Original Word: נָקַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: naqam
Pronunciation: naw-KAM
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kam')
KJV: avenge(-r, self), punish, revenge (self), X surely, take vengeance
NASB: avenge, avenged, take vengeance, avenger, avenging, take, exact
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish

avenger, self, punish, revenge self, surely, take vengeance

A primitive root; to grudge, i.e. Avenge or punish -- avenge(-r, self), punish, revenge (self), X surely, take vengeance.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to avenge, take vengeance
NASB Translation
avenge (9), avenged (5), avenger (2), avenging (2), exact (1), execute (1), punished (1), revengeful (1), take (2), take revenge (1), take vengeance (4), taken (1), takes vengeance (1), taking (1), vengeance shall be taken (1), vengeance will be taken (1).

[נָקַם] verb avenge, take vengeance (Ecclus 46:1e להנקם נקמי אויב (Niph`al + accusative of congnate meaning with verb); נקם, noun also Ecclesiasticus 12:6 (compare Deuteronomy 32:41), Ecclesiasticus 39:30; Ecclesiasticus 48:7; Late Hebrew נָקַם especially in derivatives; Aramaic נְקַם (rare), in derived species; Arabic take vengeance ( upon), Lane³⁰³⁷; compare Ethiopic Di⁴⁵⁸ vindictae studium, ultionis cupido; Assyrian i‡‡imu, vengeance, requital, is possibly from √ אקם Jäger^{BAS ii. 279}); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular suffix נְקָמֵ֫נִי 1 Samuel 24:13; Imperfect יִקּוֺם Deuteronomy 32:43; יִקֹּם Joshua 10:13; 2masculine singular תִּקֹּם Leviticus 19:18; Infinitive absolute נָקֹם Exodus 21:20; construct נְקֹם Ezekiel 24:8; Ezekiel 25:12; Imperative נְקֹם Numbers 31:2; Participle נִקֵם Nahum 1:2 3t.; feminine נֹקֶ֫מֶת Leviticus 26:25; —

1 avenge, take vengeance:

a. God subject דַּם עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֺם Deuteronomy 32:43 the blood of his servants he avengeth (against those who slew them) (+ 1 Kings 2:5 ᵐ5^L Klo); ׳נ absolute Nahum 1:2 (twice in verse) with לְ (against Nineveh) Nahum 1:2; נָקָם ׳נ (against Jerusalem) Ezekiel 24:8; עַלעֲֿלִילוֺהָם on their doings (his people's) Psalm 99:8; נְקַם בְּרִית ׳נ Leviticus 26:25 (H) the vengeance of the covenant (against those who break it); נְקָמַנִי1Sam 24:13, with מִן of person from whom vengeance is taken (compare Jeremiah 20:10).

b. Israel and its leaders against their enemies, נקמה ׳נ with מִן against whom Numbers 31:2 (P); with accusative יִקֹּם אֹיְבָיו Joshua 10:13 (poem).

c. Edom against Judah נקם לְ ׳נ Ezekiel 25:12.

d. in administration of justice against murder Exodus 21:20 (E).

2 entertain revengeful feelings (opposed to אהב) against neighbour forbidden Leviticus 19:18 (H).

Niph`al Perfect1singular נִקַּ֫מְתִּי Judges 15:7; 1 Samuel 14:24; 3masculine plural נִקְּמוּ Ezekiel 25:12; imperfect יִנָּקֵם Exodus 21:20; 1singular אִנָָּֽקְמָה Judges 16:28; Isaiah 1:24; 3masculine plural יִנָָּֽקְמוּ Ezekiel 25:15; Infinitive הִנָּקֵם Jeremiah 46:10 2t.; Imperative הִנָּ֫קֶם Jeremiah 15:15; plural הִנָָּֽקְמוּ Jeremiah 50:15: —

1 avenge oneself,

a. ׳י subject with מִן of adversary Isaiah 1:24; Jeremiah 46:10; with מִן advers., לְ for whom Jeremiah 15:15; with בְּ adversary Jeremiah 50:15.

b. of Israel and champions with מִן Judges 16:28; 1 Samuel 14:24; Esther 8:13; with בְּ Judges 15:7; 1 Samuel 18:25.

c. of enemies against Israel נקם ׳נ Ezekiel 25:15; with בְּ Ezekiel 25:12.

