Difference between revisions of "Chain"

<p> CHAIN, n. </p> 1. A series of links or rings connected, or fitted into one another, usually made of some kind of metal, as a chain of gold, or of iron but the word is not restricted to any particular kind of material. It is used often for an ornament about the person. 2. That which binds a real chain that which restrains, confines, or fetters a bond. <p> If God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them into chains of darkness. &nbsp;2 Peter 2 . </p> 3. [[Bondage]] affliction. <p> He hath made my chain heavy. &nbsp;Lamentations 3 . </p> 4. Bondage slavery. <p> In despotism the people sleep soundly in their chains. </p> 5. Ornament. &nbsp;Proverbs 1:9 . 6. A series of things linked together a series of things connected or following in succession as a chain of causes, of ideas, or events a chain of being. 7. A range, or line of things connected, as a chain of mountains. 8. A series of links, forming an instrument to measure land. 9. A string of twisted wire, or something similar, to hang a watch on, and for other purposes. 10. In France, a measure of wood for fuel, and various commodities, of various length. 11. In ship-building, chains are strong links or plates of iron, bolted at the lower end to the ships side, used to contain the blocks called dead eyes, by which the shrouds of the mast are extended. 12. The warp in weaving, as in French. <p> Chain- ump. This consists of a long chain, equipped with a sufficient number of valves, moving on two wheels, one above the other below, passing downward through a wooden tube and returning through another. It is managed by a long winch, on which several men may be employed at once. </p> <p> Chain-shot, two balls connected by a chain, and used to cut down masts, or cut away shrouds and rigging. </p> <p> Chain-wales of a ship, broad and thick planks projecting from a ships side, abreast of and behind the masts, for the purpose of extending the shrouds, for better supporting the masts, and preventing the shrouds from damaging the gunwale. </p> <p> Chain-work, work consisting of threads, cords and the like, linked together in the form of a chain as lineal chaining or tambour work, reticulation or net work, &c. </p> <p> Top-chain, on board a ship, a chain to sling the sail-yards in time of battle, to prevent their falling, when the ropes that support them are shot away. </p> <p> CHAIN, </p> 1. To fasten, bind or connect with a chain to fasten or bind with any thing in the manner of a chain. 2. To enslave to keep in slavery. <p> And which more blest? Who chaind his country, say </p> <p> Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day? </p> 3. To guard with a chain, as a harbor or passage. 4. To unite to form chain-work.

<p> '''Chain.''' [[Chains]] were used, </p> <p> 1. ''As Badges Of Office'' ; The gold chain placed about Joseph's neck, &nbsp;Genesis 41:42, and that promised to Daniel, &nbsp;Daniel 5:7, are instances of this first use. In &nbsp;Ezekiel 16:11, the chain is mentioned as the symbol of sovereignty. </p> <p> 2. ''For Ornaments'' ; Chains for ornamental purposes were worn by men as well as women. &nbsp;Proverbs 1:9. &nbsp;Judith 10:4. The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with chains. &nbsp;Judges 8:21; &nbsp;Judges 8:26. Step-chains were attached to the ankle-rings. &nbsp;Isaiah 3:16; &nbsp;Isaiah 3:18. </p> <p> 3. ''For Confining Prisoners'' ; The means adopted for confining prisoners among the [[Jews]] were fetters similar to our handcuffs. &nbsp;Judges 16:21; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:34; &nbsp;2 Kings 25:7; &nbsp;Jeremiah 39:7. Among the Romans, the prisoner was handcuffed to his guard, and occasionally to two guards. &nbsp;Acts 12:6-7; &nbsp;Acts 21:33. </p>

<p> '''(1):''' (n.) That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit. </p> <p> '''(2):''' (n.) A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas. </p> <p> '''(3):''' (n.) A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc. </p> <p> '''(4):''' (n.) An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land. </p> <p> '''(5):''' (n.) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels. </p> <p> '''(6):''' (n.) The warp threads of a web. </p> <p> '''(7):''' (v. t.) To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor. </p> <p> '''(8):''' (v. t.) To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog. </p> <p> '''(9):''' (v. t.) To keep in slavery; to enslave. </p> <p> '''(10):''' (v. t.) To unite closely and strongly. </p> <p> '''(11):''' (v. t.) To measure with the chain. </p>

<li> Chains were also used as fetters wherewith prisoners were bound (&nbsp;Judges 16:21; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:34; &nbsp;2 Kings 25:7; &nbsp;Jeremiah 39:7 ). Paul was in this manner bound to a Roman soldier (&nbsp;Acts 28:20; &nbsp;Ephesians 6:20; &nbsp;2 Timothy 1:16 ). Sometimes, for the sake of greater security, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as in the case of Peter (&nbsp;Acts 12:6 ). <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Chain'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/chain.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> &nbsp;Proverbs 1:9 (a) In this passage, wisdom, knowledge, and the law of GOD are compared to three golden links which adorn those who possess them. </p> <p> &nbsp;Lamentations 3:7 (b) Jeremiah compares his many sorrows to links in a chain which weigh him down and prevent his progress. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 7:23 (b) The combination of circumstances and conditions which the Lord would bring upon [[Israel]] in punishment are compared to links in a chain to bind His people. </p> <p> &nbsp;Revelation 20:1 (b) GOD's commandments restrict, prohibit, and defeat Satan and are compared to links that form a chain for his utter punishment. (See2Pe &nbsp;2:4; &nbsp;Judges 1:6). </p>

