פְּדוּת (pe.dut)
pe.dut
redemption
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pe-dut signifies a ransom or the act of redeeming someone through payment. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, concentrated in the poetic and prophetic books of Psalms and Isaiah. In these contexts, the term describes the price paid to secure freedom, often highlighting God’s intervention to deliver His people from distress or captivity.
While less common than its verbal root, pe-dut carries significant theological weight by framing salvation as a costly transaction rather than a mere wish. The sources indicate that this word emphasizes the value of the life redeemed, suggesting that freedom is secured through a specific exchange. Translators typically render it as "ransom" or "redemption," capturing the idea that deliverance was purchased at a high cost.
This rare noun underscores the seriousness of divine rescue in Scripture. By using a term rooted in commercial exchange, the biblical authors communicate that God’s redemption is not abstract but involves real consequences and value. The limited usage forces the reader to pay close attention to how freedom is obtained, reinforcing the belief that liberation comes through deliberate, paid action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for redemption in Hebrew carries the weight of a price paid. It is not a vague wish for help, but a concrete act of liberation secured by payment. When Scripture speaks of this freedom, it reminds us that our deliverance was costly. God did not simply wave a hand; He intervened with purpose and power to buy back what was lost.
In Psalms 130:7, we are told that abundant redemption is found with Him. This offers a steady anchor for your faith. You can trust that the One who pays the price is also the One who provides the abundance needed to sustain you through hard times. His love is not distant; it is actively engaged in your rescue.
Isaiah 50:2 asks if God’s hand is too short to save. The answer is a resounding no. This word assures us that no situation is beyond His reach. Whether you face personal distress or national crisis, the same God who redeemed Israel stands ready to act. His covenant remains firm, offering hope that is real and enduring.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- redemption2×
- for/ ransom1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּד֤וּת\׀1×
- פְדֽוּת\׃1×
- מִ/פְּד֔וּת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 130:7
Israel, hope in Yahweh, for there is loving kindness with Yahweh. Abundant redemption is with him.
This verse highlights the abundance of redemption available with Yahweh, emphasizing that His loving kindness is the foundation for hope.
-
Psalms 111:9
He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!
Here redemption is linked to God's eternal covenant, showing that His act of deliverance is permanent and holy.
-
Isaiah 50:2
Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness. Their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst.
The rhetorical question underscores God’s unlimited power to redeem, contrasting human inability with divine capability.