an instrument only referred to in connection with the custom of boring the ear of a slave ( Exodus 21:6 ; Deuteronomy 15:17 ), in token of his volunteering perpetual service when he might be free. (Compare Psalms 40:6 ; Isaiah 50:5 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.