Chains
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [1]
Chains —The usual NT word for ‘chain’ is ἅλυσις. πέδαι ( Mark 5:4 Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 fetters) are for binding the feet. δεσμός is a more general term, meaning anything to tie or fasten. Authorized Version renders δεσμοί, ‘chains,’ in Judges 1:6, but Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 substitutes ‘bonds.’ For critical reasons ‘chains’ disappears from 2 Peter 2:4.
In NT chains invariably denote instruments for binding, or restraining the liberty of the person, e.g. the demoniac ( Mark 5:3), St. Peter ( Acts 12:8), the dragon ( Revelation 20:1). Imbeciles appear always to have received consideration, if not even reverence, in the East; but demoniacs, and persons suffering from certain forms of delirium, have been treated with horrible cruelty. Often they are loaded with chains and bound to a staple firmly fixed in the ground. The tortures applied are ostensibly for the purpose of driving out the evil spirit that possesses them.
Under the Roman law, vincula , was a form of punishment, or of safe custody. The prisoner was chained to a soldier, who was responsible for his safe keeping. The chain was fastened round the right wrist of the prisoner and the left wrist of his guard. To this chain St. Paul refers ( Acts 28:20, 2 Timothy 1:16). For greater safety two soldiers might be assigned as guards to one prisoner, a hand of each being chained to one of his. Thus St. Peter was confined in the stormy days of the persecution ( Acts 12:6); and St. Paul, when Lysias thought him a dangerous person ( Acts 21:33). The use of πέδαι in their modern form may be seen to-day at Acre, in the groups of Turkish prisoners chained together by the ankles.
W. Ewing.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [2]
These are mentioned in scripture
1. as the insignia, of office: Joseph and Daniel were invested with gold chains. Genesis 41:42; Daniel 5:7 .
2. As ornaments: they were placed on parts of the temple; were worn on the neck, and found among the spoils of war: Exodus 28:14; Numbers 31:50; 2 Chronicles 3:5,16; Song of Solomon 1:10 .
3. Used to secure prisoners. Jeremiah 39:7; Lamentations 3:7; Acts 12:6,7; 2 Timothy 1:16; Jude 6 .
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary [3]
In Scripture those expressions are frequently made use of to denote the constraining love of Christ. Thus Christ speaks of his church; ( Song of Song of Solomon 1:10; Son 4:9) and again, by way of shewing Christ's property in his church, "I put bracelets upon thine hands, and a chain on thy neck." ( Ezekiel 16:11) And Paul, the apostle, delighted to call himself the Lord's prisoner. "For the hope of Israel (said he,) I am bound with this chain." ( Acts 28:20) "Be not thou, therefore, ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, of me his prisoner." ( 2 Timothy 1:8)
Holman Bible Dictionary [4]
Genesis 41:42 Daniel 5:7 Numbers 31:50 Judges 8:26 2 Exodus 28:14 3 1 Kings 6:21 4 2 Chronicles 3:16 5 Jeremiah 39:7 Acts 28:20 Acts 12:7
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [5]
Chief town of the French dep. of Haute Vienne, where Richard Coeur de Lion was mortally wounded in 1199 by a shot with an arrow.
