What is the biblical concept of redemption?

Leviticus 25:24-27“With every purchase of land you must grant the seller the right to buy it back. If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell some family land, then a close relative should buy it back for him. If there is no close relative to buy the land, but the person who sold it gets enough money to buy it back, he then has the right to redeem it from the one who bought it. The price of the land will be discounted according to the number of years until the next Year of Jubilee. In this way the original owner can then return to the land.”

The concept of redemption is found throughout Scripture. In this passage in Israel’s civil laws, we see that it can involve clearing a debt or regaining possession of something in exchange for payment. This basic meaning of redemption underlies the theological concept of God paying off the debt caused by our sin.

Exodus 6:6-8“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’”

Here, God promises Israel that he will redeem them from Egypt. Again, we see the idea of gaining possession and that God’s redemption involves rescue and freedom.

Job 19:25“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.”

In this passage, we see that redemption is personal. In the middle of his suffering and struggle, Job could declare his confidence in God, whom he calls “my Redeemer.”