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Deuteronomy 15:17

15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

16 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 thou shalt take an aul, 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.

18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

19 All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
then take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he will become your servant for life. And treat your maidservant the same way.
KJV
Then thou shalt take an aul, 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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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 maid-servant thou shalt do likewise.
DARBY
then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear and into the door; and he shall be thy bondman for ever. And also unto thy handmaid thou shalt do likewise.
BLB
then you shall take an awl and thrust [it] through his ear and to the door, and he shall be your servant forever; and to your maidservant you shall do likewise.
ÅB
da skal du ta en syl og stikke den gjennom hans øre inn i døren, så skal han være din tjener for all tid; det samme skal du gjøre med din tjenestepike.
OTB
da skal du ta en syl og stikke den gjennom øret hans inn i døren, og han skal være din tjener for livet. Gjør det samme for din kvinnelige tjener.
B1930
da skal du ta en syl og stikke den gjennem hans øre inn i døren, så skal han være din tjener for all tid; det samme skal du gjøre med din tjenestepike.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 1:22

    But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

    Read in context

  • Leviticus 25:39–42

    And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

    Read in context