In English, the word vengeance has a negative denotation, defined as "the most furious and unsparing revenge." Synonymous with vengeance, revenge "emphasizes more the personal injury in return for which is inflicted." With these definitions in mind, it makes sense why revenge is usually associated with personal retaliation and extreme measures. The Hebrew root for vengeance has many other meanings and interpretations which do not always directly translate to revenge or vengeance. In the texts of the Bible, the connotations include the following: to deliver, to liberate, to restore, to punish or to defeat. Most of these connotations are seldom negative, as reflected in the verses and stories in the Bible, and they can also include imply actions such as: to save, to take court, to contend and to regulate.
             There is an abundance of stories in the Bible on vengeance and revenge. They range from revenge taken by one man on another, the revenge taken by the clan or courts on an individual, revenge on an individual taken by God, and revenge on an individual by another individual who was appointed by God to do so. Since there are so many that could be covered, this paper will focus mainly on the revenge taken by one individual on another, neither necessarily appointed by God to do so. There is some reasoning behind this choice. Though there are comparatively more examples in Bible of vengeance taken by the Lord on an individual, these instances are not always clearly defined. For example, when Cain slew Abel, there was a description of the act and there was talk about the blood that was spilt. But in instances when God takes vengeance, the verses are simple such as the idea that a plague is sent or the people suffer. Additionally, all of the ideas, mentions, and stories in the Bible that explain personal revenge cannot be addressed in this paper. But, to be able to get a general idea and draw some type ...