CURSE

Curse. Curse
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.

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CURSE. → Denounced
* Against the serpent Ge 3:14,15
* Against Adam and Eve Ge 3:15-19
* Against the ground Ge 3:17,18
* Against Cain Ge 4:11-16
* Against Canaan, Noah's son Ge 9:24-27
* Against Meroz Jud 5:23
* Against Gehazi 2Ki 5:27

→ Barak commands Balaam to curse Israel Nu 22:6; 23:11 → See BENEDICTIONS → CURSES OF THE MOSAIC LAW De 27:1-26; Jos 8:30-34
* See BLESSINGS

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curse. Curse, n. a bad wish or name, vexation, torment

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Curse (k?rs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cursed (k?rst) or Curst; p. pr. & vb. n. Cursing.] [[AS. cursian, corsian, perh. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. korse to make the sign of the cross, Sw. korsa, fr. Dan. & Sw. kors cross, Icel kross, all these Scand. words coming fr. OF. crois, croiz, fr. L. crux cross. Cf. Cross.]] 1. 1. To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.
Thou shalt not . . . curse the ruler of thy people. Ex. xxii. 28. Ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. Shak. 2. 2. To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.
On impious realms and barbarous kings impose Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those. Pope. To curse by bell, book, and candle. See under Bell.