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DA39
Not Being Vengeful

DA39

We are not to be vengeful.

Category: Neighbours & Brothers

Type: Negative

Form: Explicit

Source dataset: New Testament

Uniqueness: Not unique

Classical commandment: No

New Covenant Literal Application

Applies to Person Categories: Not specified

Literal Application: Not specified

More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application

The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.

It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.

This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.

Read the full explanation from the source

Bible references

Key NT Scriptures
  • Romans 12:17
  • Romans 12:19
Supportive NT Scriptures
  • Hebrews 10:30
  • Matthew 5:38-39
  • 1 Peter 2:23
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Supportive OT Scriptures
  • Deuteronomy 32:35
  • Deuteronomy 32:43
  • Ezekiel 25:17
  • Proverbs 20:22
  • Proverbs 24:29
  • Psalms 94:1

Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent

Commentary

Rabbi Michael Rudolph

Vengeance and revenge are not the same. Vengeance is the infliction of punishment or retribution exacted for the commission of an injury or wrongful act. Avenging (causing vengeance) is answering a wrongful act by punishing or requiring retribution from a wrongdoer; it is sometimes appropriate (and sometimes even required) by both biblical and secular law. Revenge, on the other hand, is the infliction of punishment or retribution with an attitude of wanting to hurt a person in return for his having hurt us. Revenge is always wrong because Scripture calls us to love and forgive our neighbor and even our enemies. The prohibition of this Mitzvah to not be vengeful, forbids us from taking revenge or even wanting to take revenge for a wrong committed against us. Our obligation is to forgive those who have hurt us and, when vengeance is appropriate, Romans 12:19 requires that we give it over to the Lord.


Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

Related Law of Messiah commandments

Source and License

Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.

Volume 1 & 2 | Volume 3

License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0

Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.

Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3

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