Beyond the Harem:
Stories of Three Unlikely Heroes

by

John Tyler Connoley

A Masters Thesis in Biblical Studies submitted to
the Faculty of Earlham School of Religion.

Richmond, Indiana

September 30, 2002

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Contents

Front Matter

Acknowledgments (p. v)

Abbreviations (p. vi)

Preface (p. vii)

Chapter 1: Eunuchs in the Hebrew Bible

The Difficulty of Translation (p. 1)

Physical Characteristics of Eunuchs (p. 7)

Social Roles of Eunuchs (p. 9)

Social Status of Eunuchs (p. 13)

Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Eunuchs (p. 16)

Ebed-melech, Hathach, and Ashpenaz (p. 20)

Chapter 2: Servant of the King (Jer 38:1–13)

Narrative (p. 22)

Analysis (p. 42)

Chapter 3: For Such a Time as This (Esth 4:4–17)

Narrative (p. 51)

Analysis (p. 64)

Chapter 4: Loving Daniel (Dan 1:3–21)

Narrative (p. 74)

Analysis (p. 86)

Conclusion

Appendix: Instances of saris in the Hebrew Bible

Bibliography