What is the meaning of Retribution in the Bible?
Retribution denotes the principle of just deserts, where consequences are viewed as a direct and proportional response to specific actions or moral transgressions. This concept is linguistically anchored in terms such as orgē (wrath), thumos (anger), ekdikeo (to execute justice), and dike (justice), reflecting a worldview where moral order is maintained through reciprocal accountability.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding retribution clarifies the biblical framework of moral accountability, demonstrating how divine justice operates not merely as arbitrary punishment but as a consistent response to human behavior, thereby illuminating the relationship between obedience, sin, and the resulting consequences within the scriptural narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Retribution in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Retribution clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.