English · KJV
H6188

עָרֵל

ʻârêl /aw-rale'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to strip; but used as denominative from עָרֵל; to expose or remove the prepuce, whether literal (to go naked) or figurative (to refrain from using)
KJV usagecount uncircumcised, foreskin to be uncovered.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻârêl — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻârêl, represented by H6188, is a primitive root used to mean stripping or exposing. As a denominative, it refers to exposing or removing the prepuce, or more broadly, to count something as uncircumcised and refrain from using it. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, carrying both a literal and figurative weight.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H6188 is applied in two distinct contexts. In the Law, it establishes an agricultural prohibition. When the Israelites plant H5193 new trees H6086 for food H3978, they are commanded to count the fruit H6529 thereof as uncircumcised for three H7969 years H8141, meaning it is not to be eaten H398 Leviticus 19:23. Figuratively, the word is used by the prophet Habakkuk to describe intense judgment and disgrace. Those filled with shame H7036 rather than glory H3519 are told to drink H8354 from the cup H3563 of the LORD's H3068 judgment, and as a result, must "let thy foreskin be uncovered" Habakkuk 2:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of H6188:

  • H6189 ʻârêl (uncircumcised (person)): This is the adjectival form, describing someone as literally uncircumcised or, metaphorically, having an uncircumcised heart or ear Jeremiah 9:26. It is used in Leviticus 19:23 to describe the state of the fruit.
  • H6190 ʻorlâh (foreskin): This noun, also used in Leviticus 19:23, refers to the physical foreskin Genesis 17:14 and is extended metaphorically to the heart, as in the command to remove the "foreskins of your heart" Jeremiah 4:4.
  • H6529 pᵉrîy (fruit): The object that is to be counted as "uncircumcised" in Leviticus 19:23 is the fruit of the tree, extending the concept of being set apart from people to the produce of the land.
  • H7036 qâlôwn (disgrace; shame): This term is used in parallel with the action of H6188 in Habakkuk 2:16, where being filled with shame is directly connected to the humiliating exposure of being uncovered.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6188 is evident in its dual application.

  • Agricultural Consecration: The law in Leviticus 19:23 uses the term to set a boundary, treating the initial fruit as ritually prohibited. This establishes a principle of patience and acknowledges a period of maturation before the produce can be used, connecting the land's yield to divine order.
  • Metaphor for Judgment: In Habakkuk 2:16, having one's foreskin uncovered is a powerful metaphor for being exposed to utter humiliation and divine wrath. It signifies the stripping away of all glory H3519 and honor, leaving one vulnerable and disgraced before others.
  • Literal and Figurative Bridge: The word illustrates how a concrete physical state—uncircumcision—is used to communicate broader spiritual and ritual concepts. It can describe fruit that is not ready for use or a person who is subjected to the deepest form of shame.

Summary

In summary, H6188 is a specific term that means to expose or count as uncircumcised. Though rare, its uses are significant, defining a ritual state for agricultural produce in the Law and serving as a powerful image of disgrace and judgment in the prophets. It effectively demonstrates how the Bible applies physical concepts to teach lessons about consecration, patience, and the consequences of turning away from God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הֵעָרֵל
  • עֲרַלְתֶּם

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5193 נָטַע a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant( H6086 עֵץ from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, H3978 מַאֲכָל from אָכַל; an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit); food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. H6529 פְּרִי from פָּרָה; fruit (literally or figuratively); bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. H7969 שָׁלוֹשׁ or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) t H8141 שָׁנֶה (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phras

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus and Habakkuk (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Leviticus
1
Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.