The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous

[Jarthur001]

What does this mean?

Proverbs 21:18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

ran·som n
1. a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of somebody who is being held prisoner
2. the release of a prisoner in return for the payment of money
3. the act of saving somebody from an oppressed condition or dangerous situation through self-sacrifice (literary)

vt
1. to release somebody from captivity by paying money to the captors
2. to rescue or redeem somebody, especially by a self-sacrificing act, and especially from sin or its punishment (literary)

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

 

[canadyjd]

What does this mean?

Proverbs 21:18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

As a general rule, I think, (not an absolute command of God) God will cause the circumstances of the wicked and the righteous to be reversed when the righteous are (wrongly) in trouble and/or the wicked go unpunished.

peace to youraying:

 

[J.D.]

What does this mean?

Proverbs 21:18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

This possibly speaks to the idea (I've read it somewhere) that it was of necessity that some be condemned and forever punished as an everlasting rememberance to the redeemed of the greatness of God's mercy toward them in view of His hatred of sin.

In other words, as sinners are cast into the lake of fire, we that are saved will understand fully "Were it not for the grace of God, there go I!"

But, since the passage is from Proverbs, I might be inclined to think it speaks to something more practical.

 

[skypair]

What does this mean?

Proverbs 21:18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

Jarthur -- I believe it speaks of Jesus becoming "wicked" and "transgressor" on the cross for the "righteous" and "upright" who would believe. It shows Jesus taking our place.

It seems "cryptic" because God still hadn't revealed to Israel how He would take away their sins.

skypair