Enemy

Passages on this topic

From Nave’s Topical Bible (1896), a historical reference index. The groupings are Nave’s; the verses are shown in the text used across this site.

General scriptures concerning

• Exodus 23:5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.
• Job 31:29–30 If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him — I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse —
• Psalm 35:1–28 Of David. Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me. Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.” May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may thos…
• Proverbs 24:17–18 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.
• Proverbs 25:21–22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
• Matthew 5:43–48 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
• Luke 6:27–36 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to eve…
• Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
• Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

The wickedness of David's

• Psalm 56:5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
• Psalm 57:4 My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
• Psalm 57:6 They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
• Psalm 62:4 They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah
• Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me — my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
• Psalm 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
• Psalm 71:10 For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire,
• Psalm 102:8 All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.
• Psalm 109:2–5 For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues. They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
• Psalm 129:1–3 A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare— many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me. The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.

His imprecations against

See PRAYER, IMPRECATORY

Instances of forgiveness of

David, of Absalom, and co-conspirators

• 2 Samuel 19:6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!
• 2 Samuel 19:12–13 You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

Jesus, of his persecutors

• Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Stephen, of his murderers

• Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.