curse, cursed, cursing

Definition

The term “curse” means to cause negative things to happen to the person or thing that is being cursed.

• A curse can be a statement that harm will happen to someone or something.
• To curse someone can also be an expression of desire that bad things will happen to them.
• It can also refer to the punishment or other negative things that someone causes to happen to someone.

Translation Suggestions

• This term could be translated as “cause bad things to happen to” or “declare that something bad will happen to” or “swear to cause evil things to happen to.”
• In the context of God sending curses on his disobedient people, it could be translated as “punish by allowing bad things to happen.”
• The term “cursed” when used to describe people could be translated as “(this person) will experience much trouble.”
• The phrase “cursed be” could be translated as “May (this person) experience great difficulties.”
• The phrase, “Cursed is the ground” could be translated as “The soil will not be very fertile.”
• However, if the target language has the phrase “cursed be” and it has the same meaning, then it is good to keep the same phrase.

(See also: bless)

Bible References

• 1 Samuel 14:24-26
• 2 Peter 2:12-14
• Galatians 3:10
• Galatians 3:14
• Genesis 3:14
• Genesis 3:17
• James 3:10
• Numbers 22:6
• Psalms 109:28

Examples from the Bible stories

• __2:9 God said to the snake, “You are cursed__!”
• __2:11 “Now the ground is cursed__, and you will need to work hard to grow food.”
• __4:4 “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse__ you.”
• __39:7 Then Peter vowed, saying, “May God curse__ me if I know this man!”
• __50:16 Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into this world, God cursed__ it and decided to destroy it.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0422, H0423, H0779, H1288, H2763, H2764, H3994, H5344, H6895, H7043, H7045, H7621, H8381, G03310, G03320, G06850, G19440, G25510, G26520, G26530, G26710, G26720, G60350