Home/Topics/Captivity

What the Bible Says About Captivity

Overview

The Bible addresses captivity across 14 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings, Jeremiah and Lamentations. Closely related themes include Samaria, Ancient, Disobedience to God, Shalmaneser and Plague or Pestilence, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hezekiah and Moses.

Key Bible verses about captivity

Old Testament

2 Kings

2 Kings 17:23

Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.

2 Kings 17:24

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

2 Kings 18:9

And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

2 Kings 18:10

And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

2 Kings 18:11

And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

2 Kings 18:12

Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

People in the Bible and captivity

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying captivity for yourself

  • Begin with 2 Kings 17:23, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 2 Kings, Jeremiah and Lamentations each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Hezekiah and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Samaria, Ancient, Disobedience to God, Shalmaneser and Plague or Pestilence, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about captivity?

The Bible addresses captivity across 14 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings, Jeremiah and Lamentations. Closely related themes include Samaria, Ancient, Disobedience to God, Shalmaneser and Plague or Pestilence, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hezekiah and Moses.

How many Bible verses are about captivity?

The Bible references captivity in 14 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention captivity?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Kings 17:23: “Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with captivity?

Hezekiah and Moses.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on captivity.

Preach a series on Captivity