Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Then his master must bring him before the judges. He must also bring him to the door or doorpost of his house, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will serve him for life.
This verse describes a ceremony where a Hebrew servant who chooses to stay with his master permanently has his ear pierced as a sign of lifelong commitment.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the Hebrew law regarding servants and slavery in ancient Israel. Unlike other ancient cultures, Hebrew law provided protections for servants and allowed them freedom after six years of service. However, if a servant loved his master and family and chose to stay permanently, this ear-piercing ceremony made that choice official and binding.
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