<p> <strong> [[Chain]] </strong> is used in two different senses. <strong> 1 </strong> . Chains for securing prisoners are denoted by a variety of words in OT and NT, which are also rendered by ‘ <strong> bonds </strong> ’ or <strong> ‘fetters,’ </strong> although the monuments show that ropes were more generally used for this purpose. <strong> 2 </strong> . A chain of precious metal was worn as a sign of rank, as by [[Joseph]] and Daniel, or purely as an ornament. See Ornaments, § <strong> 2 </strong> . </p> <p> A. R. S. Kennedy. </p>

<p> (represented by several Hebrews and Gr. terms). Chains of different metals appear to have been used by the ancients for various purposes, similar to those of modern times. </p> <p> '''1.''' ''As A Badge Of Office. —'' The gold chain (רָבַיד, ''Rabid´)'' placed about Joseph's neck (&nbsp;Genesis 41:42), and that promised to Daniel (&nbsp;Daniel 5:7, named הִמְנַיךְ, ''Hamnik´),'' are instances of the first use (comp. &nbsp;1 [[Esdras]] 3:6). In Egypt it was one of the insignia of a judge, who wore a jeweled image of Thmei or Truth attached to it (Wilkinson's Anc. Egypt. 2:26); it was also worn by the prime minister. In [[Persia]] it was considered not only a mark of royal favor (Xenophon, Anab. 1:2, § 27), but a token of investiture (Daniel l. c.; Morier's Second Journey, p. 93). In &nbsp;Ezekiel 16:11, the chain is mentioned as the symbol of sovereignty. The breastplate of the high-priest was in like manner fastened to the ephod with golden chains (&nbsp;Exodus 39:16; &nbsp;Exodus 39:21). (See [[Attire]]). </p> <p> '''2.''' Chains for ''Ornamental Purposes'' (comp. &nbsp;Judith 10:4) were worn by men as well as women in many countries both of Europe (Smith's ''Dict. Of Class. Ant.'' s.v. Torques) and Asia (Wilkinson, 3:375), and probably this was the case among the Hebrews (&nbsp;Proverbs 1:9). The necklace (עֲנָק, anak´) consisted of pearls, corals, etc., threaded on a string; the beads were called חֲרוּזַים, ''Charuzim´,'' that is, ''Perforated'' (&nbsp;Song of [[Solomon]] 1:10, "chains," where a' of gold" is interpolated). Besides the necklace, other chains were worn (&nbsp;Judith 10:4) hanging down as far as the waist, or even lower. Some were adorned with pieces of metal, shaped in the form of the moon, named שִׁהֲרֹנַים(saharonim´, Sept. μήνισκοι; Vulg. ''Lunulae'' ; A. V. round tires like the moon; &nbsp;Isaiah 3:18); a similar ornament, the ''Hilâ L,'' still exists in Egypt (Lane's ''Modern Egyptians,'' App. A.). The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with such (&nbsp;Judges 8:21; &nbsp;Judges 8:26); the Arabs still use a similar ornament (Wellsted, 1:301). To other chains were suspended various trinkets, as scent-bottles, הִנֶּפֶשׁ בָּתֵּי(bottey´ han-ne´ phesh, tablets or ''Houses Of The Soul,'' &nbsp;Isaiah 3:20), and mirrors, גַּלְיוֹנַים(gilyonim´, &nbsp;Isaiah 3:23). ''Step-Chains, צְעָדוֹת'' ''Tseä Doth´, [[Tinkling]] Ornaments),'' were attached to the ankle-rings, which shortened the step and produced a mincing gait (&nbsp;Isaiah 3:16; &nbsp;Isaiah 3:18). (See [[Anklet]]); (See [[Necklace]]). The particular female ornaments thus rendered in &nbsp;Isaiah 3:19 (נְטַפוֹת, ''Net'Photh','' Sept. κάθεμα, Vulg. ''Torques),'' signify [[Drops]] or pendants to earrings or other articles of jewelry. (See [[Earring]]). </p> <p> '''3.''' The means adopted for ''Confining Prisoners'' among the Jews were either manacles or fetters of copper or iron, similar to our handcuffs, נְחֻשְׁתִּיַם ''(Nechushta´ Yim,'' lit. ''Two Brasses,'' as though made in halves), fastened on the wrists and ankles, and attached to each other by a chain (&nbsp;Judges 16:21; &nbsp;2 Samuel 3:34; &nbsp;2 Kings 25:7; &nbsp;Jeremiah 39:7). It was a custom among the lRomans likewise to fasten a prisoner with a light chain to the soldier who was appointed to guard him. One end of it was attached to the right hand of the prisoner, and the other to the left hand of the soldier. This is the [[Chain]] by which Paul was so often bound, and to which he repeatedly alludes (&nbsp;Acts 28:20; &nbsp;Ephesians 6:20; &nbsp;2 Timothy 1:16). When the utmost security was desired, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as was the case with Peter (&nbsp;Acts 12:6; Walch, ''De Vinculis Petri,'' Jen. 1758). (See Smith's ''Dict. Of [[Class]] Antiq.'' s.v. Catena.) (See [[Fetter]]). </p> <p> Idols, it appears, were fixed in their shrines with chains (&nbsp;Isaiah 40:19). [[Pride]] is ''Emblematically'' termed a chain which keeps men under its power (&nbsp;Psalms 73:6; comp. &nbsp;1 Esdras 1:40; Wisd. 17:37; &nbsp;Sirach 6:24; &nbsp;Sirach 6:29). </p>