04-13-2007, 12:27 AM
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Go Dodgers!
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 45,791
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It seems to me that this subject goes beyond checking a Hebrew dictionary. I'll check the twot....
Quote:
Hebrew Word: saris
Strong's Cross Reference: 5631
Definition: official eunuch. (ASV, RSV similarly.)
The noun, meaning "(court) official, " has its origin in the Akkadian title sa resi (sarri) "the one of the (king's) head." The meaning "eunuch" arose with the practice of utilizing castrated men in key positions in the various nations of the ancient near east (e.g. in Persia, Est_2:3ff; Est_4:4ff).
The Hebrew word is clearly related to the name of the Akkadian royal official (2Ki_18:17). Accordingly, saris is not to be translated "eunuch" unless context or other evidence demands it. Thus, since thorough study fall s to uncover conclusive evidence for the employment of eunuchs as officials in ancient Egypt, the reason why the Egyptian officers in the Joseph narritive were called by this term is probably that in all three cases (Gen_37:36; Gen_39:1; Gen_40:2, Gen_40:7) these men were special officials of Pharaoh.
It can be doubted that Israel would have inaugurated the employment of eunuchs. Such men would have been excluded from the congregation by Mosaic Law (Lev_22:24; Deu_23:2). It has been argued that they may have been introduced by Jezebel (cf. 1Ki_22:9) and maintained by subsequent kings (2Ki_8:6; 2Ki_9:32) in positions in close contact with women. If so, the Lord's promise through Isaiah (Isa_56:3-5) is most apropos.
No certain evidence exists that Daniel and his three friends were made eunuchs (2Ki_20:17-18; Dan 1).
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