גְּאֻלָּה
Ge'ulah
Redemption, deliverance, restoration
Ge'ulah (גְּאֻלָּה) is a Hebrew word meaning “redemption, deliverance, restoration,” pronounced “ge-u-LAH.” Derived from the root ג-א-ל, ge'ulah appears 104 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H1353).
| Hebrew | גְּאֻלָּה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Ge'ulah |
| Pronunciation | ge-u-LAH |
| Meaning | Redemption, deliverance, restoration |
| Root Letters | ג-א-ל |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 104× |
| Key Verse | Ruth 4:7 |
| Strong's Number | H1353 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
The Hebrew word for redemption — ge'ulah (גְּאֻלָּה) — carries a meaning far richer than the English word suggests. In modern usage, 'redemption' can feel abstract and spiritual. But in Hebrew, ge'ulah is concrete, legal, and deeply personal. It comes from the root ga'al, which describes what a kinsman-redeemer (go'el) does: a close family member who steps in to buy back a relative's lost land, pay off their debts, rescue them from slavery, or even marry their widow to carry on the family name. The most beautiful picture of ge'ulah in the Bible is the book of Ruth, where Boaz — a wealthy landowner from Bethlehem — becomes the go'el for Ruth and Naomi, redeeming their land, their future, and their family line. From that ge'ulah came King David, and ultimately, Jesus. But the Bible's greatest ge'ulah is the Exodus: 'I will redeem (ga'al) you with an outstretched arm' (Exodus 6:6). God Himself becomes Israel's Go'el — the kinsman-redeemer who steps out of heaven to buy back His enslaved family with power and with blood. This is why Isaiah 44:6 calls God 'the Redeemer (Go'el) of Israel.' Christians see in Jesus the ultimate Go'el: a kinsman (fully human) who has the right, the power, and the willingness to redeem everything we have lost.
Key Bible Verse: Ruth 4:7
“Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming (ge'ulah) and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.”
What Is the Root of Ge'ulah in Hebrew?
Ge'ulah comes from the root ג-א-ל (gimel-aleph-lamed), meaning 'to redeem, buy back, act as kinsman-redeemer.' The go'el (redeemer) was a close relative legally responsible for restoring what a family member had lost — land, freedom, or legacy. God calls Himself Israel's Go'el (Isaiah 44:6).
What Does Ge'ulah Mean in the Bible?
The root g-a-l appears over 100 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 6:6; 15:13), Boaz's redemption of Ruth (Ruth 3-4), God as Israel's Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14; 44:6; 54:5), and the future messianic redemption (Isaiah 59:20). Job's famous declaration — 'I know that my Redeemer (Go'el) lives' (Job 19:25) — uses this word.
How Is Ge'ulah Used in Modern Hebrew?
Ge'ulah is a central concept in Jewish theology and liturgy. The Amidah (standing prayer) includes a blessing for redemption: 'Go'el Yisrael' (Redeemer of Israel). Passover is celebrated as the anniversary of ge'ulah from Egypt, and the messianic age is called 'the ge'ulah' — the final, complete redemption.
How to Use Ge'ulah in Prayer & Worship
Praise God as your Go'el — your kinsman-redeemer. He is not a distant deity but a close relative through Jesus' incarnation, and He has paid the full price for your freedom. Ask Him to redeem every area of loss in your life — relationships, opportunities, years — just as Boaz redeemed everything for Ruth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ge'ulah
How do you say “Redemption” in Hebrew?
“Redemption” in Hebrew is Ge'ulah (גְּאֻלָּה), pronounced “ge-u-LAH.” Ge'ulah comes from the root ג-א-ל (gimel-aleph-lamed), meaning 'to redeem, buy back, act as kinsman-redeemer.' The go'el (redeemer) was a close relative legally responsible for restoring what a family member had lost — land, freedom, or legacy. God calls Himself Israel's Go'el (Isaiah 44:6).
What does Ge'ulah mean in the Bible?
Ge'ulah (גְּאֻלָּה) means “Redemption, deliverance, restoration” in Biblical Hebrew. The root g-a-l appears over 100 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 6:6; 15:13), Boaz's redemption of Ruth (Ruth 3-4), God as Israel's Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14; 44:6; 54:5), and the future messianic redemption (Isaiah 59:20). Job's famous declaration — 'I know that my Redeemer (Go'el) lives' (Job 19:25) — uses this word.
How do you pronounce Ge'ulah?
Ge'ulah is pronounced “ge-u-LAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ג-א-ל.
What is a kinsman-redeemer (go'el) in the Bible?
A go'el (גֹּאֵל) was a close family member legally responsible for restoring what a relative had lost. Leviticus 25 outlines the go'el's duties: redeeming sold land (25:25), freeing an enslaved relative (25:47-49), and avenging a murdered kinsman (Numbers 35:19). The go'el had to be a close relative, willing to act, and able to pay the price. Boaz fulfilled all three criteria for Ruth. Christians see Jesus as the ultimate Go'el — our kinsman through incarnation, willing to act, and able to pay the price with His own life.
How does the book of Ruth illustrate ge'ulah?
Ruth is the Bible's most detailed picture of redemption. Naomi lost her land, her husband, and her sons. Ruth, a Moabite widow, had nothing. Boaz — a wealthy kinsman from Bethlehem — chose to act as go'el: he redeemed their land, married Ruth, and restored the family line. From this ge'ulah came Obed, then Jesse, then David, and ultimately Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Every detail foreshadows Christ: the redeemer from Bethlehem, the Gentile bride brought in, the restoration of everything lost.
What does Job mean by 'I know my Redeemer lives'?
In Job 19:25, Job — stripped of everything — declares: 'I know that my Go'el lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.' Even in utter desolation, Job trusted that his kinsman-redeemer existed, was alive, and would ultimately vindicate him. Christians hear in this cry a prophecy of the resurrected Christ — the living Go'el who will stand upon the earth and restore all things.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H1353: Ge'ulah
- Bible Gateway — Ruth 4:7 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ג-א-ל
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