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100 Bible Verses about Self Defense

Exodus 22:2-3 ESV / 3,790 helpful votes

If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Psalm 144:1 ESV / 2,867 helpful votes

Of David. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

Romans 12:19 ESV / 2,855 helpful votes

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Luke 22:36 ESV / 2,708 helpful votes

He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

Luke 11:21 ESV / 2,706 helpful votes

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;

Psalm 82:4 ESV / 2,682 helpful votes

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 2,651 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Romans 13:4 ESV / 2,500 helpful votes

For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Matthew 5:38-39 ESV / 2,206 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Proverbs 25:26 ESV / 2,198 helpful votes

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Matthew 26:52-54 ESV / 2,138 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

Nehemiah 4:17-18 ESV / 2,011 helpful votes

Who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 1,730 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Romans 12:18 ESV / 1,662 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Numbers 31:3 ESV / 1,624 helpful votes

So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord's vengeance on Midian.

Exodus 22:1-31 ESV / 1,596 helpful votes

“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard. ...

Romans 12:17 ESV / 1,555 helpful votes

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Proverbs 24:11 ESV / 1,526 helpful votes

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

Exodus 22:2 ESV / 1,415 helpful votes

If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,

Genesis 9:5-6 ESV / 1,345 helpful votes

And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 1,333 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Mark 3:27 ESV / 1,322 helpful votes

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Proverbs 20:22 ESV / 1,301 helpful votes

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 1,233 helpful votes

“You shall not murder.

Nehemiah 4:14 ESV / 1,173 helpful votes

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Matthew 26:52 ESV / 1,167 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 1,132 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 1,113 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Psalm 18:34 ESV / 1,108 helpful votes

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Esther 8:11 ESV / 1,069 helpful votes

Saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods,

Proverbs 24:29 ESV / 1,062 helpful votes

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 1,046 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

John 18:10-11 ESV / 995 helpful votes

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 961 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 914 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 912 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Exodus 21:24-25 ESV / 908 helpful votes

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Ezekiel 33:11 ESV / 880 helpful votes

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 870 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Exodus 22:3 ESV / 835 helpful votes

But if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Matthew 5:9 ESV / 831 helpful votes

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

John 15:13 ESV / 827 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV / 801 helpful votes

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Matthew 5:38 ESV / 777 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

Nehemiah 4:16-18 ESV / 746 helpful votes

From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Judges 5:8 ESV / 735 helpful votes

When new gods were chosen, then war was in the gates. Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?

Hebrews 12:14 ESV / 734 helpful votes

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

1 Samuel 25:13 ESV / 729 helpful votes

And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.

John 18:10 ESV / 717 helpful votes

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

Deuteronomy 19:5 ESV / 715 helpful votes

As when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live,

1 Samuel 13:19-20 ESV / 713 helpful votes

Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle,

Exodus 21:24 ESV / 705 helpful votes

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Luke 22:35-39 ESV / 697 helpful votes

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 689 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 22:36-38 ESV / 680 helpful votes

He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Nehemiah 4:17 ESV / 678 helpful votes

Who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.

Psalm 44:6-7 ESV / 672 helpful votes

For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

John 14:26 ESV / 670 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

2 Chronicles 17:10 ESV / 666 helpful votes

And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 664 helpful votes

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 14:15 ESV / 664 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Matthew 5:19 ESV / 664 helpful votes

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Malachi 3:6 ESV / 664 helpful votes

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV / 661 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

Luke 10:30-37 ESV / 647 helpful votes

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. ...

Luke 10:27 ESV / 624 helpful votes

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

John 3:16-17 ESV / 621 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Deuteronomy 28:47-48 ESV / 612 helpful votes

Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.

Luke 22:38 ESV / 605 helpful votes

And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Numbers 1:3 ESV / 602 helpful votes

From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company.

Psalm 82:3 ESV / 600 helpful votes

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Nehemiah 4:18 ESV / 600 helpful votes

And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

1 Samuel 13:22-23 ESV / 593 helpful votes

So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

Isaiah 49:25 ESV / 592 helpful votes

For thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.

1 John 3:16 ESV / 590 helpful votes

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV / 589 helpful votes

So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Romans 8:2 ESV / 589 helpful votes

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Matthew 4:7 ESV / 571 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Numbers 35:9-28 ESV / 571 helpful votes

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge. ...

1 Samuel 8:11 ESV / 561 helpful votes

He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 553 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 552 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Esther 8:11-12 ESV / 548 helpful votes

Saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods, on one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 531 helpful votes

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. ...

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 527 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

2 Chronicles 17:1-19 ESV / 526 helpful votes

Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. ...

Genesis 4:1-26 ESV / 521 helpful votes

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ...

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 498 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Matthew 5:5 ESV / 495 helpful votes

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:21 ESV / 472 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

Matthew 5:4 ESV / 459 helpful votes

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ESV / 459 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ...

Proverbs 25:28 ESV / 459 helpful votes

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Luke 3:14 ESV / 408 helpful votes

Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

John 18:11 ESV / 381 helpful votes

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Joel 3:10 ESV / 371 helpful votes

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”

Revelation 19:15 ESV / 341 helpful votes

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Numbers 35:1-34 ESV / 323 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities. The cities shall be theirs to dwell in, and their pasturelands shall be for their cattle and for their livestock and for all their beasts. The pasturelands of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. And you shall measure, outside the city, on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall belong to them as pastureland for their cities. ...

Nehemiah 4:20 ESV / 302 helpful votes

In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Luke 22:50 ESV / 275 helpful votes

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

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