avenger

One who extracts satisfaction from or punishes a wrongdoer, usually the next of kin of the wronged person. In some biblical texts, blood vengeance, the execution of a murderer by the avenger, is recognized as a custom sanctioned by God (Gen 9:5-6; Num 35:16-21), although this custom is to be limited by a sense of compassion and mercy (Gen 4:10-16; Num 35:9-15; Num 22:1-28:9). Elsewhere, God is the avenger (Ps 94). God’s people may be used by God to exercise vengeance against God’s enemies (Judg 12:3-6; 2Kgs 9:7; Josh 10:13), but they are forbidden to take vengeance upon one another (Lev 19:18).