If you’re a follower of Christ, then you know that He is the ransom that God gave us to pay for the penalty of sin. Therefore, I thought it’d be a great idea to look up what the word ransom means in Hebrew and Greek.
All scriptures are taken from NKJV unless otherwise marked.
What Does The Word ‘Ransom’ Mean In Hebrew And Greek?
kopher- village; redemption place.
padah- to ransom; to release.
This word indicates that an outside force is intervening by actions to release something or someone from an undesirable condition. When it’s used in a secular context, it means the payment of some sort.
1 Samuel 14:45 shows that money is not the only means necessary for releasing someone.
“But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.”
– 1 Samuel 14:45
Slavery is one condition from which a person may be ransomed (Exodus 21:8).
When God is the subject of this word, it emphasizes His complete sovereign freedom to liberate humans.
He has redeemed human individuals such as Abraham (Isaiah 29:22) and David (1 Kings 1:29). However, Israel is usually the beneficiary of such redemption.
“Woe to them, for they have fled from Me!
Destruction to them,
Because they have transgressed against Me!
Though I redeemed them,
Yet they have spoken lies against Me.“
– Hosea 7:13
At other times, the reference is less explicit, such as the redemption from troubles (Psalm 25:22) and from wicked men (Jeremiah 15:21).
It’s only used once to describe liberation from sin:
“And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.“
– Psalm 130:8
pidyowm- ransom, payment.
What Does The Word ‘Ransom’ Mean In Hebrew And Greek?
antilutron- redemption-price.
“ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.“
– 1 Timothy 2:5-7
lutron- redemption-price; a means of loosing.
When this term is used in the New Testament, it’s to speak about Christ’s gift of Himself as a ransom for many. He paid the ransom to God in order to satisfy the violated holiness and righteousness. Those who receive Him obtain deliverance from the penalty of sin.
While the provision was universal, it is actually only for those who accept God’s conditions.
Conclusion
As you can see, the word ransom means an outside force intervening and setting someone or something free from their current outcome.
That’s what the word ransom means in Hebrew and Greek. I pray you found this article helpful. If so, please share this content. Also, feel free to share any thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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It’s a blessing to me and lmpresive
Thank you for the explanation of the word ransom. I can now explain
our redemption by Christ Jesus properly since I can connect ransom to the Old Testament.