Revenge

How Nave’s arranged it

• ForbiddenLeviticus 19:18Proverbs 24:29Romans 12:17Romans 12:191 Thessalonians 5:151 Peter 3:9
• Jesus an example of forbearing1 Peter 2:23
• Rebuked by JesusLuke 9:54Luke 9:55
• Inconsistent with the will of ChristLuke 9:55
• Proceeds from a spiteful heartEzekiel 25:15
• Punishment forEzekiel 25:15–17Amos 1:11Amos 1:12
• EXEMPLIFIED
• By Simeon and LeviGenesis 34:25
• By SamsonJudges 15:7Judges 15:8Judges 16:28–30
• By Joab2 Samuel 3:27
• By Absalom2 Samuel 13:23–29
• By Jezebel1 Kings 19:2

The passages, in Bible order (25)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 34:25

   Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 34:252 voices

   “(Verse 25) And they entered the city diligently, and they killed every male. Because it is read in Greek as ἀσφαλὼς, which means diligently: it is written in Hebrew as Bete (), which means boldly and confidently.

   “On the third day, when they were sore - When the inflammation was at the height, and a fever ensued which rendered the person utterly helpless, and his state critical, Simeon and Levi, the half brothers of Dinah, took each man his sword, probably assisted by that portion of the servants which helped them to take care of the flock, came on the city boldly, בטח betach, securely - without being suspected, and being in no danger of meeting with resistance, and slew all the males.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 34:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Leviticus 19:18

   Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

   ›Commentary on Leviticus 19:181 voice

   “For since it is written in the law: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," he is proven to love his neighbor less who does not share with him even those things necessary to himself in his neighbor's time of need. Therefore the precept is given about dividing two tunics with one's neighbor, because this could not be said of one tunic, since if one is divided, no one is clothed. For with half a tunic, both he who receives remains naked and he who gave remains naked.

   Everything gathered on Leviticus 19:18→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Judges 15:7

   And Samson told them, “Because you have done this, I will not rest until I have taken vengeance upon you.”

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Judges 15:8

   And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.

   ›Commentary on Judges 15:81 voice

   “He smote them hip and thigh - This also is variously understood; but the general meaning seems plain; he appears to have had no kind of defensive weapon, therefore he was obliged to grapple with them, and, according to the custom of wrestlers, trip up their feet, and then bruise them to death. Some translate heaps upon heaps; others, he smote horsemen and footmen; others, he wounded them from their legs to their thighs, etc., etc. See the different versions.

   Everything gathered on Judges 15:8→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Judges 16:28–30

   Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

   ›Commentary on Judges 16:28–301 voice

   “Samson called unto the Lord - It was in consequence of his faith in God that he should be strengthened to overthrow his enemies and the enemies of his country, that he is mentioned, Heb 11:32, among those who were remarkable for their faith.

   Everything gathered on Judges 16:28–30→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 2 Samuel 3:27

   When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:271 voice

   “And smote him there - Joab feared that, after having rendered such essential services to David, Abner would be made captain of the host: he therefore determined to prevent it by murdering the man, under pretense of avenging the death of his brother Asahel. The murder, however, was one of the most unprovoked and wicked: and such was the power and influence of this nefarious general, that the king dared not to bring him to justice for his crime. In the same way he murdered Amasa, a little time afterwards. See 2Sa 20:

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 3:27→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 2 Samuel 13:23–29

   Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king.

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 1 Kings 19:2

   So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed!”

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 19:21 voice

   “The prophet had not long to wait before learning the intentions of the queen. A priest’s daughter herself, she would avenge the slaughtered priests; a king’s wife and a king’s child, she would not quail before a subject. That very night a messenger declared her determination to compass the prophet’s death within the space of a day. So let the gods ... - A common oath about this time (marginal references).

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 19:2→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 1 Kings 22:27

   and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 22:271 voice

   “Feed him with bread of affliction ... - Micaiah is to be once more put in prison, but, in order to punish him for his uncomplying spirit, upon a poorer and scantier diet than he had been previously allowed. This is to continue until Ahab returns in peace. Ahab introduces this expression purposely, in order to show his entire disbelief of Micaiah’s prophecy.

