Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "kinsman" refers to a male relative who shares a familial bond through blood or marriage. The concept of a kinsman is deeply rooted in the social and legal structures of ancient Israelite society, where family ties were paramount. The role of a kinsman extended beyond mere familial connection to encompass responsibilities and duties that were both protective and redemptive in nature.
Hebrew Context and TerminologyThe Hebrew word often translated as "kinsman" is "go'el," which carries the connotation of a redeemer or protector. This term is most prominently featured in the context of the "kinsman-redeemer" (Hebrew: גֹּאֵל, go'el), a role that involved specific obligations to preserve the family lineage and property. The kinsman-redeemer was responsible for redeeming a relative who had fallen into debt or slavery, marrying a childless widow to preserve the family line, and avenging the blood of a murdered relative.
Biblical Examples1.
Boaz and Ruth: One of the most well-known examples of a kinsman-redeemer is Boaz, who redeemed Ruth, a Moabite widow, by marrying her. This act preserved the lineage of Elimelech, Ruth's deceased father-in-law. The Book of Ruth highlights Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer, emphasizing his willingness to fulfill this duty.
Ruth 3:9-13 records Ruth's appeal to Boaz: "Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer." Boaz responds affirmatively, acknowledging his role and promising to act in accordance with the law.
2.
Avenger of Blood: The kinsman also had the duty of avenging the death of a relative, as outlined in
Numbers 35:19 : "The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him." This responsibility underscores the kinsman's role in maintaining justice and family honor.
3.
Levirate Marriage: The practice of levirate marriage, where a brother or close relative marries the widow of a deceased man without a son, is another aspect of the kinsman's duties. This is illustrated in
Deuteronomy 25:5-10, where the law prescribes that the brother of the deceased should marry the widow to produce offspring in the deceased brother's name.
Theological SignificanceThe role of the kinsman-redeemer is not only a social and legal construct but also carries theological significance. It prefigures the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer for humanity. Just as the kinsman-redeemer in ancient Israel was responsible for restoring and preserving the family, Christ redeems and restores believers, bringing them into the family of God. This typology is reflected in passages such as
Hebrews 2:11 : "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers."
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, the family unit was the cornerstone of social and economic life. The kinsman-redeemer played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity and stability of the family. This role was particularly important in a time when land ownership and family lineage were vital to one's identity and survival. The kinsman's responsibilities were legally binding and were seen as a sacred duty, reflecting the communal and covenantal nature of Israelite society.
ConclusionThe concept of the kinsman in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing legal, social, and theological dimensions. It highlights the importance of family loyalty, justice, and redemption, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative and find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews 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.
(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). 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.).
(2.) The goel also was the avenger (q.v.) of blood (Numbers 35:21) in the case of the murder of the next of kin.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A man of the same race or family; one related by blood.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KINSMAN; KINSWOMANkinz'-man, kinz'-woom-an: Most frequently of the go'-el, the one who had a right to "redeem"; referring to the custom of avenging the blood of a slain kinsman; hence, a blood relative (Numbers 5:8Ruth 2:20;Ruth 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; compare "performing the part of a kinsman,"Ruth 3:13); inRuth 2:1, better rendered "acquaintance." Also qarobh, one near, rendered "kinsman" (Psalm 38:11); probably better, "neighbor." Once, she'-er, "flesh kin," rendered "kinsman" (Numbers 27:11; compareLeviticus 18:6;Leviticus 25:49;Leviticus 20:19;Leviticus 21:2, rendered "kin"). suggenes, "of same race" (compare suggebeia, "kindred"), used of blood relationship of varying degrees of nearness (Luke 14:12John 18:26Acts 10:24Romans 9:3;Romans 16:7, 11, 21). Rendered "kin" inMark 6:4.
Kinswoman:
she'er, "kin by blood," or "by flesh" (compare above; alsoLeviticus 18:12; also compare 18:6, "near of kin" the King James Version); also same root, ferm. form, sha'-arah (Leviticus 18:17), is thy "kinswoman." InProverbs 7:4, "Call understanding thy kinswoman" might be more accurately rendered, "thy familiar friend," the Revised Version margin (from modha`, "acquaintance"); compare similar rendering of modha`ath, under KINDRED.Luke 1:36 the Revised Version (British and American), "kinswoman" (suggenis), the King James Version "cousin" (suggenes); same is rendered "kinsfolk" (Luke 1:58 the Revised Version (British and American)).
Edward Bagby Pollard
Greek
4773. suggenes -- congenital, hence akin to, subst. akinsman...... a
kinsman, relative. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: suggenes Phonetic
Spelling: (soong-ghen-ace') Short Definition: akin, a relative Definition
...4773a. suggenes -- congenital, hence akin to, subst. akinsman...
... 4773, 4773a. suggenes. 4773b . congenital, hence akin to, subst. akinsman,
relative. Transliteration: suggenes Short Definition: relatives....
2458. Iounias -- Junias, akinsman of Paul
... Junias, akinsman of Paul. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Iounias
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-oo-nee'-as) Short Definition: Junia Definition: Junia...
408. Andronikos -- "man of victory," Andronicus, a Jewish...
... Andronikos Phonetic Spelling: (an-dron'-ee-kos) Short Definition: Andronicus Definition:
Andronicus, a member of the Roman church, and akinsman or fellow...
223. Alexandros -- Alexander, a son of Simon of Cyrene, also a...
... al-ex'-an-dros) Short Definition: Alexander Definition: Alexander, a name of Greek
origin, (a) son of Simon of Cyrene, (b) the High Priest'skinsman, (c) an...
