The concept of avenging is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the justice and the mercy of God. In the Scriptures, to avenge is to inflict punishment or exact retribution for a wrong or injury. This action is often associated with divine justice, where God Himself is portrayed as the ultimate avenger of wrongs.

Divine Vengeance

The Bible frequently emphasizes that vengeance belongs to God alone. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God declares, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." This theme is reiterated in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:19, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" These passages underscore the belief that God is the righteous judge who will ultimately right all wrongs.

Human Vengeance

While God reserves the right to avenge, human beings are cautioned against taking vengeance into their own hands. The Bible warns against personal retribution, encouraging believers to trust in God's justice. Proverbs 20:22 advises, "Do not say, 'I will avenge this evil!' Wait on the LORD, and He will deliver you." This instruction reflects a call to patience and faith in God's timing and justice.

Avengers in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the concept of the "avenger of blood" is introduced, particularly in the context of the cities of refuge. Numbers 35:19 states, "The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him." This role was a legal provision for the nearest relative of a murder victim to ensure justice was served. However, the cities of refuge provided a place for those accused of manslaughter to seek asylum until a fair trial could be conducted, highlighting a balance between justice and mercy.

God as Avenger

Throughout the Scriptures, God is depicted as the defender and avenger of His people. In Psalm 94:1, the psalmist calls upon God, "O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth." This plea reflects the trust that God will act on behalf of the oppressed and bring justice to the wicked. Similarly, in the prophetic literature, God is portrayed as avenging the wrongs done to His people. Nahum 1:2 declares, "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath."

Christ and Vengeance

In the New Testament, the theme of vengeance is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Christ's first coming was marked by grace and salvation, His second coming is associated with judgment and the final avenging of evil. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 speaks of the Lord Jesus being revealed from heaven "in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers are called to live in a manner that reflects trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge. This is exemplified in the teachings of Jesus, who instructed His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). By doing so, Christians demonstrate faith in God's ultimate justice and embody the transformative power of the Gospel.

In summary, the biblical concept of avenging is intricately linked to God's character as a just and righteous judge. While human vengeance is discouraged, believers are encouraged to trust in God's perfect justice and to live lives marked by forgiveness and love.

Herod Takes Sepphoris and Subdues the Robbers that were in the ...
... Herod Takes Sepphoris And Subdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony ...
/.../chapter 16 herod takes sepphoris.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 3-Jan
... the crime is the same. Why? Because He avenges not the persons that are
injured, but Himself. For thou art equally defiled, thou ...
/.../homily v 1 thessalonians iv.htm

Whether Vengeance is a Special virtue?
... Man resists harm by defending himself against wrongs, lest they be inflicted on
him, or he avenges those which have already been inflicted on him, with the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vengeance is a special.htm

Fences and Serpents
... We live in a great automatic system which, by its own operation, largely
avenges every breach of law. I need not remind you, except ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm

The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
... Herod Takes Sepphoris And Subdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony ...
/.../josephus/the wars of the jews or history of the destruction of jerusalem/

Time Changes Nations' Dresses --And Fortunes.
... [10] Or, "attack.". [11] Caput vindicantis. But some read capite: "which avenges
itself with its head.". [12] See Virg., ??n., iii. 415 (Oehler). ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter i time changes nations dressesand.htm

David's Anger
... striking. It is a special mark of David's character, as special as his faith
in God, that he never avenges himself with his own hand. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a ...
... will not require to be treated by us, whether He has wished to be kept the rule
which He has chosen to appoint, and whether He justly avenges the abandonment ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter iii nor should i.htm

Faith (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, December 5, 1865)
... faith.'. By his faith, plainly, in a just Ruler of the world,"in a God who
avenges wrong, and makes inquisition for innocent blood. ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xiii faith preached before.htm

Christ Our Passover
... God who avenges his own elect, though they cry day and night unto him, at last,
determined that he would direct a fearful blow against Egypt's king and Egypt's ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

Avenges (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Avenges (4 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Psalms 9:12 For he
who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn't forget the cry of the afflicted. ...
/a/avenges.htm - 7k

Maintains (5 Occurrences)
... like a fire. (See NIV). Nahum 1:2 Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh
avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance ...
/m/maintains.htm - 7k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who avenges or vindicates; as, an avenger
of blood. 2. (n.) One who takes vengeance. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... people. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV). Nahum 1:2 Yahweh is a jealous
God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh ...
/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS RSV NIV). Nahum 1:2 Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh
avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his ...
/v/vengeance.htm - 26k

Poetry
... Thus, Nahum 1:2: `Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges: Yahweh avenges and is full
of wrath; Yahweh takes vengeance upon His adversaries, And He reserves wrath ...
/p/poetry.htm - 48k

Foes (95 Occurrences)
... be cut off. (See NIV). Nahum 1:2 Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh
avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance ...
/f/foes.htm - 30k

Ignore (13 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 9:12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn't forget
the cry of the afflicted. (See NIV). Psalms 55:1 For the Chief Musician. ...
/i/ignore.htm - 10k

Remembers (12 Occurrences)
... Psalms 9:12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn't forget the cry of
the afflicted. (WEB NAS NIV). Psalms 103:14 For he knows how we are made. ...
/r/remembers.htm - 9k

Avengeth (6 Occurrences)

/a/avengeth.htm - 8k

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