2 suffer vengeance (of law against murder) Exodus 21:20 (E).

Piel Perfect1singular נִקַּ֫מְתִּי 2 Kings 9:7; Jeremiah 51:36; — avenge, ׳י subject דָּמִים מיד 2 Kings 9:7 blood at hands of; נִקְמָתֵךָ ׳נ Jeremiah 51:36 take vengeance for thee.

Hoph`al Imperfect יֻקַּם Genesis 4:24; Exodus 21:21, יֻקָּ֑ם Genesis 4:15 be avenged, vengeance be taken (for blood).

Hithpa`el Imperfect תִּתְנַקֵּם Jeremiah 5:9,29; Jeremiah 9:8; Participle מִתְנַקֵּם Psalm 8:3; Psalm 44:17; avenge oneself, ׳י subject לֹא תִתְנַקֵּם ׳נַפְשִׁי בְּ Jeremiah 5:9,29; Jeremiah 9:8; of Israel's enemies אוֺיֵב וּמִתְנַקֵּם Psalm 8:3; Psalm 44:17.

Overview and Theological Context

The verb נָקַם occurs roughly thirty-five times in the Hebrew Scriptures and consistently conveys the idea of executing just retribution. Whether the subject is the LORD Himself or a divinely authorized human instrument, the action is never capricious revenge but the measured enforcement of covenant justice. Genesis introduces the concept when God warns that “Cain will be avenged sevenfold” (Genesis 4:15), and the Prophets close the canon echoing the same certainty: “For the LORD is a jealous and avenging God” (Nahum 1:2). The span from Primeval History to Prophetic Oracle shows a unified theme—ultimate authority for vengeance belongs to God, and He administers it in perfect righteousness.

Divine Prerogative

1. The LORD declares vengeance His exclusive right: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35).
2. He exacts vengeance for violated covenants (Leviticus 26:25), for innocent blood (2 Kings 9:7; 2 Kings 9:26), and for the oppression of His people (Jeremiah 51:11).
3. Even when employing human agents, Scripture emphasizes that the action remains “the LORD’s vengeance” (Numbers 31:3; Jeremiah 50:15).

Commissioned Human Agents

• Israel’s army was ordered, “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites” (Numbers 31:2).
• Jehu received the prophetic charge, “You are to strike down the house of your master Ahab so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets” (2 Kings 9:7).
• The Chaldeans became an unwitting tool of divine vengeance against Judah (Jeremiah 5:9; 5:29).

Whenever people carry out נָקַם, the text either states or clearly implies God’s authorization; personal vendetta is excluded.

Prohibited Personal Retaliation

Leviticus 19:18 forbids private vengeance, reflecting God’s monopoly on retributive justice. In narrative, Samson’s desire to “be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes” (Judges 16:28) is portrayed as extraordinary and results in his own death, underscoring the peril of self-directed vengeance.

Prayers for Righteous Vengeance

The faithful may appeal to God to act. David sings, “It is God who avenges me and subdues peoples under me” (Psalm 18:47). Jeremiah pleads, “O LORD, You understand; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors” (Jeremiah 15:15). Such prayers surrender the matter to divine judgment rather than assuming personal retribution.

Covenant and Redemptive History

• In Genesis 4, divine vengeance protects life and restrains escalating violence.
• During the Conquest and the Judges era, vengeance preserves covenant purity.
• The Prophets expand the theme eschatologically: “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for Zion’s cause” (Isaiah 34:8).
• Ultimately, the cross satisfies divine justice, and the New Testament urges believers, “Never avenge yourselves” (Romans 12:19), affirming continuity of the principle while announcing its fulfillment in Christ.