Strong's Hebrew
4129. moda --kinsmanmoda or moda. 4128, 4129. moda or moda. 4130 .
kinsman. Transliteration: moda
or moda Phonetic Spelling: (mo-dah') Short Definition: friend.
...1350. gaal -- to redeem, act askinsman
... 1349, 1350. gaal. 1351 . to redeem, act askinsman. Transliteration: gaal Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-al') Short Definition: redeemed. Word Origin a prim....
5988. Ammiel -- "mykinsman is God," four Israelites
... 5987, 5988. Ammiel. 5989 . "mykinsman is God," four Israelites. Transliteration:
Ammiel Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-ale') Short Definition: Ammiel....
5971b. am --kinsman
... am. 5972 .kinsman. Transliteration: am Short Definition: people. Word Origin
from im Definitionkinsman NASB Word Usage people (32), peoples (1)....
463. Eliam -- "God iskinsman," an Israelite name
... 462, 463. Eliam. 464 . "God iskinsman," an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Eliam Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-awm') Short Definition: Eliam....
3360. Yeqamam -- "maykinsman establish," a Levite
... 3359, 3360. Yeqamam. 3361 . "maykinsman establish," a Levite. Transliteration:
Yeqamam Phonetic Spelling: (yek-am'-awm) Short Definition: Jekameam....
5990. Ammizabad -- "mykinsman has bestowed," an Israelite
... Ammizabad. 5991 . "mykinsman has bestowed," an Israelite. Transliteration: Ammizabad
Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-zaw-bawd') Short Definition: Ammizabad....
5992. Amminadab -- "mykinsman is noble," the name of several...
... "mykinsman is noble," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Amminadab
Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-naw-dawb') Short Definition: Amminadab....
5996. Ammishadday -- "mykinsman is Shaddai," a Danite
... Ammishadday. 5997 . "mykinsman is Shaddai," a Danite. Transliteration: Ammishadday
Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-shad-dah'ee) Short Definition: Ammishaddai....
5989. Ammihud -- "mykinsman is majesty," four Israelites, also a...
... Ammihud. 5990 . "mykinsman is majesty," four Israelites, also a Geshurite.
Transliteration: Ammihud Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-hood') Short Definition: Ammihud...
Library
TheKinsman Redeemer
... THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS THEKINSMAN REDEEMER.... I. Thekinsman redeemer under the old
law. The strength of the family tie in the Israelitish polity was great....
TheKinsman-Redeemer
... THEKINSMAN-REDEEMER.... Jehovah is represented as having taken upon Himself the functions
of the next-of-kin, and is theKinsman-Redeemer of His people....
Letter Lii. Letter to hisKinsman Severinus
... letter to hiskinsman Severinus. This letter to hiskinsman Severinus, exhorting
him to withdraw from the Donatists, contains no new argument....
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 nearkinsman...
About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... who sits on the throne of destruction, and takes his own from what he has lent;
[2351] I am son of that apostate who encircles the globe; I amkinsman to him...
Greek and Jew
... But he had struck down hiskinsman on the way, and such deeds were remembered even
in war-ridden Judea; he had come to Jerusalem wearing hiskinsman's name...
Christ the Redeemer
... He had the best right to redeem us, for he is ourkinsman. The Hebrew word for
Redeemer, Goel, signifies akinsman, one that is near in blood....
Ruth
... In Bethlehem, Ruth receives peculiar kindness from Boaz, a wealthy landowner, who
happens to be akinsman of Naomi; and Naomi, with a woman's happy instinct...
The Friends of Jesus
... Kinship must go before acceptable service; none can do the will of the Father who
is not already thekinsman of Jesus, for He says, Whosoever shall (hereafter...
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, aKinsman, an Avenger...
Thesaurus
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).
...Kinsman's (1 Occurrence)
...Kinsman's (1 Occurrence).... But if he will not do the part of akinsman for you,
then will I do the part of akinsman for you, as Yahweh lives....
Kinsman-redeemer (3 Occurrences)
Kinsman-redeemer.Kinsman,Kinsman-redeemer.Kinsman-redeemers .
Multi-Version ConcordanceKinsman-redeemer (3 Occurrences). Ruth...
Kinsman-redeemers (1 Occurrence)
Kinsman-redeemers.Kinsman-redeemer,Kinsman-redeemers.Kinsman's .
Multi-Version ConcordanceKinsman-redeemers (1 Occurrence)....
Kin (18 Occurrences)
... KIN. See KINDRED. KIN, NEXT OF. SeeKINSMAN.... Therefore spread your skirt over your
handmaid; for you are a nearkinsman." (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV)....
Kinswoman (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A female relative. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.KINSMAN; KINSWOMAN. kinz'-man, kinz'-woom-an: Most...
Relative (33 Occurrences)
... relation. 6. (n.) A person connected by blood or affinity; strictly, one
allied by blood; a relation; akinsman or kinswoman. 7. (n...
Bo'az (24 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:1 Naomi had akinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of
the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. (See RSV)....
Boaz (25 Occurrences)
... He was akinsman of Mahlon, her first husband.... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS
NIV). Ruth 3:2 Now isn't Boaz ourkinsman, with whose maidens you were?...
Na'omi (21 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ruth 2:1 Naomi had akinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth,
of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. (See RSV)....
Resources
What is a kinsman redeemer? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did the first kinsman redeemer refuse to marry Ruth? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ruth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgKinsman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
