What does the Bible say about vengeance?
Let’s be honest, we all fall short of the glory of God. Vengeance stirs something deep in us, doesn’t it? When we feel wronged, the human heart instinctively wants to take control and settle the score. I know how it feels, and maybe you do as well. You try to act like it doesn’t hurt, but inwardly, daggers from people’s words are cutting you up inside. We want the other person to feel what they made us feel.
However, as believers, we are called to love like Christ and give our burdens to the Lord. God handles our struggles far better than we ever could. We know this, but our sinful impulses still crave revenge. It takes so much humility to not lash out with our lips or actions when we feel sinned against. Use every opportunity as a moment to pray. Even though it may feel difficult, relinquish control, pray against bitterness, pray for the other person, and rest in the Lord. Let’s learn more.
Deuteronomy 32:35 (NIV) – “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
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 (NASB) – “For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’”
Psalm 94:1 (NKJV) – “O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!”
Nahum 1:2 (KJV) – “God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”
Leviticus 19:18 (NLT) – “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 20:22 (NIV) – “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
Isaiah 35:4 (ESV) – “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’”
Psalm 7:11 (NASB) – “God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.”
2 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV) – “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Deuteronomy 32:41 (KJV) – “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.”
1 Peter 2:23 (NLT) – “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
Psalm 149:7-8 (NIV) – “To inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron.”
Romans 13:4 (ESV) – “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
Isaiah 61:2 (NASB) – “To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.”
Jeremiah 51:36 (NKJV) – “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.’”
Psalm 58:10 (KJV) – “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”
Luke 18:7-8 (NLT) – “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”
Proverbs 24:29 (NIV) – “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.’”
Ezekiel 25:17 (ESV) – “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them.”
Psalm 135:14 (NASB) – “For the Lord will judge His people and will have compassion on His servants.”
Isaiah 34:8 (NKJV) – “For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion.”
Revelation 6:10 (KJV) – “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
Matthew 5:38-39 (NLT) – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”
Jeremiah 46:10 (ESV) – “That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood.”