Original Word: אָסִיר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: aciyr
Pronunciation: ah-SEER
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-sere')
KJV: (those which are) bound, prisoner
NASB: prisoners, prisoner
Word Origin: [from H631 (אָסַר - bound)]

1. bound
2. a captive

those which are bound, prisoner

From 'acar; bound, i.e. A captive -- (those which are) bound, prisoner.

see HEBREW 'acar

Word Origin
from asar
Definition
a bondman, prisoner
NASB Translation
prisoner (2), prisoners (10).

אָסִיר noun masculine^{Genesis 39:20} bondman, prisoner (Arabic , Aramaic , MI אסר) — ׳א absolute Psalm 79:11; Psalm 102:21; plural אֲסִירִם Genesis 39:22 +, compare Judges 16:21,25 Kt; construct אֲסִירֵי Psalm 107:10 +, Genesis 39:20 Qr; אֲסִירָיו Psalm 69:34 +, etc.; — Prisoner Genesis 39:20,22 (J), elsewhere only poetic; Isaiah 14:17; as having rest in grave from task-master Job 3:18; especially as object of divine compassion Psalm 68:7 ("" יָתִיר), Psalm 69:34 ("" אֶבְיוֺן); ׳אֶנְקַת א Psalm 79:11; Psalm 102:21 (both "" בְּנֵי תְמוּתָה), Psalm 107:10 עֳנִי וּבַרְזֶל ׳א ("" ישְׁבֵי חשֶׁח וְצַלְמָ֑וֶת); compare אָ֑רֶץ ׳א Lamentations 3:34; specifically of liberated exiles of Israel Zechariah 9:11, called captives of hope הַתִּקְוָה ׳א Zechariah 9:12.

Meaning and Scope

אָסִיר (Strong’s 615) designates one who is bound or confined, ordinarily rendered “prisoner,” “captive,” or “detainee.” The term may describe someone justly punished (Psalm 107:10), unjustly accused (Genesis 39:20-22), a political captive (Isaiah 14:17), or even the people of God awaiting covenantal deliverance (Zechariah 9:11-12).

Old Testament Narrative Contexts

• Joseph in Egypt: “The warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for whatever was done in the prison” (Genesis 39:22). Though falsely imprisoned, Joseph’s faithfulness turns the place of bondage into a theater for God’s providence, illustrating that unjust chains cannot thwart divine purpose (cf. Genesis 50:20).
• Samson in Philistia: After Delilah’s betrayal “the Philistines…bound him with bronze shackles” (Judges 16:21). His captivity is the direct result of covenant unfaithfulness, contrasting sharply with Joseph’s innocence. Samson’s eventual death-blow to Philistine power (Judges 16:28-30) shows that God’s redemptive plan can reach even the disgraced prisoner.

Poetic and Wisdom Insights

• Job’s lament: “There the captives are at ease together” (Job 3:18). Within Job’s longing for rest, the asirim become a symbol of relief from earthly oppression.
• Divine compassion in the Psalms:

‑ “God…leads the prisoners out to prosperity” (Psalm 68:6).

‑ “The LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people” (Psalm 69:33).

‑ “To hear the groans of the prisoner, to release those condemned to death” (Psalm 102:20).

‑ “Some sat in darkness…prisoners in misery and chains…Then they cried out to the LORD…He brought them out” (Psalm 107:10-14).

These texts intertwine human bondage with God’s saving initiative, portraying the Almighty as both Judge and Liberator.

Prophetic Usage and Messianic Hope

• Babylon’s tyranny: Isaiah mocks the fallen king who “refused to release the captives” (Isaiah 14:17). Political oppression is ultimately accountable to God’s justice.
• Jerusalem in ruins: Lamentations grieves those who “crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth” (Lamentations 3:34), acknowledging the bitter fruit of covenant infidelity.
• Post-exilic promise: “Because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope” (Zechariah 9:11-12). Here captivity is reversed on covenant grounds, prefiguring the Messiah’s redemptive work.

Theological Themes

1. Consequence and Mercy: Captivity may result from personal sin (Samson) or systemic injustice (Joseph), yet God’s mercy reaches both.
2. Covenant Basis for Freedom: Zechariah anchors release in “the blood of My covenant,” anticipating the New Covenant ratified by Christ (Matthew 26:28).
3. Liberation as Divine Signature: Throughout Scripture, God’s character is revealed in setting prisoners free, whether literal or spiritual.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1 in Nazareth: “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). He embodies the promised Liberator, conquering sin, Satan, and death. Paul therefore calls himself “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:1), redefining captivity as willing servitude under grace, while urging believers to remember those in literal chains (Hebrews 13:3).

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Prison Outreach: The biblical mandate to visit those in prison (Matthew 25:36) rests on God’s own attitude toward the asirim. Christian ministry moves beyond legal status to view inmates as image-bearers in need of the gospel.
• Hope for the Bound: Zechariah’s phrase “prisoners of hope” offers language for counseling believers trapped in addictions, oppressive situations, or persecuted contexts.
• Worship and Intercession: Psalms that reference prisoners supply vocabulary for corporate prayer, reminding congregations to intercede for the persecuted church and the unjustly detained.

Summary

אָסִיר traces a trajectory from literal chains to ultimate liberation. Whether depicting Joseph’s unjust cell, Samson’s humiliating bondage, the lament of Zion, or the promise of covenantal release, every occurrence converges on the steadfast character of the Lord who “leads the prisoners out to prosperity” (Psalm 68:6). The motif culminates in Jesus Christ, whose cross-blood secures eternal freedom and transforms captives into “prisoners of hope.”

אֲ֝סִירָ֗יו אֲ֭סִירִים אֲסִ֥ירֵי אֲסִירִ֣ים אֲסִירֵ֖י אֲסִירַ֙יִךְ֙ אֲסִירָ֖יו אָסִ֑יר אסיר אסירי אסיריו אסיריך אסירים הָ֣אֲסִירִ֔ם הָאֲסוּרִ֗ים הָאֲסוּרִֽים׃ האסורים האסורים׃ האסירם ’ă·sî·ra·yiḵ ’ă·sî·rāw ’ă·sî·rê ’ă·sî·rîm ’ā·sîr ’āsîr ’ăsîrāw ’ăsîrayiḵ ’ăsîrê ’ăsîrîm aSir asiRav asiRayich asiRei asiRim hā’ăsîrim hā’ăsūrîm hā·’ă·sî·rim hā·’ă·sū·rîm haasiRim haasuRimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts