Avenge; Avenger

Avenger - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

AVENG'ER, n. One who avenges or vindicates; a vindicator; a revenger.

Revenge - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

REVENGE, v.t. revenj'. [L. vindex, vindico. See Vindicate.]

1. To inflict pain or injury in return for an injury received.

[Note. this word and avenge were formerly used as synonymous, and it is so used in the common version of the Scripture, and applied to the Supreme Being. ""O Lord - revenge me of my persecutors."" Jer 15. In consequence of a distinction between avenge and revenge which modern usage has introduced, the application of this word to the Supreme Being appears extremely harsh, irreverent and offensive. Revenge is now used in an ill sense, for the infliction of pain maliciously or illegally; avenge for inflicting just punishment.]

2. According to modern usage, to inflict pain deliberately and maliciously, contrary to the laws of justice and humanity, in return for injury, pain or evil received; to wreak vengeance spitefully on one who injures or offends. We say, to revenge an injury or insult, or with the reciprocal pronoun, to revenge ourselves on an enemy or for an injury, that is, to take vengeance or satisfaction.

3. To vindicate by punishment of an enemy.

The gods are just and will revenge our cause.

[According to modern usage, avenge should here be substituted for revenge.]

REVENGE, n. revenj'.

1. Return of an injury; the deliberate infliction of pain or injury or a person in return for an injury received from him.

2. According to modern usage, a malicious or spiteful infliction of pain or injury, contrary to the laws of justice and christianity, in return for an injury or offense. Revenge is dictated by passion; vengeance by justice.

3. The passion which is excited by an injury done or an affront given; the desire of inflicting pain on one who has done an injury; as, to glut revenge.

Revenge, as the word is now understood, is always contrary to the precepts of Christ.

The indulgence of revenge tends to make men more savage and cruel.

Revenger - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

REVENG'ER, n.

1. One who revenges; one who inflicts pain on another spitefully in return for an injury.

2. One who inflicts just punishment for injuries. [Less proper.]

Vengeance - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

VENGEANCE, n. venj'ance. [L. vindico.]

The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense. Such infliction, when it proceeds from malice or more resentment, and is not necessary for the purposes of justice, is revenge, and a most heinous crime. When such infliction proceeds from a mere love of justice, and the necessity of punishing offenders for the support of the laws, it is vengeance, and is warrantable and just. In this case, vengeance is a just retribution, recompense or punishment. In this latter sense the word is used in Scripture, and frequently applied to the punishments inflicted by God on sinners.

To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Deu 32.

The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries. Nahum 1.

With a vengeance, in familiar language, signifies with great violence or vehemence; as, to strike one with a vengeance.

Formerly, what a vengeance, was a phrase used for what emphatical.

But what a vengeance makes thee fly?

a-venj' a-venj'-er: Avenge.--The general idea connected with this word is that of inflicting punishment upon the wrongdoer. Since emphasis may be placed upon the deed itself, the wrongdoer, or the injured party, the verb is found an intransitive (only Le 19:18; see below), transitive (2Sa 4:8 et al.); and also active (De 32:43), passive (Jer 5:9) and reflexive (Es 8:13). In 1Sa 25:26 ff avenge is translated from yasha`, "to save" (Revised Version margin, "thine own hand saving thee"), in Ho 1:4 from paqadh, "to visit," and in 2Sa 18:19 ff from shaphaT, "to judge," but the usual Hebrew word is naqam, or derivatives, "to avenge."

The translation in the Revised Version (British and American) differs in some places from King James Version: Nu 31:3 Revised Version (British and American) "execute Yahweh's vengeance"; (compare 2Sa 22:48; Ps 18:47; Le 26:25); Le 19:18 Revised Version (British and American) "take vengeance"; Jud 5:2 Revised Version (British and American) "for that the leaders took the lead in Israel" from para`, "to be free, to lead".

In the New Testament avenge is translated from the Greek ekdikeo, "to do justice," "to protect" (Lu 18:3 ff et al.) and the King James Version Re 18:20, krino, "to judge" Revised Version (British and American) "God hath judged your judgment".

Avenger.--That is, the person who inflicts punishment upon the evil-doer for a wrong experienced by himself (from naqam, "to avenge"; Ps 8:2 et al.) or by someone else from ga'al, "to redeem"; (Nu 35:12 ff et al.). In the New Testament avenger occurs only once; "the Lord is an avenger in all things" (1Th 4:6). It was the duty of the nearest relative to execute vengeance upon the murderer of his kin: he became the go'el. With reference to the protective legislation and custom, see GOEL. Compare BLOOD; REVENGE, REVENGER.

A. L. Breslich

re-venj', re-venj'-er: The same Hebrew and Greek words are used to express the idea of "to avenge" and "to revenge" (naqam, or derivative; ekdikeo, or derivative). In English these words are synonymous in that they are both used to express the infliction of punishment upon the wrongdoer, but "to take revenge" may also imply a spiteful, wrong or malignant spirit. In the latter case, the Revised Version (British and American) preserves "revenge" (compare Jer 20:10; Eze 25:15; 25:17 is an anthropomorphism), but, wherever it is synonymous with "avenge," this word is used (compare Nu 31:2,3; Ps 79:10; Na 1:2; /RAPC Jdt 13:20; Ro 13:4; 2Co 7:11; 10:6 the Revised Version (British and American); the King James Version has "revenge" in all these cases). In De 32:42, the King James Version "revenge" is a wrong translation. Read with the Revised Version (British and American) "from the head of the leaders of the enemy" or the Revised Version margin "the hairy head of the enemy."

Compare AVENGE, AVENGER; BLOOD; GOEL.

A. L. Breslich

ven'-jans.

See AVENGE; GOEL; RETRIBUTION; REVENGE.

Definition

To “avenge” or “take revenge” or “execute vengeance” is to punish someone in order to pay him back for the harm he did. The act of avenging or taking revenge is “vengeance.”

• Usually “avenge” implies an intent to see justice done or to right a wrong,
• When referring to people, the expression “take revenge” or “get revenge” usually involves wanting to get back at the person who did the harm.
• When God “takes vengeance” or “executes vengeance,” he is acting in righteousness because he is punishing sin and rebellion.

Translation Suggestions

• The expression to “avenge” could also be translated as to “right a wrong” or to “get justice for.”
• When referring to human beings, to “take revenge” could be translated as “pay back” or “hurt in order to punish” or “get back at.”
• Depending on the context, “vengeance” could be translated as “punishment” or “punishment of sin” or “payment for wrongs done.” If a word meaning “retaliation” is used, this would apply to human beings only.
• When God says, “take my vengeance,” this could be translated by “punish them for wrongs done against me” or “cause bad things to happen because they have sinned against me.”
• When referring to God’s vengeance, make sure it is clear that God is right in his punishment of sin.

(See also: punish, just, righteous)

Bible References

• 1 Samuel 24:12-13
• Ezekiel 25:15
• Isaiah 47:3-5
• Leviticus 19:17-18
• Psalms 18:47
• Romans 12:19

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1350, H3467, H5358, H5359, H5360, H8199, G15560, G15570, G15580, G37090