APPENDIX

The word m’haym-na (singular) no doubt means: a homosexual, a castrated male, a trusted one and a believer. Remember, the definition of a foreign word is based on how the foreign word is used in the different ways of communication (i.e. spoken or written). M’haym-na means a homosexual in the verses I quoted at the beginning of this pamphlet. M’haym-na means a castrated male here: “Like a eunuch lusting for intimacy with a maiden is he who does right under compulsion.” (Sirach 20:3 NAB). M’haym-na means a person that is “trustworthy, trusted or faithful” (see Tobit 5:9; Matt. 24:45; 1 Peter 5:12) And M’haym-ne (plural) means believers here: “…be an example to the believers..” (1 Tim. 4:12 Lamsa).

Whether a person understands a eunuch as an unblemished homosexual or a castrated male, they were both trusted in two major functions. We see this by examining the Bible. They were trusted around women in dwelling, communication and dealings. One major underlining reason would be to prevent an illegitimate child. They were also trusted as civil servants. They weren’t able or less likely to have children, which made them less likely to kill the king and start their own dynasty.

Every word in scripture is important. In the book of Daniel, it says that the king wanted males that were handsome. God didn’t have to have the word “handsome” in His holy word at this place. The information would have still been sufficient for readers to be educated without that word. But God is preserving a valuable connection on why the king wanted handsome eunuchs. God is showing today’s readers the homosexual tendencies of the king toward eunuchs. The following paragraphs will clear up some misconceptions regarding eunuchs.

The primary meaning for a eunuch is not a castrated male, but more often as a trusted (servant). The context tells if the trusted one is a commander, doorkeeper or other occupation. In Gen. 39:1 it says: “..And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, commander of the guard,..” Literally, the Aramaic text says that Potiphar was a trusted one of Pharaoh, a “commander.” So the context tells us what type of trusted one that Potiphar was, he was a commander. In Esther 2:21, we are told that Bigthan and Teresh were “trusted ones,” of those that kept the door, so they were door keepers. A homosexual “trusted one” would be a keeper of women, as was the case of Hegai in Esther 2:3.

Homosexual officers (eunuchs) weren’t always castrated. In the Book of Acts it talks about an Ethiopian Eunuch under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, going into the Temple in Jerusalem to worship (Acts 8:26-27). But in (Deuteronomy 23:1) it says that a castrated male is not to enter the congregation of the LORD. The Book of Acts, chapter (8:26-27) is a good reference of a Eunuch that was not castrated.

The Bible only records that castration was done for the following reasons. Castration was performed on beaten enemy warriors (See 1 Sam. 18:25,27; 2 Sam. 3:14). And lastly, castration was done as a punishment for adultery: “No adulterer shall enter into the assembly of the LORD.” (Deut. 23:1 Lamsa). The KJV literally translates what the original Hebrew text says at Deut. 23:1 as: “He that is wounded in the stones (testicles), or hath his privy member (penis) cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.” Another place where the Bible shows that castration was done for adultery is in the book of Proverbs. Solomon instructs his son (and spiritually us) with this advice: “Wisdom shall deliver you from a strange woman who flatters with her words.” (Proverbs 2:16 Lamsa). By giving heed to the advice of abstaining from adultery, Solomon says: “For the upright shall dwell in the land, and those who are unblemished shall remain in it.” (Prov. 2:21 Lamsa). The Hebrew word ta-mim was translated as unblemished in the Aramaic text and was translated as "perfect" here in the KJV. It was also translated as "without blemish" in many places when referring to animals. So this word really does mean "without blemish." Verse 21 actually carries the pun meaning of "entire (morally)" or "blameless." But we still see how "castration" or "blemishing" was done for the crime of adultery.

SARIS

Sa-ris is the Hebrew transliteration of the Akkadian word sa-resi (Also pronounced sa-res). The s’s in Sa-resi may have a “sh” sound; with a possible pronunciation of sha-reshi. Sa-resi is from the Akkadian words sa “man” and resi “of the Head” Resi is the genitive form of resu (Head). The literal meaning of sa-resi is “Head Man” or “Head.” The word “Man” is not needed in the understanding of a “Head.” Sa is connected to many Akkadian nouns such as sa-ariti (lit. “man of the shield” or “shield-man”). A “Head” in the Semitic languages of Hebrew and Aramaic refers to “a person in authority or who has a leadership role.” I am making an educated guess that this is the meaning of sa-resi in the Akkadin language, since Akkadian is a Semitic language. I am not proficient in Akkadian and I have not read any books in Akkadian.

The defining of sa-ris as a “Head” or a “person of authority” is very similar to one of James Strong’s definitions. He also defined sa-ris, as “a minister of state.” Even though “a minister of state” is not the root meaning of sa-ris, it definitely appears to be its meaning in usage.

James Strong is obviously wrong when he says that sa-ris is from an unused root meaning “to castrate.” A root meaning of “to castrate” is wrong because of the proof I presented that sa-ris is from two Akkadian words, and by the fact that some of the saris’ were not castrated. The Bible records that Potiphar was a sa-ris (translated as officer at Gen. 37:36 & 39:1) and had a wife. So he was clearly not castrated.

The definitions of all the Akkadian words are from the ASSYRIAN ENGLISH-ASSYRIAN DICTIONARY, Copyright The Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project, 2007.

Note: The Preface to that Dictionary states: “The Standard Akkadian entries deriving from the inscriptions of Neo-Assyrian kings were edited by Luukko and Van Buylaere, the supplementary ones (culled from Akkadian literary, religious, and scientific texts) by Parpola and Van Buylaere.”