Ear

The organ of hearing; the ear is referred to in various OT rites and is a symbol of attention, alertness or readiness to hear.

The ear in the OT rites

Piercing the ear: a symbol of servanthood

Psalm 40:6 See also Exodus 21:5–6; Deuteronomy 15:16–17

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.

Blood applied to the ear: a symbol of cleansing and ordination

Leviticus 8:23 See also Exodus 29:20; Leviticus 14:14

Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.

God's ear as a symbol of his alertness to humanity

Psalm 116:1–2 See also 2 Kings 19:16; 2 Chronicles 7:15; Nehemiah 1:6JOB Nehemiah 34:28; James 5:4 Psalm 5:1, Psalm 31:2, Psalm 34:15, Psalm 88:2, Psalm 130:1–2; Daniel 9:18

I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice — my appeal for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

God's ear may be turned away from humanity

Psalm 28:1 The refusal to turn an ear towards someone was a symbol of refusing to listen. See also Deuteronomy 1:45; Lamentations 3:56; Ezekiel 8:18 God's attending ear is partly dependent on human attitudes to him.

Of David. To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.

The human ear used symbolically

Human ears should be open to God

Isaiah 50:4–5, Isaiah 55:3 See also Job 42:5; Psalm 81:8; Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 32:3; Matthew 13:9 parallels Mark 4:9, Luke 8:8 “He who has ears” implies a potential willingness to listen; Matthew 13:16; Mark 9:7; Revelation 2:7

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.

Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant — My loving devotion promised to David.

Human ears may be closed against God

Zechariah 7:11–13 See also Psalm 58:4–5; Isaiah 6:10

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts. And just as I had called and they would not listen, so when they called I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts.

The human ear should also be open to others

Isaiah 48:8; Jeremiah 6:10; Ezekiel 12:2; Acts 7:51, Acts 7:57; 2 Timothy 4:4Proverbs 21:13

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

A discerning ear brings knowledge and understanding

See also Job 12:11, Job 13:1, Job 34:3; Proverbs 18:15