Bible Encyclopedias
Captive

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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 .