feminine of נָקָם; avengement, whether the act of the passion; [phrase] avenge, revenge(-ing), vengeance.
Transliteration:nᵉqâmâh
Pronunciation:nek-aw-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נְקָמָה ( *nᵉqâmâh*, `{{H5360}}`) is a feminine form derived from the root נָקָם ( *nāqām*), meaning "to avenge" or "to take vengeance." As a noun, *nᵉqâmâh* specifically denotes the *act* of avengement or the *state* of vengeance itself. Its semantic range encompasses both the righteous execution of justice, particularly when attributed to God, and the passionate, often illicit, act of human retribution. The precise nuance of *nᵉqâmâh* is highly dependent on the agent performing the action and the surrounding context, distinguishing between divinely ordained justice and humanly motivated revenge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *nᵉqâmâh* appears a number of times in the Old Testament, predominantly in prophetic and poetic literature, often in contexts of divine judgment.
When applied to God, *nᵉqâmâh* signifies His righteous retribution against those who oppose His will or oppress His people. For example, in [[Jeremiah 50:15]], God declares His vengeance against Babylon for its actions against Israel: "Take vengeance upon her; as she has done, do to her!" Similarly, [[Jeremiah 51:6]] and [[Jeremiah 51:11]] speak of God's vengeance for His temple and for His people's cause. [[Isaiah 34:8]] refers to "the day of the Lord's vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion," highlighting its role in redressing wrongs committed against His covenant nation. [[Psalm 94:1]] famously proclaims, "O Lord, God of vengeance! O God of vengeance, shine forth!" This portrays God as the ultimate dispenser of justice, who will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely. In these divine contexts, *nᵉqâmâh* is not capricious but a purposeful act of justice that restores cosmic and moral order, vindicating His holiness and covenant faithfulness.
In human contexts, while the direct noun *nᵉqâmâh* is less frequently used to describe forbidden personal vengeance (the verb *nāqām* `{{H5358}}` or noun *nāqām* `{{H5359}}` often convey this), the concept is crucial. For instance, in [[Numbers 31:2-3]], Moses is commanded to execute "the vengeance of the Lord" against Midian, a divinely sanctioned military action. This demonstrates that human acts of retribution, when explicitly commanded by God, can be legitimate expressions of divine justice. However, the broader biblical witness consistently reserves the right to vengeance for God Himself, warning against personal revenge ([[Deuteronomy 32:35]], later echoed in [[Romans 12:19]]).
A significant eschatological usage is found in the phrase "the day of vengeance of our God" ([[Isaiah 61:2]], also [[Jeremiah 46:10]]). This points to a future time when God will fully manifest His justice, bringing judgment upon the wicked and deliverance to His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relatives of *nᵉqâmâh* are:
* **נָקָם ( *nāqām*, `{{H5358}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to avenge," "to take vengeance," or "to punish." This verb is fundamental to understanding the concept of retribution in the Old Testament.
* **נָקָם ( *nāqām*, `{{H5359}}`):** The masculine noun form, also meaning "vengeance" or "retribution." It is often used interchangeably with *nᵉqâmâh* or with subtle nuances depending on the context.
Beyond direct lexical relations, *nᵉqâmâh* is conceptually linked to:
* **Justice (מִשְׁפָּט, *mishpat*, `{{H4941}}`):** Divine vengeance is an integral aspect of God's perfect justice, ensuring that righteousness prevails and sin is punished.
* **Retribution (גְּמוּל, *gᵉmūl*, `{{H1576}}`):** The principle of receiving what one deserves, whether good or bad, is closely tied to the concept of divine vengeance.
* **Wrath (אַף, *'aph*, `{{H639}}`; חֵמָה, *ḥēmāh*, `{{H2534}}`):** Vengeance is often an expression of God's holy wrath against sin, rebellion, and injustice.
* **Divine Prerogative:** The overarching theological principle that vengeance belongs solely to God ([[Deuteronomy 32:35]]), a concept later affirmed in the New Testament ([[Romans 12:19]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *nᵉqâmâh* is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** The most crucial theological insight is that *nᵉqâmâh* is primarily God's prerogative. As the "God of vengeance" ([[Psalm 94:1]]), He is the ultimate and perfect executor of justice. This assures His people that all wrongs will ultimately be righted, and oppressors will face divine consequences. It underscores His absolute authority and righteous character.
2. **Restoration of Order:** Divine vengeance is not an act of uncontrolled rage or malice, but a deliberate, holy act intended to restore cosmic and moral order that has been disrupted by sin, wickedness, and injustice. It is a necessary function of God's holiness and righteousness, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to truth and equity.
3. **Prohibition of Human Vengeance:** The biblical emphasis on divine vengeance implicitly and explicitly prohibits personal, human vengeance ([[Leviticus 19:18]], [[Proverbs 20:22]]). Human vengeance typically stems from sinful passion, self-interest, and a flawed understanding of justice, and it usurps God's unique role. This distinction highlights the qualitative difference between God's perfect justice and humanity's fallen capacity for retribution.
4. **Eschatological Hope:** The concept of "the day of vengeance of our God" ([[Isaiah 61:2]]) provides a future-oriented hope. It points to a time when God will fully vindicate His suffering people, judge all unrighteousness, and establish His kingdom in perfect righteousness. This promise offers solace to the oppressed and a solemn warning to the unrepentant.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נְקָמָה ( *nᵉqâmâh*, `{{H5360}}`) signifies "vengeance" or "avengement." While it can describe human acts of retribution, its most significant and frequent usage in the Old Testament pertains to divine vengeance. When attributed to God, *nᵉqâmâh* is understood as a righteous and just act, a manifestation of His sovereignty, holiness, and unwavering commitment to justice. It is a deliberate execution of divine judgment, not a capricious outburst, designed to restore moral order and punish wickedness. The biblical narrative consistently teaches that vengeance belongs solely to the Lord, thereby warning against humans taking personal retribution. This theological truth underscores the qualitative difference between God's perfect, holy justice and the flawed, often sinful nature of human vengeance, offering both hope for the oppressed and a solemn warning for the unrighteous, pointing ultimately to God's ultimate eschatological judgment.
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