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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Chain
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(represented by several Hebrews and Gr. terms). Chains of different metals appear to have been used by the ancients for various purposes, similar to those of modern times.
1. As a Badge of Office. — The gold chain ( øָáַéã , rabid´) placed about Joseph's neck (Gen_41:42), and that promised to Daniel (Dan_5:7, named äִîְðַéêְ , hamnik´), are instances of the first use (comp. 1Es_3:6). In Egypt it was one of the insignia of a judge, who wore a jeweled image of Thmei or Truth attached to it (Wilkinson's Anc. Egypt. 2:26); it was also worn by the prime minister. In Persia it was considered not only a mark of royal favor (Xenophon, Anab. 1:2, § 27), but a token of investiture (Daniel l. c.; Morier's Second Journey, p. 93). In Eze_16:11, the chain is mentioned as the symbol of sovereignty. The breastplate of the high-priest was in like manner fastened to the ephod with golden chains (Exo_39:16; Exo_39:21). SEE ATTIRE.
2. Chains for ornamental purposes (comp. Jdt_10:4) were worn by men as well as women in many countries both of Europe (Smith's Dict. of Class. Ant. s.v. Torques) and Asia (Wilkinson, 3:375), and probably this was the case among the Hebrews (Pro_1:9). The necklace ( òֲðָ÷ , anak´) consisted of pearls, corals, etc., threaded on a string; the beads were called çֲøåּæַéí , charuzim´, that is, perforated (Son_1:10, "chains," where a' of gold" is interpolated). Besides the necklace, other chains were worn (Jdt_10:4) hanging down as far as the waist, or even lower. Some were adorned with pieces of metal, shaped in the form of the moon, named ùִׁäֲøֹðַéí (saharonim´, Sept. ìήíéóêïé ; Vulg. lunulae ; A. V. round tires like the moon; Isa_3:18); a similar ornament, the hilâl, still exists in Egypt (Lane's Modern Egyptians, App. A.). The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with such (Jdg_8:21; Jdg_8:26); the Arabs still use a similar ornament (Wellsted, 1:301). To other chains were suspended various trinkets, as scent-bottles, äִðֶּôֶùׁ áָּúֵּé (bottey´ han-ne´ phesh, tablets or houses of the soul, Isa_3:20), and mirrors, âַּìְéåֹðַéí (gilyonim´, Isa_3:23). Step-chains, öְòָãåֹú tseädoth´, tinkling ornaments), were attached to the ankle-rings, which shortened the step and produced a mincing gait (Isa_3:16; Isa_3:18). SEE ANKLET; SEE NECKLACE. The particular female ornaments thus rendered in Isa_3:19 ( ðְèַôåֹú , net'photh', Sept. êÜèåìá , Vulg. torques), signify drops or pendants to earrings or other articles of jewelry. SEE EARRING.
3. The means adopted for confining prisoners among the Jews were either manacles or fetters of copper or iron, similar to our handcuffs, ðְçֻùְׁúִּéַí (nechushta´yim, lit. two brasses, as though made in halves), fastened on the wrists and ankles, and attached to each other by a chain (Jdg_16:21; 2Sa_3:34; 2Ki_25:7; Jer_39:7). It was a custom among the lRomans likewise to fasten a prisoner with a light chain to the soldier who was appointed to guard him. One end of it was attached to the right hand of the prisoner, and the other to the left hand of the soldier. This is the chain by which Paul was so often bound, and to which he repeatedly alludes (Act_28:20; Eph_6:20; 2Ti_1:16). When the utmost security was desired, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as was the case with Peter (Act_12:6; Walch, De vinculis Petri, Jen. 1758). (See Smith's Dict. of Class Antiq. s.v. Catena.) SEE FETTER.
Idols, it appears, were fixed in their shrines with chains (Isa_40:19). Pride is emblematically termed a chain which keeps men under its power (Psa_73:6; comp. 1Es_1:40; Wisd. 17:37; Sir_6:24; Sir_6:29).