Romans 12:19-21 King James Version (KJV)Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
The Bible is full of verses that discuss vengeance. These quotes are often taken out of context and used to justify violent actions, but they were written in a time when people did not have the same understanding of justice that we do today.
The Bible was written by the Hebrews, who believed that the world was controlled by Yahweh – their god. The Hebrews believed that humans were inherently sinful. They also believed that humans were only capable of sinning because they had free will – which meant that Yahweh could not be responsible for their wrongdoings. Therefore, if someone committed a crime against you or your family, it was your responsibility to take vengeance on them yourself.
These days we understand that there are many factors that contribute to criminal behavior; however, at the time these books were written there was little knowledge about psychology and no real concept of rehabilitation or treatment options outside of prison sentences.
While vengeance may be God’s, we’re all human. We all want it. And when we feel wronged by someone, we want to seek justice—and so does God. God knows that humans are imperfect, and that our ability to judge is not perfect either. That’s why he has given us scripture: so we can see what he wants us to do in any situation.
“Vengeance is Mine,” the Lord says in Romans 12:19. But that doesn’t mean you should never seek justice for yourself or others; it just means that seeking revenge isn’t your job, and you need to remember that when you’re tempted to do so.
Churchgist will provide you with all the relevant information you are looking for on vengeance is mine says the lord meaning, vengeance is of the lord bible verse, vengeance is mine bible verse kjv and so much more.
Bible Verses About Vengeance is Mine
Romans 12:19 ESV / 886 helpful votes
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.”
Ezekiel 25:17 ESV / 265 helpful votes
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.”
Matthew 5:38-39 ESV / 251 helpful votes
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
2 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV / 237 helpful votes
Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV / 226 helpful votes
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Hebrews 10:30 ESV / 199 helpful votes
For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 177 helpful votes
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.
Revelation 21:8 ESV / 146 helpful votes
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 13:4 ESV / 139 helpful votes
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.
Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV / 134 helpful votes
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.’
1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV / 130 helpful votes
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
Psalm 94:1 ESV / 111 helpful votes
O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!
1 Samuel 24:12 ESV / 103 helpful votes
May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 83 helpful votes
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Matthew 26:52-54 ESV / 80 helpful votes
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
Exodus 21:24-25 ESV / 80 helpful votes
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Psalm 55:15 ESV / 62 helpful votes
Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
Proverbs 25:26 ESV / 55 helpful votes
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 ESV / 50 helpful votes
Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.
Genesis 9:5-6 ESV / 49 helpful votes
And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 48 helpful votes
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …
Luke 13:3 ESV / 46 helpful votes
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
James 2:24 ESV / 44 helpful votes
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Matthew 6:25-34 ESV / 42 helpful votes
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. …
2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV / 41 helpful votes
In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
John 14:15 ESV / 39 helpful votes
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Matthew 25:41 ESV / 39 helpful votes
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 10:28 ESV / 35 helpful votes
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 4:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
James 4:2 ESV / 34 helpful votes
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV / 33 helpful votes
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
Leviticus 26:1-46 ESV / 32 helpful votes
“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. …
Acts 2:31 ESV / 31 helpful votes
He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
John 14:26 ESV / 31 helpful votes
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 30 helpful votes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Luke 22:36 ESV / 30 helpful votes
He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 30 helpful votes
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …
Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 30 helpful votes
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, …
Psalm 144:1 ESV / 29 helpful votes
Of David. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
Exodus 22:1-31 ESV / 29 helpful votes
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard. …
1 Thessalonians 4:6 ESV / 28 helpful votes
That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
Ezekiel 18:20 ESV / 28 helpful votes
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Jude 1:7 ESV / 27 helpful votes
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
John 18:1-40 ESV / 27 helpful votes
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. …
Exodus 22:2-3 ESV / 27 helpful votes
If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Revelation 6:10 ESV / 25 helpful votes
They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Revelation 2:11 ESV / 25 helpful votes
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
Hebrews 11:7 ESV / 25 helpful votes
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Psalm 4:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 24 helpful votes
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …
Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 23 helpful votes
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …
Psalm 145:8 ESV / 21 helpful votes
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 20 helpful votes
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Luke 10:30-37 ESV / 20 helpful votes
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …
Luke 10:27 ESV / 20 helpful votes
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 25:46 ESV / 20 helpful votes
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Malachi 3:6 ESV / 20 helpful votes
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Isaiah 14:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes
Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations.
