רָצַע
to pierce
Definition
The Hebrew verb רָצַע (râtsaʻ) means to pierce or bore through, specifically referring to the act of making a hole in something. In its single biblical occurrence in Exodus 21:6, it describes the ritual act of piercing a slave's ear with an awl against a doorpost, symbolizing the slave's voluntary, permanent commitment to his master. This action transforms a temporary servitude into a lifelong bond. The word carries a concrete, physical sense of perforation, not used metaphorically in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Exodus 21:6, within the context of the Covenant Code's laws concerning Hebrew slaves. It describes a specific legal and ritual procedure. The usage is highly contextual and formulaic, tied directly to this one ceremonial act of marking voluntary, perpetual servitude.
Etymology
רָצַע is a primitive root, meaning its etymology is not clearly derived from another Hebrew word. It is a basic verb meaning 'to pierce' or 'to bore.' Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, support this core meaning of puncturing or perforating.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it illustrates the concept of voluntary, loving submission and permanent belonging within a covenant relationship. The pierced ear of the slave in Exodus 21:6 becomes a powerful symbol of devoted service, heard and obeyed commands, and a chosen, enduring bond. This imagery is later reflected in Psalm 40:6, where the psalmist declares 'my ears you have opened' (using a different verb, כָּרָה), and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the willing submission of Christ (Philippians 2:7-8). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the biblical metaphor of being a servant of God.
In ancient Israelite culture, this action was a publicly witnessed legal ceremony. Piercing the earlobe with an awl against the master's doorpost was a durable, visible sign that the slave was choosing a permanent home and family. It moved the individual from a temporary economic arrangement (six years of service to repay a debt) into a permanent, protected social status within the household, contrasting sharply with forced or chattel slavery.
דָּקַר (dāqar, H1856) — to thrust through, pierce (often fatally, as with a spear). נָקַב (nāqav, H5344) — to bore, pierce, or designate; can be used for piercing ears (e.g., Exodus 21:6 LXX) but also in more general or figurative senses.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →