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δέσμιος

désmios

G1198 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who is bound or confined; specifically, one who is in a state of physical restraint such as a prisoner or captive. In broader contexts, refers to any individual under legal, military, or personal captivity or restriction. Used metaphorically to denote constraint for a cause or purpose (e.g., for a message or belief), but fundamentally refers to one held in bonds or chains.

Semantic Range

person bound, prisoner, captive, one in legal custody, one in chains or bonds, metaphorically restrained for a cause or allegiance

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root δεσμ- (desm-), related to δεσμός (desmos, 'bond, fetter, chain'); formed as an adjectival noun, meaning 'bound, imprisoned.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, δέσμιος referred generically to anyone under legal, military, or personal captivity—whether a criminal, hostile combatant, hostage, or debtor. In Koine Greek, especially in documentary papyri and legal texts, it became a standard term for one who is legally imprisoned or detained. Within the New Testament and early Christian literature, δέσμιος is frequently employed for self-identification by writers (notably Paul) to emphasize literal imprisonment but also as a metaphor for commitment to a higher cause or mission (e.g., 'a prisoner for the Anointed One'). Standard English translations typically render this term as 'prisoner' or 'captive,' but the ancient usage often connotes both the social stigma and legal reality of incarceration in the Greco-Roman world, which may not be fully captured by modern terms. Unlike related words such as αἰχμάλωτος (aichmalōtos, 'captive of war'), δέσμιος focuses on legal or physically imposed restraint, not on the manner of capture.

Translation Consistency

primary "prisoner" 15 occurrences

δέσμιος primarily denotes a person who is held in bonds or custody. "Prisoner" is the most natural, common English noun that conveys physical, legal, military, or metaphorical captivity and fits the typical New Testament usage (e.g., "a prisoner for Christ"). It is clearer as a single consistent lemma than the adjectival "bound."

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"bound ones" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δεσμόν; a captive (as bound):--in bonds, prisoner.

Root Family

δέσμιος (desmios) — bound, restrained, confined, captive

Root δεσμ- to bind, restrain, confine

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1198-04 δέσμιος desmios N NOM M SG prisoner bound man prisoner 7
G1198-03 δέσμιον desmion N ACC M SG prisoner a bound captive a bound prisoner 6
G1198-02 δεσμίοις desmiois N DAT M PL prisoners to the bound ones to the bound ones 1
G1198-05 δεσμίους desmious N ACC M PL prisoners bound captives prisoners 1
G1198-01 δέσμιοι desmioi N NOM M PL prisoners bound ones prisoners 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1198-03 Matthew 27:15 δέσμιον desmion N ACC M SG prisoner a bound captive a bound prisoner
G1198-03 Matthew 27:16 δέσμιον desmion N ACC M SG prisoner a bound captive a bound prisoner
G1198-03 Mark 15:6 δέσμιον desmion N ACC M SG prisoner a bound captive a bound prisoner
G1198-01 Acts 16:25 δέσμιοι desmioi N NOM M PL prisoners bound ones prisoners
G1198-05 Acts 16:27 δεσμίους desmious N ACC M PL prisoners bound captives prisoners
G1198-04 Acts 23:18 δέσμιος desmios N NOM M SG prisoner bound man prisoner
G1198-04 Acts 25:14 δέσμιος desmios N NOM M SG prisoner bound man prisoner
G1198-03 Acts 25:27 δέσμιον desmion N ACC M SG a prisoner a bound captive a bound prisoner
G1198-04 Acts 28:17 δέσμιος desmios N NOM M SG prisoner bound man prisoner
G1198-04 Ephesians 3:1 δέσμιος desmios N NOM M SG prisoner bound man prisoner
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