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831. Prisoners Chained

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible By: James M. Freeman

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Acts 12:6⁶And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. (Acts 12:6). Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.

Among the Romans the prisoner was bound to the soldier who had charge of him by means of a chain, which joined the prisoner’s right wrist to the left wrist of the soldier. Sometimes, for greater security, the prisoner was chained to two soldiers, one on each side of him. This was the case with Peter. Paul was at one time bound in a similar way. See Acts 21:33³³Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. (Acts 21:33). At another time he was fastened to a single soldier. See Acts 28:16, 20¹⁶And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. (Acts 28:16)
²⁰For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. (Acts 28:20).

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Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 810. Formal Condolence

• 811. Weeping at the Grave

• 812. The Pound

• 813. Need of Feet Washing

• 814. Position at Table

• 815. The "Sop"

• 816. Place for Gardens

• 817. Lanterns

• 818. Female Door Keepers

• 819. Charcoal

• 820. Bearing the Cross

• 821. The Tunic

• 822. Preparation for Burial

• 823. Salutation

• 824. A Sabbath Day's Journey

• 825. Time for Eating

• 826. Time for Burial

• 827. Reading Aloud

• 828. Complimentary Names

• 829. Prayer on the Housetop

• 830. The Military Night Watch

• 831. Prisoners Chained

• 832. Sandals

• 833. Knocker Street Door

• 834. The Law and the Prophets Rulers of the Synagogue

• 835. Gods in Human Form

• 836. Jupiter and Mercury

• 837. Idolatrous Garlands

• 838. Places of Prayer

• 839. Stocks