Answers about
prisons and jails of the Bible

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, 21, 22, 23).

The Hebrew word here used (sohar) means properly a round tower or fortress. This name may have been a Hebrew version of an Egyptian word. This prison may have been a part of Potiphar’s house, a place in which state prisoners were kept.

Imprisonment under Mosaic Law

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.

Psalms

Prisons and prisoners are mentioned in the book of Psalms (Psalm 69:33; 79:11; 142:7).

Samson imprisoned

Samson was confined in a Philistine prison (Judges 16:21, 25).

Israelite prisons

In the subsequent history of Israel, frequent references are made to prisons (1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 17:4; 25:27; 25:29; 2 Chronicles 16:10; Isaiah 42:7; Jeremiah 32:2).

New Testament prisons

Prisons seem to have been common in New Testament times.

• Jesus identifies visiting prisoners as a key act of righteousness (Matthew 25:36, 43).
• The Epistle to the Hebrews commands Christians to remember and visit those in prison as if bound with them (Hebrews 13:3).
• Apostles like Peter, Paul, and Silas were imprisoned (Acts 5, 12, 16), some were miraculously freed.

• John the Baptist was imprisoned (Matthew 11:2; Mark 6).

  Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples —Matthew 11:2 LSB

• Paul wrote several epistles from prison (e.g., Philippians and Ephesians).

Who in the Bible was imprisoned?

Old Testament prisoners:

• Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 39–40)
• Samson (Judges 16)
• Chief cupbearer and the chief baker who were imprisoned with Joseph (Genesis 40)
• Hanani the seer (2 Chronicles 16)
• Micaiah son of Imlah (1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18)
• Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37–38)
• King Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24–25; Jeremiah 52)
• King Zedekiah (implied in Jeremiah 52 context)
• Daniel (Daniel 6, confined in an active lion's den)

New Testament prisoners:

• John the Baptist (Matthew 11; 14; Mark 6; Luke 3)

• Jesus himself was briefly imprisoned in Jerusalem during the events leading to His execution on the cross. This is recorded in The Gospels.

• Barabbas (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18)

• Apostles (Acts 5)

  The Apostles were put into the “common prison” when ordered by the Jewish council (Acts 5:18; 5:23; 8:3).

• Peter (Acts 5; 12)
• James (implied with apostles; Acts 5, tradition includes later)
• Paul (multiple times: Acts 16, 21–28; wrote epistles from prison)

• Silas (Acts 16)

  In Philippi Paul and Silas were thrust into the “inner prison” (Acts 16:24; compare Acts 4:3; 12:4-5).

• Aristarchus (Acts 19:29; Colossians 4:10, Philemon 24)
• Epaphras (Philemon 23)
• Junia(s) (Romans 16:7, “fellow prisoners”)

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ —Matthew 25:35-36 LSB

I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ —Matthew 25:43 LSB

Original language words

Hebrew: סֹהַר —transliteration: sohar —meaning: prison —occurrences: 8 (all in Genesis)

Hebrew: כֶּלֶא —transliteration: kele —meaning: prison —occurrences: 10 (in Kings, Chronicles, Isaiah, and Jeremiah) — 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 17:4; 25:27, 29; 2 Chronicles 18:26; Isaiah 42:7, 22; Jeremiah 37:15, 18; 52:33

Hebrew: כְּלִיא —transliteration: keli or kelu —meaning: prison —occurrences: 2 (in Jeremiah) — Jeremiah 37:4; 52:31

Hebrew: אָסִיר —transliteration: asir —meaning: bound, prisoner, captive —occurrences: 12 (in Genesis, Judges, Psalms, Isaiah, Lamentations, and Zechariah)

Greek: φυλακή —transliteration: phulaké —meaning: prison, a guarding, cage, imprisonment, hold —occurrences: 47 (in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts)