Ransom

The price or payment made for our redemption, as when it is said that the Son of man “gave his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28; comp. Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:23, 24; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Gal. 3:13; 4:4, 5: Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19. In all these passages the same idea is expressed). This word is derived from the Fr. rancon; Lat. redemptio. The debt is represented not as cancelled but as fully paid. The slave or captive is not liberated by a mere gratuitous favour, but a ransom price has been paid, in consideration of which he is set free. The original owner receives back his alienated and lost possession because he has bought it back “with a price.” This price or ransom (Gr. lutron) is always said to be Christ, his blood, his death. He secures our redemption by the payment of a ransom. (See REDEMPTION.)

RAN'SOM, the price paid to purchase the freedom of a captive or slave. Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Tim 2:6. Under the Levitieal law, an offering was required of every Israelite over twenty years of age at the time the census was taken. This offering is called a ransom or atonement-money. Ex 30:12-16. It amounted to half a shekel, or about twenty-five cents. It was to be made upon penalty of the plague; and every person, rich or poor, was required to give that sum, and neither more nor less. 1 Pet 1:18-19.

RAN'SOM, the price paid to purchase the freedom of a captive or slave. Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Tim 2:6. Under the Levitieal law, an offering was required of every Israelite over twenty years of age at the time the census was taken. This offering is called a ransom or atonement-money. Ex 30:12-16. It amounted to half a shekel, or about twenty-five cents. It was to be made upon penalty of the plague; and every person, rich or poor, was required to give that sum, and neither more nor less. 1 Pet 1:18-19.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The release of a captive, or of captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners hopeless of ransom. Dryden.

2. The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit. Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems. Milton. His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty. Sir J. Davies/.

3. 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. Blackstone. Ransom bill (Law), a war contract, valid by the law of nations, for the ransom of property captured at sea and its safe conduct into port. Kent.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To redeem from captivity, servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a price; to buy out of servitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver; as, to ransom prisoners from an enemy.

2. To exact a ransom for, or a payment on. [R.] Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year. Berners.