Deuteronomy 15:17

New Century Version

stick an awl through his ear into the door; he will be your slave for life. Also do this to a female slave.

Cross References

1 Samuel 1:22

But one time Hannah did not go with him. She told him, “When the boy is old enough to eat solid food, I will take him to Shiloh. Then I will give him to the Lord, and he will always live there.”

Exodus 21:5

“But if the slave says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children, and I don’t want to go free,’

Exodus 21:6

then the slave’s master must take him to God. The master is to take him to a door or doorframe and punch a hole through the slave’s ear using a sharp tool. Then the slave will serve that master all his life.

Deuteronomy 15:16

But if your slave says to you, “I don’t want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and has a good life with you,

Deuteronomy 15:18

Do not think of it as a hard thing when you let your slaves go free. After all, they served you six years and did twice the work of a hired person. The Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.