גְּאֻלָּה (ge.ul.lah)
ge.ul.lah
redemption
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun geulah refers to the act of redeeming someone or something, often through payment of a price. It describes the restoration of a person or property to their original family or status. This concept appears frequently in Leviticus, where it governs laws about returning land sold during hardship (Leviticus 25:24), and in Ruth, where Boaz acts as the kinsman-redeemer to restore Naomi’s lineage (Ruth 3:12).
Its meaning extends beyond simple financial transaction. Geulah implies a relational obligation rooted in kinship. The redeemer is typically a close relative who has both the right and the duty to intervene. Jeremiah uses this term when God promises to redeem Israel from exile, highlighting that divine redemption carries the same weight of personal commitment as family rescue (Jeremiah 31:11).
The word captures a specific legal and social reality in ancient Israel. It was not merely charity but a structured right protected by law. This framework shows how God’s people were called to care for one another through tangible, costly action rather than abstract goodwill.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew concept of geulah speaks to a deep relational duty rather than a simple financial transaction. In ancient Israel, it meant that a close relative had both the right and the responsibility to restore a family member or their land when they fell into hardship. This was not optional charity but a structured legal protection rooted in kinship.
For your faith, this word reveals that God cares about tangible restoration. Just as Boaz stepped in for Ruth or God promised to redeem Israel from exile, He invites us to trust in His commitment to restore what is broken. It reminds us that our worth is secured by a Redeemer who acts out of love and obligation to His family.
This promise encourages you when life feels unstable. You are not left to manage your losses alone. The same God who established these laws for Israel remains faithful to redeem and restore those who belong to Him, offering hope through concrete action rather than empty words.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ redemption2×
- right of redemption/ its2×
- redemption/ his2×
- a right of redemption2×
- right of redemption/ my1×
- redemption/ its1×
- a right of redemption of1×
- [the] right of redemption1×
- <the>/ redemption1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גְּאֻלָּ֖ה2×
- גְּאֻלָּת֔/וֹ2×
- גְּאֻלָּ֖ה2×
- גְאֻלָּתֽ/וֹ\׃2×
- הַ/גְּאוּלָּ֤ה1×
- גְּאֻלָּתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- גְּאֻלָּתִ֔/י1×
- גְּאֻלָּה֙1×
- גְּאֻלַּ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 4:6
The near kinsman said, “I can’t redeem it for myself, lest I endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself; for I can’t redeem it.”
This verse highlights the personal cost of redemption, as the kinsman refuses because it would endanger his own inheritance, showing that true geulah requires sacrifice.
-
Leviticus 25:24
In all the land of your possession you shall grant a redemption for the land.
Here the term establishes a foundational principle that land must always have a way back to its original family, preventing permanent loss of heritage.
-
Jeremiah 32:7
‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field that is in Anathoth; for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.”’”
God instructs Jeremiah to buy his cousin's field, demonstrating that redemption is an active, faith-filled step taken in the midst of judgment and exile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does geulah mean in the Bible?
How is redemption different from simple rescue?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 3 books)
Leviticus 8 verses
In all the land of your possession you shall grant a redemption for the land.
Leviticus 25:26If a man has no one to redeem it, and he becomes prosperous and finds sufficient means to redeem it,
Leviticus 25:29“‘If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold.…
Leviticus 25:31But the houses of the villages which have no wall around them shall be accounted for with the fields of the country:…
Leviticus 25:32“‘Nevertheless, in the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem the houses in the cities of their possession at…
Leviticus 25:48after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him;
Leviticus 25:51If there are yet many years, according to them he shall give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he…
Leviticus 25:52If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according to his years of…