The term "Goel" is derived from the Hebrew word "גֹּאֵל" (go'el), which means "redeemer" or "kinsman-redeemer." This concept is deeply rooted in the social and legal customs of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament. The role of the Goel was multifaceted, encompassing responsibilities related to family, property, and justice.

Biblical Context and Responsibilities

1. Redemption of Property:
The Goel had the responsibility to redeem property that a relative had sold due to poverty. This ensured that the family inheritance remained within the clan. Leviticus 25:25 states, "If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest kinsman is to come and redeem what his brother has sold."

2. Levirate Marriage:
In cases where a man died without leaving a male heir, the Goel was expected to marry the widow to produce offspring in the deceased's name, thus preserving the family line. This is illustrated in the account of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth 4:5-6 describes Boaz's willingness to fulfill this duty: "Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.'"

3. Avenger of Blood:
The Goel also served as the "avenger of blood," responsible for avenging the death of a relative by pursuing justice against the murderer. Numbers 35:19 states, "The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him."

4. Redemption from Slavery:
If a relative had sold themselves into slavery due to debt, the Goel was tasked with redeeming them. Leviticus 25:47-49 outlines this duty: "If a foreigner or temporary resident among you becomes rich and your brother living near him becomes poor and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of the foreigner’s clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him."

Theological Significance

The role of the Goel is a profound illustration of God's redemptive work. The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate Redeemer. In the New Testament, Christ is portrayed as the one who redeems humanity from sin and death, fulfilling the role of the Goel on a cosmic scale. This is echoed in passages such as Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us."

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israelite society, the Goel was a vital institution that maintained the social and familial structure. The responsibilities of the Goel ensured that justice, mercy, and familial loyalty were upheld, reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The Goel's actions were not merely legal obligations but were deeply rooted in the values of kinship and community solidarity.

Conclusion

The concept of the Goel is a testament to the intricate social laws of ancient Israel and serves as a powerful symbol of redemption and justice. Through the lens of the Goel, one can gain a deeper understanding of the biblical themes of kinship, redemption, and divine justice, which resonate throughout the Scriptures.In Hebrew the participle of the verb gaal, "to redeem." It is rendered in the Authorized Version "kinsman," Numbers 5:8; Ruth 3:12; 4:1,6,8; "redeemer," Job 19:25; "avenger," Numbers 35:12; Deuteronomy 19:6, etc. The Jewish law gave the right of redeeming and repurchasing, as well as of avenging blood, to the next relative, who was accordingly called by this name. (see REDEEMER.) (a.) Yellow.GOEL

go'-el (go'el, "redeemer"): Goel is the participle of the Hebrew word gal'al ("to deliver," "to redeem") which aside from its common usage is frequently employed in connection with Hebrew law, where it is the technical term applied to a person who as the nearest relative of another is placed under certain obligations to him.

(1) If a Jew because of poverty had been obliged to sell himself to a wealthy "stranger or sojourner," it became the duty of his relatives to redeem him. Compare Leviticus 25:47 and the article JUBILEE.

(2) The same duty fell upon the nearest kinsman, if his brother, being poor, had been forced to sell some of his property. Compare Leviticus 25:23; Ruth 4:4, and the article JUBILEE.

(3) It also devolved upon the nearest relative to marry the childless widow of his brother (Ruth 3:13; Tobit 3:17).

(4) In Numbers 5:5 a law is stated which demands that restitution be made to the nearest relative, and after him to the priest, if the injured party has died (Leviticus 6:1).

(5) The law of blood-revenge (Blut-Rache) made it the sacred duty of the nearest relative to avenge the blood of his kinsman. He was called the go'el ha-dam, "the avenger of blood." This law was based upon the command given in Genesis 9:5 f: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," and was carried out even if an animal had killed a man; in this case, however, the payment of a ransom was permitted (Exodus 21:28). A clear distinction was made between an accidental and a deliberate murder. In both cases the murderer could find refuge at the altar of the sanctuary; if, however, the investigation revealed presumptuous manslaughter, he was taken from the altar to be put to death (Exodus 21:12 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28). In Numbers 35:9 definite regulations as to the duties of the Goel are given. Six cities were to be appointed as "cities of refuge," three on each side of the Jordan. The congregation has judgment over the murderer. There must be more than one witness to convict a man. If he is found guilty, he is delivered to the Goel; if murder was committed by accident he is permitted to live within the border of the city of refuge; in case the manslayer leaves this city before the death of the high priest, the avenger of blood has a right to slay him. After the death of the high priest the murderer may return to his own city. Ransom cannot be given for the life of a murderer; no expiation can be made for a murder but by the blood of the murderer (Deuteronomy 19:4 Joshua 20 2 Samuel 14:6). According to the law the children of a murderer could not be held responsible for the crime of their father (Deuteronomy 24:16 2 Kings 14:6), but see 2 Samuel 21:1. The order in which the nearest relative was considered the Goel is given in Leviticus 25:48 f: first a brother, then an uncle or an uncle's son, and after them any other near relative. This order was observed in connection with (1) above, but probably also in the other cases except (4).

