Eunuch - What's a Eunuch?  Could I possibly be one?  Are there women Eunuchs mentioned in the Bible?  In this lesson, I will address key questions asked regarding this subject.  And as with all other matters and issues of concern, instead asking everyone else, let see "What Hath God Said."    

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 19, verse 12
   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. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

             Three Classes Of Eunuchs:

            1.) Those born from their mother's womb (impotent - deformity of some sort)

            2.) Those made eunuchs of men (male organs literally cut away as a child & unnatural relationships as a child -                 homosexual experience)

            3.) Those the made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake (consumed with the Kingdom of God)

Let's begin with the definition: 

\Eu"nuch\, n. [L. eunuchus, Gr. ?, prop., keeping or guarding the couch; ? couch, bed, + ? to have, hold, keep.] A male of the human species castrated; commonly, one of a class of such persons, in Oriental countries, having charge of the women's apartments. Some of them, in former times, gained high official rank.

1. A castrated man employed as a harem attendant or as a functionary in certain Asian courts.

2. A man or boy whose testes are nonfunctioning or have been removed.

3. Informal. An ineffectual, powerless, or unmasculine man.

[Middle English eunuk, from Latin eunchus, from Greek eunoukhos : eun, bed + -okhos, keeping (from ekhein, to keep. See segh- in Indo-European Roots).]

So, then...

A eunuch was/is a castrated human male -- that is, a man who has had his testicles removed. The term eunuch can also refer to a man whose penis and testicles have been removed, or even to one who has had only his penis cut off. But while all of these conditions can be referred to as castration, a man is not a true eunuch as long as his testicles remain intact. As long as the testes function, his body will continue to produce testosterone as well as sperm and he will still (theoretically) be capable of fathering children. In short, a eunuch might be able to get an erection, but he will never be able to reproduce.

The word eunuch comes from the Greek word "eunouchos" and the Latin word "eunuchus" -- both meaning "keeper of the bedchamber". And while the word may have originally referred to a person filling this specific career description, the more relevant concept contained within the word is "one who can be trusted to watch over the inner household". Or more to the point, a male servant who won't let anyone (including himself) sleep with your wife and daughter while you're away.

The idea of the eunuch effectively guarding the household may seem laughable to some. But although eunuchs have endured more than their fair share of scorn and ridicule over the centuries, many ancient cultures acknowledged that eunuchs were not (necessarily) cowards. In fact, the eunuch could often be relied upon to be fierce and loyal guardian of the master's home and family. Like the masters castrated ox, a castrated man could also be strong and well-muscled -- and just as steadfast in the face of danger or adversity. And while a lessening testosterone (through loss of testicles) did not significantly lessen the eunuch's courage or his strength, it did however tend to make him calmer and more even-tempered. (Again, like the ox.) As a manservant he was therefore less prone to outbursts of irritability and rage.

So, Was This An Acceptable Practice?

No.

Deuteronomy 23, verse 1
   1: He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

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 creature of any sort was deemed unfit for the service of Yahweh (Le 21:16 ff; 22:24).  These castrated men were not allowed to to enter the congregation if the Lord.

Also read: Le 22:23-25  It was an abomination!

But wasn't it later accepted through the teachings of Isaiah?

Yes.  Just like the gospel is opened up to the "whosoever will" (John 3:16).

Isaiah 56, verses 3 - 5
   3: Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
   4: For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
   5: Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Are there women Eunuchs?

Nowhere in the bible is this term applied to the female gender.  Paul does take the time to address the woman who seem to simply want to please God and has no present desire for marriage. He addresses her as "The unmarried woman".

I Corinthians 7:34

³⁴ There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

So, what was the real purpose of this thing anyway and did Jesus approve of it.

There are no scriptures where Jesus expresses condemnation of this practice.  Yet as with all of his messages, he deal with the true meaning and principles associated.  John 3:17 makes it plain that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world but to saved it.  Jesus taught of a  more excellent way of achieving mastery of the sexual desires.  The purpose and ultimate goal was holiness and purity.  Within the three classes of Eunuch, those that made themselves Eunuchs for the gospel's sake really stands out.  These people are so consumed and absorbed with the kingdom of heaven until nothing else really matters.  So, they voluntarily forego marriage because they are completely immersed in and engrossed by "the kingdom of heaven".

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work

I Corinthians 7:32-38

³² But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: ³³ But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. ³⁴ There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. ³⁶ But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. ³⁷ Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. ³⁸ So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

The true question however is - is it possible for men to attain as complete control of this strong desires as if they were physically sexless? Because if they can, this would surely be more acceptable than self-emasculation. Yes - through and by the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:24

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

The Heart Of The Matter Was/Is The Heart.

Yes, Jesus did say,

Mark 8:43-48

⁴³ And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: ⁴⁴ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁵ And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: ⁴⁶ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁷ And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: ⁴⁸ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

But this was not literal - Jesus was speaking more of people, places and things that you allow to come between you and God.  In other words, are any of the things you are attached to worth going to hell for? 

Then Paul says...

Romans 2:28,29

²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

So we see that it's not really about the cutting of flesh but the cutting of your heart.  If your desire is to be a Eunuch, then you are going to have to rely upon the power of God to sustain you.  Then of course, you can be like Abraham who God asked the question,  Is There Anything To Hard For God?"  Just make sure that you've been gifted with this calling and you're not making it out out frustration of not finding your mate or being discovered by him.

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