In biblical terminology, the word "lieu" is not directly found in the text of the Bible itself, but it is a term used in older English translations and theological discussions to denote "place" or "stead." The concept of "in lieu of" is often understood as "in place of" or "instead of," which can be seen in various biblical narratives and teachings where substitution or exchange is a theme.

Substitutionary Atonement

One of the most significant theological concepts related to "lieu" is the doctrine of substitutionary atonement. This doctrine is central to Christian theology and is vividly illustrated in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system required that an animal be offered in lieu of the sinner, symbolizing the transfer of sin and guilt from the person to the animal. Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate substitute, taking the place of sinners and bearing the punishment for sin. Isaiah 53:5 prophetically speaks of this substitution: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The Apostle Paul further explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Redemption and Ransom

The concept of "lieu" is also related to the idea of redemption and ransom, where one thing is given in place of another to secure freedom or deliverance. In the Old Testament, the redemption of the firstborn and the concept of a kinsman-redeemer illustrate this principle. Exodus 13:13 commands, "You must redeem every firstborn of a donkey with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of man among your sons you must redeem."

In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the ransom for many. Mark 10:45 states, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." This highlights the idea of Jesus giving His life in lieu of others, securing their freedom from sin and death.

Judicial and Moral Implications

The principle of "in lieu of" also carries judicial and moral implications in biblical law and ethics. The lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, found in Exodus 21:23-25 , states, "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This law underscores the idea of equivalence and justice, where the punishment or restitution is to be in lieu of the harm done.

In the teachings of Jesus, however, there is a call to transcend this principle with mercy and forgiveness. Matthew 5:38-39 records Jesus saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Here, Jesus introduces a higher ethic that goes beyond mere equivalence, emphasizing grace and love.

Conclusion

The concept of "lieu" in biblical theology is rich with meaning, encompassing themes of substitution, redemption, justice, and grace. It is a reminder of the profound truths of the Christian faith, where Christ's sacrificial love stands in place of our sin, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.(n.) Place; room; stead; -- used only in the phrase in lieu of, that is, instead of.8479. tachath -- in lieu of, as, beneath, flat, instead, same ...
... tachath. 8480 . in lieu of, as, beneath, flat, instead, same place where.
Transliteration: tachath Phonetic Spelling: (takh'-ath) Short Definition: as. ...
/hebrew/8479.htm - 6k

6249. ashte -- one
... Apparently masculine plural construction of esheth in the sense of an afterthought
(used only in connection with asar in lieu of 'echad) eleven or (ordinal ...
/hebrew/6249.htm - 6k

8478. tachath -- underneath, below, instead of
... Thahash. From the same as Towach; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below
(often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc. ...
/hebrew/8478.htm - 6k

Disobedient Compassion and Compassionate Disobedience Reprobated. ...
... Book II. Chapter 17."Disobedient Compassion and Compassionate Disobedience
Reprobated. Martyrdom in Lieu of Baptism. The new-fangled ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 disobedient compassion and compassionate.htm

Of Agreement as to Tithe, Composition, Notice, &C.
... Patron, that such lands shall be discharged from payment of tithes by reason of
some land or other real recompense given to the Parson in lieu and satisfaction ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/2 of agreement as to.htm

Of a Modus, Custom, &C.
... 3. Of a Modus, Custom, &c. A CUSTOM to pay only part of the tithe, without
substituting any thing in lieu or the remainder, is bad. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/3 of a modus custom.htm

Its Instrument
... do we find Him employing "eis" in connection with Christ's satisfaction and sacrifice
in our room and stead, but only "anti" or "huper," which means in lieu of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/8 its instrument.htm

God's Covenant with Abram
... man, as some passages of his life show; but he rose here to the height of loving
and yearning trust in God, and God took that trust in lieu of perfect ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/gods covenant with abram.htm

Confession of the Evangelical Free Church of Geneva. AD 1848.
... Nous croyons que Dieu, qui ?� tant aim?? le monde que de donner son fils unique, ordonne
pr??sentement ?� tout homme, en tout lieu, de se convertir; que chacun ...
/.../confession of the evangelical free.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... WW expressed his opinion that we might do so without doing it in lieu of other
service. How can we evade a fact? Does not the government ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... at the present day, these governments can procure indefinite supplies of gold and
silver at any time, by promising to pay an annual interest in lieu of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iv preparations for the.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... Nay, often in that case the complainer is the most injurious Person; for he inflicts
more than he suffers, and in lieu of some trivial right of his which is ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

Of the Second Baptism --With Blood.
... [8704] This is the baptism which both stands in lieu of the fontal bathing [8705]
when that has not been received, and restores it when lost. Footnotes: ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter xvi of the second baptismwith.htm

Lieu (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Place; room; stead; -- used only in the phrase in
lieu of, that is, instead of. Multi-Version Concordance Lieu (1 Occurrence). ...
/l/lieu.htm - 6k

Lieutenant

/l/lieutenant.htm - 7k

Ransom (46 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of
the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment. ...
/r/ransom.htm - 43k

Royalty (7 Occurrences)
... n.) That which is due to a sovereign, as a seigniorage on gold and silver coined
at the mint, metals taken from mines, etc.; the tax exacted in lieu of such ...
/r/royalty.htm - 9k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... or order, as a government note, a bank note, a certificate of deposit, etc., which
is payable in standard coined money and is lawfully current in lieu of it ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Pension
... like. 2. (n.) A payment; a tribute; something paid or given. 3. (n.) A certain
sum of money paid to a clergyman in lieu of tithes. 4 ...
/p/pension.htm - 7k

Cushi (7 Occurrences)
... The name Jehudi itself ("a man of Judah") is sufficient refutation of the opinion
that the use of Cushi as or in lieu of a proper name "seems to show that ...
/c/cushi.htm - 10k

Substitute (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who, or that which, is substituted or put in the place of another; one
who acts for another; that which stands in lieu of something else. ...
/s/substitute.htm - 7k

Bread (433 Occurrences)
... prevalent still among the Bedouin of Syria and Arabia, is to employ a heated convex
iron plate, or griddle, what we would call a frying pan, in lieu of the ...
/b/bread.htm - 58k

Veil (67 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 11:15 But woman, if she have long hair, it is glory to
her; for the long hair is given to her in lieu of a veil. (DBY). ...
/v/veil.htm - 35k

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