εὐνουχίζω (G2134) — Greek Lexicon

εὐνουχίζω

eunouchízō

G2134 verb

SILEX Entry

Root εὐνουχ- to castrate, to make a eunuch, to deprive of sexual function

Definition

to make into a eunouchos (eunuch), specifically to castrate; by extension, to deprive of the capacity for sexual relations or, metaphorically, to forgo marriage and sexual relations altogether. Primary use is literal, with secondary, figurative applications to self-restraint or voluntary abstinence.

Semantic Range

to castrate, to make a eunuch, to render sexually incapable, to abstain from sexual relations or marriage (figuratively), to forgo marital life for a purpose

Root / Etymology

Formed from the noun εὐνοῦχος ('eunuch') and the causative verbal suffix -ίζω. The noun εὐνοῦχος likely derives from εὐνή ('bed') + ἔχω ('to hold'), originally meaning 'bed-keeper.' Thus, εὐνουχίζω means 'to make someone a eunouchos.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb εὐνουχίζω appears chiefly in Hellenistic and later Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 19:12). In classical sources, the corresponding noun εὐνοῦχος referred to both literal court eunuchs and, in some cases, officials or chamberlains regardless of castration. By the Koine period, the primary meaning had narrowed to men rendered infertile by castration, often serving in royal courts. In the New Testament, εὐνουχίζω is used both literally (to physically castrate) and metaphorically (to voluntarily abstain from marriage or sexual activity for a purpose). English translations sometimes obscure the term's physical and social implications by rendering it simply as 'make a eunuch' or, figuratively, 'live unmarried.' The concept of voluntary abstention was distinctive in Greco-Roman and Second Temple contexts, where celibacy was not commonly associated with the term for eunuchs.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὐνοῦχος; to castrate (figuratively, live unmarried):--make…eunuch.

Root Family

εὐνουχίζω (eunouchizō) — to castrate, to make a eunuch, to deprive of sexual function

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G2134-01`	εὐνούχισαν	eunouchisan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`		they castrated	1
`G2134-02`	εὐνουχίσθησαν	eunouchisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`		they were made eunuchs	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G2134-02`	Matthew 19:12	εὐνουχίσθησαν	eunouchisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`		they were made eunuchs
`G2134-01`	Matthew 19:12	εὐνούχισαν	eunouchisan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`		they castrated

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