What does the Bible say about circumcision and its significance?

Circumcision in the Bible is a physical representation of God's covenant with His people, first established with Abraham. In Genesis 17:10-14, God commands that every male among Abraham's descendants be circumcised as a token of the covenant. However, as the New Testament reveals, true circumcision is not merely an outward act but an inward transformation of the heart. Romans 2:28-29 explains that a true Jew is one inwardly, whose circumcision is that of the heart, performed by the Spirit and not by the letter. This heart work signifies the need for God's grace to transform us, illustrating that the covenant and relationship with God are grounded in His work within us, not in our performances or rituals.