Revenge in the Bible
The idea of revenge is an intrinsically human one.
It incites emotions, sparks controversy and is usually the source of issues that go way beyond them.
The Bible hammers down revenge as a last resort, leaving most of the pain with God.
It has, after all, been a peculiarity that introduced much chaos to society since Genesis or further back.
Revenge appears fairly often because ad men recognize a universal truth: people are vengeful.
At the root of revenge is a response to wrongdoing.
In ancient times the justice system was less organized than today.
As a result, many took justice into their own hands.
To do wrong to them was triggering an instinct in reaction, a means of ‘getting even.’
But you’ll notice, as we read through the Bible, that God’s sense of justice is quite different from our own–especially when it comes to vengeance.
The Bible is clear about revenge.
The Bible makes it clear that getting even is up to God, and if we respond in kind by seeking personal vengeance, sin has won the day again.
The Old Testament and Levitical laws are clear: Justice belongs to the Lord.
Old Testament Foundations
One of the most noted ideas in regard to revenge comes from the Old Testament: “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”
This can also be seen in Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21.
This passage is misunderstood and taken to encourage retribution.
An “eye for an eye” was to restrain the harm, only establishing a more proportionate retribution.
But in the long run, this law was considered a tool to define and enact revenge rather than control it.
There is one level deeper in understanding, though: the Bible is explicit that even under the Old Testament, God never desired either of those punishments as appropriate for personal conduct.
God’s Justice Versus Human Revenge
The main difference between God’s justice and human vengeful lies in motivation.
The revenge of a human being takes its roots from anger, suffering and the need to have control.
When we are wronged, revenge appears to be a course of action that gives us back power or returns dignity.
The Bible teaches that an obsessive concern with vengeance only begets more violence.
By contrast, the justice of God is perfect and impartial; it is righteous.
God has got more class than to act out of resentment or personal insult.
It is always aimed at the highest good for all, restoring peace.
Time and time again, the Bible tells us that justice is for God to judge, not man, as only he can know all in our hearts.
Romans 12:19 declares, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.”
The justice of God is not punitive.
It destroys nothing and no one.
He comes to redeem, heal and restore what was broken.
In revenge, we usually do the opposite: weaken what is already a broken part.
It is clear that in the Bible, we should never take into our hands revenge but rather believe that his divine wisdom will give justice triumphing at His highest time.
The Role of Forgiveness in Countering Revenge
Forgiveness truly is one of the best principles presented in all scripture.
The antithesis of revenge. Revenge tries to cause pain in return for hurt, and forgiveness podiums the individual far above it.
Forgiveness is not condoning wrongful behavior or sweeping the offense under the rug.
It is laying aside the need to get our own back and having faith in a God who will deal as he sees fit with unfairness.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we hear Jesus tell His followers to pray, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” How we forgive others is linked to how we experience God’s forgiveness. 
Forgiveness can be tough because it calls for humility and grace.
It is very easy for us to hold grudges, finding every convenient opportunity to lash out in anger based on the wrong doing we have been subjected.
Biblical forgiveness demands we loosen that grip.
This is something that changes you inside and releases the shackles of revenge so easily put on us.
Forgiveness is also a testimony of God’s grace.
The forgiveness of another is perhaps the greatest witness to some sort of change because revenge would have been so easy, and we all know it.
The Dangers of Harboring a Spirit of Revenge
A vengeful spirit not only cripples the one who carries it but can also obliterate connections.
One person’s need for revenge has destroyed families, friendships and communities.
There are so many warnings in the Bible about what happens when we hold onto anger and bitterness.
The danger is that revenge can make our hearts harder.
Eventually, this quest for revenge ceases to be about getting justice and more about holding onto hurt.
The Bible says to leave that burden over to God.
Biblical Stories of Revenge and Their Outcomes
Cain was the first individual recorded murdering out of jealousy.
Another example is Joseph, who was brethren in Genesis by his brothers.
Decades later, Joseph chose to forgive them and went back home. 
Living Beyond Revenge
The Bible actually gives us a solution to fighting those violent temptations.
Romans 12:20-21 states – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
This passage focuses on the agent of transformation — kindness and love even directed at enemies.
When you respond negatively to negativity, the cycle of revenge continues. You come in peace instead of causing conflict.
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Bulgarea Anca is a devout Christian and the founder of Bible Wings, a comprehensive resource for Christians seeking to deepen their faith and understanding of the Bible. Raised within the Christian faith, Bulgarea Anca’s spirituality was nourished by her grandparents, who were cantors in their local church. Her Christian upbringing was further solidified by her education at a Christian school. Today, she uses her in-depth knowledge of the scripture to provide insightful and meaningful content through Bible Wings.