prison Summary and Overview

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" (Gen. 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" (Lev. 24:12; Num. 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 (69:33; 79:11; 142:7). Samson was confined in a Philistine prison (Judg. 16:21, 25). In the subsequent history of Israel frequent references are made to prisons (1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 17:4; 25:27, 29; 2 Chr. 16:10; Isa. 42:7; Jer. 32:2). Prisons seem to have been common in New Testament times (Matt. 11:2; 25:36, 43). The apostles were put into the "common prison" at the instance of the Jewish council (Acts 5:18, 23; 8:3); and at Philippi Paul and Silas were thrust into the "inner prison" (16:24; compare 4:3; 12:4, 5).

[For imprisonment as a punishment, see PUNISHMENTS] It is plain that in Egypt special places were used as prisons, and that they were under the custody of a military officer. #Ge 40:3; 42:17| During the wandering in the desert we read on two occasions of confinement "in ward" -- #Le 24:12; Nu 15:34| but as imprisonment was not directed by the law, so we hear of none till the time of the kings, when the prison appears as an appendage to the palace, or a special part of it. #1Ki 22:27| Private houses were sometimes used as places of confinement. By the Romans the tower of Antoni, was used as a prison at Jerusalem, #Ac 23:10| and at Caesarea the praetorium of Herod. The royal prisons In those days were doubtless managed after the Roman fashion, and chains, fetters and stocks were used as means of confinement. See #Ac 16:24| One of the readiest places for confinement was a dry or partially-dry wall or pit. #Jer 35:6-11|

PRIS'ON . As, according to the Mosaic Law, trial followed immediately after apprehension, and imprisonment was not used as a punishment, we hear very little of prisons among the Hebrews until the times of the kings. During An Ancient Inner Prison. the passage through the wilderness two persons were put "in ward," Lev 24:12; Num 15:34, and from Gen 37:24 and Jer 38:6-11 it appears that the dry well or pit was used as a place of confinement or detention. Under the kings the prison formed a part of the palace, 1 Kgs 22:26; 2 Chr 16:10; Jer 32:2, and the same was the case under the Herods. Luke 3:20; Acts 12:4. The Romans used the tower of Antonia, in Jerusalem, and the praetorium, in Caesarea, as prisons. Acts 23:10, Ex 28:35. Also the sacerdotal authorities had a prison in Jerusalem. Acts 5:18-23; Isa 8:3; Acts 26:10.