Kinsman @ Heb. 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:25:25Leviticus:25:28Ruth:3:9Ruth:3:12). 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:43:1Isaiah:41:14Isaiah:44:6 ,22; 48:20; Psalms: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.