A persistent feeling of ill will or resentment held by one person against another, often as the result of an injury or insult. Christians are not to bear grudges against others; instead they are to forgive those who have wronged them.

Genesis 27:41

Examples of those who held grudges

Esau against Jacob

Genesis 37:4

See also

Joseph's brothers and Joseph

Genesis 37:5,8,18-19,23-24; 50:15
Numbers 11:1; 14:1-4,27

The Israelites against Moses and Aaron

1 Samuel 18:7-9

Saul against David

1 Kings 18:16-17; 21:20; 22:8

Ahab against Elijah

Mark 6:18-19

Herodias against John the Baptist

See also

Matthew 26:6-9

The disciples against others

John 12:3-6

pp Mk 14:3-5

Acts 5:17

The Sadducees against the apostles

Acts 7:54

The Jews against Stephen

Genesis 4:4-8

Severe grudges that led to hatred and murder

That of Abel by Cain

Genesis 37:18-20

That of Joseph by his brothers, averted by Reuben

2 Samuel 13:22,28-32

That of Amnon, on the orders of Absalom

Mark 6:22-24,27-28

That of John the Baptist by Herodias

Leviticus 19:18

Warnings against the holding of grudges

See also

In the OT

Deuteronomy 15:10
Judges 8:1-3
Job 5:2; 36:13
Proverbs 3:11; 20:22; 23:17
Mark 7:21-23

In Jesus Christ's teaching

Romans 12:17-21

pp Mt 15:19-20

1 Thessalonians 5:15

In the apostles' teaching

See also

Galatians 5:15,19-21
Philippians 2:13-15
Colossians 3:8
2 Timothy 2:24
James 3:14-16
1 Peter 2:1
Matthew 5:43-47

Christians should not hold grudges

See also

Matthew 18:21-35
Colossians 3:13

See also

5266 conscription
5495 revenge & retaliation
5790 anger, divine
5800 blasphemy
5876 helpfulness
5931 resistance
6652 forgiveness
8734 evil