Who acts as the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth?

• A. Boaz
• B. Mahlon
• C. Kilion
• D. Elimelech

Answer: (A)

Boaz serves as the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth. A goel, or kinsman-redeemer, is a near relative who has the responsibility to preserve a family line by redeeming a family’s property and, if needed, marrying the widow to produce offspring for the deceased husband. In the story, Naomi’s husband Elimelech and his two sons die, leaving Naomi with Ruth. Boaz is related to Elimelech and steps into the goel role. He first confronts the legal right of a closer relative to redeem the land; when that relative declines, Boaz proceeds to redeem the land and marry Ruth to raise up an heir for Mahlon, thus continuing the family line. This act both restores the land and preserves Naomi’s lineage, ultimately leading to the lineage of David.

The other names are not redeemers: Mahlon and Kilion are Ruth’s deceased husbands, and Elimelech is Naomi’s husband and Mahlon’s father. They do not fulfill the goel duty in the narrative.