vengeance

Everyday

1. Vengeance is harming someone because they have harmed you or someone you love; revenge. tree →
2. (informal) "With a vengeance" means very strongly or much more than usual, as in "It rained with a vengeance". tree →

In the lessons

In stories and films, a character may swear vengeance, which tells the reader the plot is about revenge. In ethics and church, people learn that seeking vengeance often makes things worse; in the Bible, "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord" teaches that people should not take revenge themselves, and Jesus taught to love enemies. Phrases: "take vengeance", "swear vengeance", "seek vengeance", "with a vengeance".

Examples

• The hero swore vengeance on the dragon that burnt his village. tree →
• (Bible) Saint Paul wrote, "Do not take revenge … for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine,' says the Lord." tree →
• Vengeance doesn't fix anything; it just makes the fight longer. tree →
• The rain came back with a vengeance. tree →
• She forgave him instead of seeking vengeance. tree →
• The cold came back with a vengeance just when spring had started. tree →
• “O Dil-aram! such a vengeance is not manly. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Similar: revenge (more common in everyday speech), retaliation. Adjective: vengeful. Spelled with -geance. "Avenge" is the verb (to punish someone for a wrong done to another), as in "avenge his brother".

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Torah forbids private revenge and commands love of neighbour. Tradition teaches that vengeance belongs to God, and that the rule "love your neighbour as yourself" is a great principle of the Torah. In the primary lessons: In stories and films, a character may swear vengeance, which tells the reader the plot is about revenge. In ethics and church, people learn that seeking vengeance often makes things worse; in the Bible, "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord" teaches that people should not take revenge themselves, and Jesus taught to love enemies. Phrases: "take vengeance", "swear vengeance", "seek vengeance", "with a vengeance".

Examples

• Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. (Torah LEV.19.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• If I whet My glittering sword, and My hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine adversaries, and will recompense them that hate Me. (Torah DEU.32.41, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. (Torah NUM.31.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• To execute vengeance upon the nations, and chastisements upon the peoples; (Writings PSA.149.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me. (Writings LAM.3.60, JPS 1917) tree →
• Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, and subdueth peoples under me. (Writings PSA.18.48, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. Similar: revenge (more common in everyday speech), retaliation. Adjective: vengeful. Spelled with -geance. "Avenge" is the verb (to punish someone for a wrong done to another), as in "avenge his brother".