Topical Bible: The Feet of Criminals: Bound With Fetters

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In biblical times, the binding of criminals' feet with fetters was a common practice, symbolizing both physical restraint and the spiritual consequences of sin. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to convey the severity of transgression and the resultant judgment.

Old Testament Context

The use of fetters in the Old Testament is often associated with the punishment and humiliation of those who have committed crimes or have been captured in battle. In Judges 16:21, we see the Philistines binding Samson with bronze shackles after his betrayal by Delilah: "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where they bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison." This act of binding not only restrained Samson physically but also represented his fall from divine favor due to his disobedience.

Similarly, in 2 Kings 25:7, Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, is captured by the Babylonians: "Then they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon." The binding of Zedekiah's feet with fetters signifies the end of his reign and the judgment upon Judah for their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

The binding of feet with fetters serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual bondage that sin brings. In Job 36:8-9, Elihu speaks of those who are "bound in chains, caught in cords of affliction," suggesting that such physical restraints are a reflection of spiritual captivity due to iniquity: "Then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed."

Psalm 105:17-18 recounts the account of Joseph, whose feet were hurt with fetters during his unjust imprisonment: "He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons." Despite the physical binding, Joseph's faithfulness to God ultimately led to his liberation and exaltation, illustrating the hope of redemption and divine justice.

New Testament Reflection

While the New Testament does not frequently mention the binding of feet with fetters, the concept of spiritual bondage is prevalent. In Acts 16:24, Paul and Silas are imprisoned and their feet fastened in stocks: "On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks." Despite their physical restraints, they remained spiritually free, singing hymns and praying, which led to a miraculous release and the conversion of the jailer.

The imagery of fetters in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the hope of deliverance through faith. It underscores the belief that while physical chains may bind the body, true freedom is found in spiritual liberation through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 105:18
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Epistle Lxxvi. Cyprian to Nemesianus and Other Martyrs in the ...
... Oh feet bound for the present time in the world, that they may ... Oh feet, lingering
for a while among the fetters and cross-bars ... [3008] [As of convict criminals. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvi cyprian to nemesianus.htm

The Penitent Thief
... miracle; who had spent his life among criminals; whose friends ... Nails through His
hands and feet, fastened to the ... and He snapped the fetters that bound his soul ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/vii the penitent thief.htm

Letters to Olympias.
... even more fiercely than the furnace, and hands and feet to be ... present then were offended
when they saw Him bound, scourged, streaming ... of execrable criminals? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letters to olympias.htm

Two Essential Things
... everybody you have wronged; you are bound to make ... grieving God; but to be called
criminals, or offenders ... stands the healing Saviour, cast yourself at his feet! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/two essential things.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... hide their sins, but bringing them as criminals before the ... Lord Christ (says Augustine,
Ep.118) bound together the ... of Christ in the washing of feet, lest that ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

The Acceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate ...
... that a kind of floor under their feet will be ... And the gendarmes, though they are
bound by no hard ... or overawed would have been treated as criminals, enemies of ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ix the acceptance of.htm

In Pilate's Judgment Hall
... of Pilate, the Roman governor, Christ stands bound as a ... had to deal with all kinds
of criminals; but never ... would but trample the truth under their unholy feet. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 77 in pilates judgment.htm

The Unrivalled Friend
... Let the rebel go O Jesus; be not bound any longer by ... sacred hour when we first came
to his feet and saw ... has made us sons; we were condemned criminals, but his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the unrivalled friend.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... thrust under the sand, at a depth of barely three feet from the ... The brick mastabas
were carefully cemented externally, and the layers bound together internally ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... mud; others, as yet imperfect, feebly stirred their heads and fore feet, while their
hind ... I am thy son Horus!' Then Isis spake unto the fetters, saying; 'Break ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm