Jailor
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Jailor in the Bible?
A jailor was an individual responsible for the custody and supervision of detainees, a role that existed within the administrative and penal systems of the ancient Near East and the Roman Empire.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the jailor as a distinct human agent clarifies the social hierarchy and power dynamics in biblical narratives, such as the imprisonment of Joseph or Paul, by highlighting the specific mechanisms of authority and confinement used in those historical contexts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Jailor reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jailor in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jailor clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Jailor." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jailor/