Lexical Summary halusis: Chain Original Word: ἅλυσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bonds, chain. Of uncertain derivation; a fetter or manacle -- bonds, chain. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a chain NASB Translation chain (3), chains (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 254: ἅλυσιςἅλυσις, or as it is commonly written ἅλυσις (see WH's Appendix, p. 144), (εως, ἡ (from the alpha privative and λύω, because a chain is ἄλυτος, i. e., not to be loosed (others from the root val, and allied with εἱλέω, to restrain, ἁλίζω, to collect, crowd; Curtius, § 660; Vanicek, p. 898)), a chain, bond, by which the body, or any part of it (the hands, feet), is bound: Mark 5:3; Acts 21:33; Acts 28:20; Revelation 20:1; ἐν ἁλύσει in chains, a prisoner, Ephesians 6:20; οὐκ ἐπαισχυνθῇ τήν ἁλύσειν μου he was not ashamed of my bonds, i. e., did not desert me because I was a prisoner, 2 Timothy 1:16. specifically used of a manacle or handcuff, the chain by which the hands are bound together (yet cf. Meyer on Mark as below; per contra especially Lightfoot on Philippians, p. 8): Mark 5:4; (Luke 8:29); Acts 12:6f (From Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage Eleven New Testament occurrences portray literal chains placed on human or angelic beings, yet Scripture consistently moves from the material to the spiritual, turning an iron restraint into a living metaphor for bondage, imprisonment, and finally triumphant release. Literal Chains Restraining Demoniacs and Prisoners The first three occurrences are clustered in the Gadarenes narrative (Mark 5:3-4; Luke 8:29). The ferocity of the demon-possessed man is underscored by his ability to snap “the chains” that attempted to subdue him—an emblem of humanity’s utter helplessness before dark powers. Roman and Jewish authorities recur in Acts, fastening Peter between two soldiers with “two chains” (Acts 12:6-7) and later clapping Paul in “chains” at Jerusalem (Acts 21:33) and Rome (Acts 28:20). In every case the device is iron, common in Roman penal practice, and usually paired with two soldiers so a short length could be attached to each wrist of the prisoner and the guard. Apostolic Imprisonment and the Advance of the Gospel Ephesians 6:20 and 2 Timothy 1:16 reveal Paul’s self-description as “an ambassador in chains,” a paradox in which imperial restriction becomes a platform for gospel proclamation. The manacled apostle writes doctrinal treatises, disciples coworkers, evangelizes guards, and models perseverance. Thus chains become a backdrop for divine sovereignty: “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12, implied context). The Symbol of Spiritual Bondage and Liberation The demoniac’s broken restraints (Mark 5) prefigure Christ’s authority to liberate souls enslaved by sin. Conversely, Paul’s voluntary submission to confinement pictures the believer’s glad servitude to Christ. The physical object therefore swings between two poles—sin’s destructive strength and the Spirit’s greater power to deliver. Eschatological Binding of Satan Revelation 20:1 projects the final, cosmic employment of a chain: “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the Abyss and a great chain”. The same instrument once impotent before a legion of demons now binds their prince, demonstrating that God alone wields ultimate authority over evil. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Suffering borne for Christ is no barrier to service; it may amplify testimony (Ephesians 6:20). Historical and Cultural Insights Roman custodia militaris generally used two eighteen-inch manacles attached by short links. The indignity intensified for political prisoners, yet Acts records angelic removal (Acts 12:7) and lawful petition (Acts 25:11), displaying both supernatural and judicial means of liberation. Theological Reflections Chains in the New Testament trace a redemptive arc: oppressive, broken, redeemed, imposed on evil itself. They remind the church that material circumstances cannot thwart divine purpose; rather, God turns instruments of bondage into testimonies of grace and into tokens of coming judgment on all rebellion. Forms and Transliterations αλυσει αλύσει ἁλύσει αλυσεις αλύσεις ἁλύσεις αλυσεσι αλύσεσι ἁλύσεσι αλύσεσιν ἁλύσεσιν αλυσιν άλυσιν άλυσίν ἅλυσιν ἅλυσίν alusei aluseis alusesi alusesin alusin halysei halýsei halyseis halýseis halysesi halýsesi halysesin halýsesin halysin hálysin hálysínLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 5:3 N-DFSGRK: καὶ οὐδὲ ἁλύσει οὐκέτι οὐδεὶς NAS: him anymore, even with a chain; KJV: him, no, not with chains: INT: and not even with chains no longer anyone Mark 5:4 N-DFP Mark 5:4 N-AFP Luke 8:29 N-DFP Acts 12:6 N-DFP Acts 12:7 N-NFP Acts 21:33 N-DFP Acts 28:20 N-AFS Ephesians 6:20 N-DFS 2 Timothy 1:16 N-AFS Revelation 20:1 N-AFS Strong's Greek 254 |