Genesis 19:1-38 ESV / 20 helpful votes
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” …
Romans 12:17-21 ESV / 19 helpful votes
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.
Numbers 31:3 ESV / 19 helpful votes
So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.
Revelation 19:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes
And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Galatians 3:27 ESV / 18 helpful votes
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Acts 2:27 ESV / 18 helpful votes
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
Matthew 4:1-25 ESV / 18 helpful votes
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple …
Revelation 1:18 ESV / 16 helpful votes
And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Jude 1:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Psalm 86:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Psalm 49:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
Genesis 19:24 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.
Genesis 4:1-26 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. …
John 8:44 ESV / 15 helpful votes
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Mark 7:1-37 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” …
1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Colossians 3:5 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Matthew 15:1-39 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” …
Hosea 13:14 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Job 14:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
1 Samuel 13:22-23 ESV / 14 helpful votes
So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
1 Samuel 13:19-20 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle,
Judges 5:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes
When new gods were chosen, then war was in the gates. Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
Genesis 34:20-31 ESV / 14 helpful votes
So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying, “These men are at peace with us; let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us to become one people—when every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us.” And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city. …
Genesis 6:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Revelation 18:8 ESV / 13 helpful votes
For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
Genesis 45:1-28 ESV / 13 helpful votes
Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. …
Revelation 20:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes
And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,
Jude 1:12 ESV / 12 helpful votes
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
James 2:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 12 helpful votes
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Mark 9:43 ESV / 12 helpful votes
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
Matthew 5:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 3:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Jonah 2:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
Isaiah 38:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes
For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness.
Psalm 137:1-9 ESV / 12 helpful votes
By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! …
Psalm 46:1 ESV / 12 helpful votes
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 16:10 ESV / 12 helpful votes
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
2 Chronicles 17:1-19 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. …
1 Samuel 25:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes
And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.
1 Samuel 8:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.
vengeance is mine says the lord meaning
Moses was the scribe, but God authored the words “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” (Deuteronomy 32:35)
This is God’s promise and His law, given first in Exodus and a second time here. Deuteronomy is a reminder of the covenant that God made with His people. The word ‘Deuteronomy’ is ‘eleh ha-devarim’ in Hebrew” meaning “‘these are the words.’”
Moses is preparing to pass the baton to a new generation of Israelites led by a next-generation leader, Joshua. Moses is reminding the people to remain faithful to the one true God and His laws. The Lord has fed them and provided water in the desert. And now, knowing he will soon die and not see the Promised Land, Moses rebukes the people:
For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! – Deuteronomy 31:27
In Deuteronomy 32, referred to as ‘The Song of Moses,’ Moses sings to God and the phrase “vengeance is mine” is first recorded here in Deuteronomy 32:35. It is a promise Moses claims for himself and his people. He continues with: In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” The LORD will vindicate his people…
Later, Paul quotes this verse to the Christians in Rome to emphasize the point that they should not “repay evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17)
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/metamorworks
What Does ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ Mean?
A dictionary definition of “vengeance” leads us to “retribution” or “repayment.” Strong’s Hebrew Concordance explains that the word used here—naqam—means “avenged, quarrel, vengeance.”
Paul would have used the Greek which is “ekdikēsis” or “vengeance, vindication.” “Vindication” is a little different, meaning “acquittal, clearing, exculpation, exoneration.”
When we see these two definitions side-by-side, we can take the phrase to mean:
1. God punishes the wicked.
We are not to exact punishment on behalf of God for His honor: He will satisfy His own wrath. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah out of vengeance for their iniquity. He withheld vengeance from Nineveh when Jonah preached truth to them and they turned to God.
