In biblical times, the concept of a hostage was understood as a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of an agreement or the performance of a promise. The practice of taking hostages is mentioned in several instances throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the political and military strategies of ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest references to a hostage situation in the Bible is found in the narrative of the Gibeonites. In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty. Although the text does not explicitly mention hostages, the underlying principle of securing peace through binding agreements is evident. The Gibeonites' submission to servitude can be seen as a form of self-imposed hostage status to ensure their safety.

In 2 Kings 14:14, during the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, hostages are explicitly mentioned. After Amaziah's defeat by King Jehoash of Israel, Jehoash took hostages to ensure compliance and submission from Judah. The Berean Standard Bible states: "He took all the gold and silver, all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, and some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria."

Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 25:24, the parallel account of this event reiterates the taking of hostages as part of the spoils of war, highlighting the common practice of using hostages to secure political leverage and peace.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention hostages, the concept can be inferred in the broader context of Roman political practices during the time of Jesus and the early church. The Roman Empire often took hostages from subjugated peoples to ensure loyalty and prevent rebellion. This practice would have been familiar to the Jewish people living under Roman rule.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of a hostage can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition under sin and the subsequent redemption through Christ. Humanity, held hostage by sin, is liberated through the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ. In this sense, the idea of a hostage underscores the themes of captivity and freedom that are central to the Christian narrative of salvation.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of spiritual bondage and freedom. For instance, in Galatians 5:1 , Paul writes, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." While not directly referencing hostages, the imagery of captivity and liberation resonates with the concept.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, taking hostages was a common diplomatic and military strategy. Hostages were often members of royal families or nobility, ensuring that the subjugated party would adhere to treaties or agreements. This practice was not unique to Israel but was widespread among various cultures, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians.

The role of hostages in biblical narratives reflects the complex interplay of power, politics, and faith. While the Bible does not provide extensive details on the treatment or fate of hostages, the references that do exist offer insight into the historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world.A person delivered into the hands of another as a security for the performance of some promise, etc. (2 Kings 14:14; 2 Chronicles 25:24). (n.) A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.HOSTAGE

hos'-taj.

See WAR.

8594. taarubah -- a pledge
... Word Origin from arab Definition a pledge NASB Word Usage hostages (2). hostage.
From arab; suretyship, ie (concretely) a pledge -- + hostage. see HEBREW arab. ...
/hebrew/8594.htm - 6k

But that the Order of the Dates May be Correctly Preserved...
... of his empire. He had two sons, Seleucus and Antiochus, the latter of whom he
had given as a hostage to the Romans. Thus, then, Antiochus ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xix but that the.htm

The Believer's Challenge
... Christ was in his death the hostage of the people of God. He was the
representative of all the elect. When Christ was bound to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the believers challenge.htm

Knox in St. Andrews Castle: the Galleys: 1547-1549
... be prosecuted, nor undergo any legal penalties for the murder of the Cardinal;
(4) that they should meanwhile keep the eldest son of Arran as hostage, so long ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iii knox in st.htm

Chronological Table
... Theodoric was born AD455, educated at Constantinople as a hostage of the Emperor
Leo, and succeeded his father as King of the Ostrogoths in 475. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/chronological table.htm

Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... Bulgaria. John 3.scorned to retain his son's betrothed as a hostage, and
suffered the attendants to arrange her departure. But when ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xv womanhood of the byzantine.htm

Note by the American Editor.
... It explains the real purpose of Joseph in selecting Simeon as the hostage to be
left in Egypt (Genesis 42:21-24.) Joseph heard the mutual reproaches of his ...
/.../various/the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/note by the american editor.htm

Concerning Faith and Baptism.
... out of His holy and immaculate side [2303] , water for our regeneration, and the
washing away of sin and corruption; and blood to drink as the hostage of life ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ix concerning faith and baptism.htm

How when King Penda was Slain, the Province of the Mercians ...
... son Alchfrid met them with a very small army, as has been said, but trusting in
Christ as their Leader; his other son, Egfrid was then kept as a hostage at the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiv how when king.htm

In the Holy Land.
... Here, O here may be repentance,. Wait not for the final day; Pledge nor hostage
then avail,. Thou must answer without fail,. And thyself meet bliss or bale. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/in the holy land.htm

At that Time Judah Besieged the Syrians who were Posted in the ...
... For Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, who, we have said above, was handed over as
a hostage to the Romans, when he heard that Antiochus had departed, begged that ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxiii at that time.htm

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (42:24). ... He was left as a hostage
in Egypt by orders of Joseph (Genesis 42:24; Genesis 43:23). ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... Jehoiachin, who seems to have been a kind of hostage prisoner for his people, was
released from prison, honored above all the other kings in similar case, and ...
/j/jehoiachin.htm - 19k

Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... In Babylonian this name was probably Belu-lita-sharri-usur, which means "O Bel,
protect thou the hostage of the king," a most appropriate name for one in the ...
/d/daniel.htm - 79k

Hostage
... any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HOSTAGE. hos'-taj. See WAR. ...
/h/hostage.htm - 7k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... Philip had been for some years a hostage in Thebes: while there he had learned to
appreciate the changes introduced into military discipline and tactics by ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Epiphanes
... Seleucus IV, had been murdered by Heliodorus. As a boy Antiochus lived at Rome
as a hostage. The Pergamene monarchs, Eumenes and Attalus ...
/e/epiphanes.htm - 8k

Demetrius (3 Occurrences)
... Philopator). He was sent as a boy to Rome, by his father, to serve as a hostage,
and remained there quietly during his father's life. ...
/d/demetrius.htm - 17k

Maccabaeus
... known as Antiochus Epiphanes ("the Illustrious"), a typical eastern ruler of
considerable practical ability, but whose early training while a hostage at Rome ...
/m/maccabaeus.htm - 17k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety;
a hostage. 3. (n.) A hypothecation without transfer of possession. ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Borrow (10 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To receive; to take; to derive. 6. (n.) Something deposited as security;
a pledge; a surety; a hostage. 7. (n.) The act of borrowing. ...
/b/borrow.htm - 11k

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