What Does “God of Vengeance” Mean? A Jewish Perspective on Justice in the Torah

Yossi asks: “Hello. I don’t understand the expression ‘El Nekamot Hashem’ (‘God of vengeance is the Lord’). What does this phrase mean? Revenge doesn’t seem necessary or constructive, except for the avenger. And God is above such things.”

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Thank you, Yossi, for your thoughtful question.

Let’s look at the verse in its full context: “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, Judge of the earth, repay the proud what they deserve. How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out arrogant words; all evildoers boast. They crush Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage.” (Psalm 94:1–5)

Here, the psalmist is not describing God as “vengeful” in a human sense, but calling upon God to reveal His power in the face of nations that oppress and harm Israel.

At its root, vengeance in the Torah is about justice. The human heart does not desire revenge against the innocent or the upright, but against those who act with cruelty and injustice. Still, the Hebrew word nekama (vengeance) goes beyond justice — it implies astrong, public, and decisive act of justice, carried out in a way that makes the consequences visible to all.

In this psalm, King David asks that God’s glory be revealed in the world. When the wicked are punished and the righteous rewarded, it becomes clear that God rules with justice, and this brings honor to His name.

Why Does the Torah Use the Language of “Anger” and “Revenge”?

Vengeance is not “needed” by God. It is needed for human beings who suffer under oppression, and for the honor of God, which is desecrated when His people are crushed and the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Of course, God Himself does not feel anger like a human being and He is not subject to passions or impulses. The Torah often uses human-like language to describe Him, because, as the Sages said, “The Torah speaks in the language of man.”

When Scripture says that God is “angry,” it is a way of expressing that human behavior has strayed far from His will, activating His attribute of justice. It is not that God’s feelings are hurt, but that humanity’s actions bring harm upon themselves.

The prophet Jeremiah records God’s own words: “Do they provoke Me to anger? says the Lord. Is it not themselves, to their own shame?” (Jeremiah 7:19). The commentator Metzudat David explains: “Do they anger Me? Meaning, can their deeds truly harm Me? No — their rebellion harms only themselves, bringing them shame and disgrace.”

The Deeper Message

When the psalm says “God of vengeance”, it is not speaking of divine pettiness, but of God’s justice being revealed in the world. The wicked will be repaid, not because God “needs” revenge, but because humanity needs to see that injustice is not ignored, and that God’s presence is real.

Especially in difficult times, we must increase our prayers and also our gratitude, for we see how God continually protects Israel from many threats. And we also witness how those who seek to destroy us often fall by their own schemes. With God’s help, we will emerge from danger and be delivered from all troubles.