Lexical Summary eunouchizó: To make a eunuch, to castrate Original Word: εὐνουχίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance castrate, emasculateFrom eunouchos; to castrate (figuratively, live unmarried) -- make...eunuch. see GREEK eunouchos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2134 eunou NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eunouchos Definition to make a eunuch of NASB Translation made eunuchs (1), made...eunuchs (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2134: εὐνουχίζωεὐνουχίζω: 1 aorist ἐυνουχισα; 1 aorist passive ἐυνουχίσθην; (on the augment cf. Buttmann, 34 (30); WHs Appendix, p. 162); to castrate, unman: passive ὑπό τίνος, Matthew 19:12a; metaphorically, ἐυνουχίζειν ἑαυτόν, to make oneself a eunuch, viz. by abstaining (like a eunuch) from marriage, Matthew 19:12b. (Josephus, Antiquities 10, 2, 2; Lucian, Dio Cassius, others.) Topical Lexicon Biblical background Eunuchs appear throughout Scripture as a recognized social class, usually officials who served royal courts (Genesis 37:36; Esther 2:3). Mosaic Law excluded the physically emasculated from the assembly of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:1), yet the prophets foresaw an age when such restrictions would be lifted: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths… I will give them an everlasting name” (Isaiah 56:4-5). By the time of the New Testament, the term had gained both literal and figurative meaning, referring not only to castrated men but also to those who, by choice or circumstance, lived without sexual relations. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 19:12 presents the verb 2134 in two forms, framing a three-fold classification: 1. “Eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb.” Jesus concludes, “The one who can accept this should accept it” (Matthew 19:12). The context is His teaching on lifelong marital fidelity (Matthew 19:3-9). In effect, the Lord identifies celibacy as a divine gift parallel to marriage, never as a command for all but as a call for some. Old Testament anticipation and fulfillment Isaiah’s promise to faithful eunuchs finds partial fulfillment in Acts 8:26-39, where an Ethiopian court official receives the gospel and is baptized. Through Christ, physical limitation no longer bars anyone from covenant fellowship. The verb 2134 thus serves as a hinge between Levitical restriction and gospel inclusion: eunuchs once physically set apart now symbolize spiritual dedication. Historical practice in the ancient world Castration was commonly imposed on slaves who guarded harems or managed palace treasuries, a practice attested in Assyrian, Persian, Greek, and Roman settings. Such forced mutilation embodied human exploitation, starkly contrasting with the voluntary self-restraint Jesus commends. Matthew’s distinction between men who “made” eunuchs and disciples who “made themselves” underlines moral agency: coercion versus consecration. Theological implications 1. Singleness as gift: Like marriage (Hebrews 13:4), celibacy is honorable (1 Corinthians 7:7). The verb 2134 accentuates decisive commitment to kingdom priorities. Ministerial application • Pastoral care: Churches should honor single believers, integrating them fully into family life and leadership rather than treating marriage as spiritual normativity. Patristic interpretation and church history • Justin Martyr viewed voluntary spiritual “eunuchship” as a hallmark of Christian moral superiority to paganism. Contemporary relevance The verb 2134 challenges modern believers to evaluate vocation, sexuality, and identity under Christ’s lordship. Whether married or single, every disciple is summoned to holistic purity and kingdom-first priorities. The passage also informs current discussions on body modification, reminding the Church that redemption restores rather than mutilates God’s good creation. Summary Strong’s Greek 2134 spotlights the act of “making a eunuch,” but Jesus recasts the concept from coerced mutilation to voluntary, Spirit-empowered celibacy for kingdom purposes. Its two uses in Matthew 19:12 bridge Old Testament exclusion and New Testament inclusion, calling the Church to honor both marriage and singleness while safeguarding human dignity and advancing the gospel. Forms and Transliterations ευνουχισαν ευνούχισαν εὐνούχισαν ευνουχισθησαν ευνουχίσθησαν εὐνουχίσθησαν eunouchisan eunoúchisan eunouchisthesan eunouchisthēsan eunouchísthesan eunouchísthēsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 19:12 V-AIA-3PGRK: εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν NAS: who were made eunuchs KJV: which were made eunuchs of INT: eunuchs who were made eunuchs by Matthew 19:12 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 2134 |
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