VENGEANCE.

VEN'GEANCE. Rom 12:19. This word often denotes merely punishment, without any reference to the state of mind in which it is inflicted. In the passage cited and elsewhere, Deut 32:35, the exclusive right of God to punish wrong-doers and to vindicate the truth is plainly asserted. Hence every act of revenge is an interference with the divine prerogative. The word is applied to God in the same manner in which "anger," "hatred," etc., are applied - not as denoting a state or temper of mind, but as implying an act or course of proceeding such as usually indicates a particular state of mind, when done or pursued by man.

VEN'GEANCE. Rom 12:19. This word often denotes merely punishment, without any reference to the state of mind in which it is inflicted. In the passage cited and elsewhere, Deut 32:35, the exclusive right of God to punish wrong-doers and to vindicate the truth is plainly asserted. Hence every act of revenge is an interference with the divine prerogative. The word is applied to God in the same manner in which "anger," "hatred," etc., are applied - not as denoting

a state or temper of mind, but as implying an act or course of proceeding such as usually indicates a particular state of mind, when done or pursued by man.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; -- often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge. To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Deut. xxxii. 35. To execute fierce vengeance on his foes. Milton.

2. Harm; mischief. [Obs.] Shak. What a vengeance, or What the vengeance, what! -- emphatically. [Obs.] "But what a vengeance makes thee fly!" Hudibras. "What the vengeance! Could he not speak 'em fair" Shak. -- With a vengeance, with great violence; as, to strike with a vengeance. [Colloq.]