Overview
The Bible addresses punishment across 35 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes. Closely related themes include Call of God, the, Obduracy, Counsel and Impenitence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Samuel.
Key Bible verses about punishment
Old Testament
Psalms
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. Because: or, With whom also there be no changes, yet they
Proverbs
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. unpunished: Heb. held innocent
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. He: Heb. A man of reproofs
Ecclesiastes
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Jeremiah
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. to escape: Heb. to go forth of
Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. which: Heb. upon which my name is called
Amos
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: himself: Heb. his soul, or, life
Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD. courageous: Heb. strong of his heart
Habakkuk
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. wrong: or, wrested
New Testament
Matthew
Hebrews
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
People in the Bible and punishment
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying punishment for yourself
- Begin with Job 11:20, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Proverbs, Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Moses and Samuel and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Call of God, the, Obduracy, Counsel and Impenitence.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about punishment?
The Bible addresses punishment across 35 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes. Closely related themes include Call of God, the, Obduracy, Counsel and Impenitence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Samuel.
How many Bible verses are about punishment?
The Bible references punishment in 35 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention punishment?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Job 11:20: “But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. they shall: Heb. flight shall perish from them the giving: or, a puff of breath”
Which people in the Bible are associated with punishment?
Moses and Samuel.
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