Exodus 21:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the Hebrew context, the term olam (עולם), which translates to century, embodies the concept of eternity when the letter vav is included. Conversely, when the letter vav is absent, it refers to the fiftieth year, known as the jubilee year. This is why a Jewish individual, who out of affection for his family and loyalty to his master, chooses to enter servitude through the piercing of his ear, is instructed to serve for a lifetime—interpreted as lasting until the jubilee year. (Galatians 1:4-5)

The one who is genuinely liberated, who embodies true Judaism, fully dedicates himself to God, and all he possesses is a manifestation of that freedom. The individual who renounces his liberty, declaring: I cherish my master, my spouse, and my children; I shall not seek my freedom, is not merely surrendering to his master but also yielding to his own frailty, as he becomes entangled with the world due to his affection for it or an inclination of his mind that drives his desires. Furthermore, the person who assumes the responsibilities of family life, not just those of the temporal realm but also of eternal significance, finds himself bound not only to his spouse but also to his own gratification. It is to him, standing at the threshold, that the master will draw close, urging him to remember that it was he who willingly chose to live in bondage.

Why did God instruct the Hebrew servant who chose not to embrace freedom to have his ear pierced? He aims to teach them to value liberation above all else. Therefore, anyone who is indifferent to this and finds comfort in servitude is commanded to bear this mark as a form of shame. Additionally, this symbol signifies obedience through the act of listening, and it denotes that a servant cannot exit through the door without their master’s consent. Why is it stated that he shall serve forever when human life is finite? This implies that the term "age" does not always signify eternity; at times, it denotes a specific duration. Similarly, the blessed David declares, “Our age is for the enlightenment of Thy face” (Psalm 89:8), referring to the span of human existence as an age.

In the allegorical framework, a person determined to engage in active service stands before God's judgment as a master. He draws from the teachings of the ancient fathers, who served as priests of the Almighty on this journey. This individual also approaches the threshold of the court, allowing him to hear with clarity the call to the heavenly abode and grasp the reality of the impending judgment, which cultivates a disinterest in seeking human approval through his good deeds. His inclination toward God is akin to having his ear pierced with an awl, suggesting that a profound reverence for God enables his soul to give heed to the invitation to the kingdom, as if his ear is anchored to the entrance of the temple.

This practice is believed to have originated in ancient times and was later sanctioned by the ‘book of the covenant.’ When examining this passage alongside the historical accounts of the Jewish people, particularly in Flavius Josephus' writings (book 4, chapter 8) as well as Leviticus 25:40 and 50, it becomes evident that these servants, along with their families, were granted freedom during the subsequent jubilee year following their initial seven years of service. In Hebrew, the phrase used to refer to presenting a case before a judge translates to ‘to bring before Elohim,’ signifying the divine authority of God, whose representatives are the judges.