A beardless Assyrian eunuch from the palace of Sargon II, 8th century BC. before the king. What does the Bible say about eunuchs?" I don't see it in my bible. But it might mean, I suppose, that Daniel was a eunuch himself. In numerous other places in the Old Testament, this word is translated as “official.” Here are two quick examples: Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard. In exchange for this position of trust, eunuchs have waived their right to challenge the rulers they serve and take over their authority. No, at least not from any indication in the biblical text. It could be that God put these young men under the protection of the chief eunuch so they might not be sexually abused? Ashpenaz is “master of his eunuchs.” He is called “master of the eunuchs” in Daniel 1:3, 1:7–11, and 1:18, presumably the same man, meaning that he was in charge of the eunuchs in the Babylonian royal household. What does the Bible say about eunuchs? On the second question, the word seems capable of being used to refer to either, making it impossible to answer that question from this text alone. Eunuchs that were castrated prior to puberty generally don’t ever experience the secondary sexual characteristics such as body and facial hair, deeper voice and muscle growth. His role in shepherding God’s people during the exile and as a prophet can hardly be overstated. What is a eunuch in the Bible? A second evidence where the Bible shows that eunuchs are gay men is in (Daniel 14:2 NAB), which says: "Daniel was the king's favorite and was held in higher esteem than any of the friends of the king." If you read the KJV (or ESV), you will find 7 references in Daniel chapter 1 to the prince or master or chief “of the eunuchs.” From the context it is clear that this person had overall authority over some other officials and the Hebrew captives, which could imply that everyone underneath him was also a eunuch. This idea is illustrated, for example, in the 14th century illuminated manuscript shown above, which depicts the Hebrew captives being castrated. Daniel 1:6. But he is really one of my favorite people that the Lord allows us to peek into a life that honors the Lord. Is viral single-stranded RNA in the absence of reverse transcriptase infectious? Was Daniel a eunuch? Well, I suppose the only source I could list would be my bible (KJV). 7; compare Sanh. It is known that eunuchs served in the palaces of the Assyrians (who came before the time of Daniel) and in the royal court of the Persians (who came after the time of Daniel). In chapter 16 (“A Flock of Eunuchs”) of OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, I mention Ashpenaz in passing as I describe the variety of eunuchs mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Wouldn’t Daniel be appalled if he knew what we were “wondering”about all these years later?? This is why most English versions (NAS, NET, NIV, NRS, etc.) What is the Book of Daniel? Read more articles about eunuchs in the Bible in the BAS Library: Birger A. Pearson, “Did Jesus Marry?” Bible Review, Spring 2005. That prophecy raises two questions: 1) was Daniel a direct descendant of Hezekiah? mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and In the absence of concrete proof, I am more inclined to believe that he was not, especially since the Bible had specified in another case when someone was an eunuch (Acts 8:36). To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The intent of purposeful castration was to cause infertility and eliminate sexuality. What is the Book of Daniel? He was described as "an Ethiopian man"—a term that some scholars believe can simply be translated "African." This possibility seems unlikely since there is no direct evidence of this in the text. There are certain indicators from Scripture to support the view Daniel was made a eunuch. Regardless, the Bible is full of examples of great men of God who were not eunuchs, for example, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the Apostle. In fact, nearly all occurrences of this word, outside of the book of Esther, appear from their context to refer to regular officials in the royal court, not to eunuchs. This is an important question because how we translate it gives credibility to how hard it would be if not impossible to be as great and for God as Daniel was. Whether they became “true” eunuchs? Where in the world can film in a crashed photo recon plane survive for several decades? What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? King James Bible And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? It does not say if he was a eunuch or not specifically. Your email address will not be published. I could make the assumption that Daniel was a eunuch, but I don't. About 100 years after Hezekiah and Isaiah, Jehoiakim was King of Judah and another siege of Jerusalem was made: “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. Daniel 1:6. (KJV). The word eunuch and its plural, eunuchs are used 27 times in the bible. Eunuchs—men who have been castrated—often served in the administrations of kings during the time of Daniel. Thanx Billie. - Daniel 1:1–7 However, Daniel served as a slave in Babylon during a time in which many slaves were castrated and made eunuchs. Eunuchs » What type of eunuchs there are Matthew 19:10-12 The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." It is even possible, since Daniel is called a eunuch, castration was a part of his humiliation as a Hebrew hostage. These same men chose not to eat the kings food because they wanted to keep their body’s healthy for His service. 