Ear

The ear is used extensively in Scripture in both literal and figurative senses. Literally, it refers to the organ of hearing, but its primary biblical importance lies in its symbolic use for attention, obedience, and spiritual receptivity. To "uncover the ear" (1 Samuel 9:15; 2 Samuel 7:27) is to make a secret communication; to "incline the ear" is to give attentive heed (Psalms 45:10; Proverbs 4:20). God's ear is spoken of anthropomorphically: "The ear of the LORD is toward the righteous" (1 Peter 3:12; Psalms 34:15).

The piercing of a servant's ear against the doorpost (Exodus 21:6) symbolized voluntary, permanent servitude — the servant chose to remain rather than go free in the sabbatical year. In the New Testament, Christ repeatedly calls for hearing beyond mere physical sound: "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9) is a formula pointing to spiritual comprehension. The ear of the wicked is said to be dull (Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15), and James calls for believers to be "swift to hear, slow to speak" (James 1:19).