Bore
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Bore in the Bible?
The ceremony of boring a slave's ear with an awl was performed to ratify their decision to remain in their master's service, likely symbolizing duty of obedience and attachment to the household.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this practice clarifies the legal and social mechanisms of debt servitude in ancient Israel, revealing how personal loyalty could override standard manumission laws and providing context for passages where servants express desire to stay with their masters.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Bore. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bore in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bore clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bore." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bore/