Prisons
1. Antiquity of. Ge 39:20.
2. Kinds of, mentioned
a. State. Jer 37:21; Ge 39:20.
b. Common. Ac 5:18.
3. Dungeons attached to. Jer 38:6; Zec 9:11.
4. Were under the care of a keeper. Ge 39:21.
5. Used for confining
a. Persons accused of crimes. Lu 23:19.
b. Persons accused of heresy. Ac 4:3; 5:18; 8:3.
c. Suspected persons. Ge 42:19.
d. Condemned persons till executed. Le 24:12; Ac 12:4,5.
e. Enemies taken captive. Jdj 16:21; 2Ki 17:4; Jer 52:11.
f. Debtors till they paid. Mt 5:26; 18:30.
g. Persons under the king’s displeasure. 1Ki 22:27; 2Ch 16:10; Mr 6:17.
6. Confinement in, often awarded as a punishment. Ezr 7:26.
7. Confinement in, considered a severe punishment. Lu 22:33.
8. Places used as
a. Court of the king’s house. Jer 32:2.
b. House of the king’s scribe. Jer 37:15.
c. House of the captain of the guard. Ge 40:3.
d. Prisoner’s own house, where he was kept bound to a soldier. Ac 28:16,30; 2Ti 1:16-18.
9. The king had power to commit to. 1Ki 22:27.
10. Magistrates had power to commit to. Mt 5:25.
11. Persons confined in
a. Said to be in ward. Le 24:12.
b. Said to be in hold. Ac 4:3.
c. Often placed in dungeons. Jer 39:6; Ac 16:24.
d. Often bound with fetters. Ge 42:19; Eze 19:9; Mr 6:17.
e. Often chained to two soldiers. Ac 12:6.
f. Often fastened in stocks. Jer 29:26; Ac 16:24.
g. Often kept to hard labour. Jdj 16:21.
h. Often subjected to extreme suffering. Ps 79:11; 102:20; 105:18.
i. Fed on bread and water. 1Ki 22:27.
j. Clothed in prison dress. 2Ki 25:29.
k. Sometimes allowed to be visited by their friends. Mt 11:2; 25:36; Ac 24:23.
l. Might have their condition ameliorated by the king. Jer 37:20,21.
m. Often executed in. Ge 40:22; Mt 14:10.
12. The king had power to release from. Ge 40:21.
13. Magistrates had power to release from. Ac 16:35,36.
14. Keepers of
a. Strictly guarded the doors. Ac 12:6.
b. Responsible for the prisoners. Ac 16:23,27.
c. Put to death if prisoners escaped. Ac 12:19.
d. Often used severity. Jer 37:16,20; Ac 16:24.
e. Sometimes acted kindly. Ge 39:21; Ac 16:33,34.
f. Sometimes entrusted the care of the prison to well-conducted prisoners. Ge 39:22,23.
15. Illustrative of
a. Deep afflictions. Ps 142:7.
b. Hell. Re 20:7.
c. Bondage to sin and Satan. Isa 42:7; 49:9; 61:1.