Bible Dictionaries
Kidnapping

Holman Bible Dictionary

The act of capturing and holding a person using unlawful force and fraud. In modern times, a person is usually kidnapped for the purpose of extorting ransom. In biblical times the usual purpose for kidnapping was to use or sell the person into slavery (see Genesis 37:28; Genesis 40:15 ). NIV, NRSV translate the corresponding Greek term as “slave traders” (1 Timothy 1:10 ). Kidnapping freeborn Israelites either to treat them as slaves or to sell them into slavery was punishable by death (Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7 ).