[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ransom/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [R](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/r/) / ransom # ransom noun (a ransom, ransoms); verb (ransom, ransoms, ransomed, ransoming) «ransom» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#m1) 2. To ransom someone is to pay to free them, or to hold them until money is paid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#m2) 3. "Hold to ransom" means forcing people to do something by threatening them; "a king's ransom" means a huge amount of money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#m3) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x1) - The pirates held the captain for ransom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x2) - King Richard was freed after England paid a huge ransom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x3) - Those trainers cost a king's ransom! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x4) - The ransom note was made of letters cut from newspapers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x5) - Ransomware locked the company's computers and asked for money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x6) - Never pay strangers online who threaten your files; tell an adult. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x7) - In a flash the tiny mouse had seized it, and brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the Mice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/#x8) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x1) - 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x2) - 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x3) - Shall I ransom them from the power of the nether-world? (Prophets HOS.13.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x4) - Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it; ransom me because of mine enemies. (Writings PSA.69.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x5) - The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but the poor heareth no threatening. (Writings PRO.13.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/#x6) ### 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. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «ransom» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ransom/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«ransom» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ransom.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «ransom» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ransom/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«ransom» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ransom.html) on Mova free.