Definition and Context
Vengeance, in the biblical context, refers to the act of retribution or punishment for wrongdoing. It is often associated with divine justice, where God is seen as the ultimate judge who enacts vengeance on behalf of His people or in response to sin and disobedience. The concept of vengeance is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's holiness and justice, as well as His covenant relationship with His people.

Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, vengeance is frequently depicted as an aspect of God's character and His dealings with nations and individuals. Deuteronomy 32:35 states, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," indicating that God reserves the right to execute justice. This theme is echoed in other passages, such as Nahum 1:2, which describes God as "a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath."

The concept of vengeance is also evident in the laws given to Israel. For example, the principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) was intended to ensure that justice was proportional and not excessive. This legal framework was designed to maintain order and reflect God's justice among His people.

New Testament Perspectives
In the New Testament, the theme of vengeance is transformed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament emphasizes God's role as the avenger, the New Testament encourages believers to leave vengeance to God and to practice forgiveness. Romans 12:19 advises, "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.'"

Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount further illustrate this shift. In Matthew 5:38-39, He instructs, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' 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." This radical call to non-retaliation underscores the New Testament's emphasis on love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Divine Vengeance and Final Judgment
The New Testament also speaks of a future time when God's vengeance will be fully realized. This is particularly evident in the book of Revelation, where God's final judgment is depicted as a time of retribution against evil and vindication for the righteous. Revelation 19:2 declares, "For true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants."

Practical Implications for Believers
Believers are called to trust in God's justice and to refrain from taking vengeance into their own hands. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God will ultimately right all wrongs and that His justice will prevail. Christians are encouraged to respond to wrongdoing with love and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ and leaving judgment to God.

Conclusion
The biblical concept of vengeance underscores the holiness and justice of God, while also calling believers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness. Through the lens of the New Testament, vengeance is seen as God's prerogative, and believers are urged to live in a manner that reflects the grace and mercy they have received through Christ.

Letter cclx. To Optimus the Bishop.
... And what are the vengeances? ... If you understand the vengeances to be for the
sins committed by Cain, you will find those sins to be seven. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclx to optimus the.htm

Knox on the Anabaptists: his Appeal to England: 1558-1559
... He begins by vehemently rebuking England for her "shameful defection" and by
threatening God's "horrible vengeances which thy monstrous unthankfulness hath ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter ix knox on the.htm

John iii. 17
... and the prophets, and moreover a written Law, and doctrine, and ten thousand promises,
and manifestations of signs, and chastisements, and vengeances, and many ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii john iii 17.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1564-1567
... It profited not Lethington to say that all these old biblical "vengeances" were
"singular motions of the Spirit of God, and appertain nothing to our age." If ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvii knox and queen.htm

The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... Therefore also Cain is delivered over to seven vengeances by God, for in
every hundred years the Lord brought one plague upon him. ...
/.../xii the testament of benjamin concerning.htm

The History of Saul
... And God showed many vengeances to them of the country as long as the ark was with
them, for God smote them with sickness, and wells boiled in towns and fields ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Life of Adam
... more. This punition shall endure to him in pain unto the seventh, Lameth,
whosomever shall slay Cain shall loose seven vengeances. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of adam.htm

John v. 31, 32
... to weary and vex ourselves, that living we may strain ourselves with labor, and
on our departure hence undergo intolerable punishments and vengeances, when we ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xl john v 31.htm

Acts viii. 26, 27
... Then after this, he says, "Thus saith the Lord," [469] and still none attends. Then
after this punishments and vengeances, and still even then none attends. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix acts viii 26.htm

Vengeances (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vengeances (1 Occurrence). Psalms 94:1 O ?God of
vengeances, Jehovah, ?God of vengeances, shine forth; (DBY). ...
/v/vengeances.htm - 6k

Venison (10 Occurrences)

/v/venison.htm - 10k

Vengeance (63 Occurrences)

/v/vengeance.htm - 26k

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