boundary formation. Standard English translations render it 'circumcision', but this can obscure its social and identity functions in ancient texts. The term can refer to (a) the physical act or state, (b) the group identified by the practice, or (c) the abstract concept of identity or religious observance. The translation 'the circumcision' (as a people or party) reflects later interpretive layers, while in contemporary classical Greek, the word could have seemed foreign or unusual outside these specialized contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from περιτέμνω; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.

Root Family

περιτομή (peritomē) — cutting around, removal by cutting, circumcision

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4061-03 περιτομῆς peritomes N GEN F SG circumcision of circumcision 15
G4061-01 περιτομὴ peritome N NOM F SG circumcision circumcision 14
G4061-02 περιτομήν peritomen N ACC F SG circumcision circumcision 7

Occurrences in Scripture

36 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4061-02 John 7:22 περιτομήν peritomen N ACC F SG circumcision circumcision
G4061-02 John 7:23 περιτομὴν peritomen N ACC F SG circumcision circumcision
G4061-03 Acts 7:8 περιτομῆς peritomes N GEN F SG of circumcision of circumcision
G4061-03 Acts 10:45 περιτομῆς peritomes N GEN F SG circumcision of circumcision
G4061-03 Acts 11:2 περιτομῆς peritomes N GEN F SG circumcision of circumcision
G4061-01 Romans 2:25 περιτομὴ peritome N NOM F SG circumcision
G4061-01 Romans 2:25 περιτομή peritome-2 N NOM F SG circumcision
G4061-02 Romans 2:26 περιτομὴν peritomen N ACC F SG circumcision
G4061-03 Romans 2:27 περιτομῆς peritomes N GEN F SG of circumcision
G4061-01 Romans 2:28 περιτομή peritome N NOM F SG circumcision
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