Bible Encyclopedias

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Redeemer

a frequent rendering of the Heb. גֹּאֵל , goel, which strictly means the nearest kinsman. It is thus applied to Christ, as he is the avenger of man upon his spiritual enemy, and delivers man from death and the power of the grave, which the human avenger could not do. The right of the institution of goel was only in a relative — one of the same blood — and hence our Saviour's assumption of our nature is alluded to and implied under this term. There was also the right of buying back the family inheritance when alienated; and this also applies to Christ, our goel, who has purchased back the heavenly inheritance into the human family. Under these views Job joyfully exclaims, "I know that my Redeemer (my goel) liveth," etc. (See GOEL); (See JESUS CHRIST); (See MEDIATOR).