Prison

Easton, 1897

The first occasion on which we read of a prison is in the history of Joseph in Egypt. Then Potiphar, "Joseph's master, took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound" (Genesis 39:20-23). The Heb. word here used (sohar) means properly a round tower or fortress. It seems to have been a part of Potiphar's house, a place in which state prisoners were kept.

The Mosaic law made no provision for imprisonment as a punishment. In the wilderness two persons were "put in ward" (Leviticus 24:12; Numbers 15:34), but it was only till the mind of God concerning them should be ascertained. Prisons and prisoners are mentioned in the book of Psalms (Psalms 69:33; Psalms 79:11; Psalms 142:7). Samson was confined in a Philistine prison (Judges 16:21, Judges 16:25). In the subsequent history of Israel frequent references are made to prisons (1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 17:4; 2 Kings 25:27, 2 Kings 25:29; 2 Chronicles 16:10; Isaiah 42:7; Jeremiah 32:2). Prisons seem to have been common in New Testament times (Matthew 11:2; Matthew 25:36, Matthew 25:43). The apostles were put into the "common prison" at the instance of the Jewish council (Acts 5:18, Acts 5:23; Acts 8:3); and at Philippi Paul and Silas were thrust into the "inner prison" (Acts 16:24; comp. Acts 4:3; Acts 12:4, Acts 12:5).