Do you believe in vengeance? The Lord certainly does, as is made clear throughout the Bible. There are many verses and quotes about vengeance, all of which emphasize that God will repay those who have done wrong. Whether you are someone who believes in taking justice into your own hands or not, it is interesting to see what the Bible has to say on this topic. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most famous quotes and verses about vengeance. We will also discuss what they mean and how they can be applied to our lives.
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Vengeance is a Biblical Theme
The Bible is full of verses and quotes about vengeance. In fact, the topic of vengeance is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament speaks of God’s wrath being poured out on those who disobey him. The New Testament, on the other hand, emphasises Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness. Despite these different approaches, both the Old and New Testaments make it clear that God will ultimately repay those who do wrong.
Biblical Definition of Vengeance
Vengeance can be defined as the act of taking revenge, or getting even. It is often motivated by a desire to right a wrong, and can involve inflicting harm on the person or people who hurt you. However, it’s important to note that seeking vengeance rarely brings about the desired results, and can instead lead to further pain and suffering.
10 Bible Verses about Vengeance
There are many famous verses and quotes about vengeance in the Bible. Some of the most well-known ones are listed below:
Romans 12:19 ESV
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Hebrews 10:30 ESV
For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
Proverbs 24:29 ESV
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
Romans 12:17 ESV
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
2 Timothy 3:1-17 ESV
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. …
Proverbs 20:22 ESV
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Psalm 94:1 ESV
O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!
Leviticus 19:18 ESV
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
The phrase “vengeance is the Lord’s” comes from Romans 12:19. It means that God is the ultimate judge who will right wrongs and administer justice. While the desire for revenge is understandable when we are hurt, we are called to trust that God will handle vengeance. In Hebrew, the word for vengeance (naqam) refers to divine retribution. The Bible says “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35) and “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath” (Nahum 1:2). As Christians, we know that final judgment is given to Jesus, who died and rose again so that all who believe in Him may have eternal life with God. Through faith in Christ, we can release feelings of vengeance and leave justice in the hands of the Lord.
“Revenge is the Lord’s vengeance,” is a phrase rooted in Hebrew tradition that highlights the belief in God’s ultimate justice. The Hebrew word for vengeance, ‘naqam,’ suggests that revenge is not about personal satisfaction, but rather it is about God’s justice being carried out. In the Bible, Romans 12:19 reads, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” This verse emphasizes that vengeance is not our responsibility, but rather it belongs to God. As Christians, we also believe in the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who guide us towards eternal life. Thus, we trust that in every situation, God’s justice and mercy will prevail, and we can take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord is our ultimate protector and avenger.
Romans 12:17-21 ESV
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Vengeance is Mine Romans 12:9 King James Version
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:9 KJV
FAQ about Vengeance in the Holy Scriptures
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ speaks about revenge in several places. In the Sermon on the Mount, he says “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39). Christ also says in Luke 6:29 “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.” These verses teach us that we are not to take revenge into our own hands, but instead to leave it up to God. Christ himself is our ultimate example of this, as he died on the cross for our sins without taking vengeance on his enemies.
Proverbs tells us that “vengeance is a dish best served cold.” This phrase is often used to describe the idea of justice being better when it is dispassionate. And while there may be some truth to that, I believe there is more to be said about vengeance being something that belongs to the Lord.
The Lord is a God of justice, and He will make sure that those who have wronged His people will be dealt with accordingly. As His children, we can trust that He will take care of us and bring about justice in our lives. When we see someone who has harmed us or someone we love getting away with it, it can be tempting to take matters into our own hands.
The Lord clearly states in the Bible that vengeance belongs to Him, and not to us as individuals (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19). This is because vengeance is a very dangerous thing, and can easily lead to further violence and bloodshed. It is best left in the Lord’s hands, who can judge fairly and bring about justice without harming others. The phrase “vengeance is mine” appears in multiple Bible verses, alluding to God’s preparation of punitive judgment against sinners. The full verse in which the phrase appears is Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” In this passage, the Apostle Paul is teaching believers to leave vengeance to God and trust that He will handle justice appropriately.
This idea is also found in other verses such as Deuteronomy 32:35 where Moses says, “To me belongs vengeance and recompense,” and Psalm 94:1 which states, “O LORD God, to whom vengeance.
See https://www.openbible.info/topics/vengeance_is_mine_says_the_lord and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vengeance_Is_Mine
Conclusion: Biblical Perspective on Revenge
“The Bible teaches us that revenge is not ours to take. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God says, “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” and in Romans 12:19, Paul writes, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
These verses remind us that God is the only one who is qualified to judge and punish those who do wrong. When we try to take revenge on our own, we are only hurting ourselves and others. We are also usurping God’s authority.
Instead of seeking revenge, we should trust God to bring justice. We can do this by praying for those who have wronged us, by forgiving them, and by loving them unconditionally. When we do these things, we are not only honoring God, but we are also setting ourselves free from the bondage of anger and bitterness.”
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