Circumcision signified fundamentally
the removal of defilement or uncleanness
in order that one might participate in the covenant blessings.
Exod. 6:12, 6:30; Lev. 19:23; 26:41; Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 6:10; 9:25.
Why circumcision?
1. associated with sexual organ of reproduction
as a sign of God’s covenant promise to make Israel’s seed to be fruitful (many descendants).
2. the cutting off of flesh
as a symbolic oath in covenant-making. That is, cutting-off a part as a sign of being cut-off from the people of God if covenant is broken. Compare with John 15 gardener ‘cuts-clean’ or ‘cuts-off’
3. removal of foreskin
symbolic significance relates to the removal of a barrier (closing/covering) to fruitfulness.
Also used of:
“uncircumcised fruit” Leviticus 19:23
“uncircumcised lips” Exodus 6:12,30
“uncircumcised ears” Jeremiah 6:10
“uncircumcised hearts” Leviticus 26:41
Note: something uncircumcised is “closed in”. Thus uncircumcised ears hear imperfectly, uncircumcised lips open and speak with difficulty and uncircumcised hearts are closed so as to be unable to understand.
Andrew Groves 