How many times is redemption mentioned in the Bible?
The word redemption appears 20 times in the King James Version, in 20 verses. Counting every form (redemption, redeem, redeemed, redeemer, redeemeth), it appears 158 times in 135 verses across 29 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses redemption 25 times (158 with every form).
Redemption in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of redemption counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| redemption | 20 | 25 |
| redeem | 56 | 57 |
| redeemed | 62 | 56 |
| redeemer | 18 | 17 |
| redeemeth | 2 | 0 |
| redeems | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 158 | 158 |
Which books mention redemption most
Redemption appears in 29 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Leviticus has the most (30), then Isaiah (27) and Psalms (23).
Also in: Hosea (2), Micah (2), Romans (2), Galatians (2), Hebrews (2), Genesis (1), 1 Kings (1), Proverbs (1), Lamentations (1), Zechariah (1), 1 Corinthians (1), Colossians (1), Titus (1), 1 Peter (1).
First and last mention of redemption
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
The verse that uses it most is Ruth 4:4, 5 times:
And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
Where the two translations differ
7 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 8 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Leviticus 19:20: counted in the KJV only
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
“‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
Leviticus 27:29: counted in the KJV only
None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death.
“‘No one devoted, who shall be devoted from among men, shall be ransomed; he shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 21:30: counted in the World English Bible only
If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
If a ransom is laid on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is laid on him.
Leviticus 25:33: counted in the World English Bible only
And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the year of jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.
The Levites may redeem the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, and it shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.
Verses with redemption on our topic pages
14 verses that use redemption in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
On: Forgiveness, Blessings, Grace
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.
On: Resurrection, What Does the Bible Say About Cremation? 25 Verses
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.
On: What Does the Bible Say About Cussing and Swearing? 26 Verses, What Does the Bible Say About Meditation? 29 Verses
But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
On: Identity in Christ, What Does the Bible Say About Suicide? 25 Verses of Hope
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today.
Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
On: Fear
My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
On: Joy
who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies;
On: Stress
Yahweh, your Redeemer, and he who formed you from the womb says: “I am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself;
Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: “I am Yahweh your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go.
On: Guidance
“A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says Yahweh.
On: Christmas
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
On: Grace
Common questions
How many times is redemption in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 138 of the 158 uses are in the Old Testament and 20 in the New Testament. Redemption appears in 29 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Leviticus has the most (30), then Isaiah (27) and Psalms (23).
Where is redemption first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 48:16: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." The last is Revelation 14:4.
More word counts: atonement, Gentiles, giant, Easter, Selah, behold, verily, manna, or all 253 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-05.