Lexical Summary aperitmétos: Uncircumcised Original Word: ἀπερίτμητος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance uncircumcised. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of peritemno; uncircumcised (figuratively) -- uncircumcised. see GREEK a see GREEK peritemno HELPS Word-studies 564 aperítmētos (from 1 /A "without" and 4059 /peritémnō, "circumcise") – properly, "not cut around," referring to an uncircumcised male organ. 564 /aperítmētos ("uncircumcised") signifies "alienated from God" (rebelliously opposed to Him). 564 (aperítmētos), only used at Ac 7:51, figuratively refers to the unsaved – i.e. people standing outside (disobedient to) God's covenant. [564 (aperítmētos) literally refers to an uncircumcised foreskin, which stands for "being outside of God's covenant" – i.e. without the promise of His salvation.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and peritemnó Definition uncircumcised NASB Translation uncircumcised (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 564: ἀπερίτμητοςἀπερίτμητος, ἀπεριτμητον (περιτέμνω), uncircumcised; metaphorically, ἀπερίτμητοι τῇ καρδία (Jeremiah 9:26; Ezekiel 44:7) καί τοῖς ὠσί (Jeremiah 6:10) whose heart and ears are covered, i. e. whose soul and senses are closed to divine admonitions, obdurate, Acts 7:51. (Often in the Sept. for עָרֵל; 1 Macc. 1:48 1 Macc. 2:46; (Philo de migr. Abr. § 39); Plutarch, am. prol. 3.) Topical Lexicon Word and ConceptThe term denotes the state of being “uncircumcised,” yet in its single New Testament occurrence it transcends mere physical description. By coupling “heart” and “ears” (Acts 7:51), Scripture exposes a deeper issue: resistance to the covenant Lord and imperviousness to His word. Thus the word functions symbolically, gathering Old Testament prophetic warnings into one sharp indictment. Biblical Occurrence Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit—just as your fathers did.” Stephen addresses leaders who prided themselves on outward covenant signs. His charge exposes an internal condition that nullifies external ritual, echoing Jeremiah 6:10; 9:25 and Leviticus 26:41. Old Testament Background 1. Sign of the covenant: Genesis 17:10-14 establishes physical circumcision as the mark of belonging to Abraham’s family. Stephen’s phrase therefore stands in the line of Moses and the prophets, showing continuity between Testaments. Theological Significance • Rebellion unmasked: The word confronts the human tendency to trust symbols while ignoring submission (Isaiah 29:13). Historical Setting First-century Judaism regarded circumcision as a non-negotiable boundary marker (Josephus, Antiquities 20.38). To call a circumcised Jew “uncircumcised” was an inflammatory reversal of identity. Stephen’s martyrdom shows the charge’s potency; it exposed religious self-confidence and provoked lethal hostility (Acts 7:54-60). Practical Ministry Applications • Heart examination: Churches must emphasize inner transformation over external conformity (2 Corinthians 13:5). Related Themes and Scriptures Peritomē (circumcision) – Genesis 17:10; Philippians 3:3 Akrobustia (uncircumcision as a people) – Galatians 2:7; Ephesians 2:11 Stiff-necked rebellion – Exodus 32:9; 2 Chronicles 30:8 Hearing and responding – Isaiah 55:3; Matthew 13:15 Summary Strong’s Greek 564 captures the prophetic charge that covenant membership without Spirit-wrought renewal is empty. In Acts 7:51 it crystallizes the clash between external religion and genuine faith, pressing every generation to seek the circumcision “made without hands” in Christ. Forms and Transliterations απερίτμητα απεριτμητοι απερίτμητοι ἀπερίτμητοι απερίτμητος απεριτμήτου απεριτμήτους απεριτμήτων aperitmetoi aperitmētoi aperítmetoi aperítmētoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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