Kinsman
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Kinsman: Heb. 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.
- 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 slavery (Leviticus 25:48,49).
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.). - The goel also was the avenger (which see) of blood (Numbers 35:21) in the case of the murder of the next of kin.