RANSOM, two Heb. and two Gr. words are so rendered in the Eng. VSS. 1. Heb. כָּפַר֒, H4105, “to expiate” and the like. The original meaning of the Heb. term was “to cover,” “to make amends” but in the Biblical usage it comes to mean “expiate,” “bring to exemption from punishment.” This is one of the key words in the teaching of the OT concerning sin and atonement (Lev 1:4, et al. frequently).

2. The Heb. term פִּדְיﯴן, H7018, the nominal pl. form of the root פדה, “to ransom,” “to pay off.” Although the noun “ransom” or “payment” occurs in a number of passages it is rendered “ransom” by the KJV only in Exodus 21:30, ASV renders “redemption money” which is to be preferred in all citations.

3. The Gr. λύτρον, G3389, “ransom” or “price of release” and the verbal forms λυτρόω, G3390, and the middle voice λυτρόομαι, occur frequently in key passages of the NT (Luke 24:21, et al.), while the noun derived from the participle, λυτρωσις, “ransoming,” “redeeming” occurs only in Luke 1:68; 2:38 and Hebrews 9:12. Another series of terms are derived from it including 4. the Hel. compound ἀντίλυτρον, G519, “ransom” (1 Tim 2:6). See Atonement; Propitiation.