The Mysterious Case of Israel's Circumcision at Gilgal

[dildaysc]

Did the Israelites omit circumcision during the 40 years of wilderness wandering?

Poole surveys the history of interpretation on this difficult issue.

 

[Edward]

"Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised."

What am I missing that makes this a difficult issue?

Did the Israelites omit circumcision during the 40 years of wilderness wandering?

 

[dildaysc]

Many of the questions surrounding this difficult passage are expressly asked and answered by Poole and his interpreters on verse 7.

 

[Edward]

Many of the questions surrounding this difficult passage

Again, I will challenge you - why is this a difficult passage? The material to which you pointed me offers no basis for your original question. And since my first response to you apparently wasn't clear enough

Did the Israelites omit circumcision during the 40 years of wilderness wandering?

YES.

The item to which you linked asked quite different questions, "Question: 1. What then was the reason for the neglect of circumcision for so long a time?" and "Question 2: But why are they now circumcised? " both of which presuppose the affirmative answer to your question.