Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5344 imprisonment
Being confined in prison is used both literally and figuratively in Scripture. Release from prison is used as a picture of freedom from spiritual bondage.
The anticipation or threat of imprisonment
Matthew 5:25-26 pp Luke 12:58 See also Acts 20:23; Revelation 2:10
Imprisonment for law-breaking
Ezra 7:26 See also Genesis 40:3; 2 Kings 17:4; Jeremiah 52:11; Matthew 18:30
Imprisonment while on remand
Numbers 15:33-34 See also Leviticus 24:12; Matthew 27:16 pp Mark 15:7 pp Luke 23:19
Imprisonment of the innocent, often with malicious intent
Jeremiah 38:28; Luke 21:12 See also Genesis 39:20-22; Genesis 40:14-15; Genesis 42:16-17 Joseph planning the welfare of his brothers; 1 Kings 22:27 Ahab orders Micaiah's imprisonment; 2 Chronicles 16:10; Jeremiah 32:2-3; Jeremiah 37:15; Matthew 14:3 John the Baptist imprisoned by Herod; Acts 8:3; Acts 16:23-24 Paul and Silas in prison; Acts 22:4,19; Acts 23:29; Acts 24:27; Acts 26:10,31; 2 Corinthians 6:5; Corinthians 11:23; Hebrews 11:36
Release from imprisonment
By earthly rulers
Genesis 41:14; 2 Kings 25:27 pp Jeremiah 52:31; Jeremiah 39:13-14
By divine intervention
Psalm 146:7 See also Psalm 68:6; Psalm 102:20; Psalm 107:10-14; Psalm 142:7; Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 49:9; Isaiah 51:14; Isaiah 61:1; Acts 12:1-11
Imprisonment used in a figurative or poetic sense
Luke 4:18 See also Isaiah 61:1; Job 11:10; Job 12:14; Psalm 66:11; Ecclesiastes 4:14; Romans 7:23; Galatians 3:22-23; 1 Peter 3:19; Revelation 20:7
See also
2321 Christ as redeemer 5098 John the Baptist 5246 captivity 5364 key 5460 prison 5461 prisoners 5482 punishment 5507 rope and cord 6020 sin 6658 freedom 6723 redemption, NT 7449 slavery, spiritual
