One question I hear quite often is, why didn’t God mention the LGBTQ people in the scriptures? I would say that God did by treating them as actual people and not separating them out as we do in modern society. That said, it should be understood that we do have inclusive terminology dating back to Biblical times. Classical Jewish texts allowed for gender diversity through the following language:
- Zachar: Biblical term derived from the word “pointy sword,” refers to a phallus; typically translated in English to “male.”
- Neqevah: Biblical term derived from the word “crevice” likely referring to a vaginal opening; typically translated in English to “female.”
- Androgynos: A person who has both “male” and “female” sexual characteristics; referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes as early as 1st century CE.
- Tumtum: A person whose sexual characteristics are indeterminate or obscured; referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes.
- Aylonit: A transgender person who was identified as “female” at birth but develops “male” characteristics at puberty; referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes.
- Saris: A transgender person who was identified as “male” at birth but develops “female” characteristics at puberty and/or is lacking a penis; referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes.
Note: A saris or an aylonit can be “naturally” a saris or aylonit, or become one through human intervention
Let’s take a look at a few of these terms, in alphabetical order.
Androgynus
“One who has a male organ and a female organ is called androgynus and there is uncertainty if they are male or female. And there is no sign that would ever determine that they were definitely male or female.” –Mishneh Torah, Marriage 2:24
A person who has both “male” and “female” sexual organs and/or characteristics; referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes as early as 1st century CE. Closely related to the English term “androgynous,” referring to one who is partly male and partly female in appearance.
Aylonit
“And these are the signs of an aylonit: if she doesn’t have breasts, and/or has difficulty during intercourse. Her lower abdomen isn’t like a woman’s. Her voice is rough and she can’t be identified as male or female.” –Mishneh Torah, Marriage 2:6
Aylonit is the Hebrew term for a transgender person who was identified as “female” at birth but develops “male” characteristics at puberty. A transgender man is one who was registered as female at birth but who lives and identifies as a man. This term is referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes. Some break this down further into “Aylonit hamah,” one who was identified as female at birth but later naturally developing male characteristics, and “Aylonit adam,” one who was identified as female at birth but later developing male characteristics through human intervention, similar to saris.
Saris
“And these are the signs of a saris: He doesn’t have a beard. His hair is weak. His flesh is smooth/hairless… How are they similar to women? They cause impurity with red discharge like women; and they must not be secluded with men, like women.” –Mishneh Torah, Marriage 2:13-14
Saris is the Hebrew term for a transgender person who was identified as “male” at birth but develops “female” characteristics at puberty and/or is lacking a penis. A transgender woman is one who was registered as male at birth but who lives and identifies as a woman. This term is referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes. Some break this down further into “Saris hamah,”one identified as female at birth but later naturally developing male characteristics, and “Saris adam,” one identified female at birth but later developing male characteristics through human intervention, similar to aylonit.
Tumtum
“And whoever has neither maleness nor femaleness, but is closed up is called a tumtum and they are also of an uncertain category.” –Mishneh Torah, Marriage 2:25
One who identifies as tumtum refers to a person whose sexual characteristics are indeterminate or obscured, a person who does not identify as having a single, unchanging gender. This could also describe a person who is gender fluid, one that may change gender expression or gender identity, or both. This change might be in expression, but not identity, or in identity, but not expression, or both. Like others, this term is not new being referenced in the Mishneh, Talmud, the midrash and in Jewish law codes.
God has Always Loved ALL of His Children
While the ideas found in Jewish thought are not always perfect, they help us to realize that God has recognize the reality of His LGBTQ children far longer that what modern oppressors of these children of God would like us to think. Studying these ancient understandings open a world of understanding. There are some interesting ideas found in Jewish thought, such as a female spirit being born into a male body:
“It is known that when Isaac was born, he was born with the soul of a female…” (Sefer Razin D’Oraita, Rabbi Yechiel Michael from Zloczow, 1731-1786).
Reading through these texts, are all of the thoughts on these topics perfect or “modern” in understanding? No. But they were learning and far more accepting that many today. The reality that their understanding was not perfect can be summed up in what we already know: that knowledge is given “line upon line; precept upon precept; here a little and there a little” (5 Joseph 5:13, RLDS/CoC DaC, 110:21d1, 128:21d CJCLdS DaC). Therefore, let us move forward in Christ and grow in our acceptance and our understanding.
