What Does Biblical & Godly Justice Look Like? 

In the Holy Bible, godly justice refers to the concept of justice as understood and administered by God Himself. It encompasses the righteous standards, principles, and actions of God in dealing with humanity in accordance with His divine nature. 

Here are a few key elements that define godly justice according to the Bible: 

1. Righteousness: God’s justice is rooted in His perfect righteousness. He is completely just and fair in all His judgments and actions. Psalm 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” 

2. Impartiality: God’s justice is impartial and unbiased. He does not show favoritism or discriminate based on external factors such as wealth, status, or appearance. Romans 2:11 affirms, “For God shows no partiality.” 

3. Accountability: God holds individuals accountable for their actions. He judges according to the thoughts, intentions, and deeds of each person. Hebrews 4:13 declares, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

4. Restitution and Restoration: God’s justice includes the restoration of what has been wronged or taken away. It seeks to bring about reconciliation and reparation. In cases of injustice, God often calls for restitution and the restoration of relationships and well-being. 

5. Mercy and Grace: While justice involves judgment and punishment for wrongdoing, godly justice is also characterized by mercy and grace. God’s justice is tempered with His love and desire for redemption, offering the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

6. Ultimate Judgment: God’s justice extends beyond earthly consequences to the ultimate judgment in the afterlife. The Bible teaches that there will be a final judgment where every person will be held accountable for their actions, and God’s justice will be fully realized. 


It is important to note that God’s justice is perfect and beyond human comprehension. As finite beings, we may not always fully understand the ways in which God administers justice. However, the Bible assures us that His justice is always righteous, fair, and in alignment with His perfect character. 

In the Bible, there are several instances where God brought justice upon individuals or groups. 

Here are a few notable examples: 

• Pharaoh and the Egyptians: In the book of Exodus, God brought justice upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelite’s. Through a series of plagues, God demonstrated His power and ultimately delivered His people from slavery. 

• King David: Although David was a man after God’s own heart, he was not immune to the consequences of his actions. After his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, God brought justice upon David by allowing his family to face internal strife and turmoil. 

• Ahab and Jezebel: King Ahab and his wife Jezebel were notorious for their wickedness and idolatry. God brought justice upon them through the prophet Elijah, who pronounced judgment upon their family. Ahab met his demise in battle, and Jezebel was thrown down from a window and eaten by dogs. 

• Babylonians and Assyrians: The nations of Babylon and Assyria were used as instruments of God’s judgment against Israel and other nations. However, God also brought justice upon these nations for their cruelty and arrogance. Babylon fell to the Persians, and Assyria faced destruction. 

• Ananias and Sapphira: In the early Christian community, Ananias and Sapphira lied about the proceeds from selling their property, deceiving the apostles and the Holy Spirit. God brought justice upon them, and both of them fell dead as a result of their deceit. 

• The Canaanites: When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God commanded them to destroy the Canaanite nations due to their extreme wickedness and idolatry. God’s justice was executed upon these nations as the Israelites conquered their cities and claimed the land. 

• Korah, Dathan, and Abiram: In the book of Numbers, these three individuals, along with a group of rebels, challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. As a result, God brought forth judgment upon them by causing the earth to open up and swallow them, demonstrating His justice and reaffirming His chosen leaders. 

• King Herod Agrippa I: In the book of Acts, King Herod Agrippa I persecuted the early Christians, including the apostle James, whom he had executed. Later, when Herod received adulation as a god, God’s justice was swift, and he was struck down by an angel and died a gruesome death. 

• Judas Iscariot: Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him by identifying Him to the authorities, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Judas’ actions were met with remorse, and he ultimately took his own life, facing the consequences of his betrayal. 

• Nebuchadnezzar: The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar experienced God’s justice when he arrogantly took credit for his accomplishments and failed to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. As a result, he was driven from his throne and lived as a wild animal until he humbled himself and acknowledged God’s authority. 

• Herod Antipas: This Herod, mentioned in the Gospels, ordered the execution of John the Baptist after being manipulated by his wife and daughter. Later, when Jesus was brought before him during His trial, Herod mocked Him and sent Him back to Pontius Pilate. While the Bible does not explicitly mention Herod’s punishment, his actions reflect the consequences of rejecting and mistreating God’s messengers. 


These examples showcase the various instances in the Holy Bible where individuals or groups faced God’s justice, reinforcing the principle that God upholds righteousness and holds individuals accountable for their actions. 

The book of Jeremiah in the Holy Bible provides several examples of individuals and nations facing God’s justice. Here are a few notable instances: 

• Judah and Jerusalem: The primary focus of the book of Jeremiah is God’s judgment upon the kingdom of Judah and its capital city, Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied about the impending destruction and exile of Judah due to their persistent idolatry, disobedience, and social injustice. The Babylonians, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar, were the instrument of God’s justice, ultimately besieging and destroying Jerusalem in 586 BC. 

• False Prophets: Throughout the book, Jeremiah confronts false prophets who spoke deceitfully and spread false hope among the people. These individuals faced God’s justice as their prophecies were proven false, and their credibility was undermined. God made it clear that they would be held accountable for leading His people astray. 

• King Jehoiakim: Jehoiakim, the king of Judah during Jeremiah’s ministry, disregarded God’s warnings and actively opposed the message of the prophet. His reign was marked by corruption, oppression, and idolatry. As a result, God pronounced judgment upon Jehoiakim and his lineage, declaring that his body would be left unburied and that his descendants would face captivity and exile. 

• Foreign Nations: The book of Jeremiah contains prophecies of judgment against various foreign nations, including Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, and others. These nations faced God’s justice for their pride, arrogance, idolatry, and mistreatment of His people. The prophetic judgments revealed God’s sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to righteousness. 


The book of Jeremiah emphasizes the consequences of disobedience, idolatry, and social injustice, and it portrays God as a just and righteous judge. While the focus is primarily on the judgment and impending destruction of Judah, it also highlights God’s justice extending to individuals, false prophets, and other nations. 

“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them (Isaiah 61:8).