עָרֵל
𐤏𐤓𐤋
ʻârêl
H6188 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Uncircumcised; one who is not circumcised, specifically referring to the state of having an intact foreskin. In the Hebrew Bible, עָרֵל (ʻârêl) is most often used of males who have not undergone circumcision—a physical sign of covenant, especially among Israelites, but also used more generally for foreigners or those outside the Israelite religious and cultural sphere. Metaphorically, it can describe a lack of spiritual receptivity or impurity (e.g., 'uncircumcised in heart' or 'uncircumcised in lips'), signifying insensitivity or being closed off to instruction or relationship with Israel's God.
Semantic Range
uncircumcised (biologically), foreign or outsider (who is not circumcised), insensitive or closed in heart or speech (figurative), outsider in religious or covenantal sense
Root / Etymology
From the root ערל, which is linked to the core idea of being 'uncircumcised,' retaining or possessing the foreskin. The formation is denominative, as the noun עָרֵל is derived from the concept of foreskin, specifically indicating the state of having it. The root itself does not appear as a verb in biblical Hebrew; rather, the noun serves as the basis for related denominative verbs. There is no earlier verbal root documented with the sense 'to strip' or 'to expose' in this form. The term emphasizes lack of circumcision and, by extension, distance from covenantal identity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Israelite context, circumcision was a central covenantal marker from the time of Abraham onward (Genesis 17). The term עָרֵל is frequently applied to non-Israelite males (e.g., Philistines), distinguishing them from those included in the Abrahamic covenant. From the monarchic period onwards, being 'uncircumcised' was imbued with notions of cultural and religious otherness or impurity. Metaphoric extensions appear in the prophetic literature (e.g., 'uncircumcised heart,' Jeremiah 9:25–26) and in Exodus (uncircumcised lips), expressing spiritual dullness or unpreparedness. In post-exilic and later Jewish literature, the concept becomes more narrowly associated with religious and ethnic boundaries, which influenced later usage of 'uncircumcised' in English translations. The word differs from מוּל ('circumcised'), and its use denominates the absence rather than presence of covenantal status. English translations often limit עָרֵל to a biological sense, but biblical usage can be metaphorical and touch upon themes of identity and receptivity to God.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to strip; but used as denominative from עָרֵל; to expose or remove the prepuce, whether literal (to go naked) or figurative (to refrain from using); count uncircumcised, foreskin to be uncovered.
Bantu Hebrew
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ערל (ʿ-r-l) — to remain uncircumcised, to possess foreskin
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6188-02 |
וְ/הֵֽעָרֵ֑ל | vehearel | HC/VNv2ms |
and be uncovered | and be uncircumcised | 1 |
H6188-01 |
וַ/עֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם | vaaraletem | HC/Vqq2mp |
then you shall treat-as-uncircumcised | and you treated as uncircumcised | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6188-01 |
Leviticus 19:23 | וַ/עֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם | vaaraletem | HC/Vqq2mp |
then you shall treat-as-uncircumcised | and you treated as uncircumcised |
H6188-02 |
Habakkuk 2:16 | וְ/הֵֽעָרֵ֑ל | vehearel | HC/VNv2ms |
and be uncovered | and be uncircumcised |