Geulah: Understanding Redemption in Judaism and Its Meaning for Jews and Gentiles

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What does redemption mean not only for the Jewish people but for all humanity? The answer lies in the concept of geulah.

The concept of geulah (גְּאֻלָּה), or redemption, holds deep significance in Jewish thought, resonating across both spiritual and historical contexts. Geulah means more than salvation in the sense of rescue from peril; it is the act of restoring something to its rightful state.

In its broadest scope, geulah touches on the ultimate redemption of humanity, a process that encompasses not only the Jewish people but all of creation, including the Gentile nations. Understanding geulah in its fullness involves exploring its Hebrew meaning, its connection to Jewish history, and its role in Jewish and Gentile life.

In this post, we will dive into the significance of geulah from a biblical perspective, looking at how it impacts both Jews and Gentiles, and how it shapes the path toward global redemption.

Be sure to download your free printable Geulah: Understanding Redemption and Its Meaning for Jews and Gentiles study guide at the end of this post! 

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What Is Geulah? The Hebrew Meaning of Redemption

What is geulah? The Hebrew word geulah comes from the root גאל (ga’al), meaning “to redeem” or “to reclaim.” The term is used to describe acts of liberation and restoration, whether it’s redeeming land, freeing a slave, or the ultimate redemption of Israel.

The most famous example of this is found in Leviticus (Vayikra), where laws about redeeming property are laid out, showing that geulah is about restoring something to its original, intended state (Leviticus 25:25). Geulah involves not just freedom from oppression but a return to one’s rightful place—both physically and spiritually.

In contrast to English, where “redemption” often carries connotations of personal salvation, the Hebrew idea of geulah is communal and collective. It involves restoring Israel to the land, reconnecting humanity with God, and ultimately redeeming all creation.

The Torah introduces the concept of geulah with tangible, physical elements—land, people, and possession—but throughout Jewish history, its meaning expanded.

Isaiah 63:4 provides a powerful reference to geulah (redemption), where God declares:

כִּ֛י י֥וֹם נָקָ֖ם בְּלִבִּ֑י וּשְׁנַ֥ת גְּאוּלַ֖י בָּֽאָה׃
“For I had planned a day of vengeance,
And My year of redemption arrived.”

jps tanakh

This verse speaks directly about the time of redemption, highlighting God’s plan to bring justice and salvation to His people.

The word geulah encapsulates the idea of divine intervention, where God actively redeems and restores His people. In this context, geulah points to the ultimate act of redemption—when God steps in to deliver and restore Israel, reflecting His deep commitment to the covenant and the final redemption of all things.

This dual focus on physical and spiritual restoration forms the core of the Jewish understanding of redemption.

Ruth 4:6-7 –

“The redeemer (go’el) replied, “Then I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own estate. You take over my right of redemption (ge’ulati), for I am unable to exercise it.””

jps tanakh (Parentheses mine)

In the Book of Ruth, the concept of geulah is central to the idea of family loyalty and preserving lineage.

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The Link Between Geulah and Golut (Exile)

Interestingly, geulah is closely connected to golut (גלות), meaning exile. The two words are almost identical in Hebrew, differing only by the letter Aleph (א), which symbolizes God’s presence.

In this contrast, we find a deep spiritual lesson: exile (golut) without God leads to separation and brokenness, but redemption (geulah) is the restoration that comes when God’s presence is fully recognized and integrated into life.

In Jewish history, exile has been a recurring experience—from the Babylonian captivity to the Roman destruction of the Second Temple. Exile, or golut, symbolizes not only physical displacement but also a spiritual separation from God.

The sages have long taught that the Jewish people are in a state of golut until the coming of Moshiach (Messiah), who will bring the ultimate geulah. This theme of exile and return speaks to the human condition universally, where all of humanity is in some way exiled from its divine source, and the ultimate redemption is a return to that rightful relationship with God.

Redemption for Jews: A Return to God and the Land

For the Jewish people, geulah is intimately tied to returning to the land of Israel and to a close relationship with God. The Exodus from Egypt is the primary model of this redemption.

In the book of Exodus, God says to Moses:

“…I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”

exodus 6:6 tlv

This event, remembered every year during Passover, is considered the model for all future redemptions. It signifies not just the physical freedom from slavery but also the spiritual calling to be a people dedicated to God.

Throughout Jewish liturgy, especially in the daily Amidah prayer, Jews express their longing for the final geulah—when they will be gathered from the corners of the earth and returned to the land of Israel. The rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem and the return to full Torah observance are seen as central elements of this future redemption.

Yet geulah is not just about national restoration; it is also about spiritual closeness with God.

The prophets repeatedly called for teshuvah (repentance), emphasizing that Israel’s redemption is connected to their return to God.

Zechariah speaks of a time when God will “pour out a spirit of grace and supplication” upon the people, leading them to seek forgiveness and be restored to a right relationship with Him (Zechariah 12:10).

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Redemption for Gentiles: The Seven Noahide Laws and Global Redemption

The concept of geulah extends beyond the Jewish people. Judaism has always recognized a place for Gentiles in the redemptive plan of God. While the covenant at Sinai was specifically between God and Israel, the Torah and the prophets speak of a time when all nations will come to recognize the God of Israel.

A key part of this is the Seven Noahide Laws, a set of universal moral principles that apply to all humanity. These laws, given to Noah after the Flood, form the basis of a righteous life for Gentiles.

They include prohibitions against idolatry, murder, and theft, as well as positive commandments to establish justice. By obedience to God and through Messiah, Gentiles can participate in the redemptive process, contributing to the peace and righteousness that will define the Messianic era.

Rabbinic tradition teaches that in the time of Moshiach (Messiah), all nations will turn toward God, and the world will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).

The Messianic era is not just for Israel; it is for all of humanity. As the Lubavitcher Rebbe often taught, the redemption of Israel is tied to the redemption of the whole world. When Israel is restored, the spiritual state of the world will be elevated, and the nations will recognize the God of Israel as the one true God.

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The Jerusalem Council and the Noahide Laws Compared

The Jerusalem Council, described in Acts 15, addressed a pivotal issue in the early Messianic community: whether Gentile believers in Yeshua (Jesus) needed to fully convert to Judaism, including circumcision and adherence to the entire Mosaic Law, to be saved.

The council ultimately decided that Gentiles did not need to become Jews (nor should they) or follow the entire Torah to be part of the covenant through Yeshua. However, they did recommend certain moral guidelines for Gentile believers, which bear some resemblance to the Seven Noahide Laws.

The Decision of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:19-21):

The council, led by James, the brother of Yeshua, concluded that Gentile believers should observe these four key prohibitions:

1. Abstain from food polluted by idols – Avoid eating food sacrificed to idols.
2. Abstain from sexual immorality – Maintain purity in sexual conduct.
3. Abstain from meat of strangled animals – Do not eat meat that has not been properly slaughtered, as the blood remains in the animal.
4. Abstain from blood – Avoid consuming blood, a principle that also appears in the Torah.

These instructions were not exhaustive, but they provided guidelines for Gentile believers to live in fellowship with Jewish believers and reflect God’s holiness.

Both sets of guidelines serve a similar purpose: creating a basic ethical foundation for Gentile believers to honor God and maintain harmony with the Jewish people alongside whom they lived. However, the Jerusalem Council’s rulings are more specifically tailored to the context of the early Messianic movement.

The Messianic Era: What Does Redemption Look Like?

In Jewish thought, the Messianic era is the time when the final geulah will occur. This future age will be marked by several key events: the ingathering of the Jewish exiles, the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash, and the establishment of global peace and righteousness. The prophet Isaiah describes this time as one when swords will be beaten into plowshares and nations will no longer wage war (Isaiah 2:4).

One of the central figures in this redemption is the Moshiach, a descendant of King David who will usher in this new era. Jewish tradition holds that the Moshiach will be a human leader, anointed by God, who will restore Israel and bring peace to the world. The Moshiach’s role is not only political but also spiritual, as he will bring the world into a deeper understanding of God’s will.

For believers in Yeshua (Jesus), the Messianic age began with his first coming and will be fulfilled at his return. In this view, Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection are seen as the first stage in the redemption process, with the final geulah to be completed when he returns to establish God’s kingdom fully on earth. As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:21:

“…that the creation itself also will be set free from bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

tlv

The Messianic Era in Jewish Thought and New Testament Prophecy

The Jewish understanding of the Messianic era as described—marked by the ingathering of the Jewish exiles, the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), and the establishment of global peace and righteousness—has striking similarities to prophecies found in the New Testament, especially concerning the future kingdom of God and the return of Yeshua (Jesus).

Both Jewish and Christian eschatology share a vision of ultimate redemption, though they focus on slightly different details and interpretations. Here’s a comparison of some of the themes:

Ingathering of the Jewish Exiles:

In Jewish thought, the ingathering of the exiles is a key sign of the Messianic age. Prophecies like Isaiah 11:12 and Jeremiah 23:3-8 emphasize the gathering of scattered Israel back to their land.

• New Testament Parallels:
  • Matthew 24:31 speaks of Yeshua sending out His angels with a trumpet call to gather His elect from the four winds, a clear reference to the ingathering of believers.
  • Romans 11:25-26 describes a future time when “all Israel will be saved” and when the fullness of the Gentiles will come in, suggesting a future turning of Jewish hearts back to God, which can be seen as part of the ingathering theme.

Rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple):

The rebuilding of the Temple is central to traditional Jewish Messianic expectations. Ezekiel’s vision of a new Temple (Ezekiel 40–48) is one of the clearest depictions of this future hope.

• New Testament Parallels:
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4 suggests that there will be some form of a Temple or “sanctuary” that plays a role in the end times, as the “man of lawlessness” will take his seat in this temple.
  • Revelation 21:22, however, provides a different image, where the new Jerusalem no longer requires a physical temple because “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” This suggests that Yeshua’s return brings the divine presence to its fullest expression, making a physical temple unnecessary.

Global Peace and Righteousness:

Jewish thought envisions the Messianic era as a time of global peace, righteousness, and justice, famously depicted in Isaiah 2:4: “They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more.”

• New Testament Parallels:
  • Revelation 21:4 describes a new heaven and a new earth where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” which parallels the Jewish vision of a future world free of suffering and war.
  • Isaiah 11:6-9, which describes the peaceable kingdom (where even the wolf will dwell with the lamb), is echoed in the vision of the new creation in Revelation 21-22, where the effects of sin are reversed and the world is restored to peace and righteousness.

Key Differences:

While both traditions expect a Messianic figure to usher in this future age, the New Testament identifies Yeshua as the Messiah who will return to complete this work. In contrast, traditional Jewish thought anticipates a future Messiah who will bring about these changes. Here are some differences:

1. Timing of Fulfillment:
   • Jewish Thought: The Messianic era, including peace and the rebuilding of the Temple, will happen after the Messiah comes.
   • New Testament: Believers see Yeshua’s first coming as the beginning of this process, with His second coming completing the work, such as bringing about peace and the final judgment (Matthew 24:30-31, Revelation 19-21).
2. Nature of the Temple:
   • Jewish Thought: A physical Third Temple in Jerusalem will be central to worship during the Messianic age.
   • New Testament: There is ambiguity in whether a physical temple is needed. Revelation 21:22 emphasizes that God and Yeshua become the temple themselves in the New Jerusalem, though 2 Thessalonians 2:4 suggests some kind of physical Temple before Yeshua’s return.

Common Themes:

• Both traditions share the hope of a future where God’s presence will dwell among His people, where justice and peace will reign, and where the world will be restored to its intended state.
• The Messianic Kingdom in both views includes not only Israel’s redemption but the restoration of the whole world, including the Gentile nations, as seen in Isaiah 11:10 (Gentiles seeking the root of Jesse) and Revelation 7:9-10 (a multitude from every nation praising God).

To sum it up, Jewish and New Testament prophecies about the Messianic era both look forward to a future redemption marked by global peace, justice, and the gathering of God’s people. The key difference lies in the identity of the Messiah and the nature of the Temple, with the New Testament seeing Yeshua as the one who will fulfill these expectations at His return.

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Practical Steps Toward Redemption: What You Can Do Today

Both Jews and Gentiles have a role to play in bringing about the final geulah. For Jews, the performance of mitzvot (commandments) is seen as a way of hastening the redemption. Acts of kindness, study of Torah, and observance of the commandments are all ways to bring light into the world and prepare it for the Messianic era.

For Gentiles, adhering to the Seven Noahide Laws is a practical way to participate in this redemptive process. By living a life of righteousness and justice, and following the teachings of Yeshua, Gentiles can contribute to the peace and harmony that will characterize the Messianic age.

Ultimately, geulah is not just a future event; it is something we can experience in our daily lives. Every act of goodness, every moment of reconciliation, and every step toward justice brings the world closer to its final redemption.

As we seek to live lives that reflect the values of God’s kingdom, we participate in the unfolding of geulah. We become partners with God in the restoration of all things, moving the world from exile to redemption.

My Final Thoughts on Geulah

The concept of geulah in Judaism offers a profound understanding of redemption that transcends individual salvation and speaks to the restoration of the entire world. For Jews, it is about returning to the land and to God; for Gentiles, it is about recognizing the God of Israel and living according to His ways.

Ultimately, the process of geulah involves all of humanity, as together we move toward the Messianic era, when God’s presence will be fully revealed, and the world will be at peace. Through our actions today, we can help bring that future reality into the present.

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Summary of the Meaning of Geulah

What Is Geulah? The Hebrew Meaning of Redemption:

• Geulah comes from the Hebrew root גאל (ga’al), meaning “to redeem” or “to reclaim.”
• It is used to describe:
  • Liberation from oppression.
  • Restoration of land, people, or relationships to their rightful state.
  • Spiritual and physical redemption in Jewish theology.
• Geulah is communal, not just personal, and involves restoring Israel to the land and humanity’s connection with God.

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The Link Between Geulah and Golut (Exile):

• Golut (exile) and geulah (redemption) are linked:
  • Golut represents separation—physical displacement and spiritual estrangement.
  • Geulah symbolizes restoration, reunion with God, and return to Israel.
• The letter Aleph in geulah symbolizes God’s presence, highlighting that redemption occurs when God is integrated into life.

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Redemption for Jews: A Return to God and the Land:

• Key events in Jewish redemption:
  • Exodus from Egypt: Physical and spiritual freedom.
  • The return to Israel: Gathering of exiles from the diaspora.
  • Rebuilding the Beit Hamikdash: The restoration of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.
• Spiritual redemption involves:
  • Teshuvah (repentance) and reconnection with God.
  • Living in accordance with Torah values and commandments.

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Redemption for Gentiles: The Seven Noahide Laws:

• The Seven Noahide Laws for Gentiles:
  • Prohibition of idolatry.
  • Prohibition of murder.
  • Prohibition of theft.
  • Prohibition of sexual immorality.
  • Prohibition of blasphemy.
  • Prohibition of eating flesh from a living animal.
  • Requirement to establish courts of justice.
• By obedience, Gentiles take part in the global redemptive process, while also being invited into a deeper relationship with God through Yeshua as part of the greater covenant.

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Practical Steps Toward Redemption: What You Can Do Today:

• For Everyone:
  • Cultivate a “geulah consciousness” by focusing on positivity, reconciliation, and justice.
  • Engage in acts that reflect God’s kingdom values, contributing to the unfolding of redemption.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does geulah mean in Hebrew?

• Geulah (גְּאֻלָּה) means “redemption” in Hebrew. It refers to the process of restoring or delivering something to its rightful place or state. In Jewish thought, geulah has both physical and spiritual dimensions—such as the redemption of land, the people of Israel, or the ultimate redemption of humanity through the Messianic age.

2. How is geulah different from salvation?

• While geulah is often translated as “redemption,” it carries a broader meaning than salvation as understood in Christian theology. Geulah refers not just to being saved from danger but to the restoration of God’s intended order for all creation. It includes elements like the return of the Jewish people to their land, global peace, and the renewal of spiritual closeness to God. Salvation, in the Christian context, often refers to the personal saving of the soul through Yeshua (Jesus).

3. How does geulah relate to the coming of the Messiah?

• In both Jewish and Christian eschatology, geulah is closely linked to the arrival of the Messiah. In Jewish thought, the Messiah will bring about the final geulah by gathering the Jewish exiles, rebuilding the Temple, and establishing a world of peace and justice. In the New Testament, Yeshua (Jesus) is seen as the Messiah who initiated the process of geulah and will return to complete it at the end of the age.

4. What role do Gentiles play in the process of geulah?

• In Jewish thought, geulah is universal, affecting all of humanity, not just the Jewish people. The Gentiles are seen as participating in this redemptive process by adhering to ethical principles, such as the Seven Noahide Laws, and ultimately recognizing the God of Israel. In the New Testament, Yeshua’s role as redeemer is seen as inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles, bringing them together under the covenant of faith.

5. How is geulah connected to the Jewish exile and return?

• The Jewish people’s exile (galut) and return to the land of Israel is a central theme in the process of geulah. Throughout Jewish history, the return to the land of Israel is seen as a precursor to the final geulah. Many of the Hebrew prophets, like Isaiah and Ezekiel, speak of this physical return as a key sign of redemption, which will culminate in the Messianic era.

6. What does the New Testament say about the geulah?

• The New Testament teaches that Yeshua has already begun the process of geulah through His life, death, and resurrection. It also speaks of a future when He will return to bring the ultimate fulfillment of redemption. This includes the resurrection of the dead, the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, and the restoration of all creation. Passages like Romans 8:21 and Revelation 21:1-5 describe this future hope.

7. Will there be a physical Temple in the Messianic age?

• Traditional Jewish belief holds that the Temple (Beit Hamikdash) will be rebuilt in Jerusalem during the Messianic age, serving as a central place of worship. Some Christian interpretations of prophecy, particularly in the New Testament (such as 2 Thessalonians 2:4), mention a physical Temple in the end times, but Revelation 21:22 suggests that in the new Jerusalem, God and Yeshua themselves will be the Temple.

8. What is the relationship between geulah and the Seven Noahide Laws?

• The Seven Noahide Laws are a set of ethical guidelines for Gentiles, according to Jewish tradition, and are seen as a way for Gentiles to participate in the global geulah process. By following these laws—prohibiting idolatry, murder, theft, and more—Gentiles contribute to the moral order and justice that will characterize the Messianic age.

9. How can I practically engage with the process of geulah today?

• Whether you are Jewish or Gentile, you can participate in geulah by living according to God’s commandments, pursuing justice, and fostering peace and reconciliation in your relationships and community. For believers in Yeshua, faith in Him as the Messiah is central to this process, as His teachings guide how to live a life of righteousness, justice, and love.

Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society.  Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.

Tanakh: a New Translation of the Holy Scriptures According to the Traditional Hebrew Text. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1985

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