Awl
/AWL/
Summary
A pointed tool used to pierce holes, notably in the ceremony marking a servant's permanent attachment to his master.
☩Bond-Servant Ceremony
Under Mosaic law, when a Hebrew servant chose to remain with his master rather than go free in the seventh year, the master would bring him to the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl as a sign of permanent servitude. This marked the servant's voluntary commitment to lifetime service out of love for his master and family.
Key verses:Exodus 21:6Deuteronomy 15:17
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Awl," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Awl," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).