Chain

Chain [EBD]

(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 [NAVE]

CHAINS
Used as ornaments. Worn by princes, Gen. 41:42; Dan. 5:7, 29.
Worn on ankles, Num. 31:50; Isa. 3:19; on the breastplate of high priest, Ex. 28:14; 39:15.
As ornaments on camels, Judg. 8:26.
A partition of, in the temple, 1 Kin. 6:21; 7:17.
Used to confine prisoners, Psa. 68:6; 149:8; Jer. 40:4; Acts 12:6, 7; 21:33; 28:20; 2 Tim. 1:16.
See: Fetters.
Figurative
Psa. 73:6; Prov. 1:9; Lam. 3:7; Ezek. 7:23-27; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Rev. 20:1.

CHAIN [SMITH]

Chains were used,

1. As badges of office;
2. For ornament;
3. For confining prisoners.
4. the gold chain placed about Joseph?s neck, (Genesis 41:42) and that promised to Daniel, (Daniel 5:7) are instances of the first use. In (Ezekiel 16:11) the chain is mentioned as the symbol of sovereignty.
5. Chains for ornamental purposes were worn by men as well as women. (Proverbs 1:9) Judith 10:4. The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with chains. (Judges 8:21,26) Step-chains were attached to the ankle-rings. (Isaiah 3:16,18)
6. The means adopted for confining prisoners among the Jews were fetters similar to our handcuffs. (Judges 16:21; 2 Samuel 3:34; 2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 39:7) Among the Romans the prisoner was handcuffed to his guard, and occasionally to two guards. (Acts 12:6,7; 21:33)

CHAIN; CHAINS [ISBE]

CHAIN; CHAINS - chan, chanz: Chains were used by the Hebrews:

(1) As ornaments: 'ets`adhah, neTiphah, `anaq, rabhidh, sharsherah, rattoq. As ornaments for the person they were worn about the ankles (Nu 31:50; Isa 3:20) and about the neck (Song 4:9; Ezek 16:11). They were used as ornaments for the ephod and breastplate of the high priest (Ex 28:14; 39:15). These chains were of pure gold. Solomon placed chains before the oracle in the temple (1 Ki 6:21), and these were also of pure gold. They were used as ornaments for graven images (Isa 40:19) and around the necks of prized animals. This was true of the camels taken from the Midianites by Gideon (Jdg 8:21,26).

(2) As marks of distinction: rabhidh, hamunekh (hamnikh): That seems to be true of the chain which Pharaoh placed about the neck of Joseph (Gen 41:42), and of the one which the king of Babylon promised to the wise men (Dan 5:7).

(3) As means of confining prisoners: nechosheth; halusis: A number of passages that were translated "chains" in the King James Version are translated "fetters" in the Revised Version (British and American) (see Jdg 16:21; 2 Sam 3:34). Among the Romans the prisoner was chained to one or two guards (Acts 12:6,7; 21:33; Eph 6:20; 2 Tim 1:16). These chains were perhaps made of copper or an alloy of copper and tin.

(4) As a figurative expression: `anaq. The Psalmist likens pride to a chain about the neck (Ps 73:6), and in Prov it is stated that the young man who hears the instruction of his father and forsakes not the law of his mother shall find that they are chains about his neck (1:9). In Rev 20:1 the angel is described as descending with a great chain in his hand. According to the King James Version Peter speaks of the fallen angels as having been delivered into "chains of darkness" (2 Pet 2:4), seira, and Jude speaks of them as being reserved in "everlasting chains" (Jude 1:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "bonds"), desmos.

See also PUNISHMENTS.

A. W. Fortune