1201. desmótérion

Lexicon

desmótérion: Prison, jail

Original Word: δεσμωτήριον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: desmótérion
Pronunciation: des-mo-TAY-ree-on
Phonetic Spelling: (des-mo-tay'-ree-on)
Definition: Prison, jail
Meaning: a prison.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

prison.

From a derivative of desmon (equivalent to desmeo); a place of bondage, i.e. A dungeon -- prison.

see GREEK desmon

see GREEK desmeo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from desmos and -térion (suff. denoting place)
Definition
a prison
NASB Translation
imprisoned (1), prison house (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1201: δεσμωτήριον

δεσμωτήριον, δεσμωτηρίου, τό, a prison, jail: Matthew 11:2; Acts 5:21, 23; Acts 16:26. (Genesis 40:3; (Herodotus), Thucydides, Plato, Demosthenes, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From δεσμός (desmos, Strong's 1199), meaning "a band, bond, or chain."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of imprisonment in the Old Testament is often conveyed through terms such as בֵּית הַסֹּהַר (beit hasohar, Strong's 5470), meaning "prison house," and אֵסוּר (esur, Strong's 631), meaning "bond" or "imprisonment." These terms reflect similar themes of confinement and captivity found in the Greek δεσμωτήριον, illustrating the continuity of this concept throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term δεσμωτήριον is used in the New Testament to refer to a physical location where individuals are held in custody or imprisonment. It is often translated as "prison" or "jail" in English.

Context: The Greek term δεσμωτήριον appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating the concept of imprisonment in the ancient world. It is used to describe the physical locations where individuals were detained, often under Roman or local authority. The term is employed in both literal and metaphorical contexts, reflecting the physical and spiritual states of confinement.

In the Berean Standard Bible, δεσμωτήριον is translated as "prison" in passages such as:

• Matthew 11:2: "When John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent his disciples."
• Acts 5:19: "But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out."
• Acts 16:26: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose."

These passages highlight the physical reality of imprisonment faced by early Christians and others, as well as the miraculous interventions that sometimes occurred. The use of δεσμωτήριον underscores the challenges and persecutions faced by the early church, as well as the power of divine deliverance.

The concept of imprisonment also serves as a metaphor for spiritual bondage, with the liberation from physical prisons symbolizing the greater freedom found in Christ. The New Testament narrative often contrasts the temporal nature of physical confinement with the eternal freedom offered through faith.

Forms and Transliterations

δεσμωτηριον δεσμωτήριον δεσμωτηριου δεσμωτηρίου δεσμωτηριω δεσμωτηρίω δεσμωτηρίῳ desmoterio desmōtēriō desmoteríoi desmōtēríōi desmoterion desmotḗrion desmōtērion desmōtḗrion desmoteriou desmoteríou desmōtēriou desmōtēríou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:2 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ τὰ ἔργα
NAS: while imprisoned, heard
KJV: in the prison the works
INT: in the prison the works

Acts 5:21 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ δεσμωτήριον ἀχθῆναι αὐτούς
NAS: and sent [orders] to the prison house for them to be brought.
KJV: sent to the prison to have them
INT: to the jail to bring them

Acts 5:23 N-ANS
GRK: ὅτι Τὸ δεσμωτήριον εὕρομεν κεκλεισμένον
NAS: We found the prison house locked
KJV: Saying, The prison truly found we
INT: The prison we found shut

Acts 16:26 N-GNS
GRK: θεμέλια τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου ἠνεῴχθησαν δὲ
NAS: that the foundations of the prison house were shaken;
KJV: the foundations of the prison were shaken:
INT: foundations of the prison were opened and

Strong's Greek 1201
4 Occurrences

δεσμωτηρίῳ — 1 Occ.
δεσμωτήριον — 2 Occ.
δεσμωτηρίου — 1 Occ.