will be cut off: This punishment seems to have several applications. A person could be exiled from society or put to death by the community; most often it warned that a person might die prematurely (see Exodus 31:14; Leviticus 7:20–27; 17:3–4; 20:17–18; 23:28–29; Numbers 15:30–31; see also Psalm 31:22; Ezekiel 21:4; Romans 9:3; 11:22).
Failure to be circumcised was a serious violation of the covenant (see Exodus 4:24–26; compare Galatians 5:2–4).