48 Bible Verses about Revenge

Most Relevant Verses

Deuteronomy 32:35

‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,
In due time their foot will slip;
For the day of their calamity is near,
And the impending things are hastening upon them.’

Micah 5:15

“And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath
On the nations which have not obeyed.”

Hebrews 10:30

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

Psalm 58:10

The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Ezekiel 24:8

“That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance,
I have put her blood on the bare rock,
That it may not be covered.”

Isaiah 34:8

For the Lord has a day of vengeance,
A year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

Jeremiah 51:36

Therefore thus says the Lord,
“Behold, I am going to plead your case
And exact full vengeance for you;
And I will dry up her sea
And make her fountain dry.

Ezekiel 25:14

I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to My anger and according to My wrath; thus they will know My vengeance,” declares the Lord God.

Psalm 94:1

O Lord, God of vengeance,
God of vengeance, shine forth!

Ezekiel 25:15

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,”

Jeremiah 51:6

Flee from the midst of Babylon,
And each of you save his life!
Do not be destroyed in her punishment,
For this is the Lord’s time of vengeance;
He is going to render recompense to her.

Ezekiel 25:17

I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance on them.”’”

Lamentations 3:60

You have seen all their vengeance,
All their schemes against me.

Genesis 4:15

So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.

2 Corinthians 10:6

and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Isaiah 1:24

Therefore the Lord God of hosts,
The Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries
And avenge Myself on My foes.

Judges 15:7

Samson said to them, “Since you act like this, I will surely take revenge on you, but after that I will quit.”

Judges 16:28

Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

1 Samuel 24:12

May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.

Jeremiah 15:15

You who know, O Lord,
Remember me, take notice of me,
And take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away;
Know that for Your sake I endure reproach.

Isaiah 59:17

He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.

Jeremiah 50:28

There is a sound of fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon,
To declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God,
Vengeance for His temple.

Luke 18:7

now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

Genesis 4:10

He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.

Isaiah 47:3

“Your nakedness will be uncovered,
Your shame also will be exposed;
I will take vengeance and will not spare a man.”

Jeremiah 20:10

For I have heard the whispering of many,
“Terror on every side!
Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!”
All my trusted friends,
Watching for my fall, say:
“Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him
And take our revenge on him.”

Ezekiel 25:12

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them,”

Psalm 149:7

To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishment on the peoples,

Jeremiah 20:12

Yet, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous,
Who see the mind and the heart;
Let me see Your vengeance on them;
For to You I have set forth my cause.

Luke 18:3

There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’

Jeremiah 51:11

Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers!
The Lord has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes,
Because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;
For it is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance for His temple.

Numbers 31:2

“Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered to your people.”

Jeremiah 50:15

“Raise your battle cry against her on every side!
She has given herself up, her pillars have fallen,
Her walls have been torn down.
For this is the vengeance of the Lord:
Take vengeance on her;
As she has done to others, so do to her.

Psalm 44:16

Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles,
Because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger.

From Thematic Bible


Revenge » Forbidden

More verses: Proverbs 24:29

Revenge » Keep others from taking

1 Samuel 26:9

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?”

1 Samuel 24:10

Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

1 Samuel 25:24-31

She fell at his feet and said, "On me alone, my lord, be the blame. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant. "Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him; but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. "Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, since the LORD has restrained you from shedding blood, and from avenging yourself by your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek evil against my lord, be as Nabal. read more.
"Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who accompany my lord. "Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant; for the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil will not be found in you all your days. "Should anyone rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, then the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God; but the lives of your enemies He will sling out as from the hollow of a sling. "And when the LORD does for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and appoints you ruler over Israel, this will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my lord, both by having shed blood without cause and by my lord having avenged himself. When the LORD deals well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."

Revenge » Forbidden by our lord

Proverbs 24:29

Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”

Revenge » Punishment for

Amos 1:11-12

Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever. "So I will send fire upon Teman And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah."

Ezekiel 25:15-17

'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity," therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. "I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the LORD when I lay My vengeance on them."'"

