מוּל (mul)
mul
to circumcise
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb mul signifies the act of circumcision, encompassing both the physical removal of foreskin and the passive state of being cut. In the Old Testament, it appears thirty-one times, with significant occurrences in Genesis and Joshua where the covenant sign is established and renewed. The word covers the active command to circumcise, the reflexive action of undergoing the procedure, and even figurative uses describing things being cut off or blunted.
A notable feature of this verb is its flexibility across Hebrew verb stems. While the Qal stem denotes the standard act of circumcision, the Hithpolel stem shifts the meaning to "be cut off," a usage seen in Psalm 58:8 where arrows are described as being made blunt or cut short. This linguistic range connects the physical ritual with broader concepts of removal and termination.
The theological weight of mul centers on identity and covenant. In Genesis 17, God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and his household, establishing it as an everlasting sign of the relationship between God and His people. Later, in Joshua 5, the practice is restored for a new generation before they enter the Promised Land, marking a transition from wilderness wandering to settled inheritance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mul points to a physical act with deep spiritual roots. In Genesis 17, God establishes circumcision as a visible sign of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. This was not merely a cultural marker but a divine instruction that shaped the identity of Israel for generations.
While the ritual itself is specific to the Old Testament context, the underlying theme remains relevant. The prophets later used this imagery to describe an internal transformation, asking God to remove hardness from the heart so people could love Him fully. This shift invites us to consider how we respond to God’s commitments in our own lives.
Understanding this word helps clarify the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. It reminds us that God values obedience and seeks a genuine relationship with His people, one that moves beyond external forms to inner devotion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will be circumcised4×
- and/ he circumcised3×
- I fended off/ them3×
- when/ was circumcised/ he2×
- people had circumcised2×
- he circumcised2×
- by/ being circumcised2×
- and/ you will circumcise2×
- when/ has been circumcised1×
- to/ be circumcised1×
- they will be circumcised1×
- they were circumcised1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲמִילַֽ/ם\׃3×
- מָ֣ל2×
- לְ/הִמּ֑וֹל2×
- נִמֹּלִֽים\׃1×
- נִמֹּ֖לוּ1×
- נִמּ֖וֹל1×
- מֻלִ֣ים1×
- מֹ֥ל1×
- מָֽלוּ\׃1×
- מָ֥לוּ1×
- לְ/הִמֹּ֥ל1×
- יִמּוֹל֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 17:10
This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised.
This verse establishes the foundational command for circumcision as the specific sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's lineage.
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Genesis 17:13
He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Here the ritual is described as an everlasting covenant, emphasizing its permanent significance in the relationship between God and His people.
-
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
This occurrence shifts the meaning from physical removal to a spiritual plea for humility, urging the heart to be open to God.
-
Joshua 5:2
At that time, Yahweh said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”
The renewal of circumcision before entering the Promised Land marks a fresh start and reaffirmation of the covenant for a new generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Every Occurrence (31 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 15 verses
This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall…
Genesis 17:11You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.
Genesis 17:12He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the…
Genesis 17:13He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your…
Genesis 17:14The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people.…
Genesis 17:23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among…
Genesis 17:24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 17:25Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 17:26In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised.
Genesis 17:27All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with…
Genesis 21:4Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Genesis 34:15Only on this condition will we consent to you. If you will be as we are, that every male of you be circumcised,
Genesis 34:17But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our sister, and we will be gone.”
Genesis 34:22Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people, if every male among us is…
Genesis 34:24All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all…