מוּלָה (mu.lah)
mu.lah
circumcision
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun mûlâ refers to the act or state of circumcision, appearing in the Hebrew Bible as a feminine singular substantive that denotes the physical sign of the covenant between God and Israel. Its occurrence is rare, with the primary attestation found in Exodus 4:26, where Zipporah performs the rite on her son to avert divine anger against Moses.
This single narrative instance highlights the seriousness of the commandment; the text presents circumcision not merely as a cultural custom but as an essential marker of identity and obedience that cannot be neglected, even in urgent circumstances. The word itself derives from the root meaning "to cut around," pointing directly to the surgical nature of the ritual.
Translators typically render mûlâ simply as "circumcision," capturing its straightforward legal and physical sense without additional metaphorical weight in this specific context. It stands as a concrete reminder of the bodily commitment required by the covenant, anchoring the abstract promise of God in a tangible, historical practice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mûlâ appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Exodus 4:26. Here it describes the physical act of circumcision performed by Zipporah on her son. This rare usage highlights the seriousness of God's covenant commands. It was not a minor ritual but a vital sign of identity and obedience that could not be ignored, even in life-threatening moments.
For your faith today, this word reminds us that our commitment to God is concrete. It is not just about feelings or ideas but involves real, tangible actions. When we follow God's instructions, we show that we take His relationship with us seriously. This single instance teaches us that obedience matters deeply in every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to the/ circumcision1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/מּוּלֹֽת\׃\ \פ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 4:26
So he let him alone. Then she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.
This is the only occurrence of mûlâ in the Hebrew Bible, where it identifies the specific act Zipporah performed to resolve a divine crisis involving Moses.