# avenge, avenger, revenge, vengeance

## 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](../other/punish.md), [just](../kt/justice.md), [righteous](../kt/righteous.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Samuel 24:12-13](rc://en/tn/help/1sa/24/12)
* [Ezekiel 25:15](rc://en/tn/help/ezk/25/15)
* [Isaiah 47:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/isa/47/03)
* [Leviticus 19:17-18](rc://en/tn/help/lev/19/17)
* [Psalms 018:47](rc://en/tn/help/psa/018/47)
* [Romans 12:19](rc://en/tn/help/rom/12/19)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H1350, H3467, H5358, H5359, H5360, H8199, G1556, G1557, G1558, G3709
