Deuteronomy 15 17

Deuteronomy 15:17 kjv

Then thou shalt take an awl, 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.

Deuteronomy 15:17 nkjv

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 female servant you shall do likewise.

Deuteronomy 15:17 niv

then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant.

Deuteronomy 15:17 esv

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.

Deuteronomy 15:17 nlt

In that case, take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door. After that, he will be your servant for life. And do the same for your female servants.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:17 outlines the ceremonial procedure for a Hebrew bondservant who, out of love for their master and household, chooses to remain in perpetual service rather than accepting freedom in the Year of Release (Sabbatical Year). The master is to take an awl, pierce the servant's earlobe, and press it against the door or doorpost, signifying the servant's willing and permanent inclusion into the household as a lifelong member. This custom ensures security for the servant and signifies a deep, lasting commitment and belonging, with the same option provided for female servants.

Deuteronomy 15 17 Context

Deuteronomy 15 primarily deals with two major aspects of the "Year of Release" (also known as the Sabbatical Year): the cancellation of debts every seven years and the freeing of Hebrew servants. Verses 12-18 specifically detail the laws regarding Hebrew men and women who sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. After six years of service, they were to be released, and their masters were commanded to send them off generously. Verse 17 addresses a unique scenario within this framework: if a servant chooses not to leave at the seven-year mark, driven by love for their master and satisfaction with their life in the household, a formal, public ceremony transforms their temporary servitude into a permanent, lifelong commitment to that specific household. This law reflects God's compassion and desire for security for His people, distinguishing Israel's practices from the often harsher and dehumanizing servitude systems prevalent in the surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures, such as those of Egypt or Mesopotamia, where such generous release or voluntary lifelong service rooted in affection was not common.

Deuteronomy 15 17 Word analysis

• then you shall take: This is a direct command given to the master, detailing the procedure. It emphasizes the master's active role in recognizing and solemnizing the servant's choice.
• an awl: (Hebrew: מַרְצֵעַ, martzêa‘). This is a pointed tool, typically used for boring holes, not a weapon. Its purpose here is for a symbolic piercing, creating a lasting physical mark, not inflicting significant pain. The mark signifies the servant's decision and altered status.
• and put it through his ear: (Hebrew: אָזְנוֹ, ‘oznô, "his ear"). The ear is the organ of hearing and obedience. Piercing the ear, therefore, signifies the servant's willingness to be "opened" to hear and obey their master for life. It symbolizes deep, permanent allegiance and commitment to the master’s household. This physical mark distinguishes them as one who has freely given up their right to freedom.
• into the door: (Hebrew: הַדֶּלֶת, haddelet). The door or doorpost (as specified in the parallel text Exod 21:6, where it’s mezuzah, doorpost) represents the entry to the master's house, symbolizing belonging to the household and integration into the family structure. The public act at the door marks a binding, open declaration of their commitment within the domestic sphere.
• and he shall be your bondservant: (Hebrew: עֶבֶד, ‘eved). While ‘eved can denote forced servitude, in this specific context, it signifies a voluntary and cherished form of service. The servant becomes a permanent, integral part of the master's family unit, indicating a mutually agreeable relationship based on loyalty and provision, not coercion.
• forever: (Hebrew: לְעוֹלָם, lĕ‘ōlām). This term signifies "for an indefinite period, always, for life, perpetually." In the context of mortal life, it generally means for the duration of the servant's life or until the master's death. While Lev 25 decrees general release during the Jubilee year, the voluntary, symbolic nature of the pierced ear ceremony in Deut 15:17 indicates a chosen relinquishing of this future right to freedom, creating a lifelong bond. It's a statement of permanent status, lasting as long as the servant lives within that household.
• You shall do likewise to your female slave: (Hebrew: אֲמָה, ‘amāh, specific for a female slave/servant). This phrase ensures equity. The same voluntary, lifelong commitment and ceremonial recognition apply equally to female servants, guaranteeing their rights and the stability of their position within the household if they choose to remain.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "then you shall take an awl and put it through his ear into the door": This describes a deeply symbolic, physical ritual that publicly marks the voluntary nature of the servant’s lifelong commitment. It transforms an external act into an internal bond, signifying allegiance and complete submission to the master’s authority and care. The "ear" signifies willingness to hear and obey, and the "door" signifies perpetual inclusion within the family unit.
• "and he shall be your bondservant forever. You shall do likewise to your female slave": This phrase encapsulates the new, permanent status. "Forever" (lĕ‘ōlām) emphasizes a chosen, lasting bond beyond the standard six-year term, based on mutual love and trust. The explicit inclusion of the "female slave" underscores the impartial justice and humane provisions of the Law, extending the same compassionate choice and recognition to both male and female Hebrew servants, valuing their dignity and commitment equally within the covenant community.

Deuteronomy 15 17 Bonus section

The seemingly contradictory idea of "forever" service (לְעוֹלָם) alongside the general freedom of the Jubilee Year (Lev 25) for Israelites highlights a unique aspect of covenant law. For the Hebrew who freely chose this path, the piercing ritual was seen to supersede the general right to Jubilee release because it was an act of personal, willing commitment. It transformed the servant into an integral, permanent part of the master's household and future generations, emphasizing the bond formed out of loyalty and love rather than debt. This suggests a higher level of integration into the master's household than a mere indentured servant would achieve. The ethical challenge and nuance in ancient Israel's laws lay in balancing the ideal of liberation, recalling their own experience in Egypt, with the practical realities of a society where economic hardship sometimes necessitated forms of servitude. God's law provided humane guidelines that transformed servitude into a potential avenue for secure, stable belonging rather than perpetual oppression, making it distinct among ancient legal codes.

Deuteronomy 15 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:17 captures a profound biblical concept of voluntary and loving servitude. While the overarching theme of the chapter is release and freedom for the poor and indebted, this verse highlights the exceptional case where a servant chooses perpetual attachment to their master and household. This choice is rooted in affection ("I love my master," Exod 21:5) and the desire for belonging and security, demonstrating a unique form of human relationship within the law. The ritual of the pierced ear serves as an indelible physical mark, a public testimony to this commitment. It's not a brand of degradation, but rather an emblem of willing allegiance.

This practice finds significant typological fulfillment in the New Testament. Just as the Hebrew servant chose to remain perpetually bound to an earthly master out of love, believers are called to be willing "bondservants" of God and Christ (Rom 1:1; Phil 2:7). Christ Himself exemplified ultimate voluntary servitude, not to escape slavery but to take on the "form of a servant" (Phil 2:7), ultimately submitting His will to the Father even unto death. His "ears were opened" to obey God (Ps 40:6, quoted in Heb 10:5), signifying a perfect, life-long dedication. Spiritually, this act of devotion means surrendering our will, our rights, and our very lives to Christ, allowing Him to "pierce our ears" so that we may hear and obey Him continually, belonging eternally to His household, the church. This "forever" service is not forced but a joyous response to God's unfailing love and provision, a commitment marked by genuine affection and desire for His presence.