Ransom-An Equivalent

Jehovah's solution was both supremely merciful and profoundly just-one that no human could ever have devised. Yet, it was elegantly simple. it is variously referred to as a purchase, a reconciliation, a redemption, a propitiation and an atonement. (Psalm 49:8; Daniel 9:24; Galatioans 3:13; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17) But the expression that perhaps best describes matters is the one used by Jesus himself. He said: "The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom [Greek, ly'tron] in exchange for many." -Matthew 20:28.

What is a ransom? The Greek word used here comes from a verb meaning "to let loose, to release." This term was used to describe money paid in exchange for the release of prisoners of war. Basically7, then, a ransom can be defined as something paid to buy something back. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word for "ransom" (ko'pher)comes from a verb meaning "to cover." ( a form of the same word) the ark with tar. (Genesis 6:14) This helps us appreciate that to ransom also means to cover sins. -Psalm 65:3.

Significantly, the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament observes that this word (ko'pher) "always denotes an equivalent," or a correspondency. Thus, the cover of the ark of the covenant had a shape corresponding to the ark itself. Likewise, in order to ransom, or cover, sin, a price must be paid that fully corresponds to, or fully covers, the damage caused by the sin. God's Law to Israel thus stated: "Soul will be for soul, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." -Deuteronomy 19:21.

Men of faith from Abel onward offered animal sacrifices to God. In so doing, they demonstrated their awareness of sin and of the need for redemption, and they showed their faith in God's promised liberation through his "seed." (Genesis 3:15; 4:1-4; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 11:4) Jehovah looked upon such sacrifices with favor and granted these worshipers a good standing. Nevertheless, animal offerings were, at best, a mere token. Animals could not really cover man's sin, for they are inferior to humans. (Psalm 8:4-8) Hence, The Bible says: "It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away." (Hebrews 10:1-4) Such sacrifices were only pictorial, or symbolic, of the true ransom sacrifice that was to come.

Next time: "A Corresponding Ransom"

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002