Eunuch

EUNUCH, comes from the Greek, Eunouchos, which signifies one who guards the bed; because generally in the courts of the Eastern Kings, the care of the beds and apartments belonging to Princes and Princesses, was committed to them; but chiefly of the Princesses, who live, as is well known, in great confinement, remote from the sight and company of men. The Hebrew word Saris signifies a real Eunuch, whether he be naturally born such, or made an Eunuch by manual operation. But this word very often, as well as the Greek Eunouchos, and the Latin Eunuchus, is in Scripture taken for an Officer belonging to some Prince, attending at his court, and imployed in the inner part of the Palace, whether he be really an Eunuch or not. It was a name that denoted some office and dignity, and in the Persian and Turkish Courts, the principal imployments there are still at this day possessed by real Eunuchs¹. Potiphar, Pharaoh’s Eunuch, and Joseph’s master, had a wife and children.

God forbad his people to make Eunuchs, and to cut even beasts; in Deuteronomy it is said, He who has that part wounded or cut off which is intended for the preservation of the species, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord. Which words are differently explained. Some² think that God hereby forbids Eunuchs to marry with Israelites³; others, that God forbids them to enter into his Temple; others again⁴, that he excludes them from all offices in the magistracy. But it is more credible, that God debars them simply the possession of some outward privileges belonging to the Israelites and people of the Lord. They were looked upon in the Common-wealth as dry and useless wood: Behold Isai. lvi. 4. 1 Sam. viii. 15.I am a dry tree. But notwithstanding this, they who were faithful observers of God’s Law, had their portion in the rewards and happiness of the righteous. Thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, — and take hold of my covenant, Even unto them will I give in mine house, and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and daughters.

There were Eunuchs in the Courts of the Kings of Judah and Israel, officers called Sarisim, Eunuchs. But they were in all probability slaves taken from some foreign 1 Kings xxii. 9. 2 Kings ix. 32. and xxiv. 12, 15. and 1 Chr. xxviii. 1. Matth. xix. 12.people; or if they were Hebrews, the name of Eunuchs, which is given them, shews no more than their office and dignity. Our Saviour in the Gospel speaks of a sort of Eunuchs, different from that which we have mentioned, persons who have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven; that is to say, who upon some religious motive have renounced marriage, and the use of all carnal pleasures. Origen⁵, and some ancient hereticks, construed our Saviour’s words literally, and pretended, that he advised men to make themselves Eunuchs, in order to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven⁶.

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