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 22:27→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Esther 3:8–15

    Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

    ›Commentary on Esther 3:8–151 voice

    “Their laws are diverse from all people - Such they certainly were; for they worshipped the true God according to his own laws; and this was not done by any other people then on the face of the earth.

    Everything gathered on Esther 3:8–15→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Proverbs 24:29

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

    ›Commentary on Proverbs 24:291 voice

    “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me,.... He has falsely accused and reproached me, and bore a false testimony, or suborned false witnesses against me, and I will do the same to him, now an opportunity serves; but as private revenge itself is sinful, so especially when it is pursued in a wicked way; I will render to the man according to his work; this should be left to the Lord, whose prerogative it is; see Pro 24:19.

    Everything gathered on Proverbs 24:29→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Ezekiel 25:12

    This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt,

    ›Commentary on Ezekiel 25:121 voice

    “(Vers. 12, 13, et seqq.) Thus says the Lord God: Because Edom has acted vengefully against the children of Judah and has incurred guilt by taking vengeance upon them, therefore thus says the Lord God: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. I will make it a desolation from Teman, and Dedan shall fall by the sword.

    Everything gathered on Ezekiel 25:12→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Ezekiel 25:15

    This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility,

    ›Commentary on Ezekiel 25:152 voices

    “(Vers. 15, 16.) Thus says the Lord God: Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, and took revenge with wholehearted malice, and filled ancient enmities; therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will destroy the killers and annihilate the remnants of the coastal region. And I will inflict great vengeance upon them in furious rebukes, and they will know that I am the Lord when I execute my vengeance upon them.

    “The Philistines occupying lands to the south of Judah were a Hamite race Gen 10:14, but of a different branch from the Canaanites. They were a powerful people never dispossessed by the Israelites Jos 13:3. They were a thorn in the side of the chosen people throughout, and joined in attacking Jerusalem in the day of her trouble.

    Everything gathered on Ezekiel 25:15→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Amos 1:11

    This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.

    ›Commentary on Amos 1:112 voices

    “(Ver. 11 and following) Thus says the Lord: For three crimes of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke my judgment; Because he pursued his brother with the sword, and violated all pity, and his anger tore at them constantly, and he kept his wrath to the end. I will send fire into Teman, and it will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.

    “Thus saith the Lord for three transgressions of Edom,.... Or the Edomites, the posterity of Esau, whose name was Edom, so called from the red pottage he sold his birthright for to his brother Jacob: and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; See Gill on Amo 1:

    Everything gathered on Amos 1:11→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Amos 1:12

    So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”

    ›Commentary on Amos 1:122 voices

    “(Ver. 11 and following) Thus says the Lord: For three crimes of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke my judgment; Because he pursued his brother with the sword, and violated all pity, and his anger tore at them constantly, and he kept his wrath to the end. I will send fire into Teman, and it will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.

    “But I will send a fire upon Teman,.... A principal city of Edom or Idumea, so called from Teman a grandson of Esau, Gen 36:11. Jerom (x) says there was in his time a village called Theman, five miles distant from the city Petra, and had a Roman garrison; and so says Eusebius (y); who places it in Arabia Petraea; it is put for the whole country; it signifies the south.

    Everything gathered on Amos 1:12→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Mark 6:19–24

    So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable,

    ›Commentary on Mark 6:19–242 voices

    “(ubi sup.) For Herodias was afraid, lest Herod should repent at some time, or be reconciled to his brother Philip, and so the unlawful marriage be divorced. It goes on, For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy.

    “Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him,.... Was angry with him, conceived wrath, and laid up hatred against him, and was an adversary to him; which is the sense of the Oriental versions. She bore him an inward grudge, and lay in wait to take the first opportunity of dispatching him: and would have killed him, but she could not; being hindered by Herod, who as yet would not suffer it; partly through fear of the people, and partly through the respect he had for John.

    Everything gathered on Mark 6:19–24→

    Verse page →Original language →