Compare the following link:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/circumcision

But it sounds like you are interested in another aspect of the “meaning” of circumcision, having to do with WHY it is done, and what it means to the writers of the Bible, for example.

First note that circumcision as a RELIGIOUS RITE is NOT done for health/hygienic reasons, though these may exist and influence people today to continue to practice even if NOT for religious reasons. (The health benefits are much debated. Some also circumcise for SOCIAL reasons, so their son will not be seen as different by other boys.)

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So what is the religious meaning and reason?

Basically, it is a rite that marks a male as part of the community. In a number of cultures in the Near East it was administered when a boy reached puberty (about age 13), and was apparently thought to be a means of improving virility (and so, helping to produce more offspring). But because it involved EVERY boy, it marked them as part of the (adult) community.

Jewish circumcision began in this setting, but with one significant difference — the moving of the rite back from puberty to the EIGHTH day from birth. In Genesis 17 this rite is specifically connected with the promise of God to be God to Abraham and his offspring and to bless them. The sign is STILL a sign, and it still even has a connection to the bearing of children, though moving it back to infancy shifts the emphasis away from an act thought to MAKE one more fruitful to trusting on GOD’S PROMISES to grant them offspring, etc.

Note two other details seen in Genesis 17:

a) NAMING – circumcision is connected with the NAMING of the boy, and in this case also the ‘renaming’ of Abraham and Sarah. (We see this practice later with John the Baptist and especially Jesus in Luke 1-2.) That is, it establishes who he IS as part of this community of people belonging to God

b) EIGHTH DAY – (also seen in some other Jewish rites), is of course the same day of the week as the FIRST day. Symbolically, this seems to suggest that the event corresponds with the boy’s birth… is in fact a sort of “new birth”. This would also fit with the idea of NAMING at the ssmae time.

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A further “spiritual” meaning — the external act was also meant to point to an INNER change. The Hebrew Bible refers to a “circumcision of the HEART” in which the people’s very natures are changed making them willing to obey God . The prophets picked this up with language/promises of God giving the people NEW hearts, with his law written on them (especially Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 31).

In fact, there are many connections between circumcision and the Christian “initiation rite” of baptism — including connection with naming (or “putting God’s name on” those baptized) and the giving of a new life and identity, as part of the Christian community. (Paul even makes specific use of circumcision when referring to baptism in Colossians 2.)

Usually done for cosmetic reasons, traditionally done for religious reasons.

See link below for more details.

Hope this helps,

Tracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision

this is done for religious and hygienic purposes.

religious because the bible dictates it.

hygienic because if not removed, the foreskin might collect bacteria and dirt.

yeukk..