God Holds Abraham's Hand at His Own Circumcision

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Lech Lecha 24:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Gen. 17:2) "And I will set My covenant between Me and you." Abram said to Him: And who will circumcise me? He said to him: You yourself. Abraham took the sword and grasped his foreskin, and he was afraid; because he was old, he trembled. He said before Him: Master of the Universe, I am old. What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do, as it were? He stretched out His hand and grasped along with him, and Abraham was cutting until he was circumcised. Thus Ezra praises and says (Neh. 9:6, 8): "You alone are the LORD..." "and You found his heart faithful before You." "And cut the covenant for him" is not written here, but rather "and cut the covenant with him." And it is written at the end of the verse (Neh. 9:8): "and You kept Your words, for You are righteous."

Themes

CovenantAbraham

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Book of JubileesCovenant of Abraham of IsaacIn this ancient text, which some consider to be part of the broader Jewish apocrypha, we find a pivotal moment concerning Abraham, his wife Sarah, and a promiseApocalypse of AbrahamGod Commands Abraham to Offer Sacrifice for a RevelationThe voice came again. Twice it called his name: "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am." "It is I. Fear not, for I am before the worlds, a mighty God who has created thApocalypse of AbrahamGod Promises Abraham Descendants Like the StarsThe Eternal Mighty One said: "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am." "Look down at the stars beneath your feet. Count them for me. Make known to me their number." AbraApocalypse of AbrahamGod Reveals That All of History Was Planned in AdvanceAbraham asked: "O Eternal, Mighty One! What is this picture of the creatures?" God answered: "This is my will with regard to those who exist in the divine worldApocalypse of AbrahamThe End of the Age and the Coming of God's Chosen OneAbraham asked again: "How long a time is an hour of the Age?" God answered: "Twelve years have I ordained of this ungodly age to rule among the heathen and in yApocalypse of AbrahamGod Foretells Abraham's Descendants in ExileThe vision was nearly complete. God spoke His final words to Abraham, circling back from the cosmic future to the personal promise that had started everything.