Stocks. - Smith's Bible Dictionary Online (2024)

Stocks. [N]

(An instrument of punishment, consisting of two beams, the upper one being movable, with two small openings between them, large enough for the ankles of the prisoner.--ED.) The term "stocks" is applied in the Authorized Version to two different articles one of which answers rather to our pillory, inasmuch as the body was placed in a bent position, by the confinement of the neck and arms as well as the legs while the other answers to our "stocks," the feet alone being confined in it. The prophet Jeremiah was confined in the first sort, ( Jeremiah 20:2 ) which appears to have been a common mode of punishment in his day, ( Jeremiah 29:26 ) as the prisons contained a chamber for the special purpose, termed "the house of the pillory." ( 2Chronicles 16:10 ) (Authorized Version "prison-house"). The stocks, properly so called, are noticed in ( Job 13:27 ; 33:11 ; Acts 16:24 ) The term used in ( Proverbs 7:22 ) (Authorized Version "stocks") more properly means a fetter.

[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible

Bibliography InformationSmith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Stocks'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

Stocks. - Smith's Bible Dictionary Online (2024)

FAQs

What does "made their feet fast in the stocks" mean? ›

To all intents and purposes, they are a torture instrument, used over hundreds of years to lock people's feet/legs together to stop them escaping. Acts 16:24 'Because he got such an order, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks'.

Is there an online Bible dictionary? ›

A - Quick Reference Dictionary

Search our collection of popular Bible dictionaries for the meaning of words found in the Bible. Our comprehensive dictionary combines definitions and proper names for Biblical words with online verse reference, allowing users to define and analyze Scripture.

What is the most trusted Bible dictionary? ›

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, revised and updated edition, is the most complete, up-to-date, and accessible guide for the study of the Bible available today.

What does the word stocks mean in the Bible? ›

N] (An instrument of punishment, consisting of two beams, the upper one being movable, with two small openings between them, large enough for the ankles of the prisoner. --ED.)

What is the difference between pillory and stocks? ›

What is the difference between pillory and stocks? A pillory kept both the hands and the head in a wooden or metal frame, often on a raised platform. The stocks only held the feet, so the offender would sit up and face the mocking crowd.

What were the stocks in Acts 16? ›

Their feet were placed in stocks which were a heavy piece of wood with holes similar to the mediaeval British stocks into which the prisoner's feet were placed and stretched in such a way as to cause constant agonizing pain. Despite all this pain Paul and Silas praised God and prayed!

Which version of the Bible is closest to the original text? ›

The New American Standard Bible is a literal translation from the original texts, well suited to study because of its accurate rendering of the source texts. It follows the style of the King James Version but uses modern English for words that have fallen out of use or changed their meanings.

What is the closest English Bible to the original text? ›

The Geneva Bible was the first English version to be translated entirely from the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

What is the most controversial translation of the Bible? ›

The English King James Version or "Authorized Version", published in 1611, has been one of the most debated English versions.

What translation of the Bible is the most accurate to the original? ›

No single English translation will ever represent the original biblical languages perfectly. Why? In part because the Bible's ancient languages do not function like English. A word in Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic might not have an exact English word to match.

What is the word most said in the Bible? ›

1. Lord - by far the most used word, between 7000-8000 times.

What are the sin stocks? ›

Sin stocks are shares in companies involved in activities that are considered unethical, such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment or weapons. Ethical investors tend to exclude sin stocks, as the companies involved are thought to be making money from exploiting human weaknesses and vices.

What does the word stock refer to? ›

a supply of goods kept on hand for sale to customers by a merchant, distributor, manufacturer, etc.; inventory. Synonyms: reserve, provisions, store. a quantity of something accumulated, as for future use: a stock of provisions. livestock.

What is the meaning of stocks? ›

A stock represents a share in the ownership of a company, including a claim on the company's earnings and assets. As such, stockholders are partial owners of the company. Fractional shares of stock also represent ownership of a company, but at a size smaller than a full share of common stock.

What is the meaning of foot stocks? ›

in the past, a wooden frame that was fixed around someone's feet, hands, and sometimes head, so that they were forced to sit or stand for a long time in public as a punishment: Punishments ranged from an hour in the stocks to a public whipping. He was placed in the stocks for stealing.

What are the stocks in Roman prisons? ›

Stocks are a fastening device similar to the modern equivalent of hand cuffs, but are fixed in position. Leg stocks would go around the prisoner's ankles such that they can not remove their feet and thus can not move from their position.

What is stock foot? ›

Stocks are feet restraining devices that were used as a form of corporal punishment and public humiliation. The use of stocks is seen as early as Ancient Greece, where they are described as being in use in Solon's law code.

What does it mean to put someone in the stocks? ›

in the past, a wooden frame that was fixed around someone's feet, hands, and sometimes head, so that they were forced to sit or stand for a long time in public as a punishment: Punishments ranged from an hour in the stocks to a public whipping. He was placed in the stocks for stealing.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 5367

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.