Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In biblical times, a jail was a place of confinement for individuals awaiting trial or punishment. The concept of imprisonment is present throughout the Bible, serving as both a literal and metaphorical element in the narrative of God's people. Jails were often rudimentary, consisting of pits, dungeons, or guarded rooms within a larger structure.
Old Testament References:The Old Testament provides several instances of imprisonment. One notable example is Joseph, who was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt.
Genesis 39:20 states, "So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in the prison." Despite his circumstances, Joseph found favor with God, who used his time in jail to elevate him to a position of power.
Another significant mention is the prophet Jeremiah, who was imprisoned for prophesying against Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 37:15-16 records, "The officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison. So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time."
New Testament References:The New Testament also contains numerous accounts of imprisonment, often involving the apostles and early Christians. The Apostle Paul frequently found himself in jail due to his missionary activities. In
Acts 16:23-24, Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi: "And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks."
The imprisonment of Peter is another key event, highlighting the power of prayer and divine intervention.
Acts 12:5-7 describes, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him. On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, 'Get up quickly!' And the chains fell off his wrists."
Symbolism and Themes:Jail in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual bondage and the trials faced by believers. It serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's power to deliver and redeem. The accounts of imprisonment highlight themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. They remind believers of the importance of maintaining faith in God's promises, even in the face of adversity.
Theological Implications:The accounts of imprisonment in the Bible underscore the reality of suffering and persecution for righteousness' sake. They illustrate the cost of discipleship and the call to remain steadfast in faith. The deliverance of biblical figures from jail serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to work through difficult circumstances for His purposes.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to draw strength from the examples of those who endured imprisonment for their faith. The accounts of Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, and Peter serve as reminders of God's faithfulness and the power of prayer. Christians are called to support those who suffer for their beliefs and to trust in God's ultimate deliverance and justice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A kind of prison; a building for the confinement of persons held in lawful custody, especially for minor offenses or with reference to some future judicial proceeding.
2. (v. t.) To imprison.
Greek
4887. sundeo -- to bind together... prisoners in chains. Cognate: 4887 -- properly, to bind (closely) together,
like prisoners are in
jail. See 4886 (). Word Origin
...3612. oikema -- a dwelling
... Word Origin from oikeo Definition a dwelling NASB Word Usage cell (1). prison cell.
From oikeo; a tenement, ie (specially), ajail -- prison. see GREEK oikeo....
5084. teresis -- a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping
... 18.]. Word Origin from tereo Definition a watching, hence imprisonment,
a keeping NASB Word Usagejail (2), keeping (1). hold. From...
Strong's Hebrew
4929. mishmar -- place of confinement,jail, prison, guard, watch...... mishmar. 4930 . place of confinement,
jail, prison, guard, watch, observance.
Transliteration: mishmar Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mawr') Short Definition: guard
...5470. sohar -- perhaps roundness
... 5469, 5470. sohar. 5471 . perhaps roundness. Transliteration: sohar Phonetic
Spelling: (so'-har) Short Definition:jail. Word Origin...
4307. mattara -- a guard, ward, prison, target, mark
... mark, prison. Or mattarah {mat-taw-raw'}; from natar; ajail (as a guard-house);
also an aim (as being closely watched) -- mark, prison. see HEBREW natar....
6495. peqach-qoach -- an opening
... opening of the prison. From paqach redoubled; opening (of a dungeon), ieJail-delivery
(figuratively, salvation for sin) -- opening of the prison....
612. esur -- a band, bond
... Definition: bonds. Word Origin from asar Definition a band, bond NASB Word
Usage bonds (1), chains (1),jail* (1). band, prison. From...
1004. bayith -- a house
... 125), household was inside (1), households (73), houses (101), houses while house
(1), inner (2), inside* (13), inward (5), inward* (1),jail* (6), jailer* (3...
Library
Calcutta and the Mission Centres from Delhi to Amboyna
... Birmingham. The first is about a mile south of the city; at nearly the same
distance are the publicjail and the general hospital....
A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus...
... Bunyan was at that time suffering his tedious imprisonment for conscience sake in
Bedfordjail; and having refused to expatriate himself, was in daily fear...
Christ and the Dog
... There is a jailer in Chicago who, when a man has served his term injail, gives
him a letter of recommendation so that he can get a job....
Psalm LXXVII.
... If ajail be the cause of tribulation, thou seekest to get forth fromjail: if fever
be the cause of tribulation, thou seekest health: if hunger be the cause...
How we Don't Get In, and How we Do.
... Rather striking that; intensely significant for us moderns. Peter hadn't
enough influence with the authorities to keep out ofjail....
The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of...
... and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
[94:2] What must have been the wonder of the other inmates of thejail, as these...
A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660
... meetings. Bun. I said, It may be so. Then he wished me to get sureties to
be bound for me, or else he would send me to thejail. My...
Goodness in a Dungeon
... Paul the prisoner, John in Patmos, Bunyan in Bedfordjail, George Fox in Lancaster
Castle, Rutherford in Aberdeen, and many more, have found the Lord with them...
A Relaton of the Imprisonment of Mr. John Bunyan, Minister of the...
... meetings. Bun. I said, it may be so. Then he wished me to get sureties to
be bound for me, or else he would send me to thejail. My...
The Riot at Philippi
... requirement of safe keeping too leniently. One would not look for much human
kindness in a Philippianjail. So it was natural that...
Thesaurus
Jail (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Jail (15 Occurrences).
... (See NAS NIV). Acts 5:18 and laid
hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public
jail. (WEY NAS NIV).
...Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... and power. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The keeper of ajail or prison.
Multi-Version Concordance Jailer (8 Occurrences). Acts...
Jug (11 Occurrences)
... one side. 2. (n.) A pitcher; a ewer. 3. (n.) A prison; ajail; a lockup.
4. (vt... a hare. 5. (vt) To commit tojail; to imprison. 6. (vi...
Quite (55 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 5:23 saying, "Thejail we found quite safely locked, and the warders
were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." (WEY NAS)...
Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of thejail wide open, the
jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that...
Jah'zi-el (1 Occurrence)
Jah'zi-el. Jahziel, Jah'zi-el.Jail . Multi-Version Concordance Jah'zi-el
(1 Occurrence).... (See RSV). Jahziel, Jah'zi-el.Jail . Reference Bible.
Lock (6 Occurrences)
... (vt) To prevent ingress or access to, or exit from, by fastening the lock or locks
of; -- often with up; as, to lock or lock up, a house,jail, room, trunk....
Lodged (35 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:4 He had him arrested and lodged injail, handing him over to the care of
sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover to bring him out again to...
Warders (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 5:23 saying, "Thejail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on
guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." (WEY)....
Wide (206 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of thejail wide open, the
jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that...
Resources
What does the Bible say about being in jail or prison? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Bunyan? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of Common Prayer? | GotQuestions.orgJail: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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