Erlöste

Erlöste is a German noun and adjective derived from the verb erlösen, meaning to redeem or to liberate. In religious contexts it is commonly translated as “the redeemed” and is used to describe people who have been saved from sin or oppression. The word may appear in hymnody, sermons, biblical translations, and theological writing, as well as in secular literature when the author invokes the imagery of redemption.

As a noun, the term is capitalized: der Erlöste (masculine), die Erlöste (feminine), and die Erlösten (plural). As an adjective, the past participle erlöst is used to describe someone or something that has been redeemed, with inflected forms like ein erlöstes Leben (a redeemed life) or eine erlöste Seele (a redeemed soul).

In theology, the concept of Erlösung (redemption) and the figure of der Erlöser (Redeemer) are central in many Christian traditions; the term Erlöste can refer to those who belong to the community of believers or, in mythic or allegorical contexts, to figures who achieve liberation. The distinction between personal salvation and collective redemption is a common theme in its usage.

Beyond religion, Erlöste can appear as a literary or artistic motif representing liberation, forgiveness, or moral renewal. It is sometimes used as a title or thematic element in German-language works, though specific references vary by author and era.