Ruth - Kinsman Redeemer

Word Study: goel

The Kinsman Redeemer

In a broad sense, the story of Christianity from the beginning of time until now is the story of redemption. Of course, Christ as redeemer for all mankind is the most perfect application of this statement. However, one of the most beautiful stories of redemption occurs in the book of Ruth, where Boaz takes Ruth as his wife to redeem the name of Naomi’s family. This picture of redemption, and the modified implementation of the levirate marriage custom, set our focus on the study of the word “goel.”

STATISTICS

In looking at the word goel, we need to start with the immediate context and statistics. The Hebrew word “goel” translates most typically to either “kinsman” or “redeemer” in English translations of scripture. In the book of Ruth, we encounter the word first in chapter 2 verse 20 when Naomi, referring to Boaz, informs Ruth, “The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen,” (KJVS) or alternatively translated, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers” (ESV) meaning that he stands as redeemer for the family in a levirate way.

The term “goel” is associated with Hebrew Strong’s key H1350 (OakTree Software, Inc.). Of note, Accordance Bible Software renders the term “goel” as “ga’al;” however, for consistency’s sake this paper will use the syllabus and professorial mandated spelling of “goel.” A search for the Strong’s key reveals that this word occurs 101 times in 84 verses in the Old Testament. The English translation of the word is rendered (in the KJVS) as: redeem (25); redeemeth (1); redeemed (24); redeemer (18); purchase (1); kinsman (12); kinsmen (1); kinsfolks (1); (kinsman’s) part (1); avenger (6); revenger (6); revengers (1); stain (1); deliver (1); and ransomed (2).

Specifically in the book of Ruth, “goel” appears 21 times in 10 verses, as: kinsmen (1); kinsman (11); (kinsman’s) part (1); and redeem (8). Just over twenty percent (20.79%) of the occurrences of “goel” are in Ruth, and the majority of all occurrences of “goel” being translated as a variant of “kinsman” – 86.67% – appear in the book of Ruth.

HISTORICAL USAGE

Historically, the term “goel” is defined as “next of kin, and, hence, redeemer” (Go'el). In early Near East usage, the term signified not simply a close relative, but protector of family solidarity (Ibid.). In its historical context, the term was usually used to signify the “Avenger of Blood,” and in this context, the term was used in relation to taking justice against a person who murdered a family member (Ibid.). Not only was the relative expected to care for any family member who could not take care of himself or herself, but if an injustice was perpetrated against a family member, the “goel” was responsible for avenging that injustice.

In fact, ancient Israel differed from other Near East law codes in that there was a distinction between murder and homicide, and therefore there was a distinction between what was allowable as retribution and what was not. The “Cities of Refuge” were instituted in ancient Israel to offer protection to a person who had unintentionally killed another person. In that case, the “goel,” would not be allowed access to the perpetrator if they remained in the city of refuge unless the elders of the city determined that the death was not accidental (Ibid.),(Asylum).

CONTEXTUAL USAGE

In this section, we will look at the specific use of the word “goel” in the book of Ruth.

Ruth 2:20 (ESV)

20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

Here, Naomi is discussing Ruth’s success in gleaning in the field and learns that the man who has doted upon her is none other than Boaz, a close relative. In the ESV, the text is more explicit regarding Naomi’s knowledge of levirate custom, as she calls Boaz a “goel,” translated as “one of our redeemers” (Ruth 2:20, ESV).

Ruth 3:9 (ESV)

9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Ruth 3:12–13 (ESV)

12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

Ruth 4:1 (ESV)

1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Ruth 4:3 (ESV)

3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.

Again, we see “goel” translated as “kinsman” or some variation in these verses, signifying a familial connotation. These verses seem to suggest that the term truly meant, at least in the everyday usage of the time, “close relative.”

Ruth 4:4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy itbefore 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.

This is where we see the turn, so to speak. As Boaz seeks to fulfill his duty as “goel,” he offers the redemptive right of “yibbum,” or levirate marriage to the only relative closer to Naomi (Levirate Marriage (Yibbum)). In asking if the relative will fulfill the duties of the “goel,” the English translation is now the word “redeem.” This is where the context of the passage shifts from a word meaning “relative” to show that the word carries a meaning that is much weightier. The word is referring to the duty of the relative; specifically, the Hebrew term “goel” is referring to the duty of redeeming someone who cannot fend for themselves.

Ruth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

Ruth 4:8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

The closer relative denies his right/duty as “goel” by performing the rite of “Ḥaliẓah,” the taking off of the shoe to transfer the rights of redemption from himself to Boaz (Halizah).

Ruth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

Judging from the context of the women’s statement to Naomi in Ruth 4:14, the word “goel” has the connotation of both “relative (or kinsman)” and “redeemer.” In fact, the word translated as “kinsman” in the KJVS is translated as “redeemer” in the ESV.

CONCLUSION

The story of Ruth paints a picture of God’s providence for His people. It shows how God uses both people and circumstances to grow His name and reveal His glory. By the redemption of Naomi and Ruth through Boaz, God births a king (David) and a Messiah (Jesus) (Luke 3:31-32, ESV). In redeeming Naomi’s name through marrying Ruth, Boaz not only fulfills the demands of the “goel,” but paints a picture of a man who serves to redeem a foreigner – an outsider, a Gentile – by marrying her and bringing her into the family. Boaz was not required to make the levirate bond, because he was not a brother to Elimilech, nor was he even the closest relative to Naomi. Yet he showed his love for Naomi and Ruth by serving as their redeemer.

Works Cited

Asylum. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4395-cities-of-refuge (accessed October 8, 2013).

Go'el. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6734-go-el (accessed 2013 йил 24-September).

Halizah. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7105-halizah (accessed October 10, 2013).

King James Bible with Strongs Dictionary. http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/index2.htm (accessed October 4, 2013).

Levirate Marriage (Yibbum). http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/15085-yibbum (accessed 2013 йил 24-September).

OakTree Software, Inc. Accordance 10 Bible Software. 10.1.3. 2013.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001.