Did the concept of gender in the Bible existed?

Text by Gene Robinson*, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire (United States), taken from “Transgender Welcome: A Bishop Makes the Case for Affirmation“, Published by the Center for American Progress, January 2016, freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

There are several ways to approach the sacred texts of the Jewish and Christian tradition. The approach that I will adopt here is not a literaist, but aims to read the Scriptures by placing them in their historical and cultural context, trying to understand the original meanings and the way in which over time they have been interpreted by the communities of faith.

We must also remember that the original writings have not been written in English or Italian. When we discuss the meaning of a word or biblical concept, we must keep in mind that the version we read is already an interpretation.

The translators had to choose a word rather than another to make a jewish or greek term, and this inevitably introduces different shades.

In short, many biblical passages cannot be read simplistic or interpreted rigidly, because their original meanings may not correspond exactly to those we attribute to them today.

To face the Bible in a serious and responsible way, we must consider three fundamental elements:

1. The beliefs and knowledge of the time when the texts were written.

2. The interpretation that the communities of faith have given to those texts over time.

3. Modern scientific, psychological and social knowledge, which help us better understand human reality.

Only by combining these three elements can we get closer to an interpretation of the scriptures that is really significant for our time.

The concept of gender in the Bible

An important aspect to consider is that in the biblical world there was no concept of "gender identity" as we mean it today. However, it is likely that even in ancient times there were people who, in one way or another, transgressed the gender rules of their time.

The Bible mentions roles assigned according to the genre, but does not deal with the concept of gender identity itself. This does not mean that transgender people have never existed in the past, but rather that they were not recognized as such.

They did not have the words to define themselves and probably lived their reality without a conceptual picture to explain it.

This is one of the challenges we have to face: if the concept of "transgender" as we mean it today did not exist at the time of the Bible, how can we look for a guide in the scriptures to face this reality?

It is the same problem that we encounter with many modern Issues: the bible does not speak of climate change, bioethics or digital rights, but this does not mean that faith has nothing to say about these issues.

On the contrary, we are called to read the scriptures with intelligence, looking for the principles of justice and love that can help us orient our choices.

* Gene Robinson(born on May 29, 1947 in Lexington, Kentucky) was the first declaredly gay bishop and in a stable relationship to be consecrated in a great Christian denomination, the episcopal church of the United States. Ordained Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, his election aroused a global debate on the position of Christian churches with respect to homosexuality, causing tensions in Anglican communion.

Robinson has experienced his faith as an inclusion tool, supporting with passion the rights of LGBTQ+ people both in the Church and in society. Author of books such as“God Believes in Love”, he told his personal and theological path, underlining the importance of a Welcoming church.

His inheritance lies in the courage to affirm that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are children of God, worthy of respect and dignity. His figure remains a symbol of opening and justice in the contemporary Church.

* Gene Robinson(born on May 29, 1947 in Lexington, Kentucky) was the first declaredly gay bishop and in a stable relationship to be consecrated in a great Christian denomination, the episcopal church of the United States. Ordained Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, his election aroused a global debate on the position of Christian churches with respect to homosexuality, causing tensions in Anglican communion.
Robinson has experienced his faith as an inclusion tool, supporting with passion the rights of LGBTQ+ people both in the Church and in society. Author of books such as“God Believes in Love”, recounted his personal and theological journey, underlining the importance of a welcoming Church. His legacy lies in the courage to affirm that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is a child of God, deserving of respect and dignity. His figure remains a symbol of openness and justice in the contemporary Church.

Original text:Transgender Welcome. A Bishop Makes the Case for Affirmation