Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of imprisonment in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both literal and metaphorical aspects. Imprisonment is often depicted as a consequence of sin, a tool of divine justice, or a means of testing faith. Throughout the Scriptures, various individuals experience imprisonment, each instance serving a unique purpose within God's sovereign plan.
Old Testament Instances1.
Joseph: One of the earliest and most notable accounts of imprisonment is that of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually finds himself imprisoned in Egypt due to false accusations by Potiphar's wife (
Genesis 39:20). Despite his unjust confinement, Joseph remains faithful to God, and his time in prison becomes a pivotal moment leading to his rise to power in Egypt. This narrative illustrates how God can use imprisonment to fulfill His divine purposes.
2.
Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned multiple times for his prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem. In
Jeremiah 37:15-16, he is thrown into a dungeon for speaking God's truth. His imprisonment highlights the persecution faced by those who faithfully deliver God's message, as well as the resilience required to remain steadfast in the face of opposition.
New Testament Instances1.
John the Baptist: Imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, John the Baptist's imprisonment ultimately leads to his martyrdom (
Matthew 14:3-10). His steadfastness in proclaiming righteousness, even unto death, serves as a powerful testament to the cost of discipleship.
2.
Apostle Paul: The Apostle Paul frequently faced imprisonment due to his missionary work and proclamation of the Gospel. In
Acts 16:23-24, Paul and Silas are imprisoned in Philippi, where they sing hymns and pray, leading to a miraculous earthquake that opens the prison doors. Paul's letters, many of which were written from prison, such as Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, continue to encourage believers to endure suffering for the sake of Christ.
3.
Peter: The Apostle Peter was also imprisoned for his faith. In
Acts 12:4-7, Peter is arrested by Herod Agrippa but is miraculously freed by an angel of the Lord. This event underscores the power of prayer and God's ability to deliver His servants from seemingly impossible situations.
Metaphorical ImprisonmentThe Bible also uses imprisonment metaphorically to describe spiritual bondage. Jesus speaks of setting captives free, referring to liberation from sin and spiritual oppression (
Luke 4:18). The Apostle Paul writes about being "slaves to sin" before coming to faith in Christ, who sets believers free from the law of sin and death (
Romans 6:17-18).
Divine Justice and ImprisonmentImprisonment is sometimes depicted as a form of divine justice. In
Revelation 20:1-3, Satan is bound and imprisoned in the Abyss for a thousand years, symbolizing God's ultimate authority over evil and His plan for final judgment.
ConclusionImprisonment in the Bible serves as a powerful motif illustrating themes of justice, faithfulness, and divine intervention. Whether as a literal experience or a metaphor for spiritual bondage, imprisonment is used by God to accomplish His purposes and demonstrate His sovereignty over all circumstances.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To put in prison or jail; To arrest and detain in custody; to confine.
2. (v. t.) To limit, restrain, or confine in any way.
Greek
5439. phulakizo -- toimprison... to
imprison. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phulakizo Phonetic Spelling:
(foo-lak-id'-zo) Short Definition: I
imprison Definition: I
imprison, deliver
...Strong's Hebrew
631. asar -- to tie, bind,imprison... 630, 631. asar. 632 . to tie, bind,
imprison. Transliteration: asar Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-sar') Short Definition: bound. Word Origin a prim.
...6808. tsaah -- to stoop, bend, incline
... A primitive root; to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), ie
(figuratively) depopulate; by implication, toimprison or conquer; (reflexive...
5462. sagar -- to shut, close
... 2), closed (9), confined (1), deliver (5), delivered (6), gave over (2), given
(1), given over (1), hand over (1), hands over (1),imprison (1), imprisons (1...
Library
Whether it is Lawful toImprison a Man?
... OF OTHER INJURIES COMMITTED ON THE PERSON (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to
imprison a man? Objection 1: It would seem unlawful toimprison a man....
The Arians are Allowed by the Emperor toImprison Peter and to Set...
... Book IV. Chapter XXI."The Arians are allowed by the Emperor toimprison
Peter and to set Lucius over the See of Alexandria. Upon...
Conversion
... If false, then they were doing In the first persecutions the Jews had been content
to arrest andimprison those who publicly preached Christ, but now the...
Paul and his Praying (Continued)
... power of the Divine nature?" And then William Law gives various examples, which
I am bound to say would not be helpful to me, as they wouldimprison my spirit...
Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, Imprisoned...
... But, as for those who are unjustly treating you, and fancying toimprison, not
correctly, the sun of the Gospel, whilst fairly blaming them, I pray that by...
Kingo's Church Hymns
... Thanks, O thanks, to Thee arisen. Lord and God Immanuel,. That the foe could not
imprison. Thee within his hell-dark cell. Thanks that Thou didst meet our foe....
The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings.
... order from Herod, but I think from their own zeal of office"meant to arrest today
the kings who were sleeping in the inn at Bethlehem and toimprison them in...
Against "The Roaring Lions"
... strength in small local quarrels. He saw big; he did notimprison himself
within the limits of his diocese. He knew that Numidia...
And Now that Cruelty, which He had Learned in Torturing the...
... [1982] He was not wont to inflict the slighter sorts of punishment, as to banish,
toimprison, or to send criminals to work in the mines; but to burn, to...
Prison Meditations Directed to the Heart of Suffering Saints and...
... This was as absurd as it would be, toimprison such of the inhabitants of a country
who refused to swear that all mankind were of one standard in height...
Thesaurus
Imprison (3 Occurrences)... custody; to confine. 2. (vt) To limit, restrain, or confine in any way.
Multi-Version Concordance
Imprison (3 Occurrences). Acts 22:19
...Imprisoned (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofImprison. Multi-Version Concordance
Imprisoned (19 Occurrences). Matthew 11:2 Now when John...
Jug (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To seethe or stew, as in a jug or jar placed in boiling water;
as, to jug a hare. 5. (vt) To commit to jail; toimprison....
Jail (15 Occurrences)
... reference to some future judicial proceeding. 2. (vt) Toimprison. Multi-Version
Concordance Jail (15 Occurrences). Acts 4:3 They laid...
Imprint (2 Occurrences)
Prison (131 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Toimprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain
from liberty. 4. (vt) To bind (together); to enchain. Int....
Commit (142 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; --
used with to, unto. 2. (vt) To put in charge of a jailor; toimprison....
Seraiah (18 Occurrences)
... Meraiah. (7) Son of Azriel, one of those whom Jehoiakim commanded toimprison
Jeremiah and Baruch, the son of Neriah (Jeremiah 36:26)....
Imprisoning (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofImprison. Multi-Version
Concordance Imprisoning (1 Occurrence). Acts 22:19 "'Lord,' I...
Resources
What were the different missionary journeys of Paul? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgImprison: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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