Topical Encyclopedia The term "accursed" in the Bible refers to something or someone that is under a curse, often implying divine judgment or condemnation. This concept is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is associated with disobedience to God's commands, idolatry, and other forms of sin.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "accursed" is "ḥērem," which denotes something devoted to destruction or set apart for God, often in a negative sense. This is seen in the context of the conquest of Canaan, where certain cities and their inhabitants were to be completely destroyed as an act of divine judgment. For example, in Joshua 6:17, the city of Jericho is described as "accursed" (ḥērem) and devoted to destruction: "Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to destruction for the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent." The concept of being accursed also appears in the context of the covenant blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy. Disobedience to God's law would result in curses, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek word "anathema" is often used to convey the idea of being accursed. This term is used by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:8-9, where he warns against preaching a gospel contrary to the one he delivered: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!" The concept of being accursed is also linked to the rejection of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:3, Paul states, "Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." Here, the rejection of Jesus as Lord is associated with being accursed. Theological Implications The idea of being accursed underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. It highlights the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate sin and rebellion. The accursed state is often seen as the result of a deliberate choice to reject God's commands and His provision for salvation. In the New Testament, the concept of being accursed is also tied to the redemptive work of Christ. Galatians 3:13 states, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" This passage emphasizes that Jesus took upon Himself the curse that was due to humanity because of sin, offering redemption and reconciliation with God. Practical Application For believers, the concept of being accursed serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's Word and the necessity of adhering to the true gospel. It calls for vigilance against false teachings and a commitment to living in accordance with God's commands. The redemptive work of Christ provides hope and assurance that through faith in Him, believers are delivered from the curse of sin and death. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (a.) Under a curse; doomed to evil or misery; ill-fated.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ACCURSEDa-kurs'-ed, a-kurst': In the Book of Jos (Joshua 6:17, 18; Joshua 7:1, 11, 12, 13, 15) and 1 Chronicles 2:7 "accursed" (or "accursed thing" or "thing accursed") is the King James Version rendering of the Hebrew word, cherem. The the Revised Version (British and American) consistently uses "devoted" or "devoted thing," which the King James Version also adopts in Leviticus 27:21, 28, 29 and in Numbers 18:14. "Cursed thing" is the rendering in two passages (Deuteronomy 7:26; Deuteronomy 13:17); and in one passage (Ezekiel 44:29 the King James Version) "dedicated thing" is used. In four places the King James Version renders the word by "curse" (Joshua 6:18, Isaiah 34:5, 43:28, Malachi 3:18, 4:6) whilst in, another passage (Zechariah 14:11) "utter destruction" is adopted in translation. These various renderings are due to the fact that the word cherem sometimes means the act of devoting or banning or the condition or state resulting therefrom and sometimes the object devoted or banned. We occasionally find periphrastic renderings, e.g. 1 Samuel 15:21: "the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed," the King James Version (literally, "the chief part of the ban"); 1 Kings 20:42: "a man whom I appointed to utter destruction," the King James Version (literally, "a man of my ban" (or "banning")). The root-word meant "to separate," "shut off." The Arabic charim denoted the precincts of the temple at Mecca, and also the women's apartment (whence the word "harem"). Greek 1944. epikataratos -- accursed ... accursed. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epikataratos Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-kat-ar'-at-os) Short Definition: accursed Definition: on whom a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1944.htm - 6k 1884a. eparatos -- accursed 1884. eparkeo -- accursed 946. bdelugma -- a detestable thing 331. anathema -- that which is laid up, ie a votive offering 2652. katanathema -- curse. 2672. kataraomai -- to curse 2671. katara -- a curse Strong's Hebrew 2763. charam -- to ban, devote, exterminate... 2762, 2763. charam. 2763a . to ban, devote, exterminate. Transliteration: charam Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-ram') Short Definition: accursed. ... /hebrew/2763.htm - 5k 7045. qelalah -- a curse 7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling 2764a. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban 3939. laanah -- wormwood 2764. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban Library That Tale-Bearers are Accursed. St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ. Behold, did not Achar the Son of Zara Transgress in the Accursed ... Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ... Exposition of St. Paul's Words, Gal. I. 8. Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat Argument. --Again from the Gospel He Proves Christ to be God. Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ. Recapitulation of what was Said of the Catholic Faith and of ... Lucius of Thebaste Said: "I Declare My Judgment that Heretics... Thesaurus Accursed (26 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Under a curse; doomed to evil or misery; ill-fated. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ACCURSED. a-kurs ... /a/accursed.htm - 18k Anathema (6 Occurrences) Cursed (115 Occurrences) Anymore (47 Occurrences) Nicanor (1 Occurrence) Announce (56 Occurrences) Besides (178 Occurrences) Hanged (36 Occurrences) Curse (211 Occurrences) Kindled (83 Occurrences) Resources What is the definition of anathema? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church? | GotQuestions.org Accursed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Accursed (26 Occurrences)Matthew 25:41 John 7:49 Romans 9:3 1 Corinthians 12:3 1 Corinthians 16:22 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:9 Galatians 3:10 Galatians 3:13 2 Peter 2:14 Revelation 22:3 Numbers 5:27 Deuteronomy 7:26 Deuteronomy 21:23 Joshua 6:17 Joshua 6:18 Joshua 7:1 Joshua 7:11 Joshua 7:12 Joshua 7:15 Joshua 22:20 2 Kings 22:19 1 Chronicles 2:7 Psalms 119:21 Isaiah 65:20 Micah 6:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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