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Ransom

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Ransom in the Bible?

Ransom refers to a price paid to secure the release or deliverance of a person or group, a concept frequently utilized in biblical narratives to describe redemption from slavery, sin, or calamity.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the concept of ransom clarifies the theological framework surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, illuminating broader biblical themes of salvation and redemption.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ransom. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Ransom in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Ransom clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Ransom." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ransom/
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