The first biblical reference to prison is of Joseph in Egypt (Gen. 38.20-23) where he was placed by Potiphar. The word in Hebrew (sohar) can be defined as a round tower or fortress. It may have been a part of Potiphar’s house where state prisoners were kept. The Law of Moses had no provision for prison as a punishment. The concept of prison is mentioned in Psalms (Psa. 69.33; 79.11; 142.7). Frequent mention is made of prison during the period of the Kings (1 Kings 22.27; 2 Kings 17.4; 25.27, 29; 2 Chron. 16.10; Isa. 42.7; Jer. 32.2). In the New Testament, prisons were common (Matt. 11.2; 25.36, 43). There are four related terms in the New Testament that are translated prison (Matt. 11.2; Act 5.18; Acts 12.7; Acts 16.23-40).
