Ear piercing is a common practice in many cultures today, often seen as a fashion statement or a rite of passage. If you’re wondering Where To Get Ears Pierced, you’re likely thinking about jewelry stores or tattoo parlors. However, the concept of ear piercing holds a much deeper, often overlooked meaning, rooted in ancient traditions and carrying significant spiritual weight. This exploration delves into the rich history and symbolism behind ear piercing, revealing a profound message that goes far beyond mere aesthetics.
The Ancient Ritual of Ear Piercing: A Symbol of Voluntary Servitude
The Bible, specifically in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, describes a fascinating ritual involving ear piercing. This wasn’t about fashion or adornment, but a powerful symbol of choosing lifelong servitude out of love and devotion. Let’s examine the scriptures to understand this ancient practice.
In Exodus 21:1-6, we find the initial instructions:
“Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them. If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing… But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judge. Also he shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.”
This passage outlines that Hebrew slaves were to be released after six years of service. However, a slave who had developed a deep bond with his master and his household could choose to remain. This choice was not taken lightly; it was a declaration of love and a desire for continued service. This voluntary commitment was then marked by a permanent symbol: the piercing of the ear.
Deuteronomy 15:12-17 reiterates and expands on this principle:
“If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the Lord your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today. And if it happens that he says to you, ‘I will not go away from you,’ because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever.”
This repetition emphasizes the importance of free choice and the profound nature of becoming a bondslave. It was an act of love, not obligation, driven by a desire to serve beyond the requirements of the law.
Unpacking the Symbolism: Why Piercing, a Door, and Ears?
The ritual itself raises several questions. Why piercing? Why perform it at a door? And why specifically the ear? These elements are not arbitrary; they are laden with symbolism that deepens our understanding of this act of devotion.
The Significance of Piercing
The act of piercing, using a tool called martzayah, was meant to create a permanent mark. This wasn’t a fleeting symbol but an incision into the flesh, leaving a lasting scar. This concept resonates with the Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 6:17, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” The Greek word for “marks” here is stigma, referring to a mark or brand, often used to denote ownership or service.
In the context of the bondslave, the pierced ear became a stigma of willing servitude. It was a visible declaration of their choice to remain bound to their master out of love. This resonates deeply with the scars of Jesus Christ, who willingly submitted to crucifixion out of love for humanity. His scars, too, are permanent marks of his ultimate act of service and sacrifice. Just as the bondslave bore the mark of his earthly master, Christians are called to bear the marks of their heavenly Master, Jesus, through service and devotion.
The Door as a Portal of Choice
The door or doorpost is another crucial element of this ritual. In biblical symbolism, a door represents a passageway, a transition from one state to another. Jesus himself declares in John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” The door symbolizes opportunity and choice.
Think of the Exodus story, where the blood on the doorframe marked the homes of the Israelites, protecting them from the plague and signifying their transition from slavery to freedom. The door represented the threshold of a new covenant with God.
Bringing the bondslave to the door for the piercing ritual is therefore highly symbolic. It signifies that the choice to become a bondslave is a conscious crossing of a threshold. It’s an entry into a new kind of relationship with their master, one defined by voluntary servitude and love. Just as the door in Exodus was the portal to physical freedom, the door in this ritual is the portal to a different kind of freedom – the freedom found in willing submission and service.
The Ear: The Organ of Obedience
Finally, why the ear? The ear is the organ of hearing, and in a spiritual context, it represents obedience and attentiveness to God’s word. We see the significance of the ear in other rituals within the Torah.
In Leviticus 8, during the consecration of priests, blood from a ram was applied to the tip of Aaron’s right ear and the right ears of his sons, along with their right thumbs and big toes. Similarly, in Leviticus 14, in the cleansing ritual for leprosy, blood and oil were applied to the same three locations: the right earlobe, thumb, and big toe.
These rituals highlight the ear’s connection to consecration and cleansing. The ear represents the ability to hear and obey God’s commands. The hand symbolizes actions and deeds, and the foot represents one’s walk or lifestyle. By marking the ear with blood, and then anointing it with oil, it symbolized a life dedicated to hearing and obeying God, a life cleansed and consecrated for service.
Therefore, piercing the ear of the bondslave was not merely a physical act but a symbolic representation of their commitment to listen to and obey their master’s commands willingly and perpetually. It was a declaration of a life attuned to service, ready to hear and respond.
Modern Reflection: Finding Deeper Meaning in Service
While we may not literally seek where to get ears pierced as a sign of servitude today, understanding this ancient ritual offers profound insights into the nature of service, love, and commitment. It challenges us to consider:
- What does it mean to willingly serve out of love? The bondslave chose servitude not out of obligation but out of a deep affection for their master and household. This mirrors the Christian call to serve God and others out of love and gratitude.
- Are we marked by our commitment? Just as the bondslave bore a physical mark, are our lives marked by our dedication to our values and our faith? Do our actions reflect a commitment to service?
- Do we see service as freedom? Paradoxically, the bondslave found freedom within servitude. Similarly, true freedom in a spiritual sense can be found in surrendering to a higher purpose and serving others.
Reflecting on the ritual of ear piercing encourages us to move beyond superficial understandings of service and commitment. It invites us to explore where to get ears pierced metaphorically – where can we find opportunities to deepen our commitment to service, to listen more attentively to the needs of others, and to willingly dedicate ourselves to a cause greater than ourselves, driven by love and devotion, much like the bondslave of old.
References:
[1] www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4742&t=KJV
[2] www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G2374&t=KJV