2. We are saved to offer mercy not vindication.
Thanks to the Gospel, we do not receive retribution (vengeance) from God for our sin. If someone hurts us, we must not become absorbed in proving who is right (vindication).
Applying Deuteronomy 32:35 To Our Lives
God’s Old Testament law tells the people how to deal with criminal behavior and certain sins such as adultery and murder, yet we are told not to take vengeance. How can this be? And should we never take a case to court to clear our name if we are slandered or abused?
I think we can clear up this confusion by asking: how far would you go in order to be “right?” What motivates your actions? Is it a desire of the flesh? Or is it righteous anger?
There is no one righteous, not even one. – Romans 3:10
The only way to righteousness is “through faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22). If we are saved by grace, then grace has set us free from punishment, but also from condemnation under the law.
The contrast of this freedom with our former depravity should make us acutely aware that we are not owed anything by God, yet He already bought our freedom at the cross. We have no right to receive earthly honor, but if that’s what we want, then if we are honored on earth we “have received our reward in full.” (Matthew 6:2).
Ideally, we will let God avenge His people when they suffer for Christ and we won’t seek vindication from the world. His glory is all that matters, and “before all the people I will be glorified” says the Lord (Leviticus 4:3).
deuteronomy 32:35 vengeance is minePhoto Credit: ©Sparrowstock
Other Translations of Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, At the time when their foot shall slide: For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things that are to come upon them shall make haste. (ASV)
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. (ESV)
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. (KJV)
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. (NIV)
Most versions use the words “vengeance” and “recompense,” what is known as “pay back” in today’s vernacular. I love how both the NIV and KJV begin with God: “To me” and “It is mine.”
The Word starts with God and everything that is His returns to the Lord.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. – Romans 11:36
Verses Related to the Concept of Vengeance
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 in his letter to the Romans. He has been teaching them not to “repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18).
His perspective on “vengeance” stems from the Greek “vindication.” So he is counseling us not seek to be made right in the eyes of others…to concentrate on God’s glory, not your own.
In Psalm 73:18, we discover that God will ensure the Psalmist’s enemies are defeated: “Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.”
Hebrews 10:30 tells us “the Lord will judge His people.”
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. – Matthew 7:1
How Is This Phrase Misused Today?
We have a tendency to want justice for ourselves; to be treated fairly. Our society spends a lot of time talking about “rights” but these, for the Christian, are merely self-centered expectations.
God has never told us we will be treated fairly on earth.
In fact, we don’t get what we deserve. We live under grace and not the law (Romans 6:14).
We are better off under grace than under “human rights.” John Piper once preached, “Our rights are to belong to Jesus, to stand justified before a holy God, to own everything and inherit everything, to love our enemies, to return good for evil, to treasure Christ above all things” which are “blood-bought rights. They cannot be secured for us by laws,”
Everything else, Paul wrote, “is loss.”
Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:8
A Prayer for a Heart Free of Vengeance
Father, I confess that I sometimes want everyone to know when I am right and someone else is wrong. I want to be vindicated. Lord, help me to place all of that aside in favor of the one true treasure which is Your Sovereign grace. Help me to care nothing for the approval of this world and to care only for You and the rights You have given me; inheritance of the kingdom as an adopted child. Teach me to do everything for Your glory. In your Son’s precious, perfect name, amen.
The cross was unfair. A sinless man went to Golgotha and died so that all repentant sinners could be saved. The resurrection was God’s vindication of Jesus in a sense. By His resurrection Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father and demonstrated His mighty power over Satan and sin. And, where we deserve judgement and vengeance, God instead gave us something better than vindication—we receive justification.
If there are times when you think it matters to be in the right, remember that the only sinless man bought an inheritance for us by His own blood. Even if you face injustice today which cannot be remedied here on earth, God’s gift of grace is eternal while worldly honor will perish.