Step 6 of the Abrahamic Covenant:
Make a Scar
He that is born of thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:13
The sixth step in the blood covenant ceremony was to make a scar as a permanent testimony to the covenant. The scar would be a constant reminder to the covenant partner as to his covenant responsibilities. It was also a banner that announced to potential enemies: ‘If you mess with me, you mess with my covenant partner.’
In old westerns on TV, the stereotype Indian Chief raised his arm and said ‘How’. This was actually his announcement to the intruder of his covenant strength, as all of his covenant scars were on his hand and arm. Early troops and settlers probably did not understand this gesture.
There is a story about Dr. David Livingstone, missionary to Africa, that he made covenants with many tribal chiefs during His travels. His journeys in Africa were successful partly because he understood the blood covenant. There were not many tribes that were willing to take on a man with so many covenant partners, as revealed by his large number of scars.
Under the Old Covenant, the scar was circumcision. Abraham was instructed to circumcise himself, his household, and his son, Ishmael (see Genesis 17:23). Then, going forward, all baby boys were to be circumcised when they were 8 days old. The scar that was made was a reminder to them of Abraham’s covenant with God, and the foreskin that was discarded symbolized sin and corruption that was being rejected. Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised, so to this day, those boys who call their spiritual father, Ishmael, are circumcised when they are 13.
Moses, speaking centuries later, spoke metaphorically about the circumcision of the heart, saying,
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. Deuteronomy 10: 16
and again,
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Deuteronomy 30: 6
Under the New Covenant, it is the seal of the Holy Spirit that bears witness with us. When we show our scar, the devil will flee from us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Today, the physical circumcision of babies is done mostly for medical purposes, but the symbolism remains.
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
References:
The Holy Bible: King James Version
The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread by Richard Booker
©2025 Chandra Hronchek