Lexical Summary esur: Bond, imprisonment, fetter Original Word: אֵסוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance band, prison From 'acar; a bond (especially manacles of a prisoner) -- band, + prison. see HEBREW 'acar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom asar Definition a band, bond NASB Translation bonds (1), chains (1), jail* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אסר (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew [ אָסַר] bind, אֵסוּר bond, אִסָּר binding obligation). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope אֵסוּר denotes a binding, bond, fetter or prison. It encompasses both literal restraints placed on the body and figurative entanglements that confine the heart and mind. Throughout its four Old-Testament occurrences the term moves fluidly between physical incarceration and moral or spiritual captivity, allowing Scripture to develop a unified theology of bondage and deliverance. Occurrences and Context • Judges 15:14 – “When he arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like burnt flax and the bonds dropped from his hands.” Here אֵסוּר highlights the impotence of human restraints before divine power. Samson’s liberation foreshadows the ultimate deliverance God provides for His covenant people. • Ecclesiastes 4:14 – “For he has come from prison to the kingship, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.” The Preacher contrasts social reversal with the permanence of God’s sovereignty. אֵסוּר underscores the precariousness of earthly status: the shackled may ascend; the exalted may descend. • Ecclesiastes 7:26 – “I discovered that a woman more bitter than death is the woman who is a snare, whose heart is traps and whose hands are chains. The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be ensnared.” The figurative use extends אֵסוּר to moral entrapment. The verse warns that sin can incarcerate the soul as effectively as iron shackles. • Jeremiah 37:15 – “The officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him. They put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for they had made it a prison.” Jeremiah’s unjust confinement displays the cost of prophetic faithfulness and anticipates the suffering of future servants of God. Theological Themes Bondage versus Freedom Across these passages אֵסוּר draws a line between the bondage imposed by human hostility or sinful allurements and the freedom granted by the Lord. In Judges, God shatters physical bonds; in Ecclesiastes, He advises escape from moral chains; in Jeremiah, He remains Lord even over prison walls. Divine Sovereignty over Human Restraint Samson and the anonymous prisoner-king in Ecclesiastes 4 illustrate that the Lord alone determines exaltation and humiliation (cf. Psalm 75:7). Human fetters cannot thwart His purposes. Moral Accountability Ecclesiastes 7:26 teaches that bondage may be self-chosen through sin. Deliverance, therefore, is inseparable from repentance and obedience (Proverbs 5:22). Suffering for Righteousness Jeremiah’s incarceration anticipates later servants—Peter, Paul, and ultimately Christ Himself—who endured unjust bonds yet advanced God’s redemptive plan (Acts 5:18–20; Philippians 1:12–14; Hebrews 13:12–13). Historical Background Ancient Near-Eastern fetters ranged from simple ropes to bronze or iron shackles. Prisons were often subterranean cisterns or converted houses (Jeremiah 37:15). Confinement signified both punitive justice and political intimidation. Yet within Israel’s law, bondage was regulated by Sabbath and Jubilee provisions (Leviticus 25:10), reminding the nation that permanent slavery to men was incompatible with belonging to God. Practical and Ministry Implications 1. Proclamation of Freedom – Like Samson’s deliverance, the Gospel announces liberation: “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Ministries should emphasize both forgiveness of sin and release from its enslaving power. 2. Pastoral Care for the Imprisoned – Jeremiah’s experience urges compassion, advocacy, and visitation of prisoners (Matthew 25:36), recognizing Christ’s presence behind bars. 3. Guarding Against Moral Snares – Ecclesiastes 7:26 counsels vigilance against temptations that entangle the heart. Discipleship must address internal chains as well as external ones. 4. Hope amid Oppression – Ecclesiastes 4:14 offers comfort to believers who suffer unjust limitations: God can reverse circumstances overnight. Christological and Redemptive Connections Jesus announced, “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). His atoning death breaks the ultimate אֵסוּר of sin and death (Romans 8:2). The empty tomb is the definitive proof that no chain forged by man or devil can contain the plan of redemption. Related Concepts and Cross References • חֵבֶל – cord/rope (Psalm 129:4) Summary אֵסוּר unites the Bible’s witness to bondage in every form—physical, social, and spiritual—while directing the reader to the God who alone liberates. Whether dropping from Samson’s wrists, shackling a seduced soul, or enclosing a persecuted prophet, these bonds yield to the Lord whose steadfast love “breaks in pieces the gates of bronze and cuts through the bars of iron” (Psalm 107:16). Forms and Transliterations אֱסוּרָ֖יו אֲסוּרִ֣ים אסוריו אסורים הָאֵס֗וּר הָסוּרִ֖ים האסור הסורים ’ă·sū·rîm ’ăsūrîm ’ĕ·sū·rāw ’ĕsūrāw asuRim esuRav hā’êsūr hā·’ê·sūr hā·sū·rîm haeSur hasuRim hāsūrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 15:14 HEB: בָאֵ֔שׁ וַיִּמַּ֥סּוּ אֱסוּרָ֖יו מֵעַ֥ל יָדָֽיו׃ NAS: with fire, and his bonds dropped KJV: with fire, and his bands loosed INT: fire dropped and his bonds from his hands Ecclesiastes 4:14 Ecclesiastes 7:26 Jeremiah 37:15 4 Occurrences |
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