Lexical Summary arel: uncircumcised, unskilled, closed Original Word: עָרֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance uncircumcised person Rom arel; properly, exposed, i.e. Projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e. Still having the prepuce uncurtailed) -- uncircumcised (person). see HEBREW arel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as orlah Definition having foreskin (uncircumcised) NASB Translation closed (1), forbidden (1), uncircumcised (31), unskilled (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָרֵל35 adjective having foreskin, i.e. uncircumcised; — ׳ע Exodus 12:48 5t.; construct עֶ֫רֶל Ezekiel 44:9 (twice in verse); עֲרַל Exodus 6:12,30; feminine עֲרִלָה Jeremiah 6:10; plural עֲרִלִים Leviticus 19:23 20t.; construct עַרְלֵי Jeremiah 9:25 2t.; — uncircumcised person Exodus 12:48; Joshua 5:7 (P), Philistines Judges 14:3; Judges 15:18; 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 17:26,36; 1 Samuel 31:4; 2 Samuel 1:20; 1 Chronicles 10:4; of other nations Isaiah 52:1; Jeremiah 9:25; especially as slain Ezekiel 28:10; Ezekiel 31:18; Ezekiel 32:19 9t. 32; in Ezekiel 32:27 read מֵעוֺלָם so Hi and most (see on meaning Toy31, 18); עָרֵל זָכָר uncircumcised male Genesis 17:14 (P); בָּשָׂר ׳ע Ezekiel 44:7,9 uncircumcised of flesh; figurative of fruit trees Leviticus 19:23 (compare [עָרַל] above); שְׂפָתַיִם ׳ע figurative of incapacity to speak Exodus 6:12,30; of character, לב ׳ע Jeremiah 9:25; Ezekiel 44:7,9, compare לֵבָבָם הֶעָרֵל Leviticus 26:41 (P), עֲרֵלָה אָזְנָם Jeremiah 6:10 their ear is uncircumcised (unreceptive). עֵרֹם, עָרֹם, עָרוֺם see עור f Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope עָרֵל (arel) refers to one who is “uncircumcised.” The term appears about thirty-five times, almost always in the plural, and functions both literally (of the male without the covenant sign) and figuratively (of resistant lips, heart, or ears). Physical Circumcision and Covenant Identity Circumcision was established with Abraham as the token of the everlasting covenant (Genesis 17). The uncircumcised male was to be “cut off from his people” (Genesis 17:14). In the Exodus legislation, the “uncircumcised” were barred from Passover (Exodus 12:48). Hence עָרֵל identified those outside the covenant community. Israel’s very existence, worship, and inheritance were linked to remaining distinct from the עָרֵלִים. Distinctiveness from the Nations The Philistines are repeatedly labeled “uncircumcised,” marking them as the archetypal outsiders (Judges 14:3; 1 Samuel 17:26, 36). David’s challenge—“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)—reflects the theological confidence that flows from covenant privilege. Saul’s fear, “lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me” (1 Samuel 31:4), shows the shame associated with dying at the hands of covenant strangers. Symbolic Use: Lips, Heart, Ears The prophets and Torah extend the term to inner faculties: The physical sign points to a deeper moral and spiritual demand: receptivity to God’s word and loyalty to His covenant. Prophetic and Priestly Applications Ezekiel picks up עָרֵל to condemn pagan arrogance (Ezekiel 31:18) and to pronounce woe on Egypt and her allies consigned to the grave “with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword” (Ezekiel 32:19–32). Within the restored temple vision he guards holiness: “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart or flesh is to enter My sanctuary” (Ezekiel 44:7, 9). The priest-prophet thus re-affirms both the outward rite and the inward reality. Consequences of Remaining Uncircumcised The unyielding עָרֵל bears covenant curse—exclusion from worship, military defeat, exile, and ultimately death. The graphic burial scenes of Ezekiel 32 portray uncircumcision as final disgrace. Conversely, adoption of the sign (with faith) opened the way for foreigners to “draw near and keep the Passover” (Exodus 12:48), demonstrating the grace of God to the nations when they submit to His covenant. Historical Narratives Samson’s parents object to a marriage alliance because it would mingle Israel with “the uncircumcised Philistines” (Judges 14:3). David proudly distinguishes covenant warriors from uncircumcised foes (1 Samuel 17). Saul’s demise at Philistine hands and the lament, “Tell it not in Gath… lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult” (2 Samuel 1:20), expose the humiliation awaiting covenant breakers. Extension to the Nations and the New Covenant While עָרֵל stands for exclusion, Scripture anticipates a day when Gentiles may belong: “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely exclude me from His people’” (Isaiah 56:3). The New Testament echoes the heart circumcision theme (Romans 2:25-29; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11), affirming that physical circumcision pointed to a spiritual work fulfilled in Christ. Thus the barrier signified by עָרֵל is overcome in the gospel, yet the moral call—heart loyalty—remains. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Gospel proclamation must press beyond outward forms to heart transformation, yet without denying the historicity and value of God’s covenant signs. Selected Occurrences Genesis 17:14; Exodus 6:12, 30; 12:48; Leviticus 26:41; Judges 14:3; 1 Samuel 14:6; 17:26, 36; 31:4; 2 Samuel 1:20; Jeremiah 6:10; 9:25-26; Ezekiel 31:18; 32:19, 21, 24-32; 44:7, 9. Forms and Transliterations הֶֽעָרֵ֔ל הֶֽעָרֵל֙ הֶעָרֵ֤ל הָעֲרֵלִ֑ים הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים הָעֲרֵלִ֣ים הָעֲרֵלִ֤ים הָעֲרֵלִ֨ים הָעֲרֵלִֽים׃ הערל הערלים הערלים׃ וְעֶ֣רֶל וְעַרְלֵ֣י וְעָרֵ֣ל ׀ וערל וערלי מֵעֲרֵלִ֑ים מערלים עֲרֵלִ֔ים עֲרֵלִ֖ים עֲרֵלִ֛ים עֲרֵלִ֜ים עֲרֵלִ֣ים עֲרֵלִ֣ים ׀ עֲרֵלִ֤ים עֲרֵלִ֥ים עֲרֵלִֽים׃ עֲרֵלִים֙ עֲרֵלָ֣ה עֲרַ֣ל עֲרַ֥ל עֶ֤רֶל עַרְלֵי־ עָרֵ֖ל עָרֵ֥ל ערל ערלה ערלי־ ערלים ערלים׃ ‘ă·ral ‘ă·rê·lāh ‘ă·rê·lîm ‘ā·rêl ‘ar·lê- ‘ăral ‘ārêl ‘ărêlāh ‘ărêlîm ‘arlê- ‘e·rel ‘erel aRal aRel areLah areLim arlei Erel hā‘ărêlîm hā·‘ă·rê·lîm haareLim he‘ārêl he·‘ā·rêl heaRel mê‘ărêlîm mê·‘ă·rê·lîm meareLim veaRel vearLei veErel wə‘ārêl wə‘arlê wə‘erel wə·‘ā·rêl wə·‘ar·lê wə·‘e·relLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 17:14 HEB: וְעָרֵ֣ל ׀ זָכָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר NAS: But an uncircumcised male who KJV: And the uncircumcised man child whose INT: an uncircumcised male who Exodus 6:12 Exodus 6:30 Exodus 12:48 Leviticus 19:23 Leviticus 26:41 Joshua 5:7 Judges 14:3 Judges 15:18 1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 17:26 1 Samuel 17:36 1 Samuel 31:4 2 Samuel 1:20 1 Chronicles 10:4 Isaiah 52:1 Jeremiah 6:10 Jeremiah 9:26 Jeremiah 9:26 Ezekiel 28:10 Ezekiel 31:18 Ezekiel 32:19 Ezekiel 32:21 Ezekiel 32:24 Ezekiel 32:25 35 Occurrences |
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