מֹדַ֫עַת (mo.da.at)
mo.da.at
kinsman
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun modaʿat refers to the state or fact of being related by blood, translated as kindred or kinship. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ruth 3:2, where Naomi advises her daughter-in-law on how to secure a future husband.
Naomi tells Ruth to lie at the feet of Boaz and reveal his identity as her "kinsman." The word emphasizes the legal and familial bond that obligates him to act. It is not merely about affection but about the structural duty of the family clan to preserve its lineage and property.
This single usage highlights how kinship functioned as a safety net in ancient Israel. The term underscores that personal decisions, like Ruth’s marriage, were deeply embedded in social obligations. The text relies on this specific concept of relatedness to drive the narrative forward toward redemption.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word modaʿat describes a bond that goes deeper than simple friendship or casual acquaintance. It points to a specific, legal responsibility tied to blood and family lineage. In ancient Israel, this connection was not just about affection but about structural duty. The clan was expected to preserve its members and its property, ensuring that no one was left without support.
When Naomi speaks of Boaz as a kinsman in Ruth 3:2, she is highlighting a safety net built into the community. This relationship meant that someone had a duty to act when others were vulnerable. It reminds us that our connections carry weight and purpose. We are part of a larger story where family and community play a vital role in sustaining life.
This concept invites us to consider how we view our own relationships. Are we aware of the responsibilities that come with being connected to others? The story of Ruth shows how these bonds can lead to unexpected redemption. It is a reminder that we are never truly alone, but part of a web of care and obligation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- relative/ our1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔/נוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 3:2
Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
This verse establishes Boaz's legal standing as the one who can fulfill the family duty to preserve lineage.