Execration, in biblical terms, refers to the act of cursing or invoking a curse upon someone or something. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is often associated with divine judgment, human sinfulness, and the power of words. The Bible presents execration as both a human and divine activity, reflecting the seriousness with which words and intentions are regarded in the biblical worldview.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, execration is frequently depicted as a response to disobedience and idolatry. The Israelites were warned against turning away from God, with curses being a consequence of such actions. Deuteronomy 28 outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, illustrating the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Deuteronomy 28:15 states, "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."

The concept of execration is also evident in the imprecatory psalms, where the psalmist calls upon God to bring judgment upon his enemies. Psalm 109 is a notable example, where David seeks divine retribution against those who have wronged him. Psalm 109:17 reads, "The one who loved cursing, may it fall on him; the one who refused to bless, may it be far from him."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the legalistic application of curses to a more spiritual understanding of blessings and curses. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasizes love, forgiveness, and blessing one's enemies. In Matthew 5:44 , Jesus instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This teaching contrasts with the Old Testament practice of calling down curses, highlighting the transformative power of grace and forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of execration in his epistles. In Romans 12:14 , he writes, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." Paul’s teachings encourage believers to overcome evil with good, reflecting the new covenant's emphasis on love and reconciliation.

Execration in Practice

Execration in the biblical sense is not merely about uttering words of curse but involves a deeper spiritual and moral dimension. It reflects the heart's condition and the relationship between humanity and the divine. The Bible warns against the misuse of words and the power they hold. James 3:9-10 cautions, "With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!"

Theological Implications

Execration underscores the biblical principle that words have power and that humans are accountable for their speech. It serves as a reminder of the holiness and justice of God, who alone has the authority to judge and curse. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, urging them to use their words to edify and bless rather than to curse and destroy.

In summary, execration in the Bible is a complex concept that encompasses divine judgment, human sinfulness, and the transformative power of grace. It challenges believers to align their speech with the teachings of Christ, promoting love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.1. (n.) The act of cursing, or the accused thing itself; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; imprecation; utter detestation expressed.

2. (n.) That which is execrated; a detested thing.

2671. katara -- a curse
... curse. From kata (intensive) and ara; imprecation, execration -- curse(-d, ing).
see GREEK kata. see GREEK ara. (katara) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2671.htm - 7k

332. anathematizo -- to declare anathema, devote to destruction
... curse, bind with an oath. From anathema; to declare or vow under penalty of execration --
(bind under a) curse, bind with an oath. see GREEK anathema. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/332.htm - 7k

423. alah -- an oath
... curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. From 'alah; an imprecation -- curse,
cursing, execration, oath, swearing. see HEBREW 'alah. 422, 423. alah. 424 > ...
/hebrew/423.htm - 6k

3994. meerah -- a curse
... Word Origin from the same as arar Definition a curse NASB Word Usage curse (3),
curses (2). curse. From 'arar; an execration -- curse. see HEBREW 'arar. ...
/hebrew/3994.htm - 6k

Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ...
... by Demetrius on the ground of his belief, who you say was not accused of bringing
in strange doctrines, you will then pronounce worthy of execration because of ...
/.../21 now suppose that while.htm

Of the Wonders Effected by the Power of the Cross, and of Demons.
... them therefore explain to us the difference between the two kinds, that we may know
what is to be worshipped and what to be held in execration; whether they ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvii of the wonders effected.htm

Significant Phrases
... exclusive and limited. excusable and justifiable. execration and defiance [execration =
curse]. exertion and excitement. exhaustion and fatigue. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Life of Bunyan
... ragamuffin ringleader. The penny has come down with the wrong side uppermost,
and the loud execration at once bewrays young Badman. You ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's ...
... In one hebdomad and the half of the hebdomad shall be taken away my sacrifice and
libation, and in the holy place the execration of devastation, (and [1231 ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter viii of the times of.htm

The Gods of the Mythic Class the Poets a Very Poor Authority in ...
... For whenever we hold up to execration the wretched, disgraceful and atrocious (examples)
of your gods, you defend them as mere fables, on the pretence of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter vii the gods of the.htm

Argument: with Something of the Pride of Self-Satisfaction ...
... care that we do not in such sort suffer from the hatred at once of all discourses,
even as very many of the more simple kind are led to execration and hatred ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xiv argument with something of.htm

Argument: nor is it Only Hatred that they Arouse against the ...
... For with these and such as these stories, did those same demons fill up the ears
of the ignorant against us, to the horror of their execration. ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxviii argument nor is it.htm

Protest of the Princes
... Said Melanchthon: "We are the execration and the sweepings of the world; but Christ
will look down on His poor people, and will preserve them.""Ibid., b.13 ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 11 protest of the.htm

Protest of the Princes.
... Said Melanchthon, "We are the execration and the sweepings of the world; but Christ
will look down on His poor people, and will preserve them."(284) The ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /11 protest of the princes.htm

Execration (9 Occurrences)
... detestation expressed. 2. (n.) That which is execrated; a detested thing.
Multi-Version Concordance Execration (9 Occurrences). Numbers 5 ...
/e/execration.htm - 10k

Anathema (6 Occurrences)
... In Deuteronomy 7:26 an idol is called a herem = anathema, a thing accursed.
In the New Testament this word always implies execration. ...
/a/anathema.htm - 13k

Reviling (47 Occurrences)
... Mine anger and My fury on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so poured out is My fury
upon you in your entering Egypt, and ye have been for an execration, and for ...
/r/reviling.htm - 21k

Caused (468 Occurrences)
... Numbers 5:21 (then the priest hath caused the woman to swear with an oath of execration,
and the priest hath said to the woman) -- Jehovah doth give thee for ...
/c/caused.htm - 37k

Cursing (53 Occurrences)
... forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so shall My fury be poured forth upon you,
when ye shall enter into Egypt; and ye shall be an execration, and an ...
/c/cursing.htm - 22k

Telleth (10 Occurrences)
... names. (KJV WBS). Proverbs 29:24 Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating
his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not. (YLT). ...
/t/telleth.htm - 9k

Execrating (1 Occurrence)

/e/execrating.htm - 6k

Execrations (2 Occurrences)

/e/execrations.htm - 7k

Dust (182 Occurrences)
... He raiseth up the poor out of the dust," ie out of their state of lowliness (1 Samuel
2:8 Psalm 113:7). (3) Throwing dust was an act expressive of execration. ...
/d/dust.htm - 43k

Sharing (18 Occurrences)
... it (See NIV). Proverbs 29:24 Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his
own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not. (YLT). ...
/s/sharing.htm - 11k

Execration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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