Q: Does circumcision in the Bible ever refer to something besides the ritual itself?

A: Yes it does! The ritual of circumcision, like most rituals in the Bible, was given to the nation of Israel to model deeper, universal spiritual truths (Romans 4:11). The outward removal of corrupted flesh reflects the need for believers to cut corrupt behavior and attitudes out of our lives (Colossians 2:11), no matter how painful that process might be.

The Old Testament Prophets frequently reminded the Israelites of this deeper significance to the ritual of circumcision (Jeremiah 6:10; 9:26; Ezekiel 4...