Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easily missed is that Jeremiah isn't just listing nations; he's drawing a stark parallel between a literal, outward custom forbidden by God and Israel's own spiritual emptiness. The mention of "cutting the corners of their hair," a practice explicitly prohibited to Israel, highlights how Israel had adopted pagan customs while simultaneously failing in the true circumcision of the heart. This shows God looking beyond mere ritual, seeing the internal condition as the real marker of covenant faithfulness.
Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah begins by declaring that God will punish not only the surrounding nations but also Judah itself, despite the physical sign of their covenant with God. He lists several nations, including Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, and also describes a specific group dwelling in the wilderness with a distinctive hairstyle forbidden by Mosaic Law. The prophet's point is that all these peoples, including Judah, are spiritually impure and will face judgment because their hearts, like their bodies, are uncircumcised from God.
Jeremiah lists several nations, including Judah, and declares them all 'uncircumcised.' But wait, weren't many of these people circumcised?
Jeremiah 9:26 brings together a surprising group: Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and desert dwellers. He states that 'all these nations are uncircumcised.' This is a bold statement, especially since Judah (Israel) and Edom (descendants of Esau) practiced circumcision as a sign of God's covenant. Even some of the other nations, like Egypt, practiced a form of circumcision.
So, what does Jeremiah mean?
Ask a follow-up
The verse mentions 'all who dwell in the desert' and those who 'cut the corners of their hair.' What's the significance of this specific description?
Jeremiah includes a vivid detail: 'all who dwell in the wilderness who cut the corners of their hair.' This phrase likely refers to a specific group of Arabs or desert dwellers known for a particular hairstyle.
Understand the original words
mitsrayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
A nation in northeast Africa often representing a place of refuge, bondage, or worldly power in the Bible; it frequently serves as a symbol of human strength that opposes reliance on God.
yhudah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The southern kingdom of the divided monarchy, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, known as the covenant people through whom the Messianic line would descend.
edom · Hebrew Proper Noun
A nation descended from Esau, often portrayed as an enemy or rival to Israel, representing the spirit of the flesh or the worldly opposition to God's chosen people.
bene ammon · Hebrew Proper Noun Phrase
A group of people descended from Lot's younger son, often antagonistic toward Israel and identified with pagan worship and idolatry.
moab · Hebrew Proper Noun
A nation descended from Lot's elder son, frequently in conflict with Israel, representing an enemy nation characterized by pride and rejection of God.
qetsutsey peah · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A term used in Scripture to denote people living on the margins of civilization; in this context, it refers to tribes outside the covenant of Israel who practiced specific pagan rituals.
arel · Hebrew Adjective
The ritual sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants, signifying dedication, purity, and the cutting away of the flesh; biblically, it represents being set apart for God.
yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The corporate body of the covenant people of God, descended from Jacob, intended to be a light to the nations and keepers of God's law.
arel lebab · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Metaphorically represents the inner person, the seat of the will, emotions, and moral decision-making; to be uncircumcised in heart signifies a state of unrepentance, rebellion, and spiritual impurity despite outward covenant status.
Jeremiah's prophecy in this verse highlights the spiritual decay of Judah, contrasting their internal 'uncircumcision of heart' with the physical circumcision practiced by both themselves and surrounding nations like Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab. This condemnation occurs during the intense period of Babylonian conquest and exile, a time when Judah's covenant identity was being severely tested and judged.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Raids and Influence
The Assyrian Empire exerts significant military and political pressure on the region, influencing the customs and political alliances of surrounding nations like Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a portion of the population, including Jehoiakim, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
A second, larger deportation of Judeans to Babylon occurs, including King Jehoiachin and many of the elite. This further destabilizes Judah.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This is a devastating national catastrophe for Judah.
c. 582 BC
Third Deportation to Babylon
A final, smaller deportation of Judeans to Babylon takes place, following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah's point, emphasizing that outward circumcision is worthless without the inward reality of the heart, a theme central to both texts.
Deuteronomy 10:16This verse from the Torah commands Israel to 'circumcise the foreskin of your heart,' directly linking the physical act to the internal spiritual condition that Jeremiah critiques.
Jeremiah 4:4Similar to chapter 9, this passage calls for the 'circumcision of the heart' for the house of Judah and Jerusalem, warning them that God's wrath will come upon them if they do not, highlighting the consistent prophetic message.
Galatians 5:6This New Testament passage states that 'neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything,' but 'faith working through love' does, showing how the principle Jeremiah addresses is a timeless theological truth about true faith.
Colossians 2:11This verse speaks of believers being 'circumcised with a circumcision not made by hands,' referencing the spiritual reality of removing the sinful nature, which is the core issue Jeremiah is confronting in Israel.
clarkeJeremiah 9:26: "Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart."
All that are in the utmost corners - כל קצוצי פאה col ketsutsey pheah. These words have been variously understood. The Vulgate translates: Omnes qui attonsi sunt in comam; "All who have their hair cut short." The Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and…
calvinJeremiah 9:25-26: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;"
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
Super Egyptium (vel, super Egyptum; tam de terra quam de hominibus potest accipi) et super Jehudah, et super Edom, et sup…
What’s easily missed is that Jeremiah isn't just listing nations; he's drawing a stark parallel between a literal, outward custom forbidden by God and Israel's own spiritual emptiness. The mention of "cutting the corners of their hair," a practice explicitly prohibited to Israel, highlights how Israel had adopted pagan customs while simultaneously failing in the true circumcision of the heart. This shows God looking beyond mere ritual, seeing the internal condition as the real marker of covenant faithfulness.
Jeremiah begins by declaring that God will punish not only the surrounding nations but also Judah itself, despite the physical sign of their covenant with God. He lists several nations, including Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, and also describes a specific group dwelling in the wilderness with a distinctive hairstyle forbidden by Mosaic Law. The prophet's point is that all these peoples, including Judah, are spiritually impure and will face judgment because their hearts, like their bodies, are uncircumcised from God.
Jeremiah begins by declaring that God will punish not only the surrounding nations but also Judah itself, despite the physical sign of their covenant with God. He lists several nations, including Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, and also describes a specific group dwelling in the wilderness with a distinctive hairstyle forbidden by Mosaic Law. The prophet's point is that all these peoples, including Judah, are spiritually impure and will face judgment because their hearts, like their bodies, are uncircumcised from God.
"Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”" — What’s easily missed is that Jeremiah isn't just listing nations; he's drawing a stark parallel between a literal, outward custom forbidden by God and Israel's own spiritual emptiness. The mention of…
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Last reviewed October 2026