or rather מֹדָע; from יָדַע; an acquaintance; kinswoman.
Transliteration:môwdaʻ
Pronunciation:mo-dah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word môwdaʻ (`{{H4129}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the root yādaʻ (`{{H3045}}`), meaning "to know." This etymological connection immediately establishes its core semantic range as pertaining to familiarity or recognition. The primary definition indicates "an acquaintance," suggesting someone known to another, though not necessarily with deep intimacy. The extended definition, "kinswoman" (or more broadly, "kinsman"), specifies a type of acquaintance rooted in familial or tribal relationship. The nuance lies in the *known* aspect of the relationship, implying a recognized connection within a social network. While the base form is masculine, its application can be to either gender depending on context, as seen in its biblical usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term môwdaʻ (`{{H4129}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Ruth:
* [[Ruth 2:1]]: "Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz." Here, môwdaʻ is used to describe Boaz as a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech. The context clearly identifies him as a male kinsman. This initial mention is crucial, as it introduces the character who will become central to the story's resolution. The emphasis is on Boaz being a *known* relative, not just any relative, which is vital for the ensuing narrative.
* [[Ruth 3:2]]: "And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose young women you were?" Naomi uses môwdaʻ again, reinforcing Boaz's status as a known relative to Ruth as well. This verse precedes Naomi's instruction to Ruth regarding Boaz and the threshing floor, highlighting that this established relationship is the basis for their strategic actions.
In both occurrences, môwdaʻ serves to identify Boaz as a recognized member of Naomi's extended family, a fact that is pivotal for the unfolding drama of redemption and lineage. The word underscores the importance of acknowledged kinship ties in ancient Israelite society, particularly concerning matters of land, inheritance, and family continuity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **yādaʻ (`{{H3045}}`):** The root verb meaning "to know." This connection highlights that môwdaʻ is fundamentally about being "known" or "familiar." The range of yādaʻ extends from simple intellectual knowledge to deep, experiential, and even intimate knowledge (e.g., as in sexual relations). The derived noun môwdaʻ emphasizes the state of being recognized or acknowledged within a community.
* **qārôb (`{{H7138}}`):** Meaning "near" or "kinsman." While môwdaʻ stresses the *known* aspect of a relationship, qārôb emphasizes the *proximity* or *closeness* of the relationship, whether spatial or familial. Both terms can refer to relatives, but with different nuances.
* **go'el (`{{H1350}}`):** The "kinsman-redeemer." This is a central concept in the book of Ruth. Boaz is not merely a môwdaʻ (a known relative), but critically, he is a go'el, one who has the right and responsibility to redeem family land and lineage. His status as a môwdaʻ is a prerequisite for his eligibility as a go'el. The narrative of Ruth hinges on the recognition of Boaz's môwdaʻ status, which then allows for the fulfillment of his go'el responsibilities.
* **Family and Kinship (mishpachah `{{H4940}}`, beit av `{{H1004}}` `{{H1}}`):** The broader social structures of family, clan, and household were foundational to Israelite identity and security. môwdaʻ functions within this framework to precisely identify individuals who hold specific, recognized relationships, enabling the proper functioning of societal customs and laws.
### Theological Significance
While môwdaʻ is a straightforward descriptive term, its theological significance within the book of Ruth is profound.
* **Divine Providence through Human Relationships:** The identification of Boaz as a môwdaʻ in [[Ruth 2:1]] is not coincidental but divinely orchestrated. God works through the seemingly ordinary fabric of human relationships and social structures to bring about His redemptive purposes. The knowledge of Boaz's kinship is the crucial link that allows God's plan for Naomi and Ruth to unfold.
* **Foreshadowing the Kinsman-Redeemer:** The role of Boaz as a môwdaʻ who then acts as a go'el powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Just as Boaz, a known relative, possessed the legal right and loving willingness to redeem Ruth and Naomi from their desolate state, so too Christ, through His incarnation, became our "kinsman" by sharing in our humanity ([[Hebrews 2:14-17]]). This solidarity enables Him to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin and death, securing our eternal inheritance.
* **God's Faithfulness in the Ordinary:** The narrative of Ruth highlights God's faithfulness not through miraculous interventions but through the careful arrangement of everyday life, agricultural practices, and familial connections. The "known relative" (môwdaʻ) is a key element in this tapestry of divine faithfulness, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan often unfolds through the seemingly mundane details of human existence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word môwdaʻ (`{{H4129}}`), derived from yādaʻ (`{{H3045}}`) "to know," denotes a "known acquaintance" or "kinsman." Its two occurrences in the Bible, both in the book of Ruth ([[Ruth 2:1]], [[Ruth 3:2]]), specifically identify Boaz as a kinsman of Naomi. This identification is crucial, as it establishes Boaz as a recognized relative who can fulfill the vital role of the go'el (kinsman-redeemer, `{{H1350}}`). Theologically, the presence of môwdaʻ underscores God's providential working through established human relationships and social structures. It subtly points to the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who, by becoming our kinsman through the Incarnation, redeems humanity from its spiritual destitution, demonstrating God's faithfulness woven into the fabric of human history.
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