from λύτρον; to ransom (literally or figuratively):--redeem.
Transliteration:lytróō
Pronunciation:loo-tro'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb λυτρόω (lytróō), Strong's `{{G3084}}`, is derived directly from the noun λύτρον (lytron), Strong's `{{G3083}}`, which signifies "a price of release" or "a ransom." Thus, λυτρόω inherently carries the meaning "to ransom," "to redeem," or "to set free by paying a price." Its semantic range encompasses both literal and figurative applications. Literally, it could refer to the act of freeing a slave or a captive by paying a sum. Figuratively, and more profoundly in the New Testament, it denotes the spiritual act of liberation from a state of bondage—such as sin, the power of death, or the futility of an old way of life—through a costly payment. The core concept is not merely release, but release *secured by a ransom*, implying a prior state of capture or obligation from which one is delivered by a specific, often substantial, cost.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb λυτρόω (lytróō) appears infrequently in the New Testament, but each occurrence is highly significant:
* **[[Luke 24:21]]**: "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to *redeem* Israel." Here, the disciples on the road to Emmaus express their dashed hopes concerning Jesus. Their understanding of "redeem" was likely rooted in the Old Testament concept of national liberation, expecting a Messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman political oppression, much like the Exodus redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage. This highlights a common human expectation of redemption as primarily socio-political.
* **[[Titus 2:14]]**: "[Christ] who gave Himself for us, that He might *redeem* us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." This verse shifts the focus dramatically to spiritual redemption. Christ's self-giving is presented as the "price" for liberation. The "bondage" here is "every lawless deed," signifying sin. The purpose of this redemption is not merely freedom *from* something, but also freedom *for* something: to purify a people for God's exclusive possession, characterized by zeal for good works. This demonstrates the transformative power of redemption.
* **[[1 Peter 1:18]]**: "knowing that you were not *redeemed* with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." This passage powerfully emphasizes the *cost* of redemption. The "perishable things" (silver or gold) are explicitly contrasted with the "precious blood of Christ." The "bondage" is described as a "futile way of life inherited from your forefathers," pointing to the inherited sinfulness and emptiness of life apart from Christ. The redemption is a divine act, secured by the sacrificial death of Christ, which alone possesses the infinite value required to ransom humanity from such a profound state of spiritual bondage.
Across these contexts, λυτρόω consistently denotes a costly act of liberation, moving from a human expectation of political freedom to the profound theological reality of spiritual freedom from sin and its consequences, achieved through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of λυτρόω is significantly enriched by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **λύτρον (lytron - `{{G3083}}`)**: The noun from which λυτρόω is derived, meaning "ransom price." This is crucial for understanding that redemption is never free; it always involves a payment. Jesus himself uses this noun in [[Mark 10:45]] and [[Matthew 20:28]] when stating that the Son of Man came "to give His life as a ransom for many."
* **ἀπολυτρόω (apolytroō - `{{G629}}`)**: A compound verb meaning "to redeem," "to release by paying a ransom." This word is more frequent in the New Testament than λυτρόω and often carries the nuance of a complete or full redemption. Examples include [[Romans 3:24]] (justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus) and [[Ephesians 1:7]] (in Him we have redemption through His blood). The prefix ἀπο- (apo) intensifies the idea of "from" or "away from," emphasizing the complete separation from the former state of bondage.
* **ἀγοράζω (agorazō - `{{G59}}`) and ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazō - `{{G1805}}`)**: These verbs mean "to buy" and "to buy out (of the marketplace)," respectively. While not synonymous with λυτρόω, they are closely related in the concept of acquisition through payment. ἐξαγοράζω is notably used in [[Galatians 3:13]] and [[Galatians 4:5]] to describe Christ redeeming us from the curse of the law or from under the law, highlighting the legal aspect of Christ's payment.
* **Old Testament Parallels**: The Greek concept of redemption finds deep roots in the Hebrew Bible. The primary Hebrew verbs are גאל (ga'al - `{{H1350}}`) and פדה (padah - `{{H6299}}`).
* גאל (ga'al) often refers to the action of a "kinsman-redeemer" (go'el), who had the right and responsibility to buy back family property, a family member from slavery, or avenge a death ([[Leviticus 25:25]], [[Ruth 4:4]]). This highlights the relational and familial aspect of redemption.
* פדה (padah) signifies "to ransom" or "to deliver," often from a state of danger or bondage, as seen in the Exodus narrative ([[Exodus 6:6]]).
The New Testament use of λυτρόω and its cognates clearly builds upon these rich Old Testament foundations, particularly the Exodus as the paradigmatic act of divine redemption.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of λυτρόω is profound, lying at the heart of Christian soteriology.
1. **The Cost of Salvation**: The verb λυτρόω underscores that salvation is not a casual or inexpensive act. It demands a "price," and that price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ ([[1 Peter 1:18-19]]). This highlights the immense value God places on humanity and the gravity of sin, which necessitated such a sacrifice.
2. **Deliverance from Bondage**: Redemption implies a prior state of slavery or captivity. In the New Testament, this bondage is primarily spiritual: slavery to sin, to lawlessness, to the futility of inherited traditions, and to the power of death ([[Titus 2:14]], [[1 Peter 1:18]]). Christ's act of redemption liberates believers from these oppressive forces.
3. **Divine Initiative and Agency**: God, through Christ, is the ultimate redeemer. It is not humanity that redeems itself, but God who actively intervenes, providing the ransom through His Son. This emphasizes God's sovereign grace and love ([[Titus 2:14]]).
4. **Purposeful Redemption**: Redemption is not an end in itself; it is for a purpose. As [[Titus 2:14]] indicates, Christ redeemed us "to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." This speaks to the creation of a new covenant people, set apart for God's glory and transformed for righteous living. Redemption leads to renewed relationship and holy living.
5. **New Status and Identity**: Those who are redeemed are no longer slaves to sin but belong to God. Their identity is transformed from being "under the curse" or "in futility" to being "God's own possession," with a new calling and purpose.
### Summary
The Greek verb λυτρόω (lytróō - `{{G3084}}`) signifies the act of "ransoming" or "redeeming," emphasizing liberation achieved through the payment of a price. Derived from λύτρον (lytron - `{{G3083}}`), "ransom," it highlights that freedom is not granted freely but secured at a cost. While [[Luke 24:21]] reflects a human expectation of national redemption, [[Titus 2:14]] and [[1 Peter 1:18]] powerfully articulate the New Testament's central theological meaning: spiritual redemption from sin, lawlessness, and futility. This profound act is accomplished by Christ's sacrificial death, His "precious blood" serving as the ultimate, non-perishable ransom. λυτρόω and its related terms, such as ἀπολυτρόω (apolytroō - `{{G629}}`), build upon rich Old Testament concepts of divine deliverance and the kinsman-redeemer, underscoring God's initiative in paying the ultimate price to liberate humanity from spiritual bondage and bring them into a purified, purposeful relationship with Himself.
TRV