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then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your maid-servant you shall do likewise.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Public Vow of Love
The ear-piercing ceremony was a public, legal act signifying a servant's choice to remain with a master they loved. Commentators note this wasn't forced servitude, but a decision rooted in affection for the master and his household. Scholars like John Gill clarify that 'forever' in this context meant until the next Jubilee year, making it a lifelong commitment within a specific legal framework.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Deuteronomy
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5
18th Century
Presbyterian
The commands here are repeated from Exodus 21:2-6, with amplifications relative to the maidservant (Deuteronomy 15:12) and to the makin…
19th Century
Anglican
And to your maidservant you shall do likewise —i.e., “in furnishing her liberally” (Rashi), and “possibly also in retaini…
Baptist
And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; then …
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door Not of your m…
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to …