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Trust in God

Revenge » Exemplified

Acts 23:12

When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

Judges 16:28-30

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.

Judges 15:7

Samson said to them, “Since you act like this, I will surely take revenge on you, but after that I will quit.”

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Exhibit love

Revenge » Christ an example of forbearing

1 Peter 2:23

and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Revenge » Exemplified » By samson

Judges 15:7-8

Samson said to them, "Since you act like this, I will surely take revenge on you, but after that I will quit." He struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

Judges 16:28-30

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Overcome others by kindness

Proverbs 25:21-22

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Revenge » Exemplified » By the chief priests

Acts 23:12

When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

Acts 7:54-59

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." read more.
But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

Revenge » Be thankful for being kept from taking

1 Samuel 25:32-33

Then David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Exercise forbearance

Matthew 5:38-41

"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 an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. read more.
"Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Revenge » The wicked are earnest after

Jeremiah 20:10

For I have heard the whispering of many,
Terror on every side!
Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!”
All my trusted friends,
Watching for my fall, say:
“Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him
And take our revenge on him.”

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Philistines, toward israel

Ezekiel 25:15

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,”

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Ahab, toward micaiah

1 Kings 22:27

and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’”

Revenge » Exemplified » Simon and levi

Genesis 34:25

Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male.

Revenge » Exemplified » Philistines

Ezekiel 25:15

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,”

Revenge » Exemplified » Edomites

Ezekiel 25:12

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them,”

Revenge » Exemplified » Haman

Esther 3:8-15

Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king's laws, so it is not in the king's interest to let them remain. "If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king's business, to put into the king's treasuries." Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. read more.
The king said to Haman, "The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please." Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring. Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they should be ready for this day. The couriers went out impelled by the king's command while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in confusion.

Revenge » Exemplified » Ahab

1 Kings 22:26

Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son;

Revenge » Exemplified » Joab

Revenge » Proceeds from a spiteful heart

Ezekiel 25:15

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,”

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Herodias, toward john the baptist

Matthew 14:8

Having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Jezebel toward elijah

1 Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Give place unto wrath

Revenge » Instead of taking, we should » Bless

Revenge » Exemplified » Herodias

Mark 6:19-24

Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; read more.
and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom." And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

Revenge » Exemplified » By absalom

2 Samuel 13:23-29

Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant." But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you." Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. read more.
Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled.

Revenge » Rebuked by Christ

Luke 9:54-55

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Haman, toward the jews

Esther 3:6

But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Jews toward paul

Acts 23:12

When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

Revenge » Exemplified » By herodias

Mark 6:19-24

Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; read more.
and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom." And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

Revenge » Rebuked by jesus

Luke 9:54-55

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Sanhedrin, toward the apostles

Acts 5:33

But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them.

Revenge » Revenge, the spirit of, manifested » Nazarenes, toward Christ

Luke 4:29

and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.

Revenge » Exemplified » James and john

Luke 9:54

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Revenge » Exemplified » Chief priests

Acts 5:33

But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them.

Revenge » Exemplified » By haman

Esther 3:8-15

Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king's laws, so it is not in the king's interest to let them remain. "If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king's business, to put into the king's treasuries." Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. read more.
The king said to Haman, "The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please." Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring. Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they should be ready for this day. The couriers went out impelled by the king's command while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in confusion.

Revenge » Exemplified » By the philistines

Ezekiel 25:15

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,”

Revenge » Exemplified » By the edomites

Ezekiel 25:12

‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them,”

Revenge » Exemplified » By ahab

1 Kings 22:27

and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’”

Revenge » Inconsistent with Christian spirit

Luke 9:55

But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

Revenge » Exemplified » By simeon and levi

Genesis 34:25

Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male.

Revenge » Exemplified » By jezebel

1 Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

Revenge » Exemplified » By joab

Revenge » Jesus an example of forbearing

1 Peter 2:23

and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Revenge » Exemplified » By james and john

Luke 9:54

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Revenge » Inconsistent with

Luke 9:55

But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

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