גֹּאֶל
𐤂𐤀𐤋
gôʼel
H1352 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Kinship redeemer; a person who has the responsibility or right to act on behalf of a close family member in times of need, especially as a restorer of rights, property, or honor. Most often designates the close relative who acts as the 'kinsman-redeemer'—buying back property, avenging wrongful death, or marrying a widow to preserve family lineage. The word also carries specific legal and social connotations in the context of Israelite familial and clan obligations.
Semantic Range
kinsman-redeemer, avenger (of blood), restorer of property, redeemer of kin from slavery, familial protector; figurative use as divine redeemer
Root / Etymology
From the root גָּאַל (g-l-ʼ), 'to redeem, reclaim familial right, act as redeemer.' The noun form גֹּאֵל (go'el) is a participial noun, meaning literally 'one who redeems' or 'one who acts as redeemer.' The root refers to decisive familial action to recover, restore, or protect the rights and integrity of a family member.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, the role of the גֹּאֵל (gôʼel) was legally codified: the go'el had specific roles, such as redeeming a relative sold into slavery (Leviticus 25:47–49), repurchasing land lost due to economic hardship (Leviticus 25:25), or avenging the blood of a slain relative (Numbers 35:19). The function of the גֹּאֵל was one of social and familial obligation, not merely personal beneficence. The word never simply meant 'profanation' or 'defile'; rather, it was always tied to the concepts of restoration, redemption, and familial duty. The role is especially highlighted in the Book of Ruth and in various legal texts in the Torah. English translations sometimes use 'redeemer,' 'avenger,' or 'kinsman,' but each rendering may miss aspects of the culturally-embedded responsibilities and legal functions in ancient Israel. Later, especially in exilic and post-exilic literature, the idea of God as the go'el of Israel became important, as in Isaiah, where God acts as the people's deliverer and restorer, applying the familial metaphor to the deity. The translation 'kinsman-redeemer' attempts to capture the nuanced, legal, and social aspects of the term; 'avenger' covers only one specific legal function.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּאַל; profanation; defile.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גאל (g-ʾ-l) — redeem, reclaim right, restore, protect
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1350 | גָּאַל | I will act as kinsman-redeemer |
| H1351 | גָּאַל | I have defiled |
| H1353 | גְּאֻלָּה | kin-based redemption |
| H3008 | יִגְאָל | and May-He-Redeem |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1352-01 |
גָּאֳלֵ֣י | gaoley | HNcmpc |
defilings | kinsman-redeemers of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1352-01 |
Nehemiah 13:29 | גָּאֳלֵ֣י | gaoley | HNcmpc |
defilings | kinsman-redeemers of |