Captive

kap´tiv ( שׁבי , shebhı̄ , גּלה , gālāh  ; αἰχμάλωτος , aichmálōtos and its derivatives): The frequent references in the Old Testament to captives as men forcibly deported (from the Hebrew root שׁבה , shābhāh ) or inhabiting a land foreign to them (from Hebrew גּלה , gālāh ) reflect the universal practice of the ancient world. The treatment of captives was sometimes barbarous ( 2 Samuel 8:2 ) but not always so ( 2 Kings 6:21 , 2 Kings 6:22 ). See further under Assir and War .

Figurative: Except in Job 42:10 the figurative use of the idea is confined to the New Testament, where reference is made to the triumphal reign of the Lord Jesus ( Luke 4:18; Ephesians 4:8 ), or, on the other hand, to the power of the devil ( 2 Timothy 2:26 ), or of false teachers ( 2 Timothy 3:6 ); compare also Romans 7:23; 2 Corinthians 10:5 . See Captivity .