The Hebrew word go’el, which means “redeemer,” or “kinsman redeemer.” In biblical contexts, it refers to a close relative who has the responsibility or right to act on behalf of a family member in need, such as redeeming property, avenging a wrong, or marrying a widow to preserve the family line appears in the Hebrew Bible over 100 times. We see it in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah and of course in the Book of Ruth, which is by far the most familiar passage containing the word. The word has some very deep connections and meanings that stretch into the New Testament and help reveal God’s great plan of redeemption.

Ruth 2:20 (ESV): "And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, 'May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!' Naomi also said to her, 'The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” So, there were more than one possible redeemer in the case of Naomi, but Boaz emerged as her kinsman redeemer, her “go’el”. He bought back the family inheritance or property that belonged to Elimelech Naomi’s deceased husband and he preserved the family line by marrying Ruth the wife of Naomi’s deceased son. Boaz’s actions restore Naomi’s economic stability and ensure Elimelech’s lineage continues through Ruth’s son Obed who was King David’s grandfather. We find the laws supporting this action in Leviticus 25:25 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

Boaz as “go’el” foreshadows God’s role as Israel’s Redeemer. His willingness to redeem Ruth, a Moabite outsider, reflects divine loving kindness, paralleling God’s inclusion of Gentiles in His plan of redemption. The narrative subtly connects human and divine redemption, with Boaz’s actions mirroring God’s covenantal faithfulness.

In Ruth 4:1-14, the term Go'el appears multiple times, underscoring the legal transaction at the city gate. Boaz negotiates with a closer kinsman, who declines the role due to personal cost, highlighting Boaz’s selflessness. The community’s blessing in 4:14 ties the Go'el’s role to divine providence, as Ruth’s redemption leads to the Davidic line, which of course leads to Jesus, but it also foreshadows the work of Jesus on the cross and God’s great plan of redemption.

Who is your Go’el? Jesus Christ is your Kinsman Redeemer. The go’el’s role, as in Boaz, was deeply personal involving a family bond. For us as Christians, this underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and us, who are a part of God’s family through faith (Hebrews 2:11-12). Jesus’ redemptive work is not just transactional but relational, offering adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:15).

The go'el also secured a future for the family, such as through land redemption or continuing the family line. In Christian theology, Jesus as our Redeemer guarantees us a future hope—eternal life and the promise of a restored creation (Revelation 21:1-5). This eschatological aspect encourages Christians to live with hope and trust in God’s ultimate plan.

The go'el concept inspires Christians to reflect Christ’s redemptive love in their lives, such as caring for the marginalized, seeking justice, or helping those in need, mirroring the go’el's role of restoring and protecting.

For us today, the go'el concept frames Jesus as the divine Redeemer who restores humanity to God, offering salvation, relationship, and hope, while also calling believers to embody redemptive love in the world. Praise God for His great plan of redemption and for sending Jesus Christ to be our “Go’el.”