Lexical Summary pidyowm: Redemption, ransom Original Word: פִדְיוֹם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ransom, that were redeemed, redemption Or pidyom {pid-yome'}; also pidyown {pid-yone'}; or pidyon {pid-yone'}; from padah; a ransom; --ransom, that were redeemed, redemption. see HEBREW padah Brown-Driver-Briggs מִּדְיוֺם noun masculine ransom; — Numbers 3:49, read probably מְּדוּיִם (so ⅏); מִּדְיֹם Numbers 3:51 Kt (Qr מְּדוּיִם); — see פדה Qal Passive participle, and מִּדוּיִם above מִּדְיוֺן noun masculine id.; — נֶפֶשׁ ׳מּ Exodus 21:30 (E), Psalm 49:9. Topical Lexicon Concept and Scope The noun פִדְיוֹם denotes the price paid to secure release, rescue, or liberation. It refers to a concrete payment rendered in exchange for a life or possession, functioning as a legal and theological bridge between guilt and restored relationship. Usage in the Law of Moses (Exodus 21:30) In the case law concerning an ox that gores to death, the owner ordinarily faced capital punishment if negligence could be proven. Yet the statute allows a “ransom” to be imposed: “If payment is demanded of him, he must pay the redemption price for his life” (Exodus 21:30). Here פִדְיוֹם underscores both the sanctity of life and divine mercy. Justice is maintained—life for life—yet a ransom permits the preservation of the offender through a legally prescribed substitution. Usage in the Levitical Census Redemption (Numbers 3:49) When the first nationwide census revealed that the number of firstborn males exceeded the number of Levites, Israel fulfilled the command to consecrate every firstborn (Exodus 13:1-2) by paying פִדְיוֹם on the surplus. “So Moses collected the redemption money from those in excess of the number redeemed by the Levites” (Numbers 3:49). The ransom safeguarded covenant order: the Levites stood in place of Israel’s firstborn in sanctuary service, and the price affirmed both substitution and ownership by the Lord (Numbers 3:13). Usage in Wisdom Literature (Psalm 49:8) The psalmist addresses the universal futility of trusting wealth for ultimate security: “For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice” (Psalm 49:8). פִדְיוֹם here magnifies human inability. No earthly currency buys eternal deliverance; the verse prepares the reader for a divinely initiated ransom beyond human capacity. Theological Motifs 1. Substitution: Each occurrence reflects a life spared by means of an equivalent payment. Christological Fulfillment The New Testament announces that in Jesus Christ the archetype of פִדְיוֹם reaches completion. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, echoed in 1 Timothy 2:6). He embodies substitution, pays the costly price hinted at in Psalm 49, and secures eternal release. Hebrews 9:12 affirms, “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” Ministry and Practical Application • Gospel Proclamation: Presenting salvation as ransom confronts self-reliance and highlights the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Related Old Testament Imagery פִדְיוֹם interlocks with other redemption terms such as גְּאֻלָּה (kinsman-redeemer duty, Leviticus 25:25) and כֹּפֶר (ransom for life, Exodus 30:12). Together they weave a tapestry of deliverance culminating in the cross, where justice and mercy converge perfectly. Forms and Transliterations הַפִּדְי֑וֹם הפדיום פִּדְי֥וֹן פִּדְיֹ֣ן פדיון פדין hap·piḏ·yō·wm happidYom happiḏyōwm piḏ·yō·wn piḏ·yōn pidYon piḏyōn piḏyōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 21:30 HEB: עָלָ֑יו וְנָתַן֙ פִּדְיֹ֣ן נַפְשׁ֔וֹ כְּכֹ֥ל NAS: of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life KJV: then he shall give for the ransom of his life INT: of shall give the redemption of his life all manner Numbers 3:49 Psalm 49:8 3 Occurrences |
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