Jesus is Our Kinsman Redeemer
Rooted in the ancient laws of Israel and most vividly illustrated in the book of Ruth, the kinsman redeemer (goel in Hebrew) was a close relative who bore the responsibility of rescuing family members from poverty, slavery, or loss of inheritance. In the New Testament, this role finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who, as both God and man, becomes the true and final redeemer of humanity. Jesus fulfills and surpasses this redeemer role, offering redemption to all who trust in him.
Where is the Kinsman Redeemer Mentioned in the Bible?
The institution of the kinsman redeemer is established in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25. The goel was a male relative who had the right and obligation to redeem a family member who had fallen into debt or slavery, or to reclaim family land that had been sold due to poverty. Leviticus 25:25 states, “If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.” Similarly, if an Israelite became so impoverished that he sold himself into slavery, the kinsman redeemer was to buy him back (Leviticus 25:47-49).
Another aspect of the kinsman redeemer’s duty was the “levirate marriage”, described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. If a man died without leaving a son, his brother or nearest relative was to marry the widow and produce offspring to carry on the deceased’s name and inheritance. This practice ensured the preservation of family lines and the protection of vulnerable members of society.
The book of Ruth provides the most detailed and moving example of the kinsman redeemer in action. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi returns to Bethlehem with her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth’s faithfulness and initiative lead her to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband. Boaz fulfills the role of kinsman redeemer by marrying Ruth, redeeming the family’s land, and securing the lineage that would ultimately lead to David and, by extension, to Jesus, the Son of David (Ruth 4:13-22).
The Theological Significance of Redemption
Redemption in the Old Testament is not only a legal or economic transaction; it is a deeply theological act that reflects God’s character and covenant faithfulness. God himself is frequently described as Israel’s redeemer. In Exodus 6:6, God declares, “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.” The Psalms and prophets echo this theme, portraying God as the one who rescues, vindicates, and restores his people (Psalm 82:4; Isaiah 41:14; Jeremiah 50:34).
The role of the kinsman redeemer thus points beyond human relationships to the divine initiative in salvation. The goel acts out of love, loyalty, and a sense of justice, reflecting the heart of God for the oppressed and marginalized. The redemption accomplished by the kinsman redeemer is a signal to the greater redemption that God promises to accomplish for his people.
Jesus as the True Kinsman Redeemer
The New Testament reveals that the ancient institution of the kinsman redeemer finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Several key aspects of the goel motif converge in the person and work of Jesus, who becomes the redeemer not only of Israel but of all humanity.
First, Jesus becomes our kinsman by taking on human flesh. The doctrine of the incarnation is central to the Christian faith: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The author of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus’ solidarity with humanity: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things… Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14, 17). By becoming truly human, Jesus qualifies as our kinsman, able to represent us and act on our behalf.
Second, Jesus fulfills the role of redeemer by paying the price to set us free from sin and death. The language of redemption is pervasive in the New Testament. Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Peter echoes this, stating, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus’ sacrificial death is the price of our redemption, securing our release from bondage to sin and restoring us to fellowship with God.
Third, Jesus restores our lost inheritance. In the Old Testament, the kinsman redeemer reclaimed land and preserved family lines. In Christ, believers are adopted as children of God and made heirs of the promises. Paul declares, “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:7). Peter affirms that we have been born again “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Jesus, as our redeemer, secures for us an eternal inheritance that cannot be lost or taken away.
Fourth, Jesus brings the outsider into the family of God. The story of Ruth, a Moabite woman brought into the covenant community through the redemption of Boaz, foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the people of God. Paul writes that Jesus “has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:14-15). Through Jesus, all who trust in him–regardless of background or status–are welcomed into the family of God.
The Kinsman Redeemer and the Work of Christ
The work of Jesus as Kinsman Redeemer is multifaceted, encompassing deliverance from sin, restoration of relationship, and the promise of future hope. The book of Hebrews draws a direct comparison between Jesus and the Old Testament redeemers, stating, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15).
Jesus’ redemption is not limited to the forgiveness of sins but extends to the renewal of all things. Paul writes in Romans 8:23, “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” The ultimate goal of redemption is the restoration of creation and the consummation of God’s kingdom.
What Does it Mean that Jesus is our Redeemer?
The reality of Jesus as our kinsman redeemer assures believers of their value and belonging in God’s family, regardless of past failures or present circumstances. It calls us to reflect the character of the redeemer by caring for the vulnerable, pursuing justice, and extending grace to outsiders.
This story of redemption invites us to live in hope, confident that the redeemer who has acted in the past will complete his work in the future. As Job declared in the midst of suffering, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). His hope is anchored in the finished work of Jesus, who has secured our redemption and guarantees our ultimate restoration. We are called to carry this same bravery and hope.
Conclusion - Who is our Kinsman Redeemer Today?
The biblical motif of the kinsman redeemer finds its richest and fullest expression in Jesus Christ. By becoming our kinsman through the incarnation, paying the price of our redemption through his death, restoring our lost inheritance, and welcoming us into the family of God, Jesus fulfills and surpasses the ancient role of the goel. The story of Ruth and Boaz, the laws of Israel, and the prophetic promises all converge in the person and work of Jesus, who is the true redeemer of humanity. In him, the longing for rescue, restoration, and belonging is answered, and the people of God are invited to live as heirs of a redemption that is both accomplished and yet to be fully revealed.