Redemption-money, in biblical terms, refers to the monetary payment required for the redemption of an individual or object, often as a means of fulfilling a religious obligation or as a substitute for a life. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament and is closely associated with the laws and rituals given to the Israelites.

Old Testament Context

The concept of redemption-money is primarily found in the Pentateuch, where it is associated with the census and the consecration of the firstborn. In Exodus 30:11-16, God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelites, and each person counted is required to give a half-shekel as a ransom for his life. This payment is known as the "atonement money" and serves as a means to prevent a plague among the people. The passage states:

"When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted, so that no plague will come upon them as they are numbered. Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD." (Exodus 30:12-13)

The redemption-money collected was used for the service of the Tent of Meeting, serving as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

Redemption of the Firstborn

Another significant aspect of redemption-money is its role in the redemption of the firstborn. According to Exodus 13:11-15 and Numbers 18:15-16, every firstborn male, whether human or animal, belonged to the LORD. However, the firstborn sons of Israel were to be redeemed with a payment of five shekels. This act served as a reminder of the LORD's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where He spared the firstborn of the Israelites during the Passover.

"The redemption price for a month-old male is to be five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs." (Numbers 18:16)

Theological Significance

Redemption-money underscores the principle of substitutionary atonement, a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures. It highlights the idea that a price must be paid to redeem or atone for a life, pointing forward to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, the concept of redemption is fulfilled in Christ, who paid the ultimate price with His own blood for the salvation of humanity (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the use of redemption-money was a practical and symbolic act. It served as a tangible reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for their lives and well-being. The payment of redemption-money was a communal act of worship and obedience, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Conclusion

Redemption-money in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision and the necessity of atonement. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of redemption and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who redeems believers from sin and death.

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... these firstborn or household priests (Numbers 3:11-13; viii.14-19); but this choosing
did not annul the statute which required the payment of redemption money. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... marriage peals to a youthful bridegroom, when they knew that the noble British nation
would count down the twenty millions of their redemption money; that on a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... brought away since. And when they said that their redemption money would
amount to above four hundred talents, he granted it. A copy ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

The Dedication
... The presentation of infants was a common scene. Day after day the priest received
the redemption money as the babes were presented to the Lord. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... As the Rabbinic law expressly states, that the shekels were to be of Tyrian weight,'
[972] the value of the redemption money' would amount to about ten or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

God Alone the Salvation of his People
... I said to her:"'Look here; your soul is in pawn to the devil; Christ has paid the
redemption money; you take faith for your ticket, and so you will get your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god alone the salvation of.htm

Sirs, what must I do to be Saved? and they Said, Believe on the ...
... redemption. In other words, he is our redemption money; he buys us out
from under the law, by paying himself as a ransom. Christ ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/sirs what must i do.htm

Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... I am sure he did not"for I read in the Bible that "there is no difference." Besides,
when of old they came to pay their redemption-money, every person ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/sweet comfort for feeble saints.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Thus those under the law were redeemed by the money called the redemption-money"'
And Moses gave the money of those that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Redemption-money (3 Occurrences)
Redemption-money. Redemption, Redemption-money. Redemption-price .
Multi-Version Concordance Redemption-money (3 Occurrences). ...
/r/redemption-money.htm - 7k

Ransom (46 Occurrences)
... rendered in other passages by the English "redeem")) 1. Usage by Christ 2. Old
Testament Usage-the Law (1) General Cases (2) RedemptionMoney-the Firstborn (3 ...
/r/ransom.htm - 43k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... In the case of land, houses and unclean animals a fifth part of the estimated
value was to be added to make up the redemptionmoney. ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Redemption-price (2 Occurrences)
Redemption-price. Redemption-money, Redemption-price. Red-haired . ...
Redemption-money, Redemption-price. Red-haired . Reference Bible.
/r/redemption-price.htm - 7k

Excess (20 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Numbers 3:49 Moses took the redemptionmoney from those who exceeded
the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites; (See NAS). ...
/e/excess.htm - 12k

Exceeded (8 Occurrences)
... Exceeded (8 Occurrences). Numbers 3:49 Moses took the redemptionmoney from those
who exceeded the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites; (WEB NIV). ...
/e/exceeded.htm - 8k

Children
... Yahweh's. The father offered the redemptionmoney, which was accepted in exchange
for the child (compare 1 Peter 1:18). See FIRSTBORN. ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Firstling (8 Occurrences)
... After receiving the redemption-money, the "Kohen" puts his hands on the child's
head and pronounces the Aaronite blessing (Numbers 6:22-27). T. Lewis. FIRSTLING ...
/f/firstling.htm - 15k

Child (355 Occurrences)
... Yahweh's. The father offered the redemptionmoney, which was accepted in exchange
for the child (compare 1 Peter 1:18). See FIRSTBORN. ...
/c/child.htm - 51k

Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:49 Moses took the redemptionmoney from those who exceeded the number
of those who were redeemed by the Levites; (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV). ...
/r/redemption.htm - 48k

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