ἀντίλυτρον (G487) — Greek Lexicon

ἀντίλυτρον

antílytron

G487 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A means of release by substitution; specifically, a payment or consideration offered as an equivalent in place of another in order to secure liberation or deliverance (especially from bondage, captivity, or obligation). In Koine Greek, denotes a ransom given in exchange for another, with the nuance of substitution emphasized.

Semantic Range

ransom given in substitution for another, equivalent price to effect release, price paid in exchange for someone else's freedom, means of securing release or liberation by offering a substitute

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἀντί (anti, 'in place of, instead of') and λύτρον (lytron, 'ransom, means of release'). The term is a formation meaning 'substitute ransom' or 'ransom in place of [someone/something]'. Not attested in earlier classical Greek; formed within the Greek of the Hellenistic period or possibly earlier Judaism/early Christianity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀντίλυτρον is extremely rare in extant Greek literature, appearing only in later Hellenistic and early Christian writings, and specifically used in the New Testament in 1 Timothy 2:6. It builds upon λύτρον, which refers generally to a ransom or price of release, but ἀντίλυτρον intensifies the idea of substitution—the ransom as exchanged explicitly 'in place of' another. In pre-Christian and classical literature, λύτρον was used in the context of redeeming captives, slaves, or prisoners of war. The prefix ἀντί– adds the dimension of equivalence or substitution. While some English translations render it as 'ransom,' this does not fully capture the legal and substitutionary concept embedded in the word. In Second Temple and early Christian literature, the concept was associated with deliverance from peril or bondage, with varying theological applications. The term does not occur in the Septuagint, but λύτρον does occur in passages about redemption from slavery or release from debts. Ancient and medieval Christian interpreters connect it with sacrificial and substitutionary motifs, but the Greek term itself simply emphasizes the price given 'in exchange for.' Modern scholarship notes that this word may have been coined to express heightened nuance over existing Greek terms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀντί and λύτρον; a redemption-price:--ransom.

Root Family

ἀντίλυτρον (antilytron) — in place of, ransom, release by payment, substitute price

Root ἀντί-, λυτρ- in place of, ransom, to set free by payment

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G487-01`	ἀντίλυτρον	antilutron	`N ACC N SG`	a ransom	a substitute ransom	a substitute ransom	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G487-01`	1 Timothy 2:6	ἀντίλυτρον	antilutron	`N ACC N SG`	a ransom	a substitute ransom	a substitute ransom

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