The meaning of Captive in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

kap'-tiv (shebhi, galah; aichmalotos and its derivatives): The frequent references in the Old Testament to captives as men forcibly deported (from the Hebrew root shabhah) or inhabiting a land foreign to them (from Hebrew galah) reflect the universal practice of the ancient world. The treatment of captives was sometimes barbarous (II Samuel 8:2) but not always so (II Kings 6:21-22).

See further under ASSIR and WAR.

Figurative: Except in Job 42:10 the figurative use of the idea is confined to the New Testament, where reference is made to the triumphal reign of the Lord Jesus (Luke 4:18; Ephesians 4:8), or, on the other hand, to the power of the devil (II Timothy 2:26), or of false teachers (II Timothy 3:6); compare also Romans 7:23; II Corinthians 10:5.

See CAPTIVITY.

F. K. Farr

See more on the meaning of Captive in the Bible:
Captive {Easton's Bible Dictionary}

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