avenger

Everyday

A person who punishes someone for a wrong done to themselves or to someone they love. tree →

In the lessons

in tales, a young hero or relative who comes to pay back a wrong.

Examples

• He was watching for the avenger. tree →
• The young avenger waited for his chance. tree →
• The knight became the avenger of the village. tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, the "avenger of blood" is a close relative of someone killed. He was allowed to put a murderer to death, but not someone who killed by accident. In the Psalms "the enemy and the avenger" means a hostile person who seeks revenge, whom God can silence. Joshua repeats the rule about cities of refuge.

Interpretation. The cities of refuge protected a person who killed by accident until a court judged the case. Tradition reads this as a way to limit blood revenge and protect the innocent.

Examples

• then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances; (Torah NUM.35.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meeteth him, he shall put him to death. (Torah NUM.35.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment. (Torah NUM.35.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou founded strength, because of Thine adversaries; that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (Writings PSA.8.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• that the manslayer that killeth any person through error and unawares may flee thither; and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood. (Prophets JOS.20.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unawares, and hated him not beforetime. (Prophets JOS.20.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths