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עָרֵל

𐤏𐤓𐤋

ʻârêl

H6189 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ערל to be uncircumcised, to have foreskin

Definition

Primarily denotes 'uncircumcised,' referring to a male whose foreskin has not been removed. The term functions both in a literal, physical sense and in extended metaphorical uses. Literal: an individual, especially a male, who has not undergone circumcision. Figurative: used to denote those considered outside the covenantal relationship associated with Israelites, or more generally as a term for non-Israelites or those seen as ritually or morally 'unclean.' The term can also be applied metaphorically to parts of the body (e.g., 'uncircumcised heart' or 'uncircumcised lips'), signifying insensitivity, impurity, or lack of receptivity.

Semantic Range

uncircumcised (male); uncircumcised (body part: heart, ear, lips—figurative sense); non-Israelite (as pejorative or distinctive label); insensible, unreceptive, ritually impure (figurative sense)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ערל, which primarily means 'to be uncircumcised' or 'to have foreskin.' The form עָרֵל is an adjective meaning 'uncircumcised.' The root conveys the state of having an unremoved foreskin, but in usage the term develops broader metaphorical senses.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עָרֵל is most often used to describe non-Israelite males as 'uncircumcised,' marking them as outside the covenantal sign given to Abraham's descendants (cf. Genesis 17). The term could be pejorative or simply descriptive, depending on context, and became a distinguishing marker between Israelites and their neighbors. In later prophetic literature, metaphorical uses appear: 'uncircumcised in heart' (Jeremiah 9:25[26]), indicating moral or spiritual insensitivity or impurity, and 'uncircumcised lips' (Exodus 6:12), suggesting speech impediment or inability to communicate effectively. The term also appears in contrast to מוּל (mul, 'circumcised'). English translations typically use 'uncircumcised,' but this can obscure the broader metaphorical connotations present in biblical texts. In later periods, the term could be associated with foreignness or religious outsider status, but originally it was a physical and covenantal designation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָרֵל; properly, exposed, i.e. projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically,; uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed); uncircumcised (person).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערל (ʿ-r-l) — to be uncircumcised, to have foreskin

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6188 עָרֵל and you treated as uncircumcised
H6190 עׇרְלָה foreskin

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6189-05 עֲרֵלִ֖ים arelim HAampa uncircumcised uncircumcised males 13
H6189-07 הָ/עֲרֵלִ֑ים haarelim HTd/Aampa the uncircumcised the uncircumcised ones 7
H6189-08 הֶֽ/עָרֵ֔ל hearel HTd/Aamsa uncircumcised uncircumcised male 3
H6189-01 עֲרַ֥ל aral HAamsc uncircumcised of uncircumcised-of 2
H6189-04 עַרְלֵי areley HAampc uncircumcised uncircumcised ones of 2
H6189-02 עָרֵ֖ל arel HAamsa uncircumcised uncircumcised one 2
H6189-06 עֶ֤רֶל erel HAamsc uncircumcised uncircumcised male 1
H6189-10 וְ/עָרֵ֣ל vearel HC/Aamsa and uncircumcised uncircumcised male 1
H6189-03 עֲרֵלָ֣ה arelah HAafsa uncircumcised foreskinned state 1
H6189-11 וְ/עַרְלֵ֣י veareley HC/Aampc and uncircumcised uncircumcised males of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

35 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6189-10 Genesis 17:14 וְ/עָרֵ֣ל vearel HC/Aamsa and uncircumcised uncircumcised male
H6189-01 Exodus 6:12 עֲרַ֥ל aral HAamsc uncircumcised of uncircumcised-of
H6189-01 Exodus 6:30 עֲרַ֣ל aral HAamsc uncircumcised of uncircumcised-of
H6189-02 Exodus 12:48 עָרֵ֖ל arel HAamsa uncircumcised person uncircumcised one
H6189-05 Leviticus 19:23 עֲרֵלִ֖ים arelim HAampa uncircumcised uncircumcised males
H6189-08 Leviticus 26:41 הֶֽ/עָרֵ֔ל hearel HTd/Aamsa uncircumcised uncircumcised male
H6189-05 Joshua 5:7 עֲרֵלִ֣ים arelim HAampa uncircumcised uncircumcised males
H6189-07 Judges 14:3 הָ/עֲרֵלִ֑ים haarelim HTd/Aampa the uncircumcised the uncircumcised ones
H6189-07 Judges 15:18 הָ/עֲרֵלִֽים haarelim HTd/Aampa the uncircumcised the uncircumcised ones
H6189-07 1 Samuel 14:6 הָ/עֲרֵלִ֣ים haarelim HTd/Aampa of these uncircumcised the uncircumcised ones
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