Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, prisons were not only places of confinement but also served as instruments of control and punishment. The role of prison keepers was crucial, as they were responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that prisoners did not escape. Interestingly, there are instances in the Bible where the keepers of prisons entrusted the care of the prison to certain individuals, often prisoners themselves, who demonstrated trustworthiness and leadership.One notable example is found in the account of Joseph. After being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was imprisoned. Despite his circumstances, Joseph's character and integrity shone through, earning him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden entrusted Joseph with significant responsibilities within the prison. As recorded in Genesis 39:22-23 , "And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." This passage highlights how Joseph's faithfulness and God's favor led to his elevation even in a place of confinement. Another example is found in the New Testament, in the account of Paul and Silas in Philippi. After being beaten and imprisoned for casting out a spirit from a slave girl, Paul and Silas were placed in the inner cell and their feet fastened in stocks. Despite their dire situation, they prayed and sang hymns to God. An earthquake subsequently shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life, but Paul intervened, assuring him that all were present. The jailer, moved by their actions and the miraculous event, asked how he might be saved. Paul and Silas shared the gospel with him, leading to his conversion and baptism, along with his household (Acts 16:25-34). This narrative illustrates how the integrity and faith of Paul and Silas, even in imprisonment, led to a profound transformation in the life of the jailer. These accounts demonstrate that, in biblical history, the keepers of prisons sometimes recognized the exceptional character of certain prisoners and entrusted them with responsibilities. This trust was often a testament to the prisoners' faithfulness and the divine favor upon them. Such instances underscore the biblical theme that God can work through any situation, even imprisonment, to accomplish His purposes and bring about His glory. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 39:22,23And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatever they did there, he was the doer of it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Memoir of John Bunyan part ii Resources What is the National Association of Evangelicals? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Gideons International, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org What is Awana? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Prisons used for Confining: Condemned Persons Till Executed Prisons used for Confining: Debtors Till They Paid Prisons used for Confining: Enemies Taken Captive Prisons used for Confining: Persons Accused of Crimes Prisons used for Confining: Persons Accused of Heresy Prisons used for Confining: Persons Under the King's Displeasure Prisons used for Confining: Suspected Persons Prisons were Under the Care of a Keeper Prisons: Bondage to Sin and Satan Prisons: Confinement In, Considered a Severe Punishment Prisons: Confinement In, often Awarded As a Punishment Prisons: Keepers of Often Used Severity Prisons: Keepers of Put to Death If Prisoners Escaped Prisons: Keepers of Responsible for the Prisoners Prisons: Keepers of Sometimes Acted Kindly Prisons: Keepers of Sometimes Entrusted the Care of the Prison To Prisons: Keepers of Strictly Guarded the Doors Prisons: Kinds of, Mentioned: Common Prisons: Kinds of, Mentioned: State Prisons: Magistrates had Power to Commit To Prisons: Magistrates had Power to Release From Prisons: Persons Confined in Clothed in Prison Dress Prisons: Persons Confined in Fed on Bread and Water Prisons: Persons Confined in Might Have Their Condition Ameliorated by the King Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Bound With Fetters Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Chained to Two Soldiers Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Executed In Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Fastened in Stocks Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Kept to Hard Labour Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Placed in Dungeons Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Subjected to Extreme Suffering Prisons: Persons Confined in Said to be in Hold Prisons: Persons Confined in Said to be in Ward Prisons: Persons Confined in Sometimes Allowed to be Visited by Their Friends Prisons: Places Used as Court of the King's House Prisons: Places Used as House of the Captain of the Guard Prisons: Places Used as House of the King's Scribe Prisons: Places Used as Prisoner's own House, where he Was Kept Bound to a Soldier Prisons: The King had Power to Commit To Prisons: The King had Power to Release From Related Terms |