Bible Encyclopedias
Chains

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

A word employed in English versions of the Bible as an equivalent for the various Hebrew terms applied to devices consisting of a series of links and used (1) as means of restraint, or (2) for ornamental purposes on persons or on buildings. These Hebrew terms are as follows:

• 1.: Occurring in Numbers 31:50; R. V., "ankle chains." In 2 Samuel 1:10 it is translated "bracelet"; and this is evidently its more exact meaning (see Driver and Klostermann on 2 Samuel 1:10, and compare below No. 11).
• 2.: occurring in Daniel 5:7,16,29 (read ), and indicating a necklace worn as a mark of distinction. One was conferred upon Daniel for interpreting Belshazzar's dream. In the Targum it is employed for (Genesis 41:42) Compare No. 12 below.
• 3.: Occurs in Nahum 3:10, and Psalms 149:8, where it indicates fetters, probably of iron, for binding captives.
• 4.: Translated "chain" in Ezekiel 19:4,9, A. V., but more correctly rendered "hook" in R. V. Inserted in the nose, it served as a means of leading captives (compare 2 Kings 19:28). It is also indicated as an ornament (Exodus 35:22, A. V. "bracelets"; R. V., "brooches"). From its insertion in the nose of the captive, it seems probable that as an ornament the was a nose-ring (compare ).
  
  Assyrian Captive in Chains.
  (After Botta, "Monuments de Ninive.")
• 5.: Occurs in Song of Solomon 1:10 (R. V., "strings"). Ornamental chains for the neck, probably strings of coral, metal, or pearls, are meant.
• 6.: This word occurs only in Psalms 68:7 (6), and is translated as "chains" in A. V., but more correctly in R. V. as "prosperity" (compare dictionaries of Gesenius [-Buhl], Siegfried-Stade, and Baethgen, on Psalms 68:7).
• 7. and : Occurring in Lamentations 3:7, and often translated "fetters," as in Judges 16:21; 2 Kings 25:7. Chains for prisoners, made, as the name implies, of bronze. They consisted of two rings—one for each foot or arm—connected by a link.
• 8.: Rendered "chains" in Isaiah 3:19, A. V., but better taken, in R. V., as "pendants"—obviously with reference to the drop-like form of the ornament. In Judges 8:26, A. V., it is rendered "collars" [margin, "sweet jewels"]; in R. V., "pendants."
• 9.: Employed in Exodus 28:14, 39:15 to designate the gold chains on the ephod and breastplate of the high priest.
• 10.: An ornament for the neck mentioned in Song of Solomon 4:9, etc. (compare , Psalms 73:6). The word is used in Judges 8:26 to designate the chains worn by camels.
• 11.: Rendered by R. V. in Isaiah 3:20 as "ankle chains"; A. V. has "ornaments of the legs." Compare (No. 1) above.
• 12.: Occurs in Genesis 41:42 and Ezekiel 16:11, where it indicates a necklace evidently employed as a sign of distinction. Pharaoh adorned Joseph with a chain of this kind when investing him with office.
• 13.: Applied (1) to chains of captivity (Ezekiel 7:23); (2) to the gold chains hung before the "oracle" () in the Temple (1 Kings 6:21); and (3) to silver chains hung upon a graven image (Isa. 19).
• 14.: Translated "bracelets" in Isaiah 3:19, both A. V. and R. V., but "chains" is the marginal rendering in the latter. The word seems to indicate arm-ornaments; compare the Arabic "siwar" (bracelet).
• 15.: Chainwork used in ornamentation. It was employed in the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:5,16) and for the ephod and breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:14, 39:15). Compare (Exodus 28:22), which is an abbreviated form of this word. See Fetters.