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b-hebrew - Re: Circumcision (and Philistines)

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  • From: "Jonathan D. Safren" <yonsaf AT beitberl.beitberl.ac.il>
  • To: Ian Hutchesson <mc2499 AT mclink.it>
  • Cc: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Circumcision (and Philistines)
  • Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 09:40:36 +0200


Dear Ian,
Circumcision has apparently been practiced among the Jewish People, and
before that, the Israelites, since the Stone Age.
Evidence: On two different occasions when there is mention of the
implement used to perform the circumcision, it is a flint knife - in Ex.
4 and Josh. 5. Perhaps at the time the stories weere written, a metal
knife was already used, but they retain a memory of the earlier
implement. And there would be no reason to have used a flint knife
unless the custom originated at a period when there were only flint
knives.
Sincerely,
Jonathan D. Safren
Dept. of Biblical Studies
Beit Berl College
Beit Berl Post Office 44905
Israel





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