Topical Encyclopedia
Confinement, in a biblical context, often refers to the state of being imprisoned or restricted in movement. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, both in literal and metaphorical senses. The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals who experienced confinement, whether due to their faith, as a consequence of their actions, or as part of God's divine plan.
Old Testament Instances1.
Joseph: One of the most notable examples of confinement in the Old Testament is the account of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually found himself imprisoned in Egypt due to false accusations by Potiphar's wife (
Genesis 39:20). Despite his unjust confinement, Joseph remained faithful to God, and his time in prison became a pivotal moment in God's plan for him, eventually leading to his rise to power in Egypt (
Genesis 41:14-41).
2.
Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah also experienced confinement. He was imprisoned by King Zedekiah for prophesying the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (
Jeremiah 32:2-3). Despite his imprisonment, Jeremiah continued to deliver God's messages, demonstrating the perseverance of faith even in restrictive circumstances.
3.
Daniel: While not imprisoned in the traditional sense, Daniel faced confinement in the lion's den as a result of his unwavering commitment to prayer and worship of God (
Daniel 6:16-23). His deliverance from the lions served as a testament to God's protection and faithfulness.
New Testament Instances1.
John the Baptist: John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife (
Matthew 14:3-4). John's confinement ultimately led to his martyrdom, yet his life and message paved the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
2.
Apostle Paul: The Apostle Paul frequently encountered confinement during his missionary journeys. Notably, he was imprisoned in Philippi (
Acts 16:23-24), Caesarea (
Acts 23:35), and Rome (
Acts 28:16). Despite these confinements, Paul continued to preach the Gospel, write epistles, and encourage the early Christian communities. His letters from prison, such as Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, are integral parts of the New Testament.
3.
Peter: The Apostle Peter was also imprisoned for his faith. In
Acts 12:3-5, Peter was arrested by King Herod Agrippa, but an angel of the Lord miraculously freed him from his chains (
Acts 12:7-10). This event highlighted the power of prayer and divine intervention.
Metaphorical ConfinementBeyond physical imprisonment, the Bible also addresses spiritual and emotional confinement. Sin is often depicted as a form of bondage or captivity. Jesus Christ's mission is described as setting the captives free, offering liberation from the bondage of sin and death (
Luke 4:18). The Apostle Paul speaks of the freedom found in Christ, contrasting it with the confinement of the law and sin (
Galatians 5:1).
Theological ImplicationsConfinement in the Bible often serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and power to deliver. It is a recurring theme that highlights the resilience of faith and the transformative power of divine intervention. Whether through miraculous deliverance or the endurance of suffering, biblical accounts of confinement underscore the belief that God is present and active, even in the most restrictive circumstances.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Restraint within limits; imprisonment; a restraint of liberty; seclusion.
2. (n.) Restraint within doors by sickness, esp. that caused by childbirth; lying-in.
Greek
5010. taxis -- an arranging, order... orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and thus used as a ready
"metaphor in Paul's conversation with the soldiers in His
confinement" (, 904).
...Strong's Hebrew
4929. mishmar -- place ofconfinement, jail, prison, guard, watch...... mishmar. 4930 . place of
confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance.
Transliteration: mishmar Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mawr') Short Definition: guard
...3628. keli --confinement, restraint, imprisonment
... 3627, 3628. keli or kelu. 3629 .confinement, restraint, imprisonment.
Transliteration: keli or kelu Phonetic Spelling: (kel-ee') Short Definition: prison....
3608. kele --confinement, restraint, imprisonment
... 3607, 3608. kele. 3609 .confinement, restraint, imprisonment. Transliteration:
kele Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-leh) Short Definition: prison....
4689. matsoq -- straits, stress
... anguish, distress. From tsuwq; a narrow place, ie (abstractly and figuratively)
confinement or disability -- anguish, distress, straitness. see HEBREW tsuwq....
Library
Antigonus Besieges those that were in Masada, whom Herod Frees...
... Antigonus Besieges Those That Were In Masada, Whom Herod Frees FromConfinement
When He Came Back From Rome, And Presently Marches To Jerusalem Where He Finds...
Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles...
... [153:7] The language of the concluding verses of the Acts warrants the impression
that Paul'sconfinement had ended some time before the book was completed...
The Natural Supremacy of Reflection
... happiness in this world consists in somewhat quite distinct from regard to others,
and that it is the privilege of vice to be without restraint orconfinement?...
The Binding of Satan.
... The "key," "pit," and "chain," symbolize the instruments of restraint andconfinement
to which Satan is to be subjected; and his being bound and confined...
The Life of Mr. John Davidson.
... for the same, and was by the king committed prisoner to the castle of Edinburgh;
but, on account of bodily infirmity, this place ofconfinement was changed to...
About the Four Brothers, Called "The Long," who were Ascetics, and...
... When Theophilus heard of their voluntaryconfinement, he sent to desire
them to come to him. They replied, that he ought first to...
Testimonies of the Ancients against Eusebius.
... by thee? Who could bear such things? Do thou tell me, wert thou not in
confinement with me at the time of the persecution? I have...
The Life of Mr. Alexander Moncrief.
... He continued underconfinement until July 12.1661, that he had his indictment and
charge, much about the same time with Mr. James Guthrie, which runs upon his...
The Life of Mr. Samuel Rutherford.
... Aberdeen, &c. during the king's pleasure, which sentence he obeyed, and
forthwith went toward the place of hisconfinement. From...
Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
... The rich sinner is represented as passing, at death, into a place of torment, and
confinement, and as despairing of even a momentary enlargement....
Thesaurus
Confinement (6 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Restraint within doors by sickness, esp. that caused by childbirth;
lying-in. Multi-Version Concordance
Confinement (6 Occurrences).
...Prison (131 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence,
a place or state o/confinement, restraint, or safe custody....
Vent (8 Occurrences)
... same passage in feet. 9. (n.) Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from
confinement or privacy; outlet. 10. (n.) Emission; escape...
Release (61 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To let loose again; to set free from restraint,confinement, or servitude;
to give liberty to, or to set at liberty; to let go....
Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... service; to dismiss. 5. (vt) To release legally fromconfinement; to set
at liberty; as, to discharge a prisoner. 6. (vt) To put...
Cage (3 Occurrences)
... In Revelation 18:2 it is the rendering of the Greek phulake, properly a prison or
place ofconfinement.... 2. (n.) A place ofconfinement for malefactors....
Captive (123 Occurrences)
... captivated. 3. (a.) Made prisoner, especially in war; held in bondage or in
confinement. 4. (a.) Subdued by love; charmed; captivated....
Scurvy (3 Occurrences)
... It is occasioned byconfinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially
by lack of fresh vegetable food, orconfinement for a long time to a limited...
Confined (18 Occurrences)
Hold (500 Occurrences)
... 22. (n.) Something that may be grasped; means of support. 23. (n.) A place
ofconfinement; a prison;confinement; custody; guard. 24....
Resources
Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the herd of pigs? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I get married? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Abyss? | GotQuestions.orgConfinement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
