Deuteronomy 15:17

What does Deuteronomy 15:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 15:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then take a sharp-pointed instrument, driving it through his ear into the door, and he will be your servant for ever. And you may do the same for your servant-girl.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then thou hast taken the awl, and hast put <FI>it<Fi> through his ear, and through the door, and he hath been to thee a servant age-during; and also to thy handmaid thou dost do so.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thou shalt take an awl, and bore through his ear in the door of thy house, and he shall serve thee for ever: thou shalt do in like manner to thy womanservant also.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear and into the door; and he shall be thy bondman for ever. And also unto thy handmaid thou shalt do likewise.

Context

v.16And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go out from thee; because he loveth thee and thy house, because he is well with thee;

v.17This passage

v.18It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou lettest him go free from thee; for to the double of the hire of a hireling hath he served thee six years: and Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all that thou doest.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Samuel 1:22

    But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned; and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Jehovah, and there abide for ever.

  • Leviticus 25:39

    And if thy brother be waxed poor with thee, and sell himself unto thee; thou shalt not make him to serve as a bondservant.

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