2 entries 2 sources
Hostage
Open directlyEaston's Bible Dictionary · 1897
A person delivered into the hands of another as a security for the performance of some promise, etc. (2 Kings 14:14; 2 Chr. 25:24).
Scripture references
Webster's 1828 Dictionary · 1828
Part of speech: noun (n.)
A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Shak. He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune. Bacon.