Pastoral and Ministry Significance

1. Confidence in God’s justice frees believers from bitterness and vigilante impulses.
2. Preaching on נָקַם cautions against trivializing sin; God’s holiness demands satisfaction.
3. Intercessory prayer may rightly include pleas for God to vindicate the oppressed, always tempered by the gospel call to repentance.
4. Missions and ethics are shaped by the assurance that wrongs unrepented will be addressed by the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25).

Selected Occurrences

Genesis 4:15; 4:24

Leviticus 26:25

Numbers 31:2-3

Deuteronomy 32:35, 41, 43

Judges 15:7; 16:28

1 Samuel 14:24

2 Samuel 4:8

2 Kings 9:7, 26

Job 42:10 (in the sense of restitution)

Psalm 18:47; 99:8

Isaiah 1:24

Jeremiah 5:9, 29; 15:15; 50:15; 51:6, 11, 36

Ezekiel 24:8; 25:14, 17

Nahum 1:2

Conclusion

נָקַם stands as a sobering reminder of God’s unwavering commitment to justice and a gracious invitation for sinners to seek mercy while it may be found.

בִּנְקֹ֥ם בנקם הִנָּ֣קְמוּ הנקמו וְ֝נֹקֵ֗ם וְאִנָּקְמָ֖ה וְאִנָּקְמָ֧ה וְהִנָּ֤קֶם וְנִקְּמ֥וּ וְנִקַּמְתִּ֖י וְנִקַּמְתִּ֞י וְנִקַּמְתִּי֙ וְנֹקֵם֙ וַיִּנָּקְמ֤וּ וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃ וּנְקָמַ֥נִי ואנקמה והנקם וינקמו ומתנקם׃ ונקם ונקמו ונקמני ונקמתי יִנָּקֵֽם׃ יִקֹּ֥ם יִקּ֑וֹם יֻקַּ֔ם יֻקַּם־ יֻקָּ֑ם ינקם׃ יקום יקם יקם־ לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם לְהִנָּקֵ֣ם לִנְקֹ֣ם להנקם לנקם נְקֹ֗ם נִקַּ֥מְתִּי נָקֹ֖ם נֹקֵ֤ם נֹקֵ֥ם נֹקֶ֙מֶת֙ נקם נקמת נקמתי תִקֹּ֤ם תִתְנַקֵּ֖ם תקם תתנקם bin·qōm binKom binqōm hin·nā·qə·mū hinNakemu hinnāqəmū lə·hin·nā·qêm lehinnaKem ləhinnāqêm lin·qōm linKom linqōm nā·qōm naKom nāqōm nə·qōm neKom nəqōm nikKamti niq·qam·tî niqqamtî nō·qe·meṯ nō·qêm noKem noKemet nōqêm nōqemeṯ tikKom ṯiq·qōm ṯiqqōm ṯiṯ·naq·qêm titnakKem ṯiṯnaqqêm ū·miṯ·naq·qêm ū·nə·qā·ma·nî umitnakKem ūmiṯnaqqêm unekaMani ūnəqāmanî vaiyinnakeMu vehinNakem veinnakeMah venikkamTi venikkeMu venoKem way·yin·nā·qə·mū wayyinnāqəmū wə’innāqəmāh wə·’in·nā·qə·māh wə·hin·nā·qem wə·niq·qam·tî wə·niq·qə·mū wə·nō·qêm wəhinnāqem wəniqqamtî wəniqqəmū wənōqêm yikKom yin·nā·qêm yinnaKem yinnāqêm yiq·qō·wm yiq·qōm yiqqōm yiqqōwm yukKam yuq·qam yuq·qām yuq·qam- yuqqam yuqqām yuqqam-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts