In a world where there were clear divisions between male and female, they were neither or they were both. If only Jesus were … Some Eunuchs Were Gay Men It was a normal custom in ancient times for rulers to castrate some of their servants and/or advisers in order to restrain and subdue them. Answer: The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2021, Christianity.com. Jesus is not affirming that eunuchs constitute a third gender option or an exception to maleness and femaleness. All rights reserved. Hegai is mentioned a couple times in the book of Esther as “the king’s eunuch, who [was] in charge of the women” (Esther 2:3). What Does it Mean That Today Is the Day of Salvation? The born eunuchs in the above verse from Matthew are referring to homosexual men. When deciphering the root words and original meaning of saris, it’s uncertain if the word originally meant “unable to procreate” or “castrated.” It’s possible the role of the saris may have influenced this meaning later to include impotent or castrated. What does it mean to be a Christian saint? In short, it just seems like Megan has used one possible ancient meaning of “eunuch”— biologically neither male nor female, a meaning that isn’t clear from the Biblical text or most other ancient texts—and then goes on to assume this meaning throughout her discussion. It is possible, although the Bible doesn't say, that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were eunuchs in Nebuchadnezzar's court (Isaiah 39:5-7; Daniel 1:3-7). Eunuch comes from the Ancient Greek word εὐνοῦχος (eunoukhos), first attested in a fragment of Hipponax, the 6th century BC comic poet and prolific inventor of compound words. Eunuch Meaning: Physical Condition Is Unclear. I think there were many types of eunuchs in Jesus's day. Eunuchs In the Bible — Created By God. The one being able to receive it, let him receive it." Castrated eunuchs were obviously unable to procreate, but the eunuchs mentioned in Isaiah 56:3-5 and Matthew 19:12 were not necessarily castrated, although they are recorded as living in chastity or unable to procreate for one reason or another. Verses 10-12 capture an important statement made by Christ. Eunouchos is also used four times in the New Testament. For example, Potiphar was an officer (saris) to Pharaoh (Genesis 37:36). No. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come” (Esther 1:10-12). In summary, we have discovered that there were prophetesses of God who were virgins, were married and were widows. Other Eunuchs in the Bible. King James Bible This article is part of our Christian Terms catalog exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. 1 And although the meaning of the word isn't always clear, it generally refers to a castrated male, or a man who, for one reason or another, is not attracted to women. Because of their physical limitations, they were also used for harem guards and body servants of the king. (with a listing of secondary sources) by Mark Brustman . The one who can accept this should accept it.”. “This would then be the case of castration of prisoners of war, as a punishment, and certainly also to put an end to a royal dynasty.”, 3. He made himself a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven's sake: Matthew 19.12. Rab-saris means “chief eunuch,” specifically to an Assyrian or Babylonian king. Jesus answers, “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who had made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. What Is a Eunuch in the Bible? They were the ones the king told “to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. Eunuch Meaning: Unable to Procreate or Choosing a Life of Celibacy. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. Of those 45 occurrences, the Greek Septuagint translates it as eunouchos 31 times in the OT. He was reading from the book of Isaiah but didn’t understand the messianic prophecy until “an angel of the Lord” (vs. 26) instructed Philip to “go over and join this chariot” (vs. 29). Consider Jesus’s statement that “some were born eunuchs” (Matt. In the Bible, the Hebrew word saris (eunuch), refers to a man in some sort of service to a ruler, but castration isn’t always a part of the story. 2 Fortunately for us, Jesus was an expert on eunuchs. Here are some of our most popular articles covering Christian terms to help your journey of knowledge and faith: The Full Armor of GodThe Meaning of "Selah"What is a "Concubine"?Christian Meaning of Humility, Who are Gentiles? Does the Bible talk about self-love / loving self. This conversion story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39 shows that eunuchs are welcome in God’s kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? There is the story of the eunuch in the Bible that sought out Jesus to learn of his teachings. Greer's thesis is that the "traditional" suburban, consumerist, nuclear family represses women sexually, and that this devitalises them, rendering them eunuchs.The