Awl

Fig. 76—Awls

The Hebrew word which denotes an awl or other instrument for boring a small hole, occurs in Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17. Considering that the Israelites had at that time recently withdrawn from their long sojourn in Egypt, there can be no doubt that the instruments were the same as those of that country, the forms of which, from actual specimens in the British Museum, are shown in the annexed cut. They are such as were used by the sandal-makers and other workers in leather.

Awl. A tool of which we do not know the ancient form. The only notice of it is in connection with the custom of boring the ear of the slave. Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17.

The boring of a slave’s ear with it was the token of his volunteering perpetual service, when he might be free at the year of release (Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17). So Messiah, volunteering to become God’s servant by taking man’s nature; "Mine ears hast Thou opened" (Psa 40:6); Isa 1:5, "the Lord God hath opened Mine ear," i.e., hath made Me obediently attentive as a servant to his master. Heb 10:5-10 quotes it as Septuagint renders it: "a body hast Thou prepared Me," the strongest proof of willing obedience. The ear symbolizes obedience.

(מִרְצֵעִ, martse’d, perforator, Sept. ὀπήτιον), an instrument for boring a small hole (Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17). Considering that the Israelites had recently withdrawn from their long sojourn in Egypt, there can be no doubt that the instruments were the same as those of that country, used by the sandalmakers and other workers in leather (Wilkinson, 2, 105). In the above passages the word is employed in reference to piercing the ear as a sign of perpetual servitude, which it seems was a custom among other Oriental nations (Petronius. Satyr. 102), and it was the practice in Lydia, India, and Persia to perforate the ears of boys dedicated to the service of the gods (Xen. Anab. 3, 1, 31; Plutarch, Sympos. 2, 1, 4). SEE SERVANT.

A piercing instrument, only spoken of as being thrust through the ear: its form is not known. Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17.

AWL.—A boring instrument, named only in connexion with the ceremony whereby a slave was bound to perpetual servitude (Exo 21:6, Deu 15:17).

Tool for making holes in leather, in art associated as an emblem with Saint Benignus.

ôl מרצע, marcē^a‛̌: “Bore his ear through with an awl” (Exo 21:6; Deu 15:17). The ear was pierced as being the organ of hearing, Thus signifying the servant’s promise of obedience. See BORE.

Exo 21:6 (c) This may be taken to represent the permanent attaching of the saved sinner to the purposes, the person, and the service of JESUS CHRIST, his new Lord and Master. The ear represents the hearing or the listening for commands. There surely comes a time in the life of the believer when he decides definitely to give his whole attention, effort and work to the Master who has purchased him with His Blood. (See also Psa 40:6)