In biblical theology, the concept of "ransom" is deeply intertwined with themes of redemption, deliverance, and atonement. The term "ransom" refers to the price paid to secure the release of someone from bondage or captivity. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments, and is central to understanding the work of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for ransom is "kopher," which often refers to a price paid for the redemption of a life. One of the earliest mentions of ransom is found in Exodus 21:30, where a ransom is required for the life of a person who has been sentenced to death due to negligence: "If payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded."

The concept of ransom is also evident in the laws concerning the redemption of property and individuals. Leviticus 25:47-49 outlines the process by which a relative can redeem a person who has sold themselves into servitude due to poverty: "If a foreigner or temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his relatives may redeem him."

The idea of ransom is further illustrated in the sacrificial system, where offerings were made to atone for sin and restore the relationship between God and His people. The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, involved the use of a scapegoat and a sacrificial goat, symbolizing the removal of sin and the ransom paid for the people's transgressions.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the Greek word "lutron" is used to describe the ransom paid by Christ for humanity's salvation. Jesus Himself speaks of His mission in terms of ransom in Mark 10:45: "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."

The Apostle Paul expands on this theme in his epistles, emphasizing that Christ's sacrificial death was the ultimate ransom for sin. In 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul writes, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony given in its proper time."

The ransom paid by Christ is not merely a transaction but a profound act of love and grace. It signifies the liberation of believers from the bondage of sin and death, as articulated in passages like Romans 6:22-23: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of ransom underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine intervention for redemption. It highlights the costliness of sin and the lengths to which God has gone to restore humanity to Himself. The ransom paid by Christ is a testament to God's justice and mercy, fulfilling the requirements of the law while providing a means of grace.

The doctrine of ransom also affirms the exclusivity of Christ as the sole mediator and redeemer. As Peter declares in Acts 4:12, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

In summary, the biblical concept of ransom is a multifaceted theme that reveals the depth of God's love and the profound nature of Christ's redemptive work. It serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the immeasurable value of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.3083. lutron -- a ransom
... 3083 () is used in the NT of the ultimate "liberty-price" -- the which (ransoms)
believers, freeing them from all slavery (bondage) to sin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3083.htm - 7k

Lupus of Troyes.
... constantly refers to God. He consoles the downcast, he feeds the poor,
he clothes the naked, he ransoms the captive. He shows the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/lupus of troyes.htm

There are Many Kinds of Alms, the Giving of which Assists to ...
... drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, hospitality to the stranger, shelter
to the fugitive, who visits the sick and the imprisoned, ransoms the captive ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 72 there are many kinds.htm

Of the Same Subject.
... of that misconception which appears in the earlier soteriology, paricularly that
of Iren??us, are seen: namely, that the death of Christ ransoms the sinner ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 15 of the same subject.htm

Bless the Lord, My Soul
... Prolongs thy feeble breath; He healeth thine infirmities,. And ransoms thee from
death. He clothes thee with his love; Upholds thee with his truth; ...
/.../holy communion introits 318 bless.htm

Whether Christ's Passion Brought About Our Salvation by Way of ...
... For the atonement by which one satisfies for self or another is called the price,
by which he ransoms himself or someone else from sin and its penalty ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs passion brought about 3.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John viii. 31, "If Ye Abide in My Word ...
... man is made a slave; another hears, and pities him, considers how that he has money,
becomes his ransomer, goes to the barbarians, gives money, ransoms the man ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxiv on the words.htm

Justification by Grace
... of it then. King's ransoms have sometimes been paid part at once, and
part in dues afterwards, to run through years. But not so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

Letter Lix. --To Epictetus.
... For the Deity does not take hold [4710] of itself, so as to put on what is of its
own Essence, any more than the Word sinned, in that it ransoms the sins of ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/letter lix to epictetus.htm

The Barbarian Desolation
... They were dragged in the rear of the army like slaves, so that heavy ransoms might
be extracted from the faithful in exchange for their pastors. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the barbarian desolation.htm

Proofs of Jesus Christ
... That holds good in this example, where he who ransoms and he who prevents death
are two persons, but not of Jesus Christ, who does both these things. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xii proofs of jesus.htm

Ransoms (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ransoms (1 Occurrence). Amos 5:12 For I have known --
many 'are' your transgressions, And mighty your sins ...
/r/ransoms.htm - 6k

Ransom-money (1 Occurrence)
Ransom-money. Ransomed, Ransom-money. Ransoms . Multi-Version Concordance
Ransom-money (1 Occurrence). ... Ransomed, Ransom-money. Ransoms . Reference Bible
/r/ransom-money.htm - 6k

Rapacious (3 Occurrences)

/r/rapacious.htm - 7k

Adversaries (93 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:12 For I have known -- many 'are' your transgressions, And mighty your sins,
Adversaries of the righteous, taking ransoms, And the needy in the gate ye ...
/a/adversaries.htm - 34k

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