"a keeper of a prison, jailer, Acts 16:23, 27, 36*"
Definition and meaning
a keeper of a prison, jailer, Acts 16:23, 27, 36*
In the original Greek the word is written: δεσμοφύλαξ
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of desmophylax (G1200) across the King James Bible.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
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Common questions
Strong's G1200 (desmophylax) is a Greek word that means: a keeper of a prison, jailer, Acts 16:23, 27, 36* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word desmophylax (G1200) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1200 is desmophylax, a Greek word defined as: a keeper of a prison, jailer, Acts 16:23, 27, 36*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
desmophylax is a Greek word found in the New Testament.