The Circumcision of the Heart as a Deuteronomic Metaphor of Religious Identity of an Israelite

Abstract

Circumcision is an ancient practice used in many civilizations of the Fertile Crescent and an important reference point in determining the social position and religious identity of members of royal and priestly families, as well as men from lower social classes. Nevertheless, the Israelites who made it an external sign and, later, the necessary condition of belonging to the Mosaic religion, contributed most to the deepening and spreading of the theological aspect of circumcision (Gen 17:4; 1 Macc 1:15,48,60–61). The order of the circumcision of the heart from Dt. 10:16 and 30:6 is the consequence of the theological re-reading of this ancient practice, which was undertaken by the religious circles of the post-exile era under the influence of the painful experiences of Babylonian captivity and the serious crisis of Jahvist monotheism which appeared in the seventh and sixth centuries before Christ. The appeal for circumcision of the heart is a new definition of piety based on the most important commandment of Deuteronomic theology, that is, the commandment of love of YHWH with all my heart and soul (Dt. 6:4–5), and consequently, an encouragement to cultivate a personal relationship with God modeled on the patriarchs, which is based on obedience to God’s law in exchange for His blessing and support (Dt. 6:6–12, 11:18–25, 32:46).