3–6). (ASV) "For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake.He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. No, the Bible does not say that Daniel was an eunuch. Who was the Ethiopian eunuch? Eunuchs that were castrated prior to puberty generally don’t ever experience the secondary sexual characteristics such as body and facial hair, deeper voice and muscle growth. A second evidence where the Bible shows that eunuchs are gay men is in (Daniel 14:2 NAB), which says: "Daniel was the king's favorite and was held in higher esteem than any of the friends of the king." For every verse that may imply that Daniel was, there are verses that imply otherwise. young men who are your age? God Bless & thanx again. Daniel 1:11 "Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah," "Melzar" means butler, or steward. Daniel received special training in the royal court of Babylon. What does the Bible say about Eunuchs? Daniel 1:12 "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink." How can I convert a JPEG image to a RAW image with a Linux command? lii. the king]." Some of the older English versions translate the word saris that way, which is what prompts the question. What is a eunuch in the Bible? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Yes. There is nothing in Daniel’s job description that indicates that it would have been necessary for him to be castrated (e.g. Ashpenaz was the chief eunuch of the court in Baylon and took (the prophet) Daniel (of the lion’s den) under wing, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (of the fiery furnace). I am looking for nothing but the truth. There is more to this story, however. Dreams in the Hebrew Bible Why didn't Daniel refuse to be worshipped (Daniel 2:46)? In the Bible, was Daniel a eunuch? Verses 10-12 capture an important statement made by Christ. Is it possible that Daniel was a eunuch? These circumstances imply a status that is different than an eunuch. Some have wondered if Daniel was a eunuch because the book of Daniel mentions the young princes from Judah were under the supervision of “Ashpenaz, the master of his [Nebuchadnezzar’s] eunuchs” (Daniel 1:3). A good example of this type of eunuch were the castrati singers of the 18th century in Italy who were castrated before puberty, at around ten years old, to prevent their voice from deepening. Regarding the first question, we know nothing of Daniel’s lineage from the Bible. Then you would endanger my head before the Or perhaps even more than that. No reason to think Daniel was because this man was. 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 … Some have wondered if Daniel was a eunuch because the book of Daniel mentions the young princes from Judah were under the supervision of “Ashpenaz, the master of his [Nebuchadnezzar’s] eunuchs” (Daniel 1:3). (2 Kings 20:18) ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will The 27 passages listed, do not indicate that Daniel was a eunuch. Answer: The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. Why is the output of a high-pass filter not 0 when the input is 0? General Sylvester's linear matrix equation. The most significant passage in the Bible about eunuchs occurs in Matthew 19. When this word appears in the book of Esther, it is translated by nearly all English versions as “eunuch.” However, that is based on the context (the men are in charge of the king’s harem). A eunuch could also be someone who performed work typical of eunuchs, although he remained perfectly capable of having sex—i.e., “eunuch” in some cases was simply a title. king.”. Can someone tell me the purpose of this multi-tool? Why do wet plates stick together with a relatively high force? Daniel 1:11 suggests that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were eunuchs. Where does this idea come from, and how reliable is it? Is it likely that he was a eunuch? But it might mean, I suppose, that Daniel was a eunuch himself. There is no biblical evidence either way, which leaves this issue uncertain. (KJV), 2 Kings 24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. Eunuchs in the Bible are typically defined as castrated men placed in charge over a king’s harem of wives and concubines.But this lifestyle isn’t the only representation of a eunuch. It seems likely to me that because Daniel & his buds, working so closely w/ the King,would have become Eunuchs. It is suggested from time to time that Daniel and his friends may have served as eunuchs in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Or not doesn’t diminish his walk of Faith. According to rabbinical tradition Daniel was of royal descent; and his fate, together with that of his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, was foretold by the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah in these words, "and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon" (Isa. Why didn't Daniel refuse to be worshipped (Daniel 2:46)? Josephus implied that they may have become eunuchs. Eunuchs—men who have been castrated—often served in the administrations of kings during the time of Daniel. At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nevukhadnetztzar. Daniel's prophecies were different from Isaiah's, and Jeremiah's. Answer: The Bible does not say whether Daniel was made a eunuch. Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Dan 6) Daniel in the lion's den is a very popular biblical story because it is so visually rich, but it is also a poignant tale of faith and politics. Either way, Daniel was an exceptional man of faith. The Hebrew word that the KJV translates as “eunuch” is saris (סָרִס). There is nothing in Daniel’s job description that indicates that it would have been necessary for him to be castrated (e.g. You may say it doesn't constitute definitive proof, but you can't logically say that it doesn't indicate such a state of affairs. The Eunuch . Or perhaps even more than that. Think about it. Was Daniel a eunuch? the king]." The eunuchs of the Bible were normally castrated males or those unable of reproduction due to a birth deficiency. Answer: The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. None of these entries indicate that Daniel was a eunuch. I don't think this fact is determinative for this question. There has been some question whether Daniel and his three friends were castrated and made eunuchs. Both Assyrians and Persians depicted eunuchs as beardless men. For every verse that may imply that Daniel was, there are verses that imply otherwise. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuch s brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 1:1–4 . site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Required fields are marked *, Crossroads Bible Church What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? The word can have that meaning, but that is not its more common meaning, and I would suggest that there is better reason to translate it here as “official” rather than “eunuch.” The theological point you make is a good one. translate the word as “official” or similar in Daniel. He was described as "an Ethiopian man"—a term that some scholars believe can simply be translated "African." Therefore, some have suggested Daniel was castrated as well. This idea is illustrated, for example, in the 14th century illuminated manuscript shown above, which depicts the Hebrew captives being castrated. On the other hand, there is no mention of Daniel having a wife or family at all, which goes more to supporting he might have been made a eunuch. Why do we use the Hebrew name for Daniel, but Persian names for his companions? 93b; Pirḳe R. El. xxxix. Manasseh, Hezekiah's actual son, was "carried to Babylon" 2 Chronicles 33:11, but did not become a eunuch in the palace. Verbs of motion - how to define local distances? Many of them, since they were slaves, had little or no choice about their sterilization in such a gruesome manner. Daniel is Taken to Babylon “The king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, … among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah” (vv. This seems to indicate that Daniel was a eunuch, because the prince of the eunuchs was the person that he asks. Daniel was popular in Jewish and Christian literature, where he was seen as a prophet and a model of Jewish faith in a pagan world. No, at least not from any indication in the biblical text. He is an “Ethiopian eunuch, court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.” Eunuchs In the Bible — Created By God. Josephus implied that they may have become eunuchs. The fact that Daniel rose to such a high position of authority under the rules of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, almost certainly confirms that Daniel was made a eunuch, common practice in biblical days to prevent any offspring being born to anyone who might challenge the throne. rev 2021.1.26.38399, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Like any library, Christianity Stack Exchange offers great information, but, Christianity Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. It only takes a minute to sign up. Some Bibles translate this word as “official.” The ESV translates this word as eunuch and eunuchs in the book of Daniel. i believed if Daniel and his friend were made eunuch, the bible would have stated that for our lessons we all as Christian have great Lesson to learn from Daniel and his friends.liking the experience to your today life ans how you have following God in the minst of challenges. Are there any diacritics not on the top or bottom of a letter? It is suggested from time to time that Daniel and his friends may have served as eunuchs in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The word saris has another, even more common, use. Unfortunately, since the Bible is silent about it, then that is about as close as we can get to it. Great observation, Billie. King James Version Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the prince of the eunuchs fell into tender love with Daniel -- whatever that might mean. In my view they were not eunuchs. It would be strange for him to not be. "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. Which doctrine supports the idea that Daniel 2:44 is the Millenium Kingdom? Because there is no information available, all you are going to get from people are their opinions and assumptions. What does the Bible say about Eunuchs? Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. Is it offensive to kill my gay character at the end of my book? These children were with the first exiles from Judah. Was the prophet Daniel a eunuch? Guys are distracted by lots of things that wouldn't be as distracting, if distracting at all, if one was a eunuch. Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. But, I say definitely yes, he was a eunuch. What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? It is even possible, since Daniel is called a eunuch, castration was a part of his humiliation as a Hebrew hostage. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuch s had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Daniel 1:18 | View whole chapter | See verse in context Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuch s brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Expectations from a violin teacher towards an adult learner. The eunuchs of the Bible were normally castrated males or those unable of reproduction due to a birth deficiency. Can film in a sense he would have had a head start at a. 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