book was published in London in October 1970. But this lifestyle isn’t the only representation of a eunuch. Also, the eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men were those appointed by the king to be servants in the king’s palace. The other 39 mentions of eunuchs in the Old Testament focus on the social status and roles of the eunuch rather than his physical condition. Saris (or cariyc) is the Hebrew word for eunuch, occurring 45 times in the Old Testament (OT). Copyright 2011-2021 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. Whichever of the young women who pleased the king got to be queen. In 2 Kings 18:17, more literal translations like the ESV, KJV, NASB, and CSB use the term “the Rab-saris” instead of “chief officer,” used in the NIV, or “field commander,” which is used in the NLT. But no physical condition of castration or impotence is mentioned, nor is it likely because Potiphar had a wife (Genesis 39). He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. This term is used as an official title also in Jeremiah 39:3 and Jeremiah 39:13. He that is able … After the Babylonian king Xerxes removed Queen Vashti from her royal position, the king called for select young women to be brought into his harem, under the care of Hegai. A eunuch could also be someone who performed work typical of eunuchs, although he remained perfectly capable of having sex—i.e., “eunuch” in … They were the ones the king told “to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. An Ethiopian eunuch is unnamed but Acts 8:26-39 says he was “an important official in charge of all the treasury” of the Queen of Ethiopia. Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas are named as the seven eunuchs who served King Xerxes. 19:12). For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. Christian Truth. Definition and Examples. To date, historians have found evidence for almost a dozen female presbyters dating from the second to the fifth century. They are often essential to the narratives, and they are celebrated. One day I read in the Bible that Jesus said there were eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb.1 To my knowledge, a eunuch was a man who had been castrated, so how could he be born that way? Also, the Jewish Talmud has a list of possible ways one may be … The boys would be used for duties close to the king, sometimes important political roles; since eunuchs would be unable to leave a genetic legacy, it was thought they would be more loyal to their monarch. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.Acts 21:8-9 (NASB) Just as God did not give us the name of Isaiah’s wife, who was a prophetess, God does not give us the names of these four virgin daughters. The acerbic poet describes a particular lover of fine food having "consumed his estate dining lavishly and at leisure every day on tuna and garlic-honey cheese paté like a Lampsacene eunoukhos." The intent of purposeful castration was to cause infertility and eliminate sexuality. Jesus listed three in Matthew 19:12. Where there are Jezebels, you will always find eunuchs and false prophets. "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Because of their physical limitations, they were also used for harem guards and body servants of the king. Eunuchs are mentioned 10 times in six verses in the New Testament. Hathak was one of Queen Esther’s eunuchs who informed her about Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jews in area (Esther 4:1-9). The Hebrew word saris-eunuch, is found 45 times in the Old Testament, translated in the King James Bible as eunuch 17 times, chamberlain 13 times, officer 12 times and Rabsaris, 3 times. The eunuchs of the Bible were normally castrated males or those unable of reproduction due to a birth deficiency. The second part of the verse says: "and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men;" These would be the man-made or castrated eunuchs. Sure, they're mentioned here and there in the Bible, but what do they have to do with homosexuality? “In the story of Esther, it is even rather probably that the saris mentioned in Esther 1:10, 12; 2:3, 14-15; 4:4-5, being attached to the service of the royal harem, had been castrated, through this cannot be stated with certainty,” according to this United Bible Societies article. Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas are named as the seven eunuchs who served King Xerxes. A broader definition includes men who are impotent or who are voluntarily celibate. Let anyone accept this who can” (19:12). The word eunuch can refer only to the title of a court officer or important official to a ruler. Some biblical accounts imply a eunuch’s castration such as in Isaiah 39:7 and 2 Kings 20:18. 4. The eunuch was traveling back home from worshipping in Jerusalem. Jesus is not affirming that eunuchs constitute a third gender option or an exception to maleness and femaleness. 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