Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5483 punishment, nature of

5483 punishment, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5482 punishment » 5483 punishment, nature of

Punishment is the inevitable and equitable consequence of breaking the law of God. In keeping with God's justice and righteousness, punishment is administered by him or by human beings as his agents.

God warned Adam and Eve of the punishment for disobedience

Genesis 2:16-17 See also Genesis 3:1-5

Adam and Eve's original disobedience brought inevitable punishment

Upon the serpent

Genesis 3:14-15 See also Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:1-3,10

Upon the woman

Genesis 3:16 See also Psalm 48:6; Isaiah 13:8; Isaiah 21:3; Jeremiah 4:31; 1 Timothy 2:14-15

Upon the man

Genesis 3:19 See also Job 5:7; Job 7:1; Psalm 90:5,7,8; Ecclesiastes 1:3; Isaiah 40:2

Upon creation

Genesis 3:17 See also Genesis 5:29; Jeremiah 12:4; Romans 8:19-22

The punishment of death

Romans 6:23 See also Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 33:8; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:21; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Banishment as punishment

Genesis 3:23 See also Genesis 4:10-16; Deuteronomy 29:27,28; 2 Kings 25:21; Matthew 8:12

Punishment must be appropriate to the crime

Genesis 9:6 See also Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:17-22; Judges 9:24

Punishment reflects the obligations of the offenders towards their victims

Exodus 22:3 See also Exodus 21:2,26-27; Exodus 22:4-9

Divine punishment is always totally just

Genesis 18:25 See also Genesis 20:4; Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Chronicles 6:23; Isaiah 3:11; Matthew 16:27; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:6

God appoints human agents to administer his punishment

Romans 13:4 See also Isaiah 45:1,14; Jeremiah 51:20; Micah 4:13; 1 Peter 2:13-14