Avenger; Avenger of Blood

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

Man’s blood when shed cries to God for vengeance (Gen. 4), and defiles the land (Num. 35:33³³So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. (Numbers 35:33)). The blood of Christ speaks better things, and enables God in righteousness to show grace to sinners. It also cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). By it we have forgiveness (Eph. 1:7⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)), justification (Rom. 5:9⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)), and entrance into the holiest (Heb. 10:19¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)). Blood is the life of the flesh, and was forbidden to man (Gen. 9, Levit. 17., Acts 15). Now, however, having died with Christ (Rom. 6), we can in figure drink the blood of Christ, who is our life in resurrection. It is remarkable that the death of Christ is seldom spoken of in connection with our salvation, whereas the “blood” is constantly referred to. We have redemption, peace, remission, and access by the blood; by it we are justified, made nigh, purged, cleansed, and sanctified.

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Exaction of just satisfaction (Luke 18:8⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8); 1 Thess. 4:6⁶That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (1 Thessalonians 4:6)). “Avenger of Blood” was the pursuer of a slayer to avenge the blood of the slain. He must be a relative of the dead one (Deut. 19:6⁶Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. (Deuteronomy 19:6)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

After the flood God gave to Noah the law that “whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6⁶Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)); and to this day in the East it is considered the solemn duty of the relatives of a slain man to see that his blood is avenged. The law made a distinction between murder and man-slaughter: when a person was killed accidentally the man-slayer could run to a City of Refuge and be protected. God has invested man with governmental authority to carry out this universal command, which was given long before the law by Moses, and which has never been repealed or relaxed. In the New Testament the magistrate bears not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God for the punishment of evil-doers (Rom. 13).

Under the law of Moses it was enacted “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Matt. 5:38³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (Matthew 5:38); Ex. 21:24²⁴Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (Exodus 21:24)). With the Christian it is quite different: having been dealt with in grace, he must act also in grace towards others. The word to him is “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19); Rev. 6:10¹⁰And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10); Rev. 19:2²For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Revelation 19:2)). Now it is the day of grace; but there is a day of vengeance coming for those that “know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8⁸In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:8)). The duty of a Christian in not avenging himself in no way clashes with the exercise of the government of God by magistrates, who derive their authority from Him, in repressing and punishing evil.