Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5246 captivity

The state of individuals, communities or nations held in bondage by a foreign power. Such captivity may be punishment from God who, nevertheless, hears the cry of his captive people. God will punish those who, in their arrogance, take others captive. The term is sometimes used metaphorically of the bondage of sin. Jesus Christ alone can free people from such a state.

Individuals and communities taken into captivity

1 Samuel 30:1-3 See also Genesis 14:11-14

Nations taken into captivity

Jeremiah 48:46 See also Exodus 6:9; Numbers 31:9-12; Isaiah 20:3-4

The captivity of Israel

As a punishment from the LORD

Psalm 106:39-43 See also Psalm 78:58-61

The LORD hears the cry of his people

Exodus 2:23 See also Exodus 6:5-6; 1 Kings 8:46-51; Psalm 69:33; Psalm 106:44-46

The Israelites were never to forget their captivity in Egypt

Deuteronomy 5:15 See also Exodus 13:3,14; Deuteronomy 6:12,20-21; Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Deuteronomy 16:11-12; Deuteronomy 24:17-18,21-22; Joshua 24:17; Jeremiah 34:12-14

God will punish those who take others into captivity

Amos 1:6-7 See also 2 Chronicles 28:9-15; Nehemiah 4:4; Amos 1:9-10; Acts 7:6-7

Captivity used metaphorically

Of the bondage of sin

John 8:34 See also Acts 8:23; Romans 7:14,25; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Peter 2:19

Jesus Christ alone can free from such sin

2 Corinthians 10:5 See also Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; John 8:36; Galatians 2:4-5; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18

See also

5251  chains
5344  imprisonment
5460  prison
5507  rope and cord
6020  sin
6634  deliverance
6658  freedom
6714  ransom
6720  redemption
7215  exile, the
7446  slavery
8790  oppression