UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: eunuch

Semantic entry: 9.25

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Males

Definition: a castrated male person{N:001}

Notes: In the ancient Middle East eunuchs were frequently in charge of royal harems and sometimes rose to high positions of state. The reference to the eunuch in RV ACT 8:34 · LV ACT 8:34 · Read together ACT 8:34 is best interpreted as ‘court official’ (see 37.85: εὐνοῦχος).|Since in many societies castration of human males is not known, any attempt to employ a descriptive explanation within the text might seem unnecessarily crude and even vulgar. A number of translators have therefore preferred to borrow a term for eunuch and then place the explanation of its meaning in a glossary or word list.

Sense 2: impotent male

Semantic entry: 9.28

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Males

Definition: a human male who without being castrated is by nature incapable of sexual intercourse{N:001}

Sense 3: celibate

Semantic entry: 9.29

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Males

Definition: a male person who abstains from marriage without being necessarily impotent{N:001}

Sense 4: court official, eunuch

Semantic entry: 37.85

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Rule, Govern

Definition: an official of an Oriental court who was entrusted with various important responsibilities and who was also a eunuch

Notes: In a context such as RV ACT 8:34 · LV ACT 8:34 · Read together ACT 8:34, the focus of meaning of εὐνοῦχος[d] seems to be upon the person’s official responsibilities and position rather than upon his physical condition. It may therefore be more in keeping with the context to employ an expression such as ‘official of the court’ or ‘important official.’ On the other hand, in view of a eunuch’s limited acceptance in Jewish religion, the mention of the physical condition would fit Luke’s theological purposes well.