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ἀκροβυστία

akrobystía

G203 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Foreskin; specifically, the physical foreskin of the male genitalia. By extension, the condition or state of being uncircumcised, distinguishing those who have not undergone circumcision from those who have. In some contexts, used collectively to refer to non-circumcised peoples, especially non-Israelites. Figuratively, it can denote those not participating in Israelite covenantal identity or practices, especially within Jewish and early Christian discourse.

Semantic Range

foreskin (literal), the state of being uncircumcised, non-circumcised peoples (especially Gentiles), a collective for non-Israelite identity, metaphorical 'outsider' to the covenant community

Root / Etymology

From ἄκρον (the tip, extremity) and βυστός, a root meaning 'to cover'; thus, literally, 'the covering at the extremity.' The word's second element, βυστ-, is otherwise unattested, and its exact etymology is uncertain. It may be modeled partly on a Hebrew equivalent (עָרְלָה, 'arelâ', foreskin).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀκροβυστία simply means 'foreskin,' a term without inherent social or religious significance. In Hellenistic and especially Jewish Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term designates (1) the literal foreskin, as in discussions of physical circumcision, and (2) those who are not circumcised, a status marker often applied to non-Israelite peoples, particularly Greeks and other Gentiles. In Jewish literature of the Second Temple and Roman period, ἀκροβυστία functions as the counterpart of περιτομή ('circumcision'), creating a sharp distinction in religious and socio-cultural identity. In the New Testament, the term acquires layered meanings, sometimes referring metaphorically to those outside the covenant community or (in Pauline usage) to a state of separation from the ritual, cultural, or spiritual identity of the 'circumcised.' English Bibles commonly translate the word as 'uncircumcision,' 'those of the uncircumcision,' or 'the foreskin,' but rarely communicate the full socio-religious implications. Unlike Ἕλλην ('Greek') or ἔθνη ('nations, Gentiles'), ἀκροβυστία marks a visible sign and carries legal-religious significance distinct from mere ethnicity.

Translation Consistency

primary "uncircumcised" 20 occurrences

Most English translations and the attested P2 renderings use “uncircumcised.” This form naturally covers both the state (uncircumcision) and people described collectively (“the uncircumcised”), and reads more naturally than the literal but graphic “foreskin.” It matches the typical semantic range in context (physical state, covenantal outsider, Gentiles).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἄκρον and probably a modified form of (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:--not circumcised, uncircumcised (with ἔχω), uncircumcision.

Root Family

ἀκροβυστία (akrobystia) — foreskin, uncircumcised condition, uncircumcised person(s)

Root ἀκροβυστ- foreskin, uncircumcised condition, uncircumcised person(s)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G203-01 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia N NOM F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition 15
G203-02 ἀκροβυστίαν akrobustian N ACC F SG the uncircumcision foreskin / uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition 3
G203-03 ἀκροβυστίας akrobustias N GEN F SG uncircumcision of foreskin of being uncircumcised 2

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G203-02 Acts 11:3 ἀκροβυστίαν akrobustian N ACC F SG uncircumcised foreskin / uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 2:25 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia N NOM F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 2:26 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia N NOM F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 2:26 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia-2 N NOM F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 2:27 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia N NOM F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-02 Romans 3:30 ἀκροβυστίαν akrobustian N ACC F SG the uncircumcision foreskin / uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-02 Romans 4:9 ἀκροβυστίαν akrobustian N ACC F SG uncircumcision foreskin / uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 4:10 ἀκροβυστίᾳ akrobustia N DAT F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 4:10 ἀκροβυστίᾳ akrobustia-2 N DAT F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
G203-01 Romans 4:11 ἀκροβυστίᾳ akrobustia N DAT F SG uncircumcision uncircumcised condition uncircumcised condition
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