Ransom

Ransom in the biblical sense is the price paid to secure the release of a captive, slave, condemned person, or dedicated animal. The Hebrew kopher (covering, ransom) and padah (to redeem) both appear in Old Testament legal and theological contexts. A ransom price was paid to release the firstborn from the obligation of consecration to God (Numbers 3:46–51), to substitute for a life forfeit under the law (Exodus 21:30), and to purchase the freedom of a slave (Leviticus 19:20).

The New Testament applies the concept directly to Christ's atoning work: Jesus declared that the Son of Man came to give his life a ransom (lytron) for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Paul uses the related term antilytron — a substitutionary ransom — in 1 Timothy 2:6. The concept implies a price paid, a captive released, and a substitute who takes the captive's place. Peter explains that redemption was not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19).