עׇרְלָה
𐤏𐤓𐤋𐤄
ʻorlâh
H6190 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Foreskin; the anatomical fold of skin covering the glans of the male genitalia, often as the object or result of circumcision. The term also extends metaphorically in biblical Hebrew to describe a state of ritual, moral, or spiritual insensitivity or impurity (e.g., 'uncircumcised heart', 'uncircumcised lips'). In halakhic/legal usage, עׇרְלָה denotes both literal foreskin and, by analogy, anything considered untouched, withheld, or unfit for sacred use, especially in reference to the first fruits of a tree during the first three years after planting under Israelite law (Leviticus 19:23).
Semantic Range
foreskin (anatomical), object of circumcision, condition of being uncircumcised, figurative barrier (heart, lips, ears), forbidden first fruits
Root / Etymology
From the root ערל, which conveys the idea of being covered, closed, or uncircumcised. The form עׇרְלָה is a feminine noun derived from this root, signifying specifically the foreskin or something covered/untouched. While the basic meaning is anatomical, the derivation extends metaphorically in some contexts to other blocked or unreceptive things.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Torah, עׇרְלָה primarily refers to the male foreskin—most notably as the object of circumcision, a key Israelite rite of identity (Genesis 17; Exodus 4). By extension, 'orlah' is used metaphorically for other barriers: 'uncircumcised heart' (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4) and 'uncircumcised lips' (Exodus 6:12, 30) express stubbornness, insensitivity, or an impediment to responsiveness toward YHWH. In Levitical law (Leviticus 19:23), the fruit of a tree in its first three years is called 'orlah,' meaning it is ritually forbidden, set apart, or 'uncircumcised'—not because of any literal anatomical analogy, but as an extension of the idea of being blocked or unfit for holy use. Translation traditions often render עׇרְלָה as "foreskin," but this can miss the broader metaphorical and ritual usage. English translations that read "uncircumcised" for related forms sometimes bring later theological interpretations not present in the original Hebrew contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of עָרֵל; the prepuce; foreskin, [phrase] uncircumcised.
Bantu Hebrew
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ערל (ʿ-r-l) — to cover, be closed, be uncircumcised
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6190-05 |
עָרְלָת֔/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
of his foreskin | his foreskin | 5 |
H6190-06 |
עָרְל֣וֹת | arelot | HNcfpc |
foreskins | foreskins of | 3 |
H6190-02 |
עָרְלַ֣ת | arelat | HNcfsc |
the foreskin of | foreskin of | 2 |
H6190-09 |
הָ/עֲרָלֽוֹת | haaralot | HTd/Ncfpa |
of the foreskins | the foreskins | 1 |
H6190-03 |
עָרְלָתָ֗/ם | arelatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
of their foreskins | their foreskin | 1 |
H6190-08 |
בְּ/עָרְלָֽה | bearelah | HR/Ncfsa |
in uncircumcision | in foreskin | 1 |
H6190-07 |
עָרְלֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם | areloteyhem | HNcfpc/Sp3mp |
their foreskins | their foreskins | 1 |
H6190-04 |
עָרְלַתְ/כֶ֑ם | arelatekhem | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
of your foreskin | your foreskin | 1 |
H6190-01 |
עָרְלָ֑ה | arelah | HNcfsa |
a foreskin/is uncircumcised | foreskin | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6190-04 |
Genesis 17:11 | עָרְלַתְ/כֶ֑ם | arelatekhem | HNcfsc/Sp2mp |
of your foreskin | your foreskin |
H6190-05 |
Genesis 17:14 | עָרְלָת֔/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
of his foreskin | his foreskin |
H6190-03 |
Genesis 17:23 | עָרְלָתָ֗/ם | arelatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
of their foreskins | their foreskin |
H6190-05 |
Genesis 17:24 | עָרְלָתֽ/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
of his foreskin | his foreskin |
H6190-05 |
Genesis 17:25 | עָרְלָתֽ/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
of his foreskin | his foreskin |
H6190-01 |
Genesis 34:14 | עָרְלָ֑ה | arelah | HNcfsa |
a foreskin/is uncircumcised | foreskin |
H6190-02 |
Exodus 4:25 | עָרְלַ֣ת | arelat | HNcfsc |
the foreskin of | foreskin of |
H6190-05 |
Leviticus 12:3 | עָרְלָתֽ/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his foreskin | his foreskin |
H6190-05 |
Leviticus 19:23 | עָרְלָת֖/וֹ | arelato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its uncircumcision | his foreskin |
H6190-02 |
Deuteronomy 10:16 | עָרְלַ֣ת | arelat | HNcfsc |
foreskin | foreskin of |