Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context In biblical terms, "release" often refers to the act of setting free or liberating someone or something from bondage, debt, or obligation. This concept is deeply rooted in the laws and teachings of the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's justice, mercy, and provision for His people. Old Testament References The concept of release is prominently featured in the Mosaic Law, particularly in the context of the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee. In Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , it is written: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This release of debts every seven years was a divine provision to prevent the accumulation of debt and poverty among the Israelites. The Year of Jubilee, occurring every fifty years, was another significant time of release. Leviticus 25:10 states: "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan." This year included the release of slaves and the return of property, symbolizing restoration and freedom. New Testament References In the New Testament, the theme of release is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus proclaimed His mission in Luke 4:18-19 , quoting Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Here, release is associated with spiritual liberation from sin and oppression. The concept of release is also evident in the forgiveness of sins. In Matthew 6:12 , part of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." This reflects the spiritual release from the bondage of sin, paralleling the physical and economic release found in the Old Testament. Theological Significance Theologically, release is a manifestation of God's grace and mercy. It underscores the importance of forgiveness, both divine and human, and the restoration of relationships. The practice of release in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate release from sin and death through Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire for justice and compassion among His people. Practical Implications For believers, the principle of release encourages the practice of forgiveness and generosity. It calls Christians to reflect God's character by releasing others from debts, whether financial or relational, and to seek reconciliation. The biblical concept of release challenges individuals and communities to live in a way that promotes freedom, justice, and mercy, reflecting the kingdom values taught by Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back.2. (n.) To let loose again; to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude; to give liberty to, or to set at liberty; to let go. 3. (n.) To relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses, as from pain, trouble, obligation, penalty. 4. (n.) To let go, as a legal claim; to discharge or relinquish a right to, as lands or tenements, by conveying to another who has some right or estate in possession, as when the person in remainder releases his right to the tenant in possession; to quit. 5. (n.) To loosen; to relax; to remove the obligation of; as, to release an ordinance. 6. (n.) The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. 7. (n.) Relief from care, pain, or any burden. 8. (n.) Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance. 9. (n.) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim. 10. (n.) The act of opening the exhaust port to allow the steam to escape. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia RELEASEre-les': (1) The forgiveness of a debt (shemiTTah (Deuteronomy 15:1, 2, 9; Deuteronomy 31:10; see JUBILEE YEAR)), with verb shamaT, "to release," Deuteronomy 31:2, 3. (2) To exempt from taxation or military service (hanachah, "release," "rest" (Esther 2:18)). Some would render "granted a holiday." (3) To set a prisoner or slave at liberty (apoluo, "to let go free" (Matthew 27:15 parallel John 19:10), etc.). Greek 630. apoluo -- to set free, release ... to set free, release. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apoluo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-oo'-o) Short Definition: I release, let go, send away, divorce ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/630.htm - 10k 3089. luo -- to loose, to release, to dissolve 629. apolutrosis -- a release effected by payment of ransom 3084. lutroo -- to release by paying a ransom, to redeem 859. aphesis -- dismissal, release, fig. pardon 1590. ekluo -- to loose, release, to grow weary 525. apallasso -- to remove, release 1955. epilusis -- a release, an interpretation 3085. lutrosis -- a ransoming, a redemption 3080. lusis -- a loosing (by divorce) Strong's Hebrew 8058. shamat -- to let drop... 8057, 8058. shamat. 8059 . to let drop. Transliteration: shamat Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-mat') Short Definition: release. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/8058.htm - 6k 8059. shemittah -- a letting drop, a (temporary) remitting 2010. hanachah -- a giving of rest 1865. deror -- a flowing, free run, liberty 4917. mishlachath -- a discharge, deputation, sending 7971. shalach -- to send 5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose 6605a. pathach -- to open 6299. padah -- to ransom 4422. malat -- to slip away Library The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. ) The Release of Saint George. A Law Granting Release from Exile, from Service in the Courts, and ... Release Likewise Granted to Exiles in the Islands. Thursday in Passion Week Pilate Therefore, Willing to Release ... Psalm 107 Part 2 Correction for Sin, and Release by Prayer. Psalm 107:2. Second Part. Correction for Sin, and Release by ... The Trial Before Pilate Resumed. And Pilate Said unto the Chief Priests and the Multitude... Jesus in the Hands of his Enemies Thesaurus Release (61 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) To loosen; to relax; to remove the obligation of; as, to release an ordinance. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RELEASE. ... /r/release.htm - 26k Sabbatical (1 Occurrence) Barabbas (10 Occurrences) Remission (18 Occurrences) Barab'bas (10 Occurrences) Canceling (3 Occurrences) Cancel (4 Occurrences) Debts (10 Occurrences) Creditor (8 Occurrences) Exact (31 Occurrences) Resources Why did Noah release a raven? Why did he later release a dove (Genesis 8)? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did the crowds shout, “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Why is God going to release Satan after the 1,000 years? | GotQuestions.org Release: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Release (61 Occurrences)Matthew 1:19 Matthew 16:19 Matthew 18:18 Matthew 18:27 Matthew 27:15 Matthew 27:17 Matthew 27:21 Matthew 27:26 Mark 15:6 Mark 15:9 Mark 15:11 Luke 4:18 Luke 6:37 Luke 23:16 Luke 23:17 Luke 23:18 Luke 23:20 Luke 23:22 John 18:39 John 19:10 John 19:12 Acts 3:13 Acts 3:14 Acts 4:23 Acts 16:35 Acts 16:36 Acts 16:37 Acts 24:26 Acts 28:18 2 Corinthians 8:13 2 Timothy 4:6 Hebrews 11:35 Revelation 9:14 Genesis 43:14 Exodus 23:5 Exodus 23:11 Leviticus 14:7 Leviticus 16:22 Leviticus 25:10 Leviticus 25:50 Numbers 30:5 Numbers 30:8 Numbers 30:12 Deuteronomy 15:1 Deuteronomy 15:2 Deuteronomy 15:3 Deuteronomy 15:9 Deuteronomy 31:10 Esther 2:18 Job 12:14 Job 14:14 Psalms 102:20 Ecclesiastes 8:8 Isaiah 14:17 Isaiah 42:7 Isaiah 61:1 Jeremiah 15:11 Jeremiah 34:8 Jeremiah 34:15 Jeremiah 34:17 Jeremiah 40:4 Subtopics Related Terms |
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