Curse

Curse - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Denounced by God against the serpent (Gen. 3:14), and against Cain (4:11). These divine maledictions carried their effect with them. Prophetical curses were sometimes pronounced by holy men (Gen. 9:25; 49:7; Deut. 27:15; Josh. 6:26). Such curses are not the consequence of passion or revenge, they are predictions.

No one on pain of death shall curse father or mother (Ex. 21:17), nor the prince of his people (22:28), nor the deaf (Lev. 19:14). Cursing God or blaspheming was punishable by death (Lev. 24:10-16). The words "curse God and die" (R.V., "renounce God and die"), used by Job's wife (Job 2:9), have been variously interpreted. Perhaps they simply mean that as nothing but death was expected, God would by this cursing at once interpose and destroy Job, and so put an end to his sufferings.

Curse - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CURSE, v.t. pret. and pp. cursed or curst.

1. To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate.

Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people. Exo 22.

Bless and curse not. Rom 12.

Curse me this people, for they are too mighty for me. Num 22.

2. To injure; to subject to evil; to vex, harass or torment with great calamities.

On impious realms and barbarous kings impose thy plagues, and curse em with such sons as those.

3. To devote to evil.

CURSE, v.i. To utter imprecations; to affirm or deny with imprecations of divine vengeance.

Then began he to curse and to swear. Mat 26.

CURSE, n.

1. Malediction; the expression of a wish of evil to another.

Shimei--who cured me with a grievous curse. 1 Ki 2.

2. Imprecation of evil.

They entered into a curse, and into an oath. Neh 10.

3. Affliction; torment; great vexation.

I will make this city a curse to all nations. Jer 26.

4. Condemnation; sentence of divine vengeance on sinners.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law. Gal 3.

5. Denunciation of evil.

The priest shall write all these curses in a book. Num 5.