In ancient Israel, when non - Jews became proselytes, they had to submit to the Mosaic Law, and males had to symbolize this by getting circumcised.
Mittejuudid, kellest muistses Iisraelis said proselüüdid, pidid alluma Moosese seadusele ning mehed pidid selle sümboliks laskma end ümber lõigata.