Deuteronomy 15:17
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The profound, non-obvious detail here is that the "awl" piercing the ear is a symbolic act signifying a willing submission to service, because the ear is the organ of hearing and obedience. This ritual wasn't about inflicting pain, but about a public, permanent declaration of belonging, a physical mark of one's committed relationship to their master and their household.
then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage follows the laws about releasing Hebrew servants after six years of service, emphasizing they shouldn't be sent away empty-handed. Here, it details a specific, symbolic ritual for the servant who chooses to stay with their master beyond the typical release period, marking their ear as a sign of permanent commitment. It also extends this choice to female servants, though the exact application for them involves some differences from male servants.
Why would God ordain such a dramatic and personal act as piercing an ear to signify lifelong servitude? This wasn't just arbitrary punishment; it was a profound symbol.
The act of piercing the ear was deeply symbolic in the ancient world. The ear is the organ of hearing and obedience. By piercing the ear and fastening the servant to the doorpost, it was a public declaration that this person had willingly given up their right to hear and obey anyone but their master. It signified their complete dedication and submission.
This wasn't a cruel act meant to inflict pain, but a ritualistic marking. It was meant to be a visible sign to everyone that this person belonged to their master, not out of force, but by their own expressed desire to remain.
Think of it like a tattoo or a brand today, but with a spiritual significance tied to hearing and obeying God's commands through the master.
The verse says 'forever,' but the context of Deuteronomy reveals a more nuanced picture. What did 'forever' truly mean in this covenant relationship?
While the phrase 'for ever' suggests perpetual servitude, the Mosaic Law provided an important release valve: the Year of Jubilee. For Hebrew slaves, 'forever' typically meant until the Jubilee year, at which point they were to be set free and even provisioned by their master.
This wasn't a system of chattel slavery as we understand it today. It was rooted in covenant and had built-in mechanisms for release and restoration. The ear-piercing ritual marked the transition from a limited term of service to a deeper, lifelong commitment within the covenant community, but still under the framework of God's ultimate sovereignty.
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There's also a distinction made for maidservants. While the ritual might be similar in principle (a public declaration of their status), the specific outcomes and conditions of their release could differ, emphasizing the complexities within the legal framework.
Freedom is one thing, but God commanded more than just opening the door. What generous spirit was He cultivating?
The context surrounding this law isn't just about the marking ritual; it's also about how the master should behave when the servant is eventually released. God explicitly states that it shouldn't 'seem hard' to let them go free. In fact, the master was to 'generously supply' the servant from their flock, their threshing floor, and their winepress.
This demonstrates a core principle of the covenant: generosity and care for the vulnerable. The servant had given years of labor, often due to debt or hardship. The release wasn't meant to be a bare exit, but a dignified new beginning, enabled by the master's willing provision. It reflects God's own abundant provision for His people.
This generosity is a stark contrast to a grudging or resentful release. It’s about recognizing the shared humanity and the blessing of God that underpins all prosperity.
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A person bound in servitude to another, often implying loss of personal freedom. While the institution in ancient Israel was regulated, the term fundamentally describes a state of total belonging to and service of a master.
This passage is the source for the law described here in Deuteronomy, detailing the ritual of piercing the ear of a servant who chooses to remain with their master permanently.
Jeremiah 34:14This prophetic passage critiques the people of Judah for failing to uphold their covenant, specifically mentioning the release of Hebrew servants, which echoes the principles found in Deuteronomy 15.
Psalm 40:6The imagery of 'ears opened' is deeply connected to obedience and willing service, drawing a parallel to the ear being pierced as a sign of permanent commitment to service.
Isaiah 50:5This prophetic servant song speaks of a willing submission to God's will, where the servant's ear is opened to hear and obey, resonating with the symbolic act of the pierced ear signifying a committed servant.
2 Corinthians 9:7While not a direct parallel to the legal rite, Paul's teaching on giving generously and not grudgingly is spiritually aligned with the spirit of liberality expected when releasing servants, as discussed in the commentary.
gillDeuteronomy 15:17: "Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise."
Then thou shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door,.... Not of his master's house, but of the sanhedrim, or court of judicature, according to the Targum of Jonathan, before whom he was to be brought, and declare his desire to continue with his master; See Gill on Exodus 21:6 , and he shall…
clarkeDeuteronomy 15:17: "Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise."
Thou shalt take an awl - See the note on Exodus 21:6 .
The profound, non-obvious detail here is that the "awl" piercing the ear is a symbolic act signifying a willing submission to service, because the ear is the organ of hearing and obedience. This ritual wasn't about inflicting pain, but about a public, permanent declaration of belonging, a physical mark of one's committed relationship to their master and their household.
This passage follows the laws about releasing Hebrew servants after six years of service, emphasizing they shouldn't be sent away empty-handed. Here, it details a specific, symbolic ritual for the servant who chooses to stay with their master beyond the typical release period, marking their ear as a sign of permanent commitment. It also extends this choice to female servants, though the exact application for them involves some differences from male servants.
This passage follows the laws about releasing Hebrew servants after six years of service, emphasizing they shouldn't be sent away empty-handed. Here, it details a specific, symbolic ritual for the servant who chooses to stay with their master beyond the typical release period, marking their ear as a sign of permanent commitment. It also extends this choice to female servants, though the exact application for them involves some differences from male servants.
"then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same." — The profound, non-obvious detail here is that the "awl" piercing the ear is a symbolic act signifying a willing submission to service, because the ear is the organ of hearing and obedience. This ritu…
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Last reviewed October 2026
