Why Abraham Circumcised the Slaves of His Household

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 82:9

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

All the slaves who were circumcised together with our father Abraham did not endure, neither they nor their descendants, within Israel. Then why did he circumcise them? For the sake of purity, so that they would not defile their masters through their food and their drink. (Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer, chapter 29)

Themes

CovenantAbrahamConversion

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Midrash TanchumaWalk Before Me, and Be Thou WholeheartedWalk before Me, and be thou wholehearted (Gen. 17:1). Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: As for God, His way is whole (Ps. 18:31). What is thBook 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 y