Go’el

Go’el in the Mosaic Law

The word go'el comes from the verb ga'al meaning “to redeem” or “to buy back.” It is used in legal contexts to refer to kinship laws and rights. In legal terms, a go'el is the nearest relative who has the responsibility to redeem or buy back something from a family member. The responsibility for a go'el fell first to someone’s brother, then uncle, cousin, and finally to the nearest living clan relative (Lev 25:48–49). The Law allowed for a go'el, or kinsman-redeemer, to redeem the land of a family member that became poor and was forced to sell it (Lev 25:23–31). This was done to keep the land in the family. The go'el also had the right to redeem individuals who had sold themselves into indentured servitude (Lev 25:47–49). They were also responsible for avenging manslaughter (Num 35:12) or murder as an “avenger of blood” (go'el haddam; Num 35:19; Deut 19:6).

Go’el in Ruth

The clearest example of a kinsman-redeemer is Boaz. The book of Ruth describes Boaz as a go'el to Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 2:20; 3:9). As a go'el he has the right to purchase Naomi’s land. However, this also includes marrying Ruth and producing offspring for the line of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband according to Levirate marriage law (Ruth 4:5; Deut 25:5–10). Boaz—who had to get permission to redeem Ruth and the land because there was a relative closer than him—redeems Ruth and produces an heir for Naomi (Ruth 3:12; 4:6, 13–17).

Go’el in Isaiah

The term go'el is often applied to God. On a national level, God is described as the redeemer of Israel (Psa 74:2). The verb ga'al describes God’s deliverance of the people from slavery in Egypt (Exod 6:6; 15:13). God’s redemption of Israel is a theme throughout the prophets (Jer 50:34; Mic 4:10). This is seen especially in Isaiah who often describes God as Israel’s Redeemer (Isa 41:14; 43:14; 44:6; 47:4; 60:16) and refers to Israel as the redeemed (Isa 35:9; 62:12).

Go’el in the Psalms

In the Psalms, God is seen as a Redeemer on a more personal level. The psalmist cries out for God to redeem him, often from enemies (Psa 69:18). God is the one who delivers or redeems the life of the psalmist (Psa 103:4), and God’s past acts of redemption serve as hope for current troubles (Pss 107:2; 119:154). In the midst of his trials, Job also clings to the hope of God’s redemption—he expresses confidence that his Redeemer lives (Job 19:25).

Miles Custis

Further Reading

Redeem, Redemption DBI

Ga'al (gāʾal), q. to redeem, deliver, ransom; n. be redeemed, delivered NIDOTTE

Go'el (gōʾēl) I, redeemer TWOT

To Redeem Vine’s