Blessed also is the eunuch: Good News Translation begins the verse with “On that day,” meaning “the Judgment Day.” For Blessed Good News Translation has “will be rewarded with happiness,” and Contemporary English Version has “will receive special blessings.” Another possibility is “God will be especially kind.” A eunuch is a castrated man. In Deut 23.1 it is said that such men cannot be part of the community of Israel, but Isa 56.3-5 pronounces a blessing on eunuchs who are faithful to the Law. Our author clearly agrees with Isaiah. He very likely intends a parallel with the childless woman, here speaking of the man who cannot have children. But ancient people probably believed that any man capable of sexual activity was able to have children if the woman was fertile. The only way they could conceive of a man unable to have children was in the case of one who had been rendered incapable of any sexual activity. Translators should be careful not to use a term for eunuch that is considered vulgar.

Whose hands have done no lawless deed refers to actions, and translators may say “who have done only good [or, lawful] deeds” or “who have been faithful to the Law.”

Who has not devised wicked things against the Lord refers to thoughts—thinking ill of God. Good News Translation translates it well: “has not stored up resentment against the Lord.”

For special favor will be shown him for his faithfulness: For indicates an emphasis here. The eunuch faithful to the Law will not only be blessed, but receive special favor he has remained faithful in spite of the fact that he had every reason to be resentful and bitter toward God. In some languages this will be stated in the active; for example, “Because he has been faithful, the Lord will give him a special reward more precious than having children.”

And a place of great delight in the temple of the Lord is literally “and an inheritance in the Lord’s temple more pleasing.” Presumably this means receiving something even more satisfying than having children; compare Isa 56.5. The temple of the Lord refers to heaven; see Psa 11.4; 18.6; Bar 2.16. Good News Translation keeps the imagery but points the reader in the right direction by translating “the Lord’s heavenly Temple.” Contemporary English Version translates place of great delight as “honored positions.” Perhaps we may say something like “a place of honor in the Lord’s Temple in heaven.”

The verse may be rendered as follows:

• God will be especially kind to a castrated man, if that man has been faithful to the Law and has not stored up resentment against the Lord. Because he has been faithful, God will give him a special reward even more precious than having children: an honored place in his heavenly Temple.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.