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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Jeremiah
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: to be a curse: Heb. for a curse
Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
Lamentations
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. because of great: Heb. for the greatness of servitude
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
Ezekiel
And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from 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
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