Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "cursings" refer to the pronouncement of divine judgment or misfortune upon individuals, groups, or nations as a consequence of disobedience to God's commandments. The concept of cursings is intricately linked with the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where blessings are promised for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Old Testament ContextThe notion of cursings is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly within the Mosaic Law. In
Deuteronomy 28, God sets forth a series of blessings and curses contingent upon Israel's adherence to His laws. The chapter begins with blessings for obedience (
Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and transitions into a detailed list of curses for disobedience (
Deuteronomy 28:15-68). These curses include a wide range of calamities such as disease, famine, defeat by enemies, and exile.
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 cursings is also evident in the prophetic literature, where prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah pronounce divine judgment upon Israel and other nations for their idolatry and moral failures. For instance,
Jeremiah 11:3-4 warns, "You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant, which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’"
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of cursings is less prominent but still present. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, addresses the consequences of rejecting God's message. In
Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces a series of woes upon the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and failure to recognize Him as the Messiah.
Matthew 23:13 states, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter."
The Apostle Paul also addresses the idea of cursings in his epistles. In
Galatians 3:10, Paul writes, "All who rely on works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" Paul emphasizes that Christ has redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for them (
Galatians 3:13).
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, cursings serve as a sobering reminder of the holiness and justice of God. They underscore the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. However, the Bible also reveals God's desire for repentance and restoration. In
2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."
Cursings, therefore, are not merely punitive but are intended to lead individuals and nations back to a right relationship with God. They highlight the need for faith, obedience, and reliance on God's grace through Jesus Christ, who offers redemption and freedom from the curse of sin.
Library
February the Seventeenth Blessings andCursings
... FEBRUARY The Seventeenth BLESSINGS ANDCURSINGS. "He read all the words of
the law, the blessings and thecursings." "Joshua 8:30-35....
The Altar on Mount Ebal.
... were to stand on Mount Gerizim, and six on Mount Ebal, and, in the hearing of all
the people, the blessings for obedience and thecursings for disobedience...
What God is to Us.
... presumptuous sinners from holiness. There were two mountains under the
law,"one ofcursings, and another of blessings. These are the...
My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
... FEBRUARY The Sixteenth CROWDING OUT GOD. FEBRUARY The Seventeenth BLESSINGS AND
CURSINGS. FEBRUARY The Eighteenth THE SUBTLETY OF TEMPTATION....
Of Meditation
... what pain and wretchedness He freely took for our health in going about and preaching,
in hunger, thirst, cold, heat, reproaches,cursings, and sufferings; so...
Job's Regret and Our Own
... yet they are not kept from very grievous sin; for, like Peter who followed afar
off, they may be left to deny their Master, even with oaths andcursings....
Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused...
... by the mouth of Ham I laughed at, when wine overcame him."7. D., Noah was not harmed,
but thy garment, wherewith thou clothedst him: evencursings, he put on...
Abram and the Life of Faith
... to him (and to the universal blessing that should descend from him) was to determine
their position in reference to God and 'blessings' or 'cursings' from him....
"If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness...
... and yet our ordinary and habitual speeches are carnal and earthly, never salted
with grace, often poisoned with blasphemies, oaths, andcursings, and often...
What are the Sins Forbidden in the Third Commandment?
... superstitious, or wicked mentioning, or otherwise using his titles, attributes,
ordinances, or works, by blasphemy, perjury; all sinfulcursings, oaths, vows...
Thesaurus
Cursings (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Cursings (1 Occurrence). Joshua 8:34 And afterward
he read all the words of the law, the blessings and
...Mount (311 Occurrences)
... Then with dramatic responses from the two divisions of the people, the blessings
and thecursings of the law were read (Joshua 8:30; compare Deuteronomy 27:11...
Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... Those who stood on Gerizim responded to the blessings, those on Mt. Ebal to the
cursings, as these were spoken "with a loud voice" by the Levites....
Ebal (8 Occurrences)
... Then with dramatic responses from the two divisions of the people, the blessings
and thecursings of the law were read (Joshua 8:30; compare Deuteronomy 27:11...
Cursing (53 Occurrences)
Blessings (45 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings andcursings,
according to all that is written in the book of the law. (KJV WBS NIV)....
Curtain (60 Occurrences)
Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:1-10), to be ratified by an antiphonal ritual of blessings
andcursings from the two adjacent mountains, Gerizim and Ebal (Deuteronomy 27...
Salt (45 Occurrences)
... Saltness typified barrenness (Deuteronomy 29:23 Jeremiah 17:6). James compares the
absurdity of the same mouth giving forth blessings andcursings to the...
Astronomy
... Once it is translated as "itch," when it occurs amongst the evils threatened in
the "cursings" that the six tribes uttered from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 28:27)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about daughters? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Mount Gerizim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about miscarriage? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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