Deuteronomy 15:17

15:17 you shall take an awl and pierce a hole through his ear to the door. ¹  Then he will become your servant permanently (this applies to your female servant as well).

Deuteronomy 23:13

23:13 You must have a spade among your other equipment and when you relieve yourself ²  outside you must dig a hole with the spade ³  and then turn and cover your excrement. ⁴ 

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¹ sn When the bondslave’s ear was drilled through to the door, the door in question was that of the master’s house. In effect, the bondslave is declaring his undying and lifelong loyalty to his creditor. The scar (or even hole) in the earlobe would testify to the community that the slave had surrendered independence and personal rights. This may be what Paul had in mind when he said “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17).

² tn Heb “sit.” This expression is euphemistic.

³ tn Heb “with it”; the referent (the spade mentioned at the beginning of the verse) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn Heb “what comes from you,” a euphemism.