Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - Re: Kinsman-redeemer

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)
  • To: b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Re: Kinsman-redeemer
  • Date: Thu, 26 Aug 99 22:48:15


On Thu 26 Aug 99 (12:17:58 +1000), gathas AT mail.usyd.edu.au wrote:
> A go'el was not just a kinsman, but someone who would act as a legal
> representative and/or avenger for another person. A go'el was legally
> the equivalent of his kinsman whom he represented. Thus, the go'el in
> Ruth is not just a kinsman (ie, a relative), but a legal position and
> relationship. This is always what a go'el is, especially in the legal
> portions of the Torah and in Job 19:25.

Hi George!

Good to hear from you again. "Good on yer!"

IIRC, the point about the Go'el is that he has the "Right", but not the
"Duty", to redeem his kinsman who is in debt or other trouble. So the
act of the Go'el is of 'Grace and favour', and not of Compulsion. But no
other person can exercise the Right until any nearer relative than he has
had "first refusal" and waived his Right (Ruth 2:12-13; 4:6-8).

HTH

Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
<ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm







Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page