Liberal Forum

There are 6 different gender diverse terms in ancient Judaism’s texts, 1 each for male and female, and 4 for transgender and gender-non-conforming identities.

 Zachar (זָכָר): It is usually translated as “male” in English. (This is what we refer to as a cis man).

 Nekeivah (נְקֵבָה): It is usually translated as “female” in English. (This is what we refer to as a cis woman).

 Androgynos (אַנְדְּרוֹגִינוֹס): A person who has both “male” and “female” sexual characteristics. (This is what we refer to as intersex but for some people non-binary).

 Tumtum (טֻומְטוּם "hidden"): A person whose sexual characteristics are undetermined or obscured. (This would also refer to intersex conditions, but in terms of gender it is closest to Agender).

 Ay'loni (איילונית): A person who is identified as "female" at birth, who is later on masculizined. (People use this terminology to refer to trans men or infertile women).

 Saris (סריס): A person who is identified as “male” at birth but develops female characteristics. A saris is also referred to those who lack a penis. A saris can be “naturally” a saris (saris hamah), or become one through human intervention (saris adam), such as a eunuch. (People use this terminology to refer to trans women or eunuch).