What Is a Kinsman-Redeemer — Meaning Explained
A kinsman-redeemer (goel) was a close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem a family member from debt, slavery, or to continue a deceased relative's lineage.
A kinsman-redeemer (goel) was a close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem a family member from debt, slavery, or to continue a deceased relative's lineage.
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." — Ruth 3:9 (KJV)
What "What Is a Kinsman-Redeemer?" Actually Means
The Hebrew word 'goel' refers to a near relative who acts as a redeemer or protector. Under Israelite law, the goel could buy back property sold due to poverty (Leviticus 25:25), redeem a relative from slavery (Leviticus 25:47-49), avenge a murdered family member (Numbers 35:19), and marry a deceased brother's widow to continue his line (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). Boaz served as Ruth's kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3-4). Theologically, the concept foreshadows Christ as our ultimate Redeemer — a kinsman (through His incarnation) who pays the price to set us free from sin's bondage.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Ruth 3:9
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."
Leviticus 25:25
"If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold."
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