Circumcision
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Gen. 17:10-12, John 7:22) was a notable rite of the Jewish religion, which consisted in the cutting off of the foreskin of all male infants on the eighth day after their birth. This rite was established as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham. The command concerning circumcision was repeated to Moses (Ex. 12:44, Lev. 12:3, John 7:22-23). The Jews always observed the rite of circumcision with particular exactness. As appears from unquestionable testimonies, circumcision was in use even before the time of Abraham.
The Egyptians performed this rite at a very early period. Prichard testifies that it was in use among the Amakosa people, who make up a very considerable part of the population of southern Africa. The Kaffirs perform it to this day, and it was probably common among the primitive