Bible Dictionary

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Captive

Government & Society • Both
A captive is a person taken and deported in war, often subjected to slavery or harsh treatment. Scripture also uses captivity figuratively for bondage to sin or error.
Biblical Usage
The Bible describes captives carried away from conquered cities and nations, including Jewish exiles. The New Testament also uses captivity figuratively for the triumph of Christ and for bondage to the devil or false teachers.
Scripture References
1 Kings 20:32 Joshua 10:24 Judges 1:7 2 Samuel 4:12 Judges 8:7 2 Samuel 12:31 1 Chronicles 20:3 Isaiah 20 Isaiah 47:3 2 Chronicles 28:9-15 Psalms 44:12 Joel 3:3 Nahum 3:10 Zechariah 14:2 Esther 3:13 2 Kings 8:12 Isaiah 13:16 Isaiah 13:18 Jeremiah 20:5 Jeremiah 39:9 Jeremiah 39:10 Jeremiah 40:7