Lexical Summary aral: count, expose your own nakedness Original Word: עָרֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance count uncircumcised, foreskin to be uncovered A primitive root; properly, to strip; but used as denominative from arel; to expose or remove the prepuce, whether literal (to go naked) or figurative (to refrain from using) -- count uncircumcised, foreskin to be uncovered. see HEBREW arel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from orlah Definition to count as foreskin (as uncircumcised) NASB Translation count (1), expose your own nakedness (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָרַל] verb denominative count as foreskin, i.e. as uncircumcised; — Qal Perfect2masculine plural, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb וַעֲרַלְתֶּם עָרְלָתוֺ Leviticus 19:23 ye shall regard its fruit as uncircumcised, and not eat it (for three years) (> SS remove its foreskin (its fruit), as ᵑ9, compare ᵐ5 περικαθαριεῖτε τὴν ἀκαθαπσίαν αὐτοῦ). Niph`al Imperative הֵעָרֵל Habakkuk 2:16 be counted uncircumcised, i.e. be object of mockery; but dubious, read probably הֵרָעֵל reel (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 We Now BuhlLex). Topical Lexicon Concept and Range of Meaning The term עָרֵל appears twice in the Hebrew canon as a descriptive adjective meaning “uncircumcised” or “still under the foreskin.” In its limited but pointed usage it signals what is withheld from covenant fellowship with God, whether the subject is a fruit tree whose produce is not yet dedicated or a nation whose shameful exposure invites judgment. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Leviticus 19:23 introduces the word within agricultural law: “When you enter the land and plant any kind of tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years it will be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten”. The verb “regard” translates the instruction to treat the fruit as עָרֵל. Ceremonial Significance in Leviticus • Separation unto God: Circumcision under the Abrahamic covenant marked the eighth-day male child as belonging to the Lord. Likewise, the first three years of fruit belong symbolically to Him, untasted by Israel until the fourth year when it is presented as praise (Leviticus 19:24). Prophetic and Moral Overtones in Habakkuk • Exposure of Covenant Rejection: Babylon’s figurative “foreskin” reveals a nation outside covenant privilege, ripe for wrath. Extension Beyond Physical Circumcision Although עָרֵל itself is not used of heart, lips, or ears, its thematic background illuminates passages that do employ the broader concept (for example, Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 6:10; Acts 7:51). Physical removal of the foreskin becomes a metaphor for removing rebellion and dullness, calling God’s people to inner consecration. Historical and Cultural Perspective In the Ancient Near Eastern context circumcision often marked social identity, yet Scripture anchors it in covenant. By labeling untouchable fruit עָרֵל, Moses emphatically ties horticulture to covenant theology. Centuries later, Habakkuk transforms the image into a taunt song against imperial arrogance, showing prophetic flexibility with earlier Torah language. Ministry Implications • Teaching Stewardship: The Levitical usage encourages modern believers to dedicate “first produce” (income, gifts, talents) before personal consumption. Christological and New Testament Resonance Colossians 2:11–13 presents the cross as the believer’s true circumcision, “not performed by human hands.” The isolation of fruit and the shame of Babylon converge at Calvary: what is withheld becomes offered, and what is exposed is covered by grace. Christ fulfills the demand of עָרֵל both by dedicating Himself entirely to the Father and by bearing the disgrace of the uncircumcised so that in Him “there is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). Forms and Transliterations וְהֵֽעָרֵ֑ל וַעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם והערל וערלתם vaaralTem veheaRel wa‘ăraltem wa·‘ă·ral·tem wə·hê·‘ā·rêl wəhê‘ārêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 19:23 HEB: עֵ֣ץ מַאֲכָ֔ל וַעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם עָרְלָת֖וֹ אֶת־ NAS: for food, then you shall count their fruit KJV: the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three INT: of trees food shall count forbidden their fruit Habakkuk 2:16 2 Occurrences |
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