The term "kinsman" in the Bible refers to a male relative, often highlighting the familial and tribal connections that were central to the social and legal structures of ancient Israelite society. The role of a kinsman was significant in various aspects of life, including inheritance, marriage, and redemption.

Hebrew Context and Terminology

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "kinsman" is "go'el," which carries the connotation of a redeemer or protector. This term is most notably used in the context of the "kinsman-redeemer," a role that involved responsibilities such as redeeming property or persons, avenging blood, and marrying a relative's widow to preserve the family line.

Kinsman-Redeemer

The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is vividly illustrated in the Book of Ruth. Boaz, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, acts as a kinsman-redeemer by marrying Ruth, thereby ensuring the continuation of Naomi's family line and securing the family's inheritance. Ruth 3:9-13 describes Ruth's appeal to Boaz: "Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer." Boaz responds affirmatively, acknowledging his duty and willingness to fulfill this role.

Legal and Social Responsibilities

The kinsman-redeemer had several key responsibilities:

1. Redemption of Property: According to Leviticus 25:25 , "If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest kinsman is to come and redeem what his brother has sold." This law ensured that land remained within the family and tribal inheritance.

2. Levirate Marriage: Deuteronomy 25:5-10 outlines the practice of levirate marriage, where a brother or close relative marries the widow of a deceased man without a son, to produce offspring in the deceased's name. This practice is exemplified in the account of Ruth and Boaz.

3. Avenger of Blood: The kinsman also had the duty to act as the "avenger of blood" (Numbers 35:19), pursuing justice for a relative who had been unlawfully killed.

New Testament Implications

While the specific term "kinsman-redeemer" is not used in the New Testament, the concept of redemption is central to the message of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is often seen as the ultimate Redeemer, fulfilling the role of the kinsman-redeemer on a cosmic scale. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He redeems humanity from sin and death, restoring the broken relationship between God and mankind.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The role of the kinsman in biblical times underscores the importance of family loyalty, social justice, and the preservation of God's covenant people. It reflects the communal nature of Israelite society, where individuals were deeply connected to their family and tribe. Theologically, the kinsman-redeemer serves as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work, highlighting themes of grace, mercy, and divine provision.

In summary, the concept of the kinsman in the Bible is rich with legal, social, and theological implications, illustrating the interconnectedness of family, faith, and redemption in the biblical narrative.

Greek and Jew
... But he had struck down his kinsman on the way, and such deeds were remembered even
in war-ridden Judea; he had come to Jerusalem wearing his kinsman's name ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

The Messianic Call
... John certainly did not know of his kinsman's mission (John 1:31), nor was his
conception of the Messiah such that he would look for its fulfilment in one like ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/vii the messianic call.htm

Ruth
... and go down to Boaz' floor (his barn as we should call it now) where he is going
to eat, and drink, and sleep, and there claim his protection as a near kinsman ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... upon them that sit in darkness, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." Then
he would proceed to tell him the marvellous story of his Kinsman's birth in ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

The Kinsman-Redeemer
... THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER. ... Jehovah is represented as having taken upon Himself the functions
of the next-of-kin, and is the Kinsman-Redeemer of His people. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kinsman-redeemer.htm

Genesis.
... Learn, therefore, for so great a crime what doom. Shall wait thee. Earth, which
with thy kinsman's blood. Hath reeked but now, shall to thy hateful hand. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/3 genesis.htm

Job's Sure Knowledge
... 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, an Avenger ...
/.../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

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... wicked that live. I therefore expect neither credit of, nor countenance from
thee, for this narration of thy kinsman's life. For thy ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Kinsman's (1 Occurrence)
...Kinsman's (1 Occurrence). ... But if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you,
then will I do the part of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives. ...
/k/kinsman's.htm - 6k

Kin (18 Occurrences)
... KIN. See KINDRED. KIN, NEXT OF. See KINSMAN. ... Therefore spread your skirt over your
handmaid; for you are a near kinsman." (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV). ...
/k/kin.htm - 12k

Kinsman-redeemers (1 Occurrence)
Kinsman-redeemers. Kinsman-redeemer, Kinsman-redeemers. Kinsman's .
Multi-Version Concordance Kinsman-redeemers (1 Occurrence). ...
/k/kinsman-redeemers.htm - 6k

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)
... (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). ...
/k/kinsman.htm - 19k

Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Kinsman. Multi-Version Concordance
Kinsmen (74 Occurrences). Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... Ruth 3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform
unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

Wants (49 Occurrences)
... Ruth 3:13 Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform
for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part. ...
/w/wants.htm - 20k

Perform (155 Occurrences)
... Ruth 3:13 Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform
for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part. ...
/p/perform.htm - 41k

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