Greek word · G1200
δεσμοφύλαξ
desmophylax
jailer
A compound of desmos, 'bond, chain,' and phylax, 'guard': the keeper of the bound, a jailer. In the NT it appears only in this chapter (16:23, 27, 36).
Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
δεσμο-φύλαξ, -κος, ὁ
(δεσμός, φύλαξ),
a prison-keeper, gaoler: Acts 16:23, 27, 36 (cf. ἀρχιδ-, Genesis 39:21).†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
A compound of desmos, 'bond, chain,' and phylax, 'guard': the keeper of the bound, a jailer. In the NT it appears only in this chapter (16:23, 27, 36).
- Against the English
'Jailer' (KJV 'jailor') is accurate. The Greek compound keeps the picture of chains, which v. 26 picks up when 'everyone's chains (desma) came loose.'
- Used elsewhere in the period
LXX Gen 39:21–23 uses the related title archidesmophylax, 'chief jailer,' for the keeper of the prison where Joseph was held. The word is attested in later Greek prose for prison keepers. Roman practice made a guard answerable for his prisoners. Acts 12:19 (Peter's guards executed) and 27:42 (soldiers planning to kill prisoners so none escape) show how seriously this was taken, and later Roman law codified it (Code of Justinian 9.4.4).
Where it appears
Acts · 3
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Acts 16:23 δεσμοφύλακι to jailer
And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
Here: Literally 'bonds-guard,' the man in charge of the chained. He is the person given the order, and the same man who later asks, 'What must I do to be saved?' (v. 30).
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Acts 16:27 δεσμοφύλαξ jailer
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
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Acts 16:36 δεσμοφύλαξ jailer
The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.