Ear
“Ear, the organ of hearing”
Summary
The physical organ of hearing, used throughout Scripture both literally and figuratively to represent spiritual receptivity to God's word and revelation.
☩Ritual and Legal Uses
The ear held special significance in Hebrew ritual law. At the consecration of priests, the tip of the right ear was touched with sacrificial blood, sanctifying this organ to better hear God's commands. Similarly, when a healed leper was restored to the community, both blood and oil were applied to the right ear as part of the cleansing ceremony. The ear was also central to the law of perpetual servitude: when a Hebrew slave chose to remain with his master rather than go free in the seventh year, his ear was publicly pierced with an awl at his master's doorpost, symbolizing his permanent obedience. Some interpreters connect this practice to Psalm 40:6, though this remains debated.
☩Figurative and Spiritual Meaning
Scripture frequently uses the ear figuratively to represent spiritual perception. To 'uncover the ear' is a Hebrew idiom meaning to reveal something privately. When God's ear is said to be 'open to their cry,' it signifies His attentive regard to prayer. Conversely, 'heavy' or 'uncircumcised' ears represent spiritual dullness and disobedience—minds inattentive to divine truth. Isaiah's commission to make the people's ears heavy indicates judicial hardening as judgment for persistent unbelief. Paul applies this same passage to the Jews of Rome who rejected the gospel. The deaf adder that refuses to hear the charmer pictures those who willfully resist God's voice.
☩In Christ's Teaching
The phrase 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' recurs throughout the Synoptic Gospels, particularly in connection with Christ's parables. Jesus used parables precisely because of 'ears dull of hearing'—the mysteries of the kingdom require spiritual perception to be understood. This faculty of recognizing truth and responding to its utterance is what Christ describes as a spiritual ear. The same formula appears throughout Revelation, addressed to the seven churches, emphasizing that hearing involves not merely physical reception but spiritual comprehension and obedient response.
Related Verses258 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Ear," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Ear," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.Unknown source, "Ear."