chain Summary and Overview

(1.) A part of the insignia of office. A chain of gold was placed about Joseph's neck (Gen. 41:42); and one was promised to Daniel (5:7). It is used as a symbol of sovereignty (Ezek. 16:11). The breast-plate of the high-priest was fastened to the ephod by golden chains (Ex. 39:17, 21). (2.) It was used as an ornament (Prov. 1:9; Cant. 1:10). The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with chains (Judg. 8:21, 26). (3.) Chains were also used as fetters wherewith prisoners were bound (Judg. 16:21; 2 Sam. 3:34; 2 Kings 25:7; Jer. 39:7). Paul was in this manner bound to a Roman soldier (Acts 28:20; Eph. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16). Sometimes, for the sake of greater security, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as in the case of Peter (Acts 12:6).

Chains were used, 1. As badges of office; 2. For ornament; 3. For confining prisoners. 1. the gold chain placed about Joseph's neck, #Ge 41:42| and that promised to Daniel, #Da 5:7| are instances of the first use. In #Eze 16:11| the chain is mentioned as the symbol of sovereignty. 2. Chains for ornamental purposes were worn by men as well as women. #Pr 1:9| Judith 10:4. The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with chains. #Jud 8:21,26| Step-chains were attached to the ankle-rings. #Isa 3:16,18| 3. The means adopted for confining prisoners among the Jews were fetters similar to our handcuffs. #Jud 16:21; 2Sa 3:34; 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:7| Among the Romans the prisoner was handcuffed to his guard, and occasionally to two guards. #Ac 12:6,7; 21:33|

Of gold on Joseph's neck (Genesis 41:42). Was the badge of a judge, and a prime minister, in Egypt. Judges wore the image of Thmei, or truth, attached from their neck (compare Proverbs 1:9). Daniel was given by Belshazzar a chain of gold about his neck, a token of investiture as "the third ruler in the kingdom" of Babylon (Daniel 5:7; Daniel 5:29). Secondly, chares, besides the necklace, were used for ornament, hanging down to the waist (Ezekiel 16:11; Isaiah 3:19). "Chains," hanetiphot, from naataph, to drop; pendants about the neck, dropping on the breast. Some had ornamental miniature lunettes attached (Isaiah 3:18), "round tires like the moon," such as the Midianites adorned their camels' necks with (Judges 8:21-26; compare Numbers 31:50); the chumarah or crescent is still worn in front of the headdress in western Asia; (Isaiah 3:20) "tablets" or scentbottles, lit. houses of the breath or soul, were often suspended by chains. "Tinkling ornaments," i.e. step chains attached to ankle rings, shortened the step so as to give a tripping (margin) gait (Isaiah 3:16; Isaiah 3:18). Prisoners were chained to one or even two guards, by a chain from each hand, as Peter (Acts 12:6-7). Paul's right hand was chained to the soldier's left (Acts 28:20). Originally he was bound with two chains (Acts 21:33). Joseph's "feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in (margin his soul, came into) iron," i.e. his soul suffered more pain than even the fetters caused to his body. As the Hebrew verb is feminine, and "the iron" masculine, the Prayer-Book version, "the iron entered into his soul," is wrong (Psalm 105:18).