Brief Overview of εὐνοῦχος (Strong’s G2135: eunouchos)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential in Biblical studies because it allows us to grasp the cultural, social, and theological contexts embedded within the Scriptures. The Greek word εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos) is particularly significant as it refers to a specific social class in ancient times: eunuchs. Eunuchs were men who were castrated and often served in royal courts, particularly in roles of high trust and confidentiality. In the New Testament, eunuchs are mentioned in contexts that reflect both literal and metaphorical meanings, making this term vital for understanding themes of service, sacrifice, and commitment in early Christian and ancient Greek culture.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos) [yoo-NOO-khos]
• Etymology: Derived from εὐνή (eunē), meaning “bed,” and ἔχω (echō), meaning “to hold” or “to keep.” The term literally means “keeper of the bed,” referring to a man who was often assigned to guard a ruler’s harem or serve in other high-trust positions.
• Part of Speech: Noun; masculine, second declension.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Eunuch (a castrated male, often serving in royal courts)
• A trusted official or servant (particularly in high positions in the ancient Near Eastern courts)
• Someone abstaining from marriage for religious or service reasons

Similar Words: The word εὐνοῦχος is related to ἀρχισωματοφύλαξ (archisōmatophýlax), meaning “chief bodyguard,” which also describes a trusted official but without the specific connotation of castration. Another related term is θύραυλος (thýraulos), which can mean “chamberlain” or “door-keeper,” highlighting a trusted servant’s role but without the physical implications of a eunuch.

Further Insights:
Morphologically, εὐνοῦχος is a masculine noun of the second declension. It is a compound word that conveys both a literal and metaphorical sense, depending on its use in the text.

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
BDAG defines εὐνοῦχος as “a castrated male,” specifically one who is in charge of a harem or has other high responsibilities in a royal court. It highlights the historical context where eunuchs were trusted servants who were often placed in high administrative roles due to their perceived loyalty and lack of familial ambition.

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Thayer’s:
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon describes εὐνοῦχος as “a eunuch,” noting that the term is used both in a literal sense for those physically castrated and in a figurative sense for those who choose celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 19:12.

Vines:
Vines Expository Dictionary explains εὐνοῦχος as “a eunuch,” emphasizing both its physical and metaphorical meanings. It notes that in the New Testament, the term can also refer to someone who has voluntarily chosen celibacy or who has been assigned a particular role due to their status as a eunuch.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) lexicon provides a classical understanding of εὐνοῦχος as “a castrated male” who serves in positions such as a guard of a harem or a high court official. It also notes that eunuchs in ancient cultures, especially in the Near East and Egypt, were often seen as reliable due to their unique status.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines εὐνοῦχος as “a eunuch” or “one castrated.” It emphasizes its historical usage to describe men who were entrusted with significant duties, often because they were seen as having no potential for familial power struggles.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 19:12: “For there are eunuchs (εὐνοῦχοι) 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. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
• Acts 8:27: “And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch (εὐνοῦχος) of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship.”

Classical Usage

Septuagint Usage

Summary of εὐνοῦχος (G2135: eunouchos)

The Greek word εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos) is a noun meaning “eunuch,” specifically a castrated male who often served in royal courts or in high-trust roles such as guarding harems or managing state affairs. Derived from εὐνή (“bed”) and ἔχω (“to hold”), the term implies a role of trusted service, particularly in intimate or sensitive contexts. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s provide detailed insights into the word, showing its literal and metaphorical uses in both biblical and classical literature. In the New Testament and other ancient texts, εὐνοῦχος reflects themes of dedication, sacrifice, and the dynamics of power and trust in ancient societies.

Did You Know?

Did you know that eunuchs were often favored in royal courts not only because of their loyalty but also because they were believed to be free from the distractions of family life and ambition? This made them ideal candidates for trusted roles close to rulers, managing sensitive tasks and providing counsel!