The concept of being "prisoned" or imprisoned is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both physical and spiritual captivity. The Bible presents imprisonment as a literal experience faced by several key figures, as well as a metaphor for spiritual bondage.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, imprisonment often served as a tool of political or social control. Joseph, one of the patriarchs, was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt after being falsely accused 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 (Genesis 41:14-41).

The prophet Jeremiah also experienced imprisonment for his prophecies against Jerusalem. King Zedekiah imprisoned him in the courtyard of the guard, yet Jeremiah continued to deliver God's messages (Jeremiah 32:2-3). His imprisonment highlights the persecution faced by those who speak God's truth.

New Testament Context

In 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 ultimately led to his martyrdom, symbolizing the cost of prophetic witness.

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 sang hymns and prayed, leading to a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors (Acts 16:25-26). Paul's letters, often written from prison, such as Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, reflect his enduring faith and commitment to the Gospel.

Spiritual Implications

Beyond physical imprisonment, the Bible uses the concept of captivity to describe spiritual bondage. Jesus proclaimed His mission to "proclaim liberty to the captives" (Luke 4:18), emphasizing His role in freeing humanity from the bondage of sin. The Apostle Paul speaks of being "slaves to sin" before coming to faith in Christ, who liberates believers to become "slaves to righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18).

Symbolism and Hope

Imprisonment in the Bible often symbolizes the trials and tribulations faced by God's people. However, it also serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and deliverance. The accounts of Joseph, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and Paul illustrate that God is present with His people in their suffering and can use even the direst circumstances for His purposes.

The theme of imprisonment ultimately points to the hope of liberation through Christ. As believers, the promise of freedom from spiritual captivity is a central tenet of the Christian faith, offering hope and encouragement in the face of adversity.(imp. & p. p.) of Prison.

Hymn after Meat
... their whilom prey caress: But when in prayer he raised his hands to heaven And called
the God, from Whom such help was given, Close-prisoned, hungry, and in ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iv hymn after meat.htm

The Cords of Sin
... and forbearing love, or, flinging off these, which only foolish self-will construes
into limitations, shall condemn ourselves to be prisoned within the narrow ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the cords of sin.htm

Genesis iii. 22
... are not altogether merely imaginary; whether the whole world be not such a region
of death as the spot in which we are actually prisoned; whether there remains ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture i genesis iii 22.htm

Of the Excellence of Ghostly Song: and that it Neither Can be Said ...
... forsooth by nearly all, that covetousness is brought in"yes into the King's hall;
and charity, as if it were consenting to treason, is prisoned and cast out ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iv of the excellence.htm

Cathismata of the Resurrection
... III. And night prevailed with dismal gloom. While, 'prisoned in the awful tomb,.
The Christ in stillness lay: But every night a morn precedes,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/cathismata of the resurrection.htm

The Far and Near
... Gerhard Ter Steegen Psalm 61:4. In Him we live, in Him we move; seek not thy God
afar; He is not prisoned in a height above sun, moon, and star. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the far and near.htm

Man's Difficulty Concerning Prayer.
... Is he but the prisoned steam in the engine, pushing, escaping, stopped"his way ordered
by valve and piston? or is he an indwelling, willing, ordering power? ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/mans difficulty concerning prayer.htm

To Eusebius, Bishop of Ancyra.
... While I have been remaining at rest, prisoned within the boundaries of my own country;
while throughout the East all men have been distressed and have been ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxxii to eusebius bishop of.htm

How we Can Attain Perfection in Each of These Sorts of ...
... has so far passed on to things unseen, that in its earnest seeking after things
above and things spiritual it no longer feels that it is prisoned in this ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii how we can.htm

Fill Me Now.
... 8s & 7s. Guide and Comforter. Holy Spirit, Fount of blessing, Ever watchful, ever
kind, Thy celestial aid possessing, Prisoned souls deliverance find. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/176 fill me now 8s.htm

Prisoned (7 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Prison. Multi-Version Concordance Prisoned (7 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Acts
8:23 For I see that you are prisoned in bitter envy and the chains of sin. (BBE) ...
/p/prisoned.htm - 8k

Frequently (28 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:4 Because he had frequently been prisoned in chains and iron bands, and the
chains had been parted and the bands broken by him: and no man was strong ...
/f/frequently.htm - 14k

Chains (100 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts 8:23 For I see that you
are prisoned in bitter envy and the chains of sin. (BBE). ...
/c/chains.htm - 39k

Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:4 Because he had frequently been prisoned in chains and iron bands, and the
chains had been parted and the bands broken by him: and no man was strong ...
/q/quiet.htm - 37k

Grip (32 Occurrences)
... For frequently it would take a grip of him: and he was kept under control, and prisoned
with chains; but parting the chains in two, he would be sent by the ...
/g/grip.htm - 16k

Irons (5 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:4 Because he had frequently been prisoned in chains and iron bands, and the
chains had been parted and the bands broken by him: and no man was strong ...
/i/irons.htm - 7k

Toils (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV). Proverbs 5:22 The evil-doer will be taken in the net of his
crimes, and prisoned in the cords of his sin. (See RSV). ...
/t/toils.htm - 8k

Driving (144 Occurrences)
... For frequently it would take a grip of him: and he was kept under control, and prisoned
with chains; but parting the chains in two, he would be sent by the ...
/d/driving.htm - 37k

Parting (27 Occurrences)
... For frequently it would take a grip of him: and he was kept under control, and prisoned
with chains; but parting the chains in two, he would be sent by the ...
/p/parting.htm - 15k

Parted (67 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:4 Because he had frequently been prisoned in chains and iron bands, and the
chains had been parted and the bands broken by him: and no man was strong ...
/p/parted.htm - 26k

Prisoned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus