Exodus, the second book in the Old Testament, makes the following provision about how to treat an enslaved person: "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever." (21:5-6)
What it means: Commentaries explore the implications from these verses, asserting the mark was intended to attest to permanent servitude and the forfeiture of any rights afforded to a freeman. There are mixed assessments about whether this was a choice made by the enslaved person or it was a form of punishment for not choosing to be free.
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