Gender Sexuality And Marriage

Singleness

Singleness simply refers to being unmarried, but is often used interchangeably with the term, celibacy. Some singles are called with a special and purposeful gifting by God to remain single for the advancement of the "kingdom of heaven."^ [1]^

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Sermons by John Piper

Gift of 'Singleness'

Eunuch

Bible passages

  • 2 Kings 9:32; 20:18
  • Esther 1:10, 12, 15; 2:3, 14, 15; 4:4, 5; 6:2, 14; 7:9
  • Isaiah 39:7; 56:3, 4
  • Jeremiah 29:2; 34:19; 38:7; 41:16
  • Daniel 1:3, 7-11, 18
  • Matthew 19:12
  • Acts 8:26-39

Eunuchs in the Bible

Name(s) Position(s) Bible passage Note (2 anonymous eunuchs) Apparently servants of Jehu 2 Kings 9:32 (Sons of Hezekiah)^[2]^ "[E]unuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon" 2 Kings 20:18; Isaiah 39:7 These passages are prophetic Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas^ [3]^ Servants of King Ahasuerus Esther 1:10-22; 7:9 Perhaps also the "young men" referred to in Esther 2:2.^ [4]^ Hegai^ [3]^ King Ahasuerus' "eunuch, who is in charge of the women." Esther 2:3, 15 Shaashgaz^ [3]^ King Ahasuerus' "eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines." Esther 2:14 Bigthan^ [5]^ and Teresh^[3]^ Guarders of the threshold of King Ahasuerus' gate Esther 2:21; 6:2 Both are mentioned again in Esther 6:2. (Anonymous eunuchs) Servants of Queen Esther Esther 4:4 Hathach^ [3]^ Attendant of Queen Esther, appointed by King Ahasuerus Esther 4:5 (Anonymous eunuchs) (No positions mentioned) Jeremiah 29:2 They lived in Jerusalem (Anonymous eunuchs) (No positions mentioned) Jeremiah 34:19 They, amongst other people, were responsible for breaking covenant with God Ebed-melech the Ethiopian^[3]^ A "eunuch who was in the king’s house" Jeremiah 38:7 The only other Ethiopian Eunuch in the Bible other than the one Philip met on the road in Acts 8:27.

Notes

  1. ? Matthew 19:12
  2. ? Manasseh seems to be Hezekiah's only biblically-recorded son (cf. 2 Chronicles 32:33), but it doesn't seem likely that he was one of the eunuchs because he succeeded Hezekiah as king after him. Manasseh is also said to have sons in several places.
  3. ? ^3.0^ ^3.1^ ^ 3.2^ ^3.3^ ^ 3.4^ ^3.5^ These names are using the spellings of the ESV.
  4. ? This would be supported by the fact that Harbona, one of the seven in chapter 1, is mentioned again in Esther 7:9 as "attending" the king, and these "young men" are also said to be "attending" the king.
  5. ? Bigthan may be the Bigtha of chapter 1.

See also

  • Loneliness

External links