passive participle of פָּדָה. ransomed (and so occurring under פָּדָה); as abstractly (in plural masculine) a ransom; (that are) to be (that were) redeemed.
Transliteration:pâdûwy
Pronunciation:paw-doo'ee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פָּדוּי (pâdûwy, `{{H6302}}`) functions as the passive participle of the verb פָּדָה (pâdâh, `{{H6299}}`), meaning "to ransom, redeem, or deliver." As a passive participle, pâdûwy describes the state of being "ransomed" or "redeemed," referring to those who have undergone this act of deliverance. Its semantic range thus encompasses the beneficiaries of a redemption, emphasizing that they have been set free from a state of bondage, debt, or peril. Interestingly, the word also takes on an abstract noun form, particularly in the masculine plural, to denote "a ransom" or "redemption price" itself. This dual usage highlights both the act of redemption and its cost, underscoring the transactional nature often associated with this form of deliverance in the Old Testament.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of pâdûwy (`{{H6302}}`) in the Hebrew Bible illuminate its nuanced meaning:
* In **Exodus 21:30**, the word is used in its nominal sense, referring to the "ransom" (pâdûwy) required when an ox gores a person to death. This context clearly establishes pâdûwy as a monetary payment or compensation given to avert a penalty, specifically the loss of life. It underscores the concept that a life can be "redeemed" by a substitute payment.
* The book of Numbers provides several instances related to the redemption of the firstborn. In **Numbers 3:46, 48, and 51**, pâdûwy denotes the "redemption money" paid for the excess firstborn Israelites who could not be offset by the number of Levites. Similarly, **Numbers 18:16-17** specifies the pâdûwy for the firstborn of man and unclean animals, contrasting them with clean animals which are not to be redeemed. These passages emphasize a substitutionary principle: a payment or an alternative (the Levites) is provided to "redeem" what is due to the Lord, affirming a divine claim and the necessity of a price for release.
* In **Isaiah 35:10** and **Isaiah 51:11**, pâdûwy appears as a participle, referring to "the ransomed of the LORD." These prophetic contexts speak of the future restoration of Israel, where those whom the Lord has redeemed will return to Zion with singing and everlasting joy. Here, the focus shifts from a transactional payment to God's powerful and gracious act of deliverance, resulting in the liberation and joyful return of His people from exile. This usage emphasizes the divine initiative and the joyous outcome for those who are the recipients of God's redemptive work.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding pâdûwy (`{{H6302}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other key Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **פָּדָה (pâdâh, `{{H6299}}`):** As the root verb, pâdâh is fundamental. It describes the *act* of redeeming or ransoming, often involving a payment, exchange, or powerful intervention to secure freedom. Pâdûwy is the *result* or the *object* of this action.
* **גָּאַל (gā'al, `{{H1350}}`):** This is another crucial Hebrew word for "redeem," often associated with the "kinsman-redeemer" (go'el). While pâdâh can imply a more general transaction or rescue, gā'al typically highlights redemption within the context of family ties, involving the recovery of lost property, freedom, or avenging bloodshed. Both terms speak of liberation, but pâdâh often emphasizes the price paid, while gā'al emphasizes the family obligation and right.
* **כֹּפֶר (kōpher, `{{H3724}}`):** Meaning "a ransom," "bribe," or "atonement," kōpher is closely related to the nominal use of pâdûwy as a payment. It signifies a covering or propitiation, often used to avert divine wrath or to make amends for a transgression, echoing the idea of a price for life.
* **Slavery/Bondage:** The state from which redemption is necessary. The concept of pâdûwy inherently presupposes a prior condition of captivity, debt, or danger from which one needs to be set free.
* **Deliverance/Liberation:** The ultimate outcome of the act of pâdâh and the state of being pâdûwy. It signifies a transition from a state of constraint to one of freedom and security.
### Theological Significance
The word pâdûwy (`{{H6302}}`) carries profound theological implications:
* **God as the Great Redeemer:** The consistent use of pâdûwy (and its root pâdâh) highlights God's active role as the one who delivers His people. He is not a passive observer but the initiator and executor of redemption. This portrays Him as a powerful and compassionate God who intervenes to free His chosen ones from various forms of bondage, whether physical, legal, or spiritual.
* **The Cost of Redemption:** The instances where pâdûwy refers to a "ransom price" (e.g., Exodus, Numbers) underscore a crucial theological truth: redemption is not without cost. It often requires a payment, a substitute, or a significant act of sacrifice. This principle foreshadows the ultimate price of redemption paid by God Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, where His life serves as the perfect kōpher and pâdûwy for humanity's sin.
* **Substitutionary Principle:** The redemption of the firstborn in Numbers, where Levites or a monetary payment substitute for the firstborn, powerfully illustrates the concept of substitutionary atonement. Something or someone else takes the place of that which is due, providing a release. This Old Testament pattern points forward to the vicarious sacrifice of Christ, who became the substitute pâdûwy for humanity.
* **Eschatological Hope and Restoration:** The prophetic usage in Isaiah reveals a future dimension of redemption. "The ransomed of the LORD" are those whom God will ultimately and completely deliver, bringing them into a state of joyful restoration and security in Zion. This speaks to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate plan for the full and glorious redemption of His people from all forms of oppression and exile.
* **Divine Grace and Initiative:** While a price is often involved, the act of redemption is always initiated by God. He provides the means and the way for His people to be set free, demonstrating His sovereign grace and unwavering love.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פָּדוּי (pâdûwy, `{{H6302}}`), derived from פָּדָה (pâdâh, `{{H6299}}`), signifies both the state of being "ransomed" or "redeemed" and, in its nominal form, the "ransom" or "redemption price" itself. Its biblical occurrences reveal its application in legal contexts demanding compensation for life, in cultic laws requiring a monetary payment or substitution for the firstborn, and in prophetic visions of God's ultimate, joyous deliverance of His people. Theologically, pâdûwy emphasizes God's active role as the Redeemer, the inherent cost associated with true liberation, the foundational principle of substitution, and the eschatological hope for a complete and joyful restoration of God's chosen ones. It points to a divine initiative in setting free those who are bound, often at a significant price, leading to a state of profound and lasting deliverance.
TRV