Deuteronomy 15:17 - 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.
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What does "Deuteronomy 15:17" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 15:17 outlines a procedure for a Hebrew slave who, upon being offered freedom after their mandated six years of servitude, chooses to remain with their master. Let's break down its meaning and context:
Context: Deuteronomy 15 discusses the laws regarding the release of Hebrew slaves after six years of service. The purpose of these laws was to ensure that Hebrew people were not perpetually enslaved to one another.
"Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door...":
Awl: A sharp, pointed tool used for piercing holes.
Thrust it through his ear to the door: This is a symbolic act of marking the slave's voluntary decision to remain. The doorpost was a significant location, often representing the boundary between the inside (family, security) and the outside (freedom, uncertainty). Piercing the ear and attaching it to the doorpost signified a permanent bond, a choice to remain within the household.
"...and he shall be your servant forever.": This indicates that the slave's servitude would now be for life, or until the Jubilee year, when all debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed. (Leviticus 25:39-55 provides details about the Jubilee year).
"Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.": This provision extended the same option and symbolic procedure to female slaves who wished to remain in their master's household.
Interpretation and Significance:
Voluntary Choice: The key is that the slave had to choose to remain. The law assumes that the slave is offered freedom and refuses it. This implies that the slave had a good relationship with their master and felt security and/or affection within the household.
Symbolic Act: The piercing of the ear was a powerful symbol of commitment. It was a permanent, visible reminder of the slave's choice to remain in servitude.
Protection and Security: For some slaves, the security and stability offered by remaining with a kind master may have been preferable to the uncertainties of freedom. They may have lacked the resources or skills to support themselves independently.
Limitation on Slavery: It's important to remember that even permanent servitude was subject to the Jubilee year, which provided a safeguard against perpetual enslavement.
Moral Considerations: Modern readers often find this passage disturbing because it involves the idea of lifelong servitude. However, in the context of ancient Israel, it was arguably a more humane option than simply abandoning a slave who was unable to care for themselves. Additionally, it provided a legal framework for a situation where a slave willingly chose to remain with their master.
In summary, Deuteronomy 15:17 describes a law allowing a Hebrew slave who is offered freedom to voluntarily choose to remain in servitude for life. This decision was marked by a symbolic act of piercing the ear to the doorpost, signifying a permanent commitment to the master's household. This law underscores the importance of voluntary consent and highlights the complex social and economic realities of ancient Israelite society.
Deuteronomy 15:17 - 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.
What does "Deuteronomy 15:17" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 15:17 outlines a procedure for a Hebrew slave who, upon being offered freedom after their mandated six years of servitude, chooses to remain with their master. Let's break down its meaning and context:
Context: Deuteronomy 15 discusses the laws regarding the release of Hebrew slaves after six years of service. The purpose of these laws was to ensure that Hebrew people were not perpetually enslaved to one another.
"Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door...":
Awl: A sharp, pointed tool used for piercing holes.
Thrust it through his ear to the door: This is a symbolic act of marking the slave's voluntary decision to remain. The doorpost was a significant location, often representing the boundary between the inside (family, security) and the outside (freedom, uncertainty). Piercing the ear and attaching it to the doorpost signified a permanent bond, a choice to remain within the household.
"...and he shall be your servant forever.": This indicates that the slave's servitude would now be for life, or until the Jubilee year, when all debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed. (Leviticus 25:39-55 provides details about the Jubilee year).
"Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.": This provision extended the same option and symbolic procedure to female slaves who wished to remain in their master's household.
Interpretation and Significance:
Voluntary Choice: The key is that the slave had to choose to remain. The law assumes that the slave is offered freedom and refuses it. This implies that the slave had a good relationship with their master and felt security and/or affection within the household.
Symbolic Act: The piercing of the ear was a powerful symbol of commitment. It was a permanent, visible reminder of the slave's choice to remain in servitude.
Protection and Security: For some slaves, the security and stability offered by remaining with a kind master may have been preferable to the uncertainties of freedom. They may have lacked the resources or skills to support themselves independently.
Limitation on Slavery: It's important to remember that even permanent servitude was subject to the Jubilee year, which provided a safeguard against perpetual enslavement.
Moral Considerations: Modern readers often find this passage disturbing because it involves the idea of lifelong servitude. However, in the context of ancient Israel, it was arguably a more humane option than simply abandoning a slave who was unable to care for themselves. Additionally, it provided a legal framework for a situation where a slave willingly chose to remain with their master.
In summary, Deuteronomy 15:17 describes a law allowing a Hebrew slave who is offered freedom to voluntarily choose to remain in servitude for life. This decision was marked by a symbolic act of piercing the ear to the doorpost, signifying a permanent commitment to the master's household. This law underscores the importance of voluntary consent and highlights the complex social and economic realities of ancient Israelite society.