גָּאַל
To redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry His widow, etc.)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does גָּאַל (ga’al) mean in the Bible?
גָּאַל (ga’al) is a Hebrew word meaning "to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.)". to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i. It highlights God’s covenant faithfulness in rescuing His people from captivity. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Redemption.
Meaning
Kinship-based redemption: a redeemer restores what was lost within family, protecting clan integrity and covenant lineage.
to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.) BDB: redemption Usage: × in any wise, × at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
Why This Word Matters
It highlights God’s covenant faithfulness in rescuing His people from captivity. Isaiah 35:1-10
It underscores that Israel’s identity rests on God’s saving intervention. Isaiah 41:8-20
Emphasizes covenant deliverance accomplished by God. Isaiah 43:1-7
Reveals God’s personal covenant commitment to deliver. Isaiah 43:14-21
Expresses covenant purchase and restoration. Isaiah 44:21-23
Reinforces covenant deliverance identity. Isaiah 44:24-28
Emphasizes covenant restoration accomplished by God. Isaiah 44:6-8
Links creative power with covenant restoration. Isaiah 47:1-7
Links divine kingship with covenant deliverance.
Connects judgment with covenant faithfulness.
Connects instruction with covenant deliverance.
Affirms covenantal deliverance from bondage.
Connects divine rescue with covenant loyalty.
Grounds restoration in covenant loyalty and deliverance.
Affirms the Lord’s continuing covenant rescue power.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 45×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 7×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 105 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.