Was Daniel made a eunuch in Babylon?

Answer

The Bible does not mention whether Daniel was made a eunuch. However, Daniel served as a slave in Babylon during a period when many slaves were castrated and turned into eunuchs. Consequently, some have proposed that Daniel might have been castrated as well. There is no clear biblical evidence either way, leaving this matter uncertain.

Certain clues from Scripture can be interpreted to support the idea that Daniel was made a eunuch. Firstly, he never married. Secondly, as previously mentioned, he was a slave at a time and place where castration of slaves was prevalent. Thirdly, 2 Kings 20:18 suggests that some of Hezekiah’s descendants would eventually be taken from Israel to serve as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon: “And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood that will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Daniel 1:3 reveals that Daniel and his companions were under the authority of the “chief eunuch” (ESV), a man named Ashpenaz. This same verse indicates that these young men were specifically taken to serve the king in his palace.

Why would a king have his slaves castrated? Castration was often carried out to ensure that a king’s advisers did not have offspring or romantic entanglements that could lead them to betray. This practice aimed to render the individual asexual, disinterested in sexual matters, devoid of sexual desires, and incapable of procreation.

Nevertheless, it is plausible that Daniel was not castrated and made a eunuch. Firstly, the reference in 2 Kings 20:18 does not mention Daniel and may not have pertained to him. Secondly, there is no verse explicitly stating that Daniel was castrated. Thirdly, the fact that Daniel was unmarried did not necessarily mean he was made a eunuch. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus states, “For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The

One who can accept this should accept it.” God calls some people to remain single for the purpose of serving Him more fully.

While we may wish the Bible were clearer on this issue, it remains uncertain whether or not Daniel was a eunuch. In either case, Daniel’s life stands as a positive example for other followers of God. He remained faithful to the Lord in a pagan culture, served his leaders and nation well, and impacted the lives of many through his faith and through the revelation of many prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled.