Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of imprisonment is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, serving as both a literal and metaphorical representation of captivity and deliverance. In the biblical narrative, imprisonment often highlights the trials faced by God's people and the divine intervention that leads to their liberation.
Old Testament InstancesIn the Old Testament, imprisonment is frequently depicted in the context of unjust captivity. One of the earliest examples is Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned in Egypt due to false accusations by Potiphar's wife (
Genesis 39:20). Despite his circumstances, Joseph remained faithful to God, and his time in prison ultimately led to his rise to power in Egypt, illustrating God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises.
The prophet Jeremiah also experienced imprisonment. He was confined by King Zedekiah for prophesying the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (
Jeremiah 37:15-16). Jeremiah's imprisonment underscores the resistance faced by God's messengers and the perseverance required to deliver His word.
New Testament InstancesIn the New Testament, imprisonment becomes a significant aspect of the early Christian experience. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage (
Matthew 14:3-4). His imprisonment and subsequent execution highlight the cost of standing for righteousness.
The Apostle Paul frequently encountered imprisonment during his missionary journeys. In Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting out a spirit from a slave girl (
Acts 16:23-24). Despite their chains, they prayed and sang hymns, leading to a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors. This event not only resulted in their release but also in the conversion of the jailer and his household (
Acts 16:25-34).
Paul's letters, often written from prison, reflect his unwavering faith and commitment to the Gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, he writes, "Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel" (
Philippians 1:12). His imprisonment served as a testament to the power of God to use all circumstances for His glory.
Metaphorical ImprisonmentBeyond the physical aspect, imprisonment in the Bible also symbolizes spiritual bondage. Jesus proclaimed His mission to "proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed" (
Luke 4:18). This declaration emphasizes the spiritual freedom found in Christ, who delivers humanity from the bondage of sin.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme, explaining that believers were once "slaves to sin" but have been set free through Christ (
Romans 6:17-18). This spiritual liberation is a central tenet of the Christian faith, underscoring the transformative power of the Gospel.
ConclusionThe theme of imprisonment in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Whether through the literal chains of Joseph and Paul or the spiritual bondage of sin, the biblical narrative consistently points to God's ability to deliver and redeem His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Imprison.
Greek
1210. deo -- to tie, bind... verb Definition to tie, bind NASB Word Usage bind (7), binding (1), binds (2), bound
(23),
imprisoned (4), prisoners (1), put...in chains (1), tied (4).
...1201. desmoterion -- a prison
... Word Origin from desmos and -terion (suff. denoting place) Definition a prison
NASB Word Usageimprisoned (1), prison house (3). prison....
Strong's Hebrew
3920. lakad -- to capture, seize, take... capture, seize, take NASB Word Usage capture (9), captured (57), captures (4), captures
at all (1), catch (2), caught (12), clasp (1),
imprisoned (1), seized (1
...631. asar -- to tie, bind, imprison
... 3), bound (28), captivated (1), captured (1), confined (4), get ready (1), girded
(1), harness (1), hitch (1), hitched (1), imprison (1),imprisoned (2), made...
Library
John the BaptistImprisoned.
... HIS YEAR OF POPULARITY. JESUS IN GALILEE JOHN THE BAPTISTIMPRISONED. Herod
the tetrarch sent forth and laid hold upon John, and...
Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist,Imprisoned...
... LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE. LETTER X. To John, Theologos, Apostle and
Evangelist,imprisoned in the Isle of Patmos. I salute thee, the holy soul!...
Delivered from Prison
... Seeing that the Jews were well pleased with these efforts, heimprisoned Peter also.
It was during the Passover that these cruelties were practiced....
The Persecution of Diocletian.
... Danz (p.37) assumes that Eusebius wasimprisoned with Pamphilus, which is not an
unnatural supposition when we consider how much they must have been together...
Jerusalem to Rome
... Time and Extent.+"Paul arrived in Jerusalem in 58 AD He wasimprisoned two years
in Caesarea, 58 to 60 AD The voyage to Rome was in the winter of 60 and 61...
If any one Wishes to Hear the Arrangements for My Journey from...
... landed, because the former of those was the course suited for men who were hurried
and flying, but the latter was best for a man who wasimprisoned; but I...
Simon Cephas Said unto Him, Our Lord, is it to us that Thou Hast...
... 51] thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [3008] And when saw we thee sick,
orimprisoned, and [52] cared for thee? [3009] The King...
The Elizabethan Reaction
... And when she entered the Tower and lifted theimprisoned Gardiner [137] from his
knees, and let him go free, it was, she might have urged, one fulfilment of...
Chapter v.
... in the former part of the history, and within the short period which that account
comprises, we find, first, two of them seized,imprisoned, brought before the...
The Life of Mr. Alexander Moncrief.
... clear of them. Yet a little after he was seized by them in a neighbouring
congregation andimprisoned some time[239]. After he was...
Thesaurus
Imprisoned (19 Occurrences)...Imprisoned (19 Occurrences).
... Acts 22:19 I said,'Lord, they themselves know that I
imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.
...Andrew (12 Occurrences)
... (2) The "Preaching of Matthias in the City of the Cannibals" (Budge, II, 267; REH,
666) tells of how Matthias, on beingimprisoned and blinded by the Cannibals...
Imprison (3 Occurrences)
... Imprison (3 Occurrences). Acts 22:19 I said,'Lord, they themselves know that I
imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you....
Tower-house (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:3 and he put them in custody into the house of the captain of the
life-guard, into the tower-house, into the place where Joseph wasimprisoned....
Code (6 Occurrences)
... The creditor must guard himself from mistreating a personimprisoned for debt, in
his house; if a child of the debtor dies through the fault of the creditor...
Prison (131 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 22:19 I said,'Lord, they themselves know that Iimprisoned and
beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. (Root...
Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:34 For you not only showed sympathy with those who wereimprisoned, but
you even submitted with joy when your property was taken from you, being...
Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... Paul was a second timeimprisoned, and feeling that on this occasion his trial would
be followed by an adverse judgment and by death, he wrote from Rome to...
Japhia (5 Occurrences)
... On the completion of his victory, Joshua returned to Makkedah and commanded the
Israelites to bring forth theimprisoned kings, and summoned the chiefs of his...
Life-guard (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:3 and he put them in custody into the house of the captain of the
life-guard, into the tower-house, into the place where Joseph wasimprisoned....
Resources
Who were the spirits in prison? | GotQuestions.orgWhere was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection? | GotQuestions.orgAre the demons the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.orgImprisoned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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