The Kinsman-Redeemer

Boaz is the kinsman-redeemer to Elimelech's family. But what is a kinsman-redeemer? A kinsman-redeemer in Hebrew is go'el. It is literally translated 'redeemer'. But it is also translated 'close relative' or 'kinsman-redeemer'. It comes from the root word ga'al which means 'to redeem or buy back' and occurs 23 times in Ruth.

The duties of a kinsman-redeemer may include:

•  avenging a murder [Number 35:19]
•  marrying his brother's widow to raise up a son on behalf of the deceased brother [Deuteronomy 25:5-10]
•  redeeming any family land which had been sold [Leviticus 25:25]
•  redeeming a family member who had been sold into slavery [Leviticus 25:47-49]
• caring for family members in need [Leviticus 25:35]

The role of a kinsman-redeemer would go to the brother of the man, then an uncle, then to an uncle's son, then to any near relative [Leviticus 25:48-49].

A kinsman-redeemer had to meet three qualification:

•  Blood Relationship - Deuteronomy 25:5, 7-10; Leviticus 25:25; Ruth 2:1
• Necessary Resources - Leviticus 25:25-26; Ruth 2:1
• Willingness to Buy - Deuteronomy 25:7, 9; Ruth 3:11 

On Tuesday, I mentioned the difficulty of Boaz being a redeemer for Ruth. This was due to the fact their was a closer relative who could fulfill that role. Boaz being a just man had told Ruth that he would see to the matter that day.

In chapter 4 we will see the events unfold about Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi.