75 passages · Salvation
A Levite couple hide their baby son, then set him afloat in a tar-coated basket. Pharaoh's daughter finds him, pities him, and, through his sister's quick offer, has his own mother nurse him before adopting him as Moses.
God says he has seen Israel's suffering and will rescue them to a good land, and sends Moses to Pharaoh. Moses asks who he is to go, and God answers that he will be with him.
God says Pharaoh will let them go by his mighty hand. He explains that he revealed himself as the LORD, recalls his covenant, and promises to redeem Israel and give them the land.
The LORD tells Moses that every firstborn male among people and animals belongs to him.
Once in the land, Israel must give the firstborn males of animals to the LORD and redeem the firstborn donkeys and sons. Children who ask will be told it recalls the LORD killing Egypt's firstborn.
When a census is taken, each man twenty or older must pay a half shekel, rich and poor alike, as a ransom for his life. The money goes to the service of the Tent of Meeting.
After seven cycles of seven years, the fiftieth year is announced with a horn on the Day of Atonement. Liberty is proclaimed and each family returns to its property.
Land belongs to God and cannot be sold permanently, so a poor Israelite's relative may redeem it, and it returns at Jubilee. Houses in walled cities are treated differently, and Levite property is always redeemable.
An Israelite who sells himself must be treated as a hired worker and released at Jubilee, because Israel belongs to God. Slaves may be taken from surrounding nations, and an Israelite sold to a foreigner may be redeemed by relatives or himself.
A firstborn animal already belongs to the LORD and cannot be vowed, though an unclean one may be redeemed. Whatever is set apart completely for God cannot be sold or bought back.
God tells Moses to present the Levites to Aaron as helpers for the tabernacle. He has taken them in place of Israel's firstborn, who are His.
The firstborn Israelite males number 22,273, which is 273 more than the Levites. God sets a five-shekel redemption price for each extra one, and Moses collects 1,365 shekels.
The Levites are wholly given to God in place of Israel's firstborn, and God gives them to Aaron and his sons to serve and make atonement.
God gives Aaron's family a portion of the sacred offerings, firstfruits and devoted things, and sets redemption rules for firstborn sons and animals. This portion is called a permanent covenant of salt.
A Hebrew servant must be set free in the seventh year and sent away with generous supplies, remembering Israel's own slavery in Egypt. A servant who wishes to stay may become a servant for life.
The worshiper recites Israel's story: a wandering forefather, slavery in Egypt, God's rescue, and the gift of the land. He presents the firstfruits, bows down, and rejoices with the Levite and the foreigner.
The two spies bring Rahab and her family out to safety. Israel burns the city and puts its metals in the treasury, and Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who rebuilds it.
Ruth brings home the grain and leftover food, and Naomi learns the field belonged to Boaz. She blesses him and names him a close relative and kinsman-redeemer, and Ruth keeps gleaning through the harvests.
Naomi proposes a plan to secure Ruth's future: wash, dress well, and go to the threshing floor where Boaz is winnowing, then lie at his feet once he has gone to sleep. Ruth agrees to do all she says.
Ruth carries out the plan. Boaz wakes startled at midnight and finds a woman at his feet, and Ruth asks him to spread his garment over her because he is a kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz blesses Ruth for her loyalty, promises to act, but says a nearer relative has first claim. He tells her to stay until morning, sends her off unseen with six measures of barley, and goes into town.
At the town gate Boaz gathers ten elders and offers the nearer relative the chance to redeem Elimelech's land. He agrees until Boaz adds that he must also take Ruth, and then he declines, fearing for his own inheritance.
The narrator explains the custom of exchanging a sandal to confirm a deal. The nearer relative gives up his right, Boaz declares before witnesses that he has acquired the land and Ruth, and the people bless the marriage.
David finds the Amalekites celebrating their plunder, attacks them for about a day, and only four hundred young men escape. He recovers everything, including his wives, with nothing missing.
Job wishes his words were carved in stone forever and states his confidence that his Redeemer lives and that he will see God for himself. He warns his friends to fear judgment.
Elihu describes a sick person who is spared when a messenger says a ransom has been found. He recovers, prays, and praises God, and Elihu says God does this repeatedly.
The psalmist feels lonely and afflicted, and asks God to relieve his distress, forgive his sins, and guard him from many enemies. He ends by asking God to redeem Israel from all trouble.
He asks God not to take his life along with sinners and violent, bribe-taking people. He promises to walk in integrity and bless the LORD among the people.
The psalm ends with urgent commands to God: wake, rise, do not reject us forever, and help us. The appeal rests on God's loving devotion rather than on the people's merit.
The speaker asks why he should fear those who boast in wealth. No one can pay God the price to ransom another person's life or escape death forever.