מוּלָה
𐤌𐤅𐤋𐤄
mûwlâh
H4139 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ritual circumcision, specifically the act or institution of removing the foreskin as practiced in ancient Israelite society, typically as a sign of covenantal identity. Also refers, in some passages, to the state of being circumcised or the collective circumcised group.
Semantic Range
ritual circumcision, act of circumcising, state of being circumcised; covenant sign; the collective group of circumcised persons
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root מול (mwl), meaning 'to cut, circumcise'. מוּלָה (mûwlâh) is the abstract noun form, denoting the act or state of circumcision rather than the process or tool.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מוּלָה is a rare term in Biblical Hebrew, primarily attested in poetic or legal passages. In Pentateuchal texts, the more common term for circumcision is מִילָה (milah), though both derive from the same root. The practice of circumcision (מוּלָה) was a mark of covenantal membership among Israelites from the patriarchal period onward, distinguishing them from other groups in the ancient Near East. In narrative and legislative contexts, מוּלָה can indicate both the ritual act itself and, metonymically, those who have undergone the procedure. While later translations use terms like 'circumcision,' the broader socioreligious significance in the Hebrew Bible often exceeds the physical meaning. English religious terminology ('circumcision') often abstracts from the legal or communal implications that the Hebrew term carries, especially in its original covenantal setting.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מוּל; circumcision; circumcision.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מול (m-w-l) — to circumcise, to cut, to remove the foreskin
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4139-01 |
לַ/מּוּלֹֽת | lamulot | HRd/Ncfpa |
because of the circumcision | for the circumcisions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4139-01 |
Exodus 4:26 | לַ/מּוּלֹֽת | lamulot | HRd/Ncfpa |
because of the circumcision | for the circumcisions |