ἀπερίτμητος (aperitmētos)
aperitmētos
uncircumcised
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective aperitmētos simply means "uncircumcised," describing a physical state of not having undergone the ritual cutting prescribed in Jewish law. It is formed from the negative prefix a- and the root for circumcision, serving as the direct Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word aral used in the Septuagint.
While it denotes a bodily condition, the term carries significant theological weight when applied metaphorically. In Acts 7:51, Stephen uses it to describe people who are "uncircumcised in heart and ears," suggesting that their souls and senses are closed off to divine instruction. This usage shifts the focus from physical lineage to spiritual responsiveness.
The word appears only once in the New Testament, making its contextual impact particularly sharp. By applying this term to the religious leaders of his day, the text highlights a stark contrast between external ritual observance and internal receptivity to God's message, emphasizing that true circumcision is a matter of the heart rather than the flesh.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἀπερὴτμητος describes a physical state of being uncircumcised, yet its single appearance in the New Testament carries a deeper spiritual weight. In Acts 7:51, Stephen uses this term to challenge religious leaders who maintained outward rituals while resisting the Holy Spirit internally. This contrast reminds us that true faith is not measured by external markers but by an open heart ready to receive God’s truth.
For your daily life, this word invites reflection on where you might be relying on appearances rather than genuine connection with God. It encourages a focus on inner transformation and responsiveness to divine guidance. By prioritizing spiritual openness over mere ritual, you align yourself with the core of Christian faith, which values the condition of the heart above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- uncircumcised1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπερίτμητοι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
Stephen uses this word to highlight that external religious observance is meaningless if the heart remains closed to God's Spirit.