Overview
The Bible addresses vengeance across 14 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Psalms and Romans. Closely related themes include Revenge, Commandments, Quotations and Allusions and Retaliation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hamor, Jacob, Dinah and Simeon.
Key Bible verses about vengeance
Old Testament
Genesis
And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. edge: Heb. mouth
The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,
And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
People in the Bible and vengeance
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
Studying vengeance for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 34:20, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis, Psalms and Romans each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Hamor, Jacob and Dinah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Revenge, Commandments, Quotations and Allusions and Retaliation.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about vengeance?
The Bible addresses vengeance across 14 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Psalms and Romans. Closely related themes include Revenge, Commandments, Quotations and Allusions and Retaliation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hamor, Jacob, Dinah and Simeon.
How many Bible verses are about vengeance?
The Bible references vengeance in 14 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention vengeance?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 34:20: “And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with vengeance?
Hamor, Jacob, Dinah, Simeon and Levi.
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