Avenge

The translation in the Revised Version (British and American) differs in some places from King James Version: Nu 31:3 Revised Version (British and American) "execute Yahweh’s vengeance"; (compare 2Sa 22:48; Ps 18:47; Le 26:25); Le 19:18 Revised Version (British and American) "take vengeance"; Jud 5:2 Revised Version (British and American) "for that the leaders took the lead in Israel" from para`, "to be free, to lead".

In the New Testament avenge is translated from the Greek ekdikeo, "to do justice," "to protect" (Lu 18:3 ff et al.) and the King James Version Re 18:20, krino, "to judge" Revised Version (British and American) "God hath judged your judgment".

Avenger.--That is, the person who inflicts punishment upon the evil-doer for a wrong experienced by himself (from naqam, "to avenge"; Ps 8:2 et al.) or by someone else from ga’al, "to redeem"; (Nu 35:12 ff et al.). In the New Testament avenger occurs only once; "the Lord is an avenger in all things" (1Th 4:6). It was the duty of the nearest relative to execute vengeance upon the murderer of his kin: he became the go’el. With reference to the protective legislation and custom, see Goel. Compare BLOOD; REVENGE, REVENGER.