The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
Ver. 18. The wicked shall be a ransom.] Heb., Copher, a cover, or an expiation; as Achan was for Israel, and as those condemned persons among the heathens, that in time of pestilence or contagious infection were offered up by way of public expiation, with these words, περιψημα ημων γενου; Be thou a reconciliation for us. a To this custom St Paul seems to allude. 1Co 4:13 Thus, when Saul's sons were hanged, God's wrath was appeased; 2Sa 21:1-9 and when guilty Jonah was cast into the sea, all was calm. Thus God gave Egypt for Israel's ransom; yea, Sheba and Ethiopia. Isa 43:3 And although he may seem sometimes to "sell his people for nought, and not to increase his wealth by their price," Psa 44:12 yet when it comes to a critical point, "I will give men for thee, and people for thy price." Isa 43:4 See Trapp on " Pro 11:8 "
a Budaeus.