Eunuch
“Bed-keeper, guardian of the bedchamber”
Summary
A castrated male, typically employed as a guardian of royal harems or in positions of high trust in ancient courts, though the term also came to designate court officials generally and those who remained celibate for the kingdom of heaven.
☩Definition and Practice
The Greek word 'eunuch' literally means 'bed-keeper,' referring to one who had charge of beds and bedchambers. Because only emasculated men were entrusted with Eastern harems, the term became synonymous with castrated men. The Hebrew 'saris' clearly implies this physical condition, though it also came to designate court officials generally, some of whom may not have been mutilated. The barbarous practice originated in the jealousy of Eastern despots who required trustworthy guardians for their women. Eunuchs, being detached from normal social ties and hopes of offspring, were considered ideal servants of monarchy—loyal props of government who had no prospect in rebellion save the change of masters.
☩Biblical Examples
The kings of Israel and Judah followed their royal neighbors in employing eunuchs as guardians of the harem and in military and official posts. Scripture mentions eunuchs in association with Jezebel, who was thrown from her window by such attendants. Daniel and his companions may have been made eunuchs when taken to Babylon, for they were committed to 'the master of the eunuchs.' The Assyrian Rab-Saris (chief eunuch) was employed as an ambassador. In Persian courts, eunuchs served as 'keepers of the women' and sole intermediaries between the king and his harem. The Ethiopian eunuch whom Philip baptized was a man of great authority under Queen Candace, demonstrating how such officials often rose to positions of high trust.
☩Jesus' Teaching
Jesus distinguished three classes of eunuchs: those born incapable of marriage, those made so by men, and those who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. This last category refers not to physical self-mutilation but to voluntary celibacy—complete control of sexual passion for the sake of undivided devotion to God's service. Such persons forego marriage because they are completely absorbed in the work of the kingdom. Jesus neither commanded nor condemned celibacy but permitted it for those able to receive it, while affirming that married life remains the norm of human existence. The moral victory of self-mastery is infinitely more valuable than the merely negative condition produced by physical emasculation.
Related Verses25 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Eunuch," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Eunuch," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Eunuch," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Eunuch," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Eunuch," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).