Abraham’s circumcision: An ironic mnemonic device

Abstract

Interpretations of Abraham’s circumcision are overwhelmingly based upon observations from sociocultural anthropology. Consequently, little attention has been given to understanding circumcision’s role in the Abraham narrative. Given this, I apply a synchronic approach to the Abraham narrative, interpreting circumcision in light of its relationship to the problem of producing covenantal progeny. Ultimately, I argue circumcision is portrayed as an ironic mnemonic device reminding the Israelites to trust God’s covenantal promises. To support this argument, I first show that Abraham’s interjection in the creation of the covenant is an expression of doubt (Gen. 17.17–18). Then I contrast Abraham’s doubt with the denouement of Isaac’s birth, thus revealing Abraham’s doubt as ironic. I conclude by highlighting the literary features that depict circumcision as exemplifying not only the covenant, but also Abraham’s doubt in the covenant. This implies that circumcision functions as an embodied, ironic mnemonic of the choice to trust or distrust God’s covenantal promises.