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ἐκδίκησις

ekdíkēsis

G1557 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Redress or execution of justice, particularly the act of inflicting punishment or carrying out retribution in response to a wrongdoing; in broader contexts, the pursuit or granting of justice or vindication. The term can refer both to personal or divine action aimed at restoring balance or satisfying the requirements of justice (i.e., retribution), as well as to the defense or vindication of someone wronged.

Semantic Range

vindication, execution of justice, retribution (punitive justice), punishment, process of avenging, defense or protection of the wronged

Root / Etymology

From ἐκδικέω (to avenge, to exact justice), itself formed from ἐκ (out of, from) + δίκη (justice, right, judgment). The noun ἐκδίκησις is a verbal noun denoting the action or result of ἐκδικέω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἐκδίκησις is used for both personal vengeance and the more formal execution of justice, depending on context. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including the New Testament, the term often denotes retributive justice, frequently with the connotation of divine (God's) response to human wrongdoing (see Luke 18:7-8, Romans 12:19). LXX usage follows similar patterns, referring both to individual acts and judicial or divine acts. English 'vengeance' tends to emphasize personal, emotional retaliation, but ἐκδίκησις is not always personal or emotional; it can denote legitimate, sometimes official or divinely mandated, justice or punishment. Standard translations such as 'vengeance' or 'punishment' may not capture the full nuance, as the term can include the idea of defense or vindication of the wronged. Contrast with δίκη, which emphasizes justice in the sense of legal right, and τιμωρία, which can also denote punishment, sometimes for correction rather than simple retribution.

Translation Consistency

primary "avenge" 8 occurrences

G1557 (ἐκδίκησις) most commonly conveys punitive redress or vindication—i.e., carrying out justice or retribution. The verb “avenge” naturally and simply captures the active sense (“to take/execute vengeance” or to vindicate the wronged) and aligns with common English translations (vengeance/avenging). It is a clear, natural base-form choice that can be inflected consistently for all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"executed justice" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκδικέω; vindication, retribution:--(a-, re-)venge(-ance), punishment.

Root Family

ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis) — justice, execution of justice, vindication, retribution, punishment

Root δίκ- justice, right, judgment, to justify, to exact justice

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1557-02 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG justice execution of justice the avenging of justice 6
G1557-03 ἐκδίκησις ekdikesis N NOM F SG vengeance execution of justice the act of avenging 2
G1557-01 ἐκδικήσεως ekdikeseos N GEN F SG of vengeance of executed justice of executed justice 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1557-02 Luke 18:7 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG justice execution of justice the avenging of justice
G1557-02 Luke 18:8 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG justice execution of justice the avenging of justice
G1557-01 Luke 21:22 ἐκδικήσεως ekdikeseos N GEN F SG of vengeance of executed justice of executed justice
G1557-02 Acts 7:24 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG vengeance execution of justice the avenging of justice
G1557-03 Romans 12:19 ἐκδίκησις ekdikesis N NOM F SG vengeance execution of justice the act of avenging
G1557-02 2 Corinthians 7:11 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG vindication execution of justice the avenging of justice
G1557-02 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG vengeance execution of justice the avenging of justice
G1557-03 Hebrews 10:30 ἐκδίκησις ekdikesis N NOM F SG vengeance execution of justice the act of avenging
G1557-02 1 Peter 2:14 ἐκδίκησιν ekdikesin N ACC F SG punishment execution of justice the avenging of justice
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