Kinsman-redeemer

The relative who restores or preserves the full community rights of disadvantaged family members. The concept arises from God's covenant relationship with Israel and points to the redemption of humanity in Jesus Christ.

Covenant rules for the kinsman-redeemer

The kinsman-redeemer's obligation to redeem the land

Leviticus 25:25–28; Jeremiah 32:6–9

The kinsman-redeemer's obligation to redeem the enslaved

Leviticus 25:47–55

The kinsman-redeemer's obligation to provide an heir

Genesis 38:8–10; Deuteronomy 25:5–10; Matthew 22:23–28 parallels Mark 12:18–23, Luke 20:27–33

The kinsman-redeemer's obligation to avenge death

Numbers 35:16–21

If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

The kinsman-redeemer's obligation to be a trustee

Numbers 5:5–8

And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him.

The kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth

Ruth 2:20 See also Ruth 3:1–4:17

Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

The LORD as redeemer

Exodus 6:6–7 See also 2 Samuel 7:22–24; Isaiah 43:1–7, Isaiah 54:5–8; Jeremiah 50:33–34

Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

The kinsman-redeemer reflects God's concern for the poor and oppressed

Proverbs 23:10–11 See also Psalm 68:5–6, Psalm 72:2–4

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.

God's provision of Jesus Christ as kinsman-redeemer

Galatians 4:4–7 See also Galatians 3:13–14; Hebrews 2:11–18

But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.