Exodus 21:6 kjv

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 awl; and he shall serve him for ever.

Exodus 21:6 nkjv

then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

Exodus 21:6 niv

then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

Exodus 21:6 esv

then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.

Exodus 21:6 nlt

If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 6 Meaning

Exodus chapter 21, verse 6 describes the procedure for a Hebrew servant who, after six years of servitude, willingly chooses to remain with his master rather than go free. This law ensures a public and formal act of permanent commitment. The act signifies a lifelong bond of service to the master, enacted before divine presence or judicial authority, making the servant’s choice immutable. It is a legal and deeply symbolic act of willing, lifelong servitude, chosen out of love or attachment rather than coercion.

Exodus 21 6 Context

Exodus chapter 21 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22-23:33), which contains a series of case laws given by God to Moses immediately after the Ten Commandments. These laws elaborate on how Israel was to live as a holy nation, distinct from surrounding cultures. Verses 1-11 specifically address regulations concerning Hebrew servants. Unlike the widespread chattel slavery of other ancient Near Eastern societies, Hebrew servitude under the Mosaic Law was an indentured agreement, typically for debt or poverty. It was temporary, lasting six years, with release on the seventh year (the sabbatical year) or during the Jubilee year, ensuring no permanent enslavement of a Hebrew. Exodus 21:6 deals with a unique situation: when a servant willingly foregoes this freedom due to a deep attachment to their master, his family, and/or household, choosing a lifelong, voluntary service instead of mandatory release. This demonstrates the unique moral and social framework intended for Israel, valuing both individual liberty and committed, relational service.

Exodus 21 6 Word analysis

• then his master: The term for master, אֲדֹנָיו (adôn), signifies authority and ownership within this context of covenantal servitude.
• shall bring him: וְהִגִּישׁוֹ (v'higisho), indicating a formal presentation or bringing near, underscoring the solemnity of the act. The master is the one who initiates this process after the servant's declaration.
• to God: אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים (el-ha'Elohim). This is crucial. Elohim can refer to God, but also to "judges" or those acting on God's behalf (e.g., Ex 22:8-9, where property disputes are brought el-ha'Elohim). Scholars widely interpret this here as presenting the servant before the judges as divine representatives, emphasizing the public and legally binding nature of the oath, a covenant before human authorities ordained by God. This elevates the transaction to a sacred level, witnessed by divine authority.
• and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost: וְהִגִּישׁוֹ אֶל־הַדֶּלֶת אוֹ אֶל־הַמְּזוּזָה (v'higisho el-ha'delet o el-ha'mezuzah).
  • door (delet): A place of public passage, signifying a public declaration. It represents the boundary of the home and the entrance to one's private life.
  • doorpost (mezuzah): The specific vertical part of the door frame. This detail indicates precision in the ritual, marking a significant threshold. The mezuzah later held specific religious significance for Jews (Deut 6:9). Being pierced at this point physically and symbolically connects the servant to the master's household permanently.
• and his master shall pierce his ear: וְרָצַע אֲדֹנָיו אֶת־אָזְנוֹ (v'ratza adonâv et ozno).
  • pierce (ratza): To bore or awl through. This is a direct physical act of marking.
  • his ear (ozno): The ear is symbolic of hearing, obedience, and reception. The piercing is a public and visible sign of lifelong hearing and obeying the master's commands, and a willing surrender of one's independence. It implies a "hearing ear" open only to that master's instructions.
• with an awl: בַּמַּרְצֵעַ (ba'martzea). A pointed instrument, typically used for boring holes in leather or wood. Its common, practical nature highlights that this is a specific, formal tool used for this deeply significant ceremony, not a religious artifact, embedding the covenant in a practical, daily context.
• and he shall serve him forever: וַעֲבָדוֹ לְעוֹלָם (va'avadô l'olam).
  • serve (avad): To labor or serve.
  • forever (l'olam): In this specific legal context, l'olam generally means "for life" or "until death," rather than eternal. The Mosaic law limits Hebrew servitude (Ex 21:2, Lev 25:39-43). The act signifies a permanent, indissoluble bond for the remainder of that servant's earthly life, or until the next Jubilee (less likely, as this procedure creates an exception). This 'forever' choice contrasts sharply with the default release after six years, marking a lifelong commitment.

Exodus 21 6 Bonus section

The institution of "servitude" (often translated "slavery") for Hebrews under Mosaic Law stood in stark contrast to the brutal chattel slavery prevalent in Egypt and surrounding nations. It was not based on race, perpetual ownership, or cruelty, but typically on debt, poverty, or specific legal arrangements for limited durations. This particular law of lifelong voluntary service was a polemic against the arbitrary and cruel nature of other ancient slave systems. It elevated the status of the servant to one capable of moral choice and deep relational attachment within the household. This system honored human dignity by allowing agency even within servitude. Furthermore, some theological interpretations connect the "opened ear" in Psalm 40:6 to this very practice, presenting Christ as the perfect, willing servant of the Father, whose "ear was pierced" in His ultimate obedience unto death. He willingly committed to God's will, exemplified by His life of service, a commitment deeper than any legal obligation.

Exodus 21 6 Commentary

Exodus 21:6 portrays a powerful biblical truth about voluntary servitude and covenant commitment. It reveals a specific legal procedure allowing a Hebrew servant, motivated by affection or contentment, to choose lifelong dedication to a master. This decision is not out of necessity, but a free and informed choice to forgo statutory freedom. The ceremony at the "door/doorpost" makes this a public, household, and even divinely witnessed event. The piercing of the ear with an awl leaves a permanent, visible mark, symbolizing a willing surrender of self and a lifelong commitment to hear and obey. This ancient law provides a compelling analogy for the believer's relationship with God through Christ. Just as the servant chose their master out of love, believers, bought by Christ's sacrifice, willingly choose to become bondservants of righteousness. Our "ear" is opened to obey God's will, not out of legal obligation, but out of grateful devotion and love for the Master who purchased us. It exemplifies true servanthood—not forced submission, but devoted, willing obedience.