The intentional mutilation of the male organs in devotion to a god by some “holy men” survived into modern times. This custom prevailed among various ancient peoples as a part of their religion (see Lev. 21:20).
Not enter.
To emphasize God’s abhorrence of the mutilation of the human body. The same prohibition, applied to certain foreigners, evidently meant exclusion from the sanctuary, where the congregation worshiped (Neh. 13:1, 7; Lam. 1:10), but not exclusion from salvation, or God’s spiritual house (see Isa. 56:3, 5). Later, in God’s spiritual community of Christian believers, a eunuch was highly honored by a special messenger sent from God (Acts 8:27-40). Eunuchs were employed in the service of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Kings 9:32; Jer. 29:2).