Bible Dictionaries
Awl
Holman Bible Dictionary
An instrument or tool made of flint, bone, stone, or metal to bore holes. Biblical references refer to using the awl to pierce a servant's ear (Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17 ). Perhaps a ring or identification tag was placed in the hole. This marked the slave as a permanent slave for life. Excavators in Palestine unearth many such boring tools.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Awl'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/a/awl.html. 1991.