What was the primary purpose of early prisons in biblical times?

The primary purpose of early prisons in biblical times was to hold individuals until punishment was administered. This reflects the function of imprisonment during that era, where the focus was not on rehabilitation or long-term incarceration but rather on detention prior to executing a certain punishment.

In many cases, individuals were imprisoned temporarily as they awaited trial or the execution of their sentences, which could involve various forms of punishment, such as fines, physical penalties, or even execution. The concept of holding individuals as a waiting room for punishment aligns with the legal frameworks of ancient societies where justice was often immediate, and prisoners were typically not held long-term within a rehabilitative context.

This understanding highlights how early imprisonment focused more on detention and the processes surrounding justice, rather than on providing educational resources or rehabilitative support, which became more prominent in later penal systems.