For the figurative use of Goel ("redeemer") see Psalm 119:154 Proverbs 23:11 Job 19:25 Isaiah 41:14. See also AVENGE; MURDER; REFUGE, CITIES OF.

Arthur L. Breslich

1352. goel -- defiling, defilement
... 1351, 1352. goel. 1353 . defiling, defilement. Transliteration: goel Phonetic
Spelling: (go'-el) Short Definition: defiled. ... 1351, 1352. goel. 1353 . ...
/hebrew/1352.htm - 6k

The Kinsman Redeemer
... That institution of the 'Goel' is of a very remarkable kind, and throws great light
on Christian verities. ... This was the task of the kinsman-goel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the kinsman redeemer.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... nevertheless, to show God's detestation of the shedding of blood, he was liable,
by the Levitical law, to be killed by the Avenger, or "Goel,""the person ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

The Kinsman-Redeemer
... It is taken by some authorities to come from a word meaning 'to set free.' But a
consideration of the offices which the law prescribed for the 'Goel' is of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kinsman-redeemer.htm

Job's Sure Knowledge
... forward to some tremendous era which he anticipates, and he declares that there
will be found then, as he believes there is alive even now, a Goel, a Kinsman ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/jobs sure knowledge.htm

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
... "I know," said he, "that my Redeemer liveth." The word "Redeemer" here
used, is in the original "goel""kinsman. The duty of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/i know that my redeemer.htm

Christ the Redeemer
... He had the best right to redeem us, for he is our kinsman. The Hebrew word for
Redeemer, Goel, signifies a kinsman, one that is near in blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 christ the redeemer.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... And the divine law was shaped in accordance with that truth. Therefore the goel,
or kinsman-avenger of blood, was not only permitted but enjoined by Moses. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

Job's Faith and Expectation
... The Hebrew word for Redeemer, Goel, primarily signifies a near kinsman' or the next
of kin.' He with whom the right of redemption lay (Numbers 35:19, 21; Ruth 4 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxix jobs faith and.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... And the enquiry will be like that of Boaz, Who will act the Goel's (or Redeemer's)
part for man and for Israel, and recover his lost estate. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

A Paradox of Selling and Buying
... but with the precious blood of Christ.' The New Testament idea of redemption, no
doubt, has its roots in the Old Testament provisions for the Goel or kinsman ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a paradox of selling and.htm

Goel
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) Yellow. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOEL. ... In
Numbers 35:9 definite regulations as to the duties of the Goel are given. ...
/g/goel.htm - 11k

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews goel, from root meaning to redeem. The goel
among the Hebrews was the nearest male blood relation alive. ...
/k/kinsman.htm - 19k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Avenger of blood. (Hebrews goel, from verb gaal, "to be
near of kin, " "to redeem"), the nearest relative of a murdered person. ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

God-ward (3 Occurrences)
God-ward. God-taught, God-ward. Goel . Multi-Version Concordance God-ward
(3 Occurrences). ... God-taught, God-ward. Goel . Reference Bible.
/g/god-ward.htm - 7k

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... Hebrews goel; ie, one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and
avenging his wrongs (Leviticus 25:48, 49; Numbers 5:8; Ruth 4:1; Job 19:25 ...
/r/redeemer.htm - 45k

Revenge (13 Occurrences)
... and American) "from the head of the leaders of the enemy" or the Revised Version
margin "the hairy head of the enemy." Compare AVENGE, AVENGER; BLOOD; GOEL. ...
/r/revenge.htm - 12k

Revenger (5 Occurrences)
... and American) "from the head of the leaders of the enemy" or the Revised Version
margin "the hairy head of the enemy." Compare AVENGE, AVENGER; BLOOD; GOEL. ...
/r/revenger.htm - 9k

Avenge (27 Occurrences)
... With reference to the protective legislation and custom, see GOEL. Compare BLOOD;
REVENGE, REVENGER. AL Breslich. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/avenge.htm - 17k

Goes (472 Occurrences)

/g/goes.htm - 35k

Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VENGEANCE. ven'-jans. See AVENGE; GOEL; RETRIBUTION;
REVENGE. Multi-Version Concordance Vengeance (63 Occurrences). ...
/v/vengeance.htm - 26k

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