📖 Biblical Definition
The doorpost is the vertical beam on either side of a doorway — and Scripture loads it with three theologically charged uses. First, the Passover blood: "And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses" (Exodus 12:7) — the sign over which the destroying angel passed. Second, the bondservant’s ear: a Hebrew slave who refused freedom was brought "unto the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul" (Exodus 21:6) — willing perpetual service. Third, the inscribed Word: "thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9) — the basis of the mezuzah. Sanctify the threshold.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The post or piece of timber on either side of a door, on which the door is hung or against which it shuts.
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DOORPOST, n. Either of the upright members of the framing of a door.
Scripturally, the doorpost is one of three architectural surfaces (with lintel and threshold) that the Mosaic law charged with covenant meaning.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 12:7 — "And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses."
Exodus 21:6 — "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."
Deuteronomy 6:9 — "And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
Deuteronomy 11:20 — "And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The doorpost has been emptied of meaning; nothing is written on it, no blood marks it, no covenant ear is pierced beside it.
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Three Mosaic commands meet at the doorpost: cover it (Passover), inscribe it (Shema), and pin a willing servant's ear to it (Exodus 21:6) — signs of redemption, instruction, and gladly chosen service.
Strip the doorpost of those, and you have a board — functional, forgotten. Restore even one of them in symbolic form — a Scripture verse over the doorway, a deliberate moment of crossing — and the household begins to feel like a household under God again.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew names the doorpost as a structure intended to hold writing — the same word gave rise to the modern mezuzah.
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H4201 — מְזוּזָה (mezuzah) — doorpost; the surface God commanded should bear the words of the Shema.
Note: this same Hebrew word now names the small case of Scripture affixed to Jewish doorways — a literal obedience to Deuteronomy 6:9.
Usage
"Write a verse on your doorpost; the Lord asked for it."
"The bondservant who loved his master had his ear pinned to the doorpost — that is the posture of joyful service."
"A doorpost without a word on it is a board, not a covenant marker."