You may be on to something, Steel.
I believe the WT is on point in its understanding of redeem - the explanation of the go'el, or nearest relative who repurchased a person or his property if things went wrong, is very understandable.
However, it is my belief that WT is way off course on the ransom.
For example, the teaching that Jesus Christ is the archangel, Michael, sent to prove that a human can maintain integrity to the end, thereby upholding God's sovereignty is ludicrous.
How is it that an angel can be called our next of kin?
I realize WT tries to explain this by insisting that Michael/Jesus Christ is the first of God's creation, but I've always questioned that.
Sylvia