Jeremiah 9:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Egypt and Idumea. Beginning - v. 25 Despite their physical signs of circumcision, they remain spiritually uncircumcised, as their actions do not align with the divine law; hence, the Idumeans and others are deemed as circumcised in a wider sense. The heart's condition is far more significant than physical circumcision, revealing a deeper uncircumcision. Some assert that the Egyptians practiced circumcision, as noted by Herodotus. I consider the Saracens as part of this discussion. What do you believe? They, too, are not circumcised in this regard. Even less are you circumcised in spirit. Yet you may wonder about the Jews; just as the others did not gain anything from their physical circumcision, so too are you in a worse situation.

I will bring judgment upon all those who have had their flesh circumcised... And upon everyone who circumcises the breasts living in the wilderness. Here, the prophet removes from the Jews their expectation that physical circumcision holds any significance, indicating instead that the practice they observe has no benefit for the other nations. Furthermore, he warns that the Jews, who neglect the circumcision of their hearts, will encounter the same judgment that awaits the nations wandering in the wilderness. These nations may not be circumcised in the flesh but only tend to their appearance. Yet, you Jews, as the Lord expresses through the prophet, although you perform the act of fleshly circumcision, your hearts remain uncircumcised.

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will confront every individual who has physically circumcised, including those from Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, and all who shave their heads and reside in the wilderness. While numerous nations have taken on physical circumcision, the entire house of Israel remains uncircumcised in spirit. The inhabitants of various Gentile nations, particularly those neighboring Judea and Palestine, still show partial circumcision, notably the Egyptians, Idumeans, Ammonites, Moabites, and the Saracen people who dwell in the wilderness and are described as those who shave their heads.

(Jeremiah 9:26) ‘And I will visit upon Egypt, and upon Judah, and upon Edom, and upon the children of Ammon, and upon the children of Moab, and upon all them that circumcise the hair of their faces, that dwell in the wilderness. The Idumeans, who trace their lineage to Esau, practiced circumcision in accordance with the covenant established with Abraham; similarly, the Ammonites and Moabites, residing near the Israelites, claimed kinship and thus engaged in this custom. Those descended from Ishmael and the Hittites also adhered to the circumcision of their forebears. The Prophet refers to them as 'those who show the hairs of their faces,' as it was common for them to pluck the hair from their cheeks.