Was Moses Born Circumcised?

Regarding Moses’ birth, we read that “his mother saw that he was good.” What did she see? One interpretation, cited in several classic sources, is that she saw that he was circumcised and knew that there was greatness in store for him. Being born circumcised was an expression of the otherworldly perfection that characterized the one who would speak face to face with G‑d.

Midrash Tanchuma1 lists Moses among seven special people who were born circumcised. They are: Adam, Seth, Noah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Job.

Avot D’Rabbi Natan2 provides a longer list: Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Balaam, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Zerubabel, and Job.

Both of these Midrashim, as well as the Talmud3 and Shemot Rabbah4, see an allusion to Moses’ being circumcised in the abovementioned verse. Other interpretations can be found, however, where different significance is attached to these words.

Footnotes

Noach, 5.

2:5.

Sotah 12a.

1:24.

By Chabad.org Staff

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11 Comments

Yaacov Abitbol Miami FL October 6, 2022

I was actually born circumsised, no forskin whatsoever. The rabbi at my brit mila took my parents to the clinic where i was born to confirm before my actual brit mila. My twin brother however was not as lucky :) Reply

Kaska Miskolczi Atlanta, GA February 21, 2021

He was clearly not born circumcised. He even states this when first explaining his worry of approaching the Pharaoh, whom was circumcised (as we can prove with archeological evidence). It may very well have been the reason he was assumed to be a Hebrew so quickly. Reply

Luke New Zealand May 8, 2022

in response to Kaska Miskolczi:

I was born naturally circumcised does this mean anything? Reply

Yitzhak August 25, 2023

in response to Kaska Miskolczi:

The Torah says that when Moshe was born, HaShem described as “Ki Tov” which means he was “complete”. Which if go back to the story of creation HaShem uses “Ki Tov” to indicate something was “complete” for that day. Reply

Avraham Wolf November 14, 2023

in response to Yitzhak:

Which Torah says that Moshe was born (Ki Tov) circumcised? Reply

ken Pittsburgh February 6, 2016

It seems to me that it would depend upon what one meant by "circumcised." It's easily imagined that a male could be born without a foreskin, but does that constitute being "circumcised"? Or must one have had a foreskin in the first place and then have it removed by cutting around it? I think, the latter. If one is born without, say, a foot, it's seems odd to believe that he was born an amputee or that his foot was "amputated." Reply

Thabang June 24, 2024

in response to ken:

Valid! Reply

Anonymous December 28, 2015

Circumcision/ Discussion 2 comment There apparently are ancient Egyptian pictures as well as Egyptian mummies that tend to prove circumcision was commonplace during the time of the Pharohs in Egypt. Hence, as we believe Moses was born circumcised, he would not by this alone necessarily draw attention to himself through Pharoah's wife who found and nurtured him or during the time he rose to power as a "son" of Pharoah be recognized as a Hebrew unless most Egyptians were circumscribed when they were older than newborns. Reply

Brian S Simsbury, CT July 18, 2012

Born that way? No. There is no reason to make that claim based on Torah.
Either he was circumcised at day 8, as all Israelites, or he was not.
I favor the notion that he was not circumcised. If there was even a hint of the preformed idea to cast him into the Nile in an ark, his circumcision would mitigate against an Egyptian taking him in.
But, it is true that the daughter of Pharaoh was quick to observe the infant was a boy, and a Jewish boy. But, since the edict against the allowing Jewish male infants to live, she might well have instantly assumed he was Hebrew; with or without his foreskin.
There is no mention of him being raised in any awareness of his ancestry. Wouldn't it have been crystal clear for the Court to know Moses was a Hebrew? Reply

Eda Bierman PLAYA DEL REY, CA/ USA February 27, 2012

Moses' childhood in Egypt If Moses was born circumcised as a baby, would not the Egyptians who were caring for him get suspicious. Would they not report it to the Egyptian authorities that he was a Jewish child even if he was the adopted son of the Pharaoh's sister? Reply

Ali bengle London October 31, 2023

in response to Eda Bierman:

Circumcision was wide spread at the time, so no.
I was as an expat of British parents born in the South of Eygypt. My farther was a water engineer and away for a few weeks. My mother went into to labour early and sent to small local clinic. She was quite ill, and I was looked after by the administrator's wife. It took 3 weeks for my father to be contacted, and my mother was quite ill for a few more weeks.
By default I was circumcised and on 7th day my head was shaved. I have photos of the ceremony and other paper work.
Years later my female Muslim colleague, talking about her new grandson, explained he was going to be circumcised and head shaved etc. I told her my story, she offered to look at my paper work.
To my surprise she said I was essentially Muslim by default.
Long story short I married her younger daughter. I not religiosity but Reply

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