In biblical times, the concept of hostages was employed as a means of ensuring compliance with treaties, agreements, or demands. The taking of hostages served as a guarantee that parties would fulfill their obligations, whether in matters of war, diplomacy, or other significant agreements. The practice is mentioned in several instances throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the political and social dynamics of the ancient Near East.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest references to the concept of hostages can be found in the context of military and political alliances. In 2 Kings 14:14, we read about King Jehoash of Israel taking hostages from Jerusalem: "He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria." This incident illustrates the use of hostages as a means of securing peace or submission following a conflict.

Another significant mention is found in 2 Chronicles 25:24, which parallels the account in 2 Kings, emphasizing the practice of taking hostages as part of the spoils of war. The taking of hostages in these contexts served as a strategic move to ensure that the defeated party would not retaliate or breach the terms of surrender.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the taking of hostages, the concept can be understood in the broader context of Roman 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, although it is not directly addressed in the New Testament writings.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the taking of hostages can be seen as a reflection of the fallen human condition and the complexities of sin in the world. The need for such measures underscores the lack of trust and the prevalence of conflict among nations and peoples. In contrast, the biblical narrative points to a God who desires peace and reconciliation, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The practice of taking hostages also highlights the importance of covenant faithfulness in the biblical worldview. Just as hostages were taken to ensure the fulfillment of human covenants, God calls His people to be faithful to His covenant, trusting in His promises and living in obedience to His commands.

Historical and Cultural Context

Understanding the historical and cultural context of hostage-taking in the Bible provides insight into the political and social realities of the ancient world. Hostages were often individuals of high status or royal lineage, taken to ensure the compliance of their families or nations. This practice was not unique to Israel but was common among various ancient Near Eastern cultures.

In summary, the concept of hostages in the Bible serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the need for divine intervention to bring about true peace and reconciliation. The biblical narrative ultimately points to a future where such measures are no longer necessary, as God's kingdom is fully realized on earth.8594. taarubah -- a pledge
... 8593, 8594. taarubah. 8595 . a pledge. Transliteration: taarubah Phonetic
Spelling: (tah-ar-oo-baw') Short Definition: hostages. ...
/hebrew/8594.htm - 6k

Hyrcanus Receives the High Priesthood, and Ejects Ptolemy Out of ...
... could not associate with other people, nor converse with them; yet were they willing,
instead of the admission of the garrison, to give him hostages, and five ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hyrcanus receives the.htm

Knox in St. Andrews Castle: the Galleys: 1547-1549
... 1) the murderers should hold the castle till Arran could obtain for them, from the
Pope, a sufficient absolution; (2) that they should give hostages, as soon ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iii knox in st.htm

Praise to Thee from Every Mouth on this Day of Thy Birth!
... Giver of life to all"But because He Who was slain was a King, our Lord the Lord
of Kingdoms,"the tyrant in subtlety, gave for Him slain hostages,"clad in ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvii praise to thee.htm

How Alexander [Bala] in his War with Demetrius, Granted Jonathan ...
... He therefore gave orders that Jonathan should be allowed to raise an army, and should
get armor made, and should receive back those hostages of the Jewish ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how alexander bala.htm

Epistle xxx. To Maurilius and vitalianus.
... when you have read it, see if the people of Suana [1419] have stood fast in the
fidelity they promised to the republic, and take adequate hostages from them ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxx to maurilius and.htm

How the Samaritans Made a Tumult and Pilate Destroyed Many of Them ...
... taken Armenia away from him, lest he should proceed further, and told him he should
no otherwise trust him than upon his giving him hostages, and especially ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the samaritans.htm

How Trypho after He had Beaten Demetrius Delivered the Kingdom to ...
... However, he made a league of friendship with them, and took from them hostages for
their performance of it, and sent these hostages to Jerusalem, while he went ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how trypho after.htm

Blessed is He Above all in his Birth!
... Height and depth were amazed, that Thy Birth subdued the rebels."For that we gave
Thee hostages, Thou gavest us the Paraclete:"when the hostages went up ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xv blessed is he.htm

When I had Therefore Received These Instructions, I came into ...
... of the fear they were in, and persuaded the multitude to deal kindly with them,
and permitted them to send to those that were their own hostages with Gessius ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 8 when i had.htm

But when I had Dismissed My Fellow Legates...
... So I was willing to have the principal of the Galileans, in all seventy, as hostages
for their fidelity, but still under the notion of friendship. ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 14 but when i.htm

Treasuries (36 Occurrences)
... he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/t/treasuries.htm - 18k

Treasures (77 Occurrences)
... He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/t/treasures.htm - 31k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Articles (78 Occurrences)
... He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/a/articles.htm - 30k

Hostages (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hostages (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 14:14 He took
all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were ...
/h/hostages.htm - 7k

Seized (118 Occurrences)
... He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/s/seized.htm - 34k

Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)
... he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house
of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/s/sama'ria.htm - 34k

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... Here Thothmes III of Egypt (flourished circa 1650 BC), after the battle of Megiddo,
met and received hostages from the Assyrians, and here too Rameses II ...
/k/kadesh.htm - 21k

Orontes
... Here Thothmes III of Egypt (flourished circa 1650 BC), after the battle of Megiddo,
met and received hostages from the Assyrians, and here too Rameses II ...
/o/orontes.htm - 7k

O'bed-e'dom (14 Occurrences)
... all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God
with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and ...
/o/o'bed-e'dom.htm - 10k

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