Such a request! And you aren't the only one asking btw I'll do my best, but can't possibly put all the good stuff in one posting.<font color="green">

Let's begin with the definition, because even from that we can garner hope.

In Hebrew, such as in Job 19:25 the word ga'ul means avenger, deliver, purchase, ransom, redeem

and in Psalm 34:22 the word is paduh meaning ransom, generally to release, preserve.

In the greek, "exagorazo" and "lutroo" are the most used verbs. (For nouns lutrosis, apolutrosis are used.) Used as deliverance from torture, releasing for (on the payment of) a ransom Heb 11:35. Romans 3:24 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:7 defined as the forgiveness of our trespasses, Colossians 1:14 the forgiveness of our sins indicating both the liberation from the guilt and doom of sin and the introduction into a life of liberty.

Hebrew 9:15 is a good verse (as if there are bad verses?) "for the redemption of the trangressions that were under the first covenant."

{For more indepth study: Heb 9:15 "redemption of" is equivalent to "redemption from" : the genitive case being used of the object from which the "redemption" is effected, not from the consequence of the trangrsssions, but from the trangressions themselves! The deliverance of the believer from the presence and from the power of sin, and of his body from bondage to corruption, at the coming (Parousia) of the Lord Jesus.}

<font color="purple"> Genesis 3 brings us to the purpose of the rest of the Bible (after the first two "chapters" of creation, etc.) that being the account of God's redemption of sinners.

Redemption fulfills God's purpose in creation (Genesis 2:7) 1 Corinthians 15:45 c. The covenant plan of redemption is found in Genesis 1:3 even, so it is not something unplanned by God.
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The concept of redemption is an exciting one, btw.

The Hebrew word ga'al, is used 90 times in the OT, chiefly in the Pentateuch, Psalms, Isaiah and Ruth. Genesis 48:16, "the angel which redeemed me (Jacob) from all evil," meaning "delivered me from all harm." It's basic use had to do with deliverance of person or property that had been sold for debt (Leviticus 25:25,26, 39,47-49)

The responsibility to redeem belonged to the nearest relative (kinsman.) Ruth 2:20 (In the NIV) translates the word kinsman-redeemer, as in OT times the person who "redeemed" the one in financial difficulties was known as a kinsman-reedemer.

The verb occurs in this form 12 times, translated at times as "revenger" or "avenger."

For the Book of Isaiah, "Redeemer" is used of God 13 times, and "ga'al" is used 9 times of God (first in Isa. 43:1) Israel's Redeemer is "the Holy One of Israel" (Isa 41:14,) "the creator of Israel, your King (43:14-15) "the Lord of hosts" (44:6)and "the mighty One of Jacob" (49:26." Those who share His salvation are "the redeemed."

The study of "padah," and kapar," both meaning "to ransom" is extensive. Padah indicates that some intervening or substitutionary action effects a release from an undesireable condition. (Money is not the only basis.)

The word kapar is more secular in it's usage at times, but at the basic level of meaning it shows a material transaction or "ransom." But it also carries specific rites and the subject is a priest. This is where it also connects to the sacrifices and the shedding of blood for atonement. Think propitiation and expiation. "Expiate," "atone" and "forgive" when related to a sacrifice, all have God as their primary subject. {expiate: to extinguish the guilt incurred; atone: to supply satisfaction for; forgive: to grant relief from payment of}

All the sacrifices in the world would not satisfy God's righteouness (requirement) Micah 6:7, Psalm 50:7-15) The righteous God is neither implacable nor capricious but provides Himself the "ransom" or substitue sacrifice that would satisy Him. {implacable: not capable of being appeased; capricious: unpredictable, impulsive}

In Leviticus 25:24 where g'ullah (noun) is used, it's with regard to deliverance of persons or property that had been sold for debt.

<font color="purple">[b] I guess in layman's terms... Sin entered the world through (the first) Adam... thus requiring redemption. God gave those who lived before Christ "redemption promised" through the sacrificial offerings as they had faith that He would send the ultimate Redeemer (Messiah.) This was the first or Old Covenant. (The covenant being that if people believed He would send a Redeemer for them in the future, and they showed that belief through offering the required sacrifice, God would do so, and they would be redeemed.)

Sin was conquered through the "second Adam," Christ. Being sinless, Christ carried the requisite (necessary) requirements to be able to pay our debt for sin, and thus Redeem us. He met God's price requirements for the redemption of sinful mankind. <font color="black"> {Therefore the sacrifices are not man's action, but God's own act of pardoning mercy.) </font> This is the second covenant which we (those living after Christ's resurrection) believe for our redemption.

We, as sinners, cannot enter God's presence because He is Righteous and Pure. We are unable to make payment for our own sin, being in bondage to it. God sent His Son to redeem us, so that we may enter into His presence. As the people of the Old Covenant had to rely upon sacrifices to show faith of looking forward to the Messiah's (Christ) payment, we only need to accept God's Redemption for our sin, looking back to Christ's payment with faith. Acceptance of the Redeemer is the method of redemption.

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Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so!