Topical Bible: Confinement

Topical Encyclopedia

Confinement, in a biblical context, often refers to the state of being imprisoned or restricted in movement. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, both in literal and metaphorical senses. The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals who experienced confinement, whether due to their faith, as a consequence of their actions, or as part of God's divine plan.

Old Testament Instances

1. Joseph: One of the most notable examples of confinement in the Old Testament is the account of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually found himself imprisoned in Egypt due to false accusations by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:20). Despite his unjust confinement, Joseph remained faithful to God, and his time in prison became a pivotal moment in God's plan for him, eventually leading to his rise to power in Egypt (Genesis 41:14-41).

2. Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah also experienced confinement. He was imprisoned by King Zedekiah for prophesying the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:2-3). Despite his imprisonment, Jeremiah continued to deliver God's messages, demonstrating the perseverance of faith even in restrictive circumstances.

3. Daniel: While not imprisoned in the traditional sense, Daniel faced confinement in the lion's den as a result of his unwavering commitment to prayer and worship of God (Daniel 6:16-23). His deliverance from the lions served as a testament to God's protection and faithfulness.

New Testament Instances

1. John the Baptist: John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife (Matthew 14:3-4). John's confinement ultimately led to his martyrdom, yet his life and message paved the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ.

2. Apostle Paul: The Apostle Paul frequently encountered confinement during his missionary journeys. Notably, he was imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:23-24), Caesarea (Acts 23:35), and Rome (Acts 28:16). Despite these confinements, Paul continued to preach the Gospel, write epistles, and encourage the early Christian communities. His letters from prison, such as Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, are integral parts of the New Testament.

3. Peter: The Apostle Peter was also imprisoned for his faith. In Acts 12:3-5, Peter was arrested by King Herod Agrippa, but an angel of the Lord miraculously freed him from his chains (Acts 12:7-10). This event highlighted the power of prayer and divine intervention.

Metaphorical Confinement

Beyond physical imprisonment, the Bible also addresses spiritual and emotional confinement. Sin is often depicted as a form of bondage or captivity. Jesus Christ's mission is described as setting the captives free, offering liberation from the bondage of sin and death (Luke 4:18). The Apostle Paul speaks of the freedom found in Christ, contrasting it with the confinement of the law and sin (Galatians 5:1).

Theological Implications

Confinement in the Bible often serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and power to deliver. It is a recurring theme that highlights the resilience of faith and the transformative power of divine intervention. Whether through miraculous deliverance or the endurance of suffering, biblical accounts of confinement underscore the belief that God is present and active, even in the most restrictive circumstances.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Restraint within limits; imprisonment; a restraint of liberty; seclusion.

2. (n.) Restraint within doors by sickness, esp. that caused by childbirth; lying-in.

Greek

5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and thus used as a ready
"metaphor in Paul's conversation with the soldiers in His confinement" (, 904). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5010.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

4929. mishmar -- place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch ...
... mishmar. 4930 . place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance.
Transliteration: mishmar Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mawr') Short Definition: guard ...
/hebrew/4929.htm - 6k

3628. keli -- confinement, restraint, imprisonment
... 3627, 3628. keli or kelu. 3629 . confinement, restraint, imprisonment.
Transliteration: keli or kelu Phonetic Spelling: (kel-ee') Short Definition: prison. ...
/hebrew/3628.htm - 6k

3608. kele -- confinement, restraint, imprisonment
... 3607, 3608. kele. 3609 . confinement, restraint, imprisonment. Transliteration:
kele Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-leh) Short Definition: prison. ...
/hebrew/3608.htm - 6k

4689. matsoq -- straits, stress
... anguish, distress. From tsuwq; a narrow place, ie (abstractly and figuratively)
confinement or disability -- anguish, distress, straitness. see HEBREW tsuwq. ...
/hebrew/4689.htm - 6k

Library

Antigonus Besieges those that were in Masada, whom Herod Frees ...
... Antigonus Besieges Those That Were In Masada, Whom Herod Frees From Confinement
When He Came Back From Rome, And Presently Marches To Jerusalem Where He Finds ...
/.../chapter 15 antigonus besieges those.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... [153:7] The language of the concluding verses of the Acts warrants the impression
that Paul's confinement had ended some time before the book was completed ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

The Natural Supremacy of Reflection
... happiness in this world consists in somewhat quite distinct from regard to others,
and that it is the privilege of vice to be without restraint or confinement? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon iii the natural supremacy.htm

The Binding of Satan.
... The "key," "pit," and "chain," symbolize the instruments of restraint and confinement
to which Satan is to be subjected; and his being bound and confined ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the binding of satan.htm

The Life of Mr. John Davidson.
... for the same, and was by the king committed prisoner to the castle of Edinburgh;
but, on account of bodily infirmity, this place of confinement was changed to ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 3.htm

About the Four Brothers, Called "The Long," who were Ascetics, and ...
... When Theophilus heard of their voluntary confinement, he sent to desire
them to come to him. They replied, that he ought first to ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xii about the four brothers.htm

Testimonies of the Ancients against Eusebius.
... by thee? Who could bear such things? Do thou tell me, wert thou not in
confinement with me at the time of the persecution? I have ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/testimonies of the ancients against.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Moncrief.
... He continued under confinement until July 12.1661, that he had his indictment and
charge, much about the same time with Mr. James Guthrie, which runs upon his ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 3.htm

The Life of Mr. Samuel Rutherford.
... Aberdeen, &c. during the king's pleasure, which sentence he obeyed, and
forthwith went toward the place of his confinement. From ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr samuel.htm

Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
... The rich sinner is represented as passing, at death, into a place of torment, and
confinement, and as despairing of even a momentary enlargement. ...
/.../sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxvii departed saints fellow.htm

Thesaurus

Confinement (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Restraint within doors by sickness, esp. that caused by childbirth;
lying-in. Multi-Version Concordance Confinement (6 Occurrences). ...
/c/confinement.htm - 8k

Prison (131 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence,
a place or state o/ confinement, restraint, or safe custody. ...
/p/prison.htm - 52k

Vent (8 Occurrences)
... same passage in feet. 9. (n.) Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from
confinement or privacy; outlet. 10. (n.) Emission; escape ...
/v/vent.htm - 9k

Release (61 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To let loose again; to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude;
to give liberty to, or to set at liberty; to let go. ...
/r/release.htm - 26k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... service; to dismiss. 5. (vt) To release legally from confinement; to set
at liberty; as, to discharge a prisoner. 6. (vt) To put ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Cage (3 Occurrences)
... In Revelation 18:2 it is the rendering of the Greek phulake, properly a prison or
place of confinement. ... 2. (n.) A place of confinement for malefactors. ...
/c/cage.htm - 10k

Captive (123 Occurrences)
... captivated. 3. (a.) Made prisoner, especially in war; held in bondage or in
confinement. 4. (a.) Subdued by love; charmed; captivated. ...
/c/captive.htm - 43k

Scurvy (3 Occurrences)
... It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially
by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long time to a limited ...
/s/scurvy.htm - 8k

Hold (500 Occurrences)
... 22. (n.) Something that may be grasped; means of support. 23. (n.) A place
of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard. 24. ...
/h/hold.htm - 39k

Resources

Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the herd of pigs? | GotQuestions.org

Why should I get married? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Abyss? | GotQuestions.org

Confinement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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