Vengeance
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Vengeance in the Bible?
Vengeance refers to the act of taking revenge or retaliation, often in response to perceived wrongdoing. It is related to concepts such as retribution and revenge.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding vengeance clarifies the biblical tension between human rights to redress and the divine mandate for justice, revealing how Old Testament laws regulated retaliation to prevent endless cycles of violence while reserving ultimate judgment for God.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Vengeance. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Vengeance in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Vengeance clarify?
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Vengeance." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/vengeance/