The word signifies, one who guards the bed. In the courts of
eastern kings, the care of the beds and apartments belonging to princes
and princesses, was generally committed to eunuchs; but they had the
charge chiefly of the princesses, who lived secluded. The Hebrew _saris_
signifies a real eunuch, whether naturally born such, or rendered such.
But in Scripture this word often denotes an officer belonging to a
prince, attending his court, and employed in the interior of his palace,
as a name of office and dignity. In the Persian and Turkish courts, the
principal employments are at this day possessed by real eunuchs. Our
Saviour speaks of men who “made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of
heaven,” Matt. xix, 12; that is, who, from a religious motive, renounced
marriage or carnal pleasures.
eastern kings, the care of the beds and apartments belonging to princes
and princesses, was generally committed to eunuchs; but they had the
charge chiefly of the princesses, who lived secluded. The Hebrew _saris_
signifies a real eunuch, whether naturally born such, or rendered such.
But in Scripture this word often denotes an officer belonging to a
prince, attending his court, and employed in the interior of his palace,
as a name of office and dignity. In the Persian and Turkish courts, the
principal employments are at this day possessed by real eunuchs. Our
Saviour speaks of men who “made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of
heaven,” Matt. xix, 12; that is, who, from a religious motive, renounced
marriage or carnal pleasures.