Lexical Summary anathematizó: To curse, to declare anathema, to devote to destruction Original Word: ἀναθεματίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance 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 HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 332 anathematízō – literally, anathematize, put under a divine curse (anathema); "to devote to destruction, declare or invoke anathema" (Abbott-Smith). See 331 (anathema). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anathema Definition to declare anathema, devote to destruction NASB Translation bound...under...oath (1), bound...under a curse (2), bound...under an oath (2), curse (1), under...oath (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 332: ἀναθεματίζωἀναθεματίζω; 1 aorist ἀνεθεμάτισα; (ἀνάθεμα, which see); a purely Biblical and ecclesiastical word, to declare anathema or accursed; in the Sept. equivalent to הֶחֱרִים to devote to destruction (Joshua 6:21, etc.; 1 Macc. 5:5); ἑαυτόν to declare oneself liable to the severest divine penalties, Acts 23:12, 21; ἀναθέματι ἀναθεματίζειν (Deuteronomy 13:15; Deuteronomy 20:17 (Winers Grammar, § 54, 3; Buttmann, 184 (109))) ἑαυτόν, followed by an infinitive, to bind oneself under a curse to do something, Acts 23:14. absolutely, to asseverate with direful imprecations: Mark 14:71. (Compare: καταναθεματίζω.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 332 represents a solemn, self-imprecatory act in which a person invokes divine judgment upon himself if a stated condition is not met. All four New Testament occurrences show people binding themselves by such a curse, illustrating the gravity with which first-century hearers regarded spoken vows and the peril that accompanies misdirected zeal. Occurrences in the New Testament • Mark 14:71 – In the courtyard Peter, pressed to acknowledge Jesus, “began to curse and to swear, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about!’”. Under the pressure of fear he calls down judgment upon himself to make his denial appear credible. Each passage portrays a life-or-death context: Peter disowns the Lord to save his own life; Paul’s opponents pledge their lives to take his. Historical Background Second-Temple Judaism preserved a tradition of vows that included self-malediction. Parallel formulas appear in rabbinic literature, often phrased, “May I be accursed if…,” emphasizing sincerity and determination. Such oaths were thought irrevocable (cf. Judges 11:30-40; 1 Samuel 14:24-45), yet Scripture also records the tragic fallout of rash vows, warning against careless speech (Proverbs 20:25; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). Connection to the Old Testament Ban (ḥerem) The noun cognate anathema translates the Hebrew ḥerem—objects or persons devoted to the LORD for destruction (Leviticus 27:28-29; Joshua 6:17). By extension, to place oneself under a curse was to hand oneself over to divine judgment. The verb in Strong’s 332 carries that heritage into the New Testament narrative. Christ and the Curse Peter’s failure highlights human weakness, but Christ’s mercy restores him (John 21:15-19). Galatians 3:13 teaches that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.” The gospel answers both the reality of divine judgment and the futility of self-imposed curses by offering substitutionary atonement. Ethics of Speech and Vow-Taking Jesus directly addressed oath-making: “Do not swear at all… Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no; anything more comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:34-37). James echoes, “Above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or earth… but let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No,’ no, so that you will not fall under judgment” (James 5:12). The few New Testament appearances of Strong’s 332 therefore function as cautionary illustrations—warnings against invoking God’s wrath to bolster unreliable words or misguided zeal. Implications for Ministry 1. Integrity over theatrics: Believers should cultivate credibility that renders oaths unnecessary. Theological Reflection Strong’s 332 underscores the power of words and the seriousness of invoking divine