What is a…
kinsman

Hebrew: goel, from root meaning to redeem

The goel among the Hebrews was the nearest male blood relation alive. Certain important obligations devolved upon him toward his next of kin.

1. If any one from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it (Leviticus 25:25, 28; Ruth 3:9, 12). He was also required to redeem his relation who had sold himself into (Leviticus 25:48-49slavery).

   God is the Goel of his people because he redeems them (Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 43:1; 41:14; 44:6, 22; 48:20; Psalm 103:4; Job 19:25, etc.).

2. The goel also was the avenger of blood (Numbers 35:21) in the case of the murder of the next of kin.