Exodus 21:6 “then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take h…”

Exodus 21:6

then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve his master for life.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

then his master shall bring him unto God, and shall 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then his master shall bring him vnto the Iudges, and set him to the dore, or to the poste, and his master shall bore his eare through with a nawle, and he shall serue him for euer.

Darby Translation

then his master shall bring him before the judges, and shall bring him to the door, or to the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall be his bondman for ever.

Young's Literal Translation

then hath his lord brought him nigh unto God, and hath brought him nigh unto the door, or unto the side-post, and his lord hath bored his ear with an awl, and he hath served him — to the age.

Bible in Basic English

Then his master is to take him to the gods of the house, and at the door, or at its framework, he is to make a hole in his ear with a sharp-pointed instrument; and he will be his servant for ever.

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Cross references

“the judges”

Exodus 21:22 Exodus 12:12 Exodus 18:21–26 Exodus 22:28 Numbers 25:5–8 Deuteronomy 1:16

Exodus 21:22 · BSB

If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows.

Exodus 12:12 · BSB

On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

Exodus 18:21–26 · BSB

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Exodus 22:28 · BSB

You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Numbers 25:5–8 · BSB

So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

Deuteronomy 1:16 · BSB

At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.

“bore his ear”

Psalm 40:6–8

Psalm 40:6–8 · BSB

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.

“for ever”

Deuteronomy 15:17 Leviticus 25:40 1 Samuel 28:2 Leviticus 25:23 1 Samuel 1:22 1 Samuel 27:12

Deuteronomy 15:17 · 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.

Leviticus 25:40 · BSB

Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee.

1 Samuel 28:2 · BSB

David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

Leviticus 25:23 · BSB

The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.

1 Samuel 1:22 · BSB

but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.”

1 Samuel 27:12 · BSB

So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

5But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’

7And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.

Read Exodus 21