Exodus 21:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A servant who chooses to stay permanently undergoes a public ritual marking him as bound to his master forever.
The Context of Exodus 21:6
A pierced ear marks permanent voluntary servitude
What Does Exodus 21:6 Mean?
The ear-boring ceremony makes the servant's choice legally binding and public. Brought before judges and witnesses, the servant's ear is pierced at the doorpost—a permanent mark that declares his voluntary, lifelong commitment to his master's household. The ritual ensures this decision cannot be reversed.
This ceremony, though striking to modern sensibilities, served to formalize and honor a solemn choice. It transformed a voluntary commitment into a binding covenant, witnessed by the community and marked on the servant's body as a visible reminder of his decision.
Exodus 21:6 in the Original Language
awl (אַיִל), 'a pointed instrument' — the tool used for the piercing ritual
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:6
What does Exodus 21:6 mean?
A servant who chooses to stay permanently undergoes a public ritual marking him as bound to his master forever.
What is the context of Exodus 21:6?
A pierced ear marks permanent voluntary servitude