Definition: He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this really important verse from Genesis 17. It’s a fascinating passage about God’s special relationship with Abraham and the beginning of his covenant with Israel. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about a special promise that God makes to Abraham, who is the patriarch (founder) of the Jewish people. It’s saying that anyone born within Abraham's home and purchased with his money will be marked as a child of God in a very specific way. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “He that is born in thy house…” – This refers to Abraham’s wife, Sarah. It means someone who was born within the home and nurtured by her. “…and he that is bought with thy money…” – This highlights that this person was purchased or bought with Abraham’s money – often through a transaction. It emphasizes that this person has been given a special, significant opportunity. "...must needs be circumcised..." - This is the key part! “Necessarily” means absolutely . This phrase implies a binding and unavoidable action. “Circumcised” refers to a physical marking – a small strip of skin pushed through the arch of the penis, as practiced by some ancient Jewish traditions. "...and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” – This is where it gets really profound. God makes a covenant – a promise or agreement between two people. This covenant is in the person's flesh (their blood). “Everlasting” means lasting forever. So, this promise isn’t just temporary; it’s a promise that will last for generations to come. It's a deeply spiritual and symbolic act of God. In simpler terms: God is making a promise to Abraham that anyone born within his family (specifically Sarah) and who has paid for them with money, must be marked as a child of God in a way that’s permanent. It’s a beautiful and significant demonstration of God's love and faithfulness. What does it tell us about God? This verse speaks to several important things: God’s special relationship with Abraham: It shows how God is deeply involved in the lives of his chosen people. Divine Protection & Blessing: The act of marking this person as a child of God signifies that God protects and blesses them, and their descendants. Important Note: The exact details of what this "circumcision" was about – and its significance – are debated among theologians today. It's a complex passage with layers of meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give some historical context for this passage? Talk about the different interpretations of this verse?