Last time, we began discussing the concept of the family redeemer in Ruth 2:20. The question we’re asking is, What does it mean that Boaz is a family redeemer, and why is it important in this context?

We learned from the word study on go’el that the “family redeemer” has an obligation “to buy an object or person from indenture, slavery, or otherwise harsh circumstances.” Okay, so how did this obligation apply to Boaz, whom Naomi recognized as a family redeemer for her and Ruth?

According to the study note on Ruth 2:20, a family redeemer’s obligations included helping a relative “who fell into economic difficulty.” Certainly this was the case with Naomi and Ruth. Let’s see exactly what those obligations were. First off, we look on the facing page and find that there is a theme note on "The Family Redeemer":


“The Family Redeemer” theme note.

In this theme note, we learn that the family redeemer had an obligation to “redeem” (buy back) land that had been sold. Naomi and Elimelech had no doubt sold their land when they had moved to Moab, so now the family property was in other hands, and Naomi didn’t have the means to buy it back herself. She needed someone else to buy it back, so that it would remain in the clan. Did she have in mind that Boaz would be the one to buy it back?

The study note on Ruth 2:20 also refers to the note on Lev 25:25, in the passage that discusses this obligation. Here is that note:

25:25 The Hebrew word translated buy it back (ga’al) is often translated “redeem.” It means “to restore something to its original or proper state of existence.” The noun derived from this root (go’el) indicates the close relative who will restore what is out of order. The relative’s duties were to redeem the property of his kinsman and keep it in the family (see Ruth 4:1-4; Jer 32:6-15); to seek out the murderer of his kinsman and bring him to justice (Num 35:19); and to marry his brother’s widow and father a male heir to inherit the estate of his dead kinsman (Deut 25:5-10; see Gen 38:6-30; Ruth 4:9-10).

The note on Lev 25:25 introduces another obligation of the family redeemer: “to marry his brother’s widow and father a male heir to inherit the estate.” This custom, called “Levirate marriage” (from Latin levir, “brother-in-law”), was an important custom in ancient Israel and the near east in general. In the ancient world, it was absolutely crucial that property stay in the clan. So if a man died without a male heir to inherit the property, a male heir had to be provided. The custom is explained in Deut 25:5-10, Judah’s sons are an example of it (Gen 38:6-30), and it forms the basis of the trick question that the Sadducees posed to Jesus (Matt 22:23-28). In Ruth 2:20, was Naomi thinking that Boaz would not only buy back Elimelech’s family property, but also provided an heir to inherit it? According to Lev 25, the legal obligation to provide an heir applies to a brother and does not necessarily extend beyond a brother. If Boaz was not Elimelech’s brother, how could that obligation apply in this situation?

One other comment about the theme note on “The Family Redeemer”: This theme note follows the thread of this custom through Scripture and into the New Testament. It explains how the custom of the family redeemer speaks of the character of God, and points to Jesus as “the perfect family redeemer.” This is a good example of how the theme notes in the NLT Study Bible function. They don’t just deal with the theme in a given book, but they follow the threads of the tapestry where they lead. In many cases, we find that the themes of the Bible are “tied off” in Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself said, “The Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39).

Next time we will continue our discussion of the family redeemer theme in Ruth and see how it plays out in Ruth 3–4.