This verse serves as a transition between the story of Abraham and that of Joseph (vv. 9-16). The literal phrase “covenant of circumcision” means the covenant which was agreed upon between God and Abraham and which had circumcision as its external sign. Therefore, the Good News Translation has translated the phrase as ceremony of circumcision as a sign of the covenant.

The Greek text of verse 8 is not clear; it could mean either “Isaac was the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the twelve patriarchs” or “Isaac circumcised Jacob, and Jacob circumcised the twelve patriarchs.” Most translations follow the former alternative, while the Good News Translation takes the latter one. This seems also to be the understanding of the Jerusalem Bible, “So when his son Isaac was born he circumcised him on the eighth day. Isaac did the same for the Jacob, and Jacob for the twelve patriarchs.”

Though in many languages one can speak of “giving a covenant” or “making a covenant,” it is much more difficult to speak of “giving a ceremony.” It may, therefore, be necessary to modify somewhat the structure of this first sentence of verse 8, for example, “God made an agreement with Abraham, and he told Abraham that if the people were circumcised this would show that they accepted the agreement.” Such a rendering is, of course, rather extended, but it tries to indicate the relationship between the covenant and circumcision and to state precisely that the agreement was one proposed by God and accepted by the people.

The term for covenant is not easy in a number of languages. So often a term suggested for covenant implies a kind of bargaining session. This, of course, is not the biblical concept. Rather, it is an agreement reached on the basis of a proposal by God and acceptance by the people. It is thus closely equivalent to the relationship which exists between a chief and his people in many face-to-face societies. An equivalent in some languages may be “an alliance”; in still others, “a bond of friendship.” (See 3.25.)

Where the practice of circumcision is either carried out or known about, there is normally a quite adequate term. In some societies, however, circumcision is entirely unknown and a descriptive phrase would be regarded as very vulgar. Under such circumstances many translators have employed a more general expression such as “a mark by cutting” or “a sign by cutting the skin.” It is essential, however, that such a phrase be carefully identified by a glossary note so that people will comprehend the precise nature of the practice.

There are certain problems involved in the introduction of the twelve patriarchs. If one adopts the interpretation “was the father of the twelve patriarchs,” there is very little difficulty. In some languages, however, this has been rendered literally as “gave birth to the twelve old men”—something which is obviously ludicrous. The term patriarch must usually be translated as “important ancestor” or “famous grandfather” (if the term “grandfather” can be used in a general sense for male ancestor). In many societies, however, there is a special term to identify the person who has been regarded as the founder of a tribe or important clan. Such a technical term may here be employed for patriarch.

If, however, one follows the Good News Translation in translating circumcised the twelve patriarchs, there may still be problems involved since this might imply that the circumcision took place when the patriarchs were adults. Such an implication must be carefully avoided.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .