גָּאַל (b. h.) [to cover, cmp. Job III, 4;] to ransom, redeem, protect. Pes. X, 6 גְּאָלָנוּ וג׳ וכ׳ has protected us and redeemed our ancestors. Gen. R. s. 78, beg.; Midr. Till. to Ps. XXV, beg.; Lam. R. to III, 23 אמונתך רבה לְגָאֳלֵנוּ thy faith is great enough to redeem us. Gen. R. s. 44.—Kidd. 20ᵇ לוה וגוֹאֵל וגוֹאֵל לחצאין he may borrow money and redeem his property (from the sanctuary), and may redeem in instalments. Midr. Till. to Ps. XXXI, beg. גְּאַל אותנו redeem us; a. fr.—V. גּוֹאֵל.
Nif. - נִגְאַל to be redeemed. Ber. 9ᵃ כְּשֶׁנִּגְאֲלוּ ישראל וכ׳ when the Israelites were redeemed from Epypt. Kidd. 15ᵇ (ref. to Lev. XXV, 54) באלה הוא נ׳ וכ׳ through those (his relations) he may be redeemed, but he is not freed after six years of service (Ex. XXI, 2). Ib. 20ᵇ when the jubilee year arrives ולא נִגְאֲלָה and it (the field) has not been redeemed. Ib. יפה כחו לִיגָּאֵל מיד it has the privilege of immediate redemption. Sabb. 118ᵇ מיד נִגְאָלִין they would be released (from captivity) at once. Y. Taan. II, 65ᵈ top וסופן להִיגָּאֵל וכ׳ and they will be released &c.; Gen. R. s. 56 לִיגָּאֵל; a. fr.—[In b. h. ג׳ also: to cover (with blood), stain, make repulsive.]. V. געל.