ransom

Everyday

1. A ransom is money demanded by criminals to set free a person they have kidnapped or to give back something they have taken. tree →
2. To ransom someone is to pay to free them, or to hold them until money is paid. tree →
3. "Hold to ransom" means forcing people to do something by threatening them; "a king's ransom" means a huge amount of money. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history, kings and knights were captured and ransomed, such as King Richard the Lionheart in 1192–1194. In the news and online safety, "ransomware" is a computer virus that locks files until money is paid. In maths, ransom amounts can appear in old-story problems. The phrase "a king's ransom" is used for something very expensive.

Examples

• The kidnappers asked for a ransom of a million dollars. tree →
• The pirates held the captain for ransom. tree →
• King Richard was freed after England paid a huge ransom. tree →
• Those trainers cost a king's ransom! tree →
• The ransom note was made of letters cut from newspapers. tree →
• Ransomware locked the company's computers and asked for money. tree →
• Never pay strangers online who threaten your files; tell an adult. tree →
• In a flash the tiny mouse had seized it, and brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the Mice. tree →

Note

Countable: a ransom, ransoms. Phrases: "hold someone to ransom" (UK) / "hold someone for ransom" (US). Not related to "random". "Ransomware" is the computer crime version.

In Jewish tradition

Hosea has God ask whether He will ransom Israel from the nether-world, and the Psalmist prays to God to ransom him from his enemies. Proverbs says a rich man can use his riches as a ransom for his life, while the poor man hears no threats.

Interpretation. The law says no money can replace a murderer's life, showing that human life is of infinite worth. The idea of redemption and payment for the life runs through the laws of the firstborn and the half-shekel. The tradition reads the Psalms as trust that God Himself can free a person.

Examples

• None devoted, that may be devoted of men, shall be ransomed; he shall surely be put to death. (Torah LEV.27.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. (Torah EXO.21.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Moreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death. (Torah NUM.35.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• Shall I ransom them from the power of the nether-world? (Prophets HOS.13.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it; ransom me because of mine enemies. (Writings PSA.69.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but the poor heareth no threatening. (Writings PRO.13.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a ransom, ransoms. Phrases: "hold someone to ransom" (UK) / "hold someone for ransom" (US). Not related to "random". "Ransomware" is the computer crime version.