Lexical Summary
arel: uncircumcised, unskilled, closed
Original Word:עָרֵל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:`arel
Pronunciation:ah-REL
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-rale')
KJV: uncircumcised (person)
NASB:uncircumcised, unskilled, closed, forbidden
Word Origin:[romH6188 (עָרֵל - count)]
1. (properly) exposed, i.e. projecting loose (as to the prepuce)
2. used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
uncircumcised person
Romarel; properly, exposed, i.e. Projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e. Still having the prepuce uncurtailed) -- uncircumcised (person).
see HEBREWarel
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
orlahDefinitionhaving foreskin (uncircumcised)
NASB Translationclosed (1), forbidden (1), uncircumcised (31), unskilled (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
35 , i.e. uncircumcised; —
Exodus 12:48 5t.; construct
Ezekiel 44:9 (twice in verse);
Exodus 6:12,30; feminine
Jeremiah 6:10; plural
Leviticus 19:23 20t.; construct
Jeremiah 9:25 2t.; —
uncircumcised personExodus 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 so Hi and most (see on meaning Toy
31, 18);
uncircumcised maleGenesis 17:14 (P);
Ezekiel 44:7,9
uncircumcised of flesh; figurative of fruit trees
Leviticus 19:23 (compare [] above); figurative of incapacity to speak
Exodus 6:12,30; of character,
Jeremiah 9:25;
Ezekiel 44:7,9, compare
Leviticus 26:41 (P),
Jeremiah 6:10their ear is uncircumcised (unreceptive).
, , see f
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeעָרֵל (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:
• “I am of uncircumcised lips” (Exodus 6:12, 30), expressing personal inadequacy before God’s holy calling.
• “Their uncircumcised hearts” (Leviticus 26:41) must be humbled in exile.
• “Their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen” (Jeremiah 6:10).
• “All the house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart” (Jeremiah 9:26).
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 ofEzekiel 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.
2. Discipleship should cultivate “circumcised ears” and lips—humble hearing and obedient speech.
3. The church’s holiness requires clear boundaries while extending grace to those who, like the Exodus sojourners, submit to God’s covenant through faith in Christ.
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·rel
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