Topical Bible: Prisoners: Required to Labor

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In biblical times, the concept of prisoners being required to labor is evident in various passages, reflecting the societal norms and legal practices of ancient cultures. The Bible provides several instances where prisoners were subjected to forced labor, often as a form of punishment or as a means to utilize their skills for the benefit of their captors.

One of the earliest references to prisoners being required to labor is found in the account of Joseph in Egypt. After being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was imprisoned. While the Bible does not explicitly state that Joseph was forced to labor, it does indicate that he was put in charge of all the prisoners and was responsible for their activities (Genesis 39:22-23). This suggests a form of labor or management role within the prison system.

The Israelites' experience in Egypt also highlights the use of forced labor. Although not prisoners in the traditional sense, the Israelites were subjected to harsh labor conditions under Pharaoh's rule. Exodus 1:11 states, "So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor." This oppressive labor was a means of control and subjugation, akin to the treatment of prisoners.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently found himself imprisoned for his faith. While the scriptures do not detail specific labor he was required to perform, Paul's letters from prison, such as those to the Philippians and Colossians, indicate that he continued his ministry work, writing letters and encouraging the early Christian communities (Philippians 1:12-14).

The practice of requiring prisoners to labor can also be seen in the Roman context. Acts 16:23-24 describes Paul and Silas being imprisoned in Philippi, where they were placed in the inner cell and their feet fastened in stocks. While the text does not explicitly mention labor, the use of stocks suggests a punitive measure that could accompany forced labor.

Throughout biblical history, the requirement for prisoners to labor served various purposes, from punishment and deterrence to economic benefit and social control. These practices reflect the broader cultural and legal frameworks of the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, where labor was often an integral part of the penal system.

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Judges 16:21
But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.
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Library

Acts XXVII
... was not expected to take the prisoners further than ... of eating and daylight, and was
no inconsiderable labor. ... It required some seamanship to land where they did ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... gave to Joseph's charge all the prisoners who were in ... not under the necessity of
engaging in manual labor. ... But Joseph required closer contact with real life in ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield
... now fully employed; the care of the prisoners and the ... by his Lord to enjoy the fruit
of his labor? ... on so delicate a subject; what prudence is required to avoid ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 53 on the death.htm

The End
... a car of victory, followed by the prisoners and spoils ... at other times than those
when duty required them to ... prison activity; and he crowned this labor with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter x the end.htm

The Story of Histiaeus.
... Her hands, being thus not required either for the ... of their country were accustomed
to labor, and were as ... there to take the whole community prisoners, and bring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter x the story of.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... For what is required is not only to suffer for ... The malefactor then condemned to labor
in that place, taking ... more squalid and filthy than any prisoners; and is ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 1
... to establish it far beyond what the case required. ... this; that the teachers who labor
ought also to ... of foreigners, the misfortunes of prisoners, the necessities ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 1 cor ix.htm

Athor, the Golden
... They would be held like prisoners within the limits of the ... north at the edge of the
matting required more time ... It shall not keep thee from thy labor," he added ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter vii athor the golden.htm

John x. 14, 15
... He telleth them, "Except I will, your labor is unavailing ... sustenance, and yet at
evening are required by those set ... from the sight of the prisoners, quenches all ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lx john x 14.htm

Acts i. 1, 2
... thou, where to be in earnest is the thing required, dost not ... yet for all this, thou
hast not the will to labor. ... was in the midst of a set of prisoners, and the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily i acts i 1.htm