S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. A eunuch could also be someone who performed work typical of eunuchs, although he rem...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

A eunuch according to ISBE—International Standard Bible Encyclopedia -- is a
u'-nuk (caric; spadon; eunouchos): Primarily and literally, a eunuch is an emasculated man (Dt 23:1). 

The law excluded eunuchs from public worship, partly because self-mutilation was often performed in honor of a heathen god, and partly because a maimed/mutilated creature of any sort was deemed unfit for the service of Yahweh ((Lev 21:16ff; Lev. 22:24). That ban, nevertheless, was later removed (Isa 56:4,5).

Nowhere does God condemn or make fun of a man for being a eunuch. In Isaiah 56:3-5, God says:

Let not the foreigner who has united himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and let not the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree."

For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant/pact, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off."

The kings of Israel and Judah followed their royal neighbors in employing eunuchs (1) as guardians of the harem (2 Ki 9:32; Jer 41:16), and (2) in military and other official posts (1 Sam 8:15 margin; 1 Ki 22:9margin; 2 Ki 8:6 margin; 23:11 the King James Version margin; 2 Ki 24:12,13 margin; 25:19 margin; 1 Ch 28:1 margin; 2 Ch 18:8 margin; Jer 29:2; 34:19; 38:7; compare Gen 37:36; 40:2,7; Acts 8:27).

It is significant that Jesus expresses no condemnation of this horrible practice. It was in keeping with His far-reaching plan of instilling principles rather than dealing in denunciations (Jn 3:17; 8:11). It was by His positive teaching concerning purity that we are shown the lines along which we must move to reach the goal. There is a more excellent way of achieving mastery of sexual passion. It is possible for men to attain as complete control of this strong instinct as if they were physically sexless, and the resultant victory is of infinitely more value than the negative, unmoral condition produced by self-emasculation. These "make themselves eunuchs" with a high and holy purpose, "for the kingdom of heaven's sake"; and the interests created by that purpose are so absorbing that neither time nor opportunity is afforded to the "fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11). They voluntarily forego marriage even, undertake virtual "eunuchism" because they are completely immersed in and engrossed by "the kingdom of heaven" (compare Jn 17:4; 1 Cor 7:29,33-34; 9:5.

The forfeiture/confiscation/loss/perdition of fertility, a fulfilling marriage, and children can be deeply felt. This didn't stop eunuchs in the Bible from reaching high positions of great influence. Eunuch or no, our eternal inheritance is from the Lord, and those who serve Him unencumbered (without obstacles) by earthly responsibilities will hold honored places in His kingdom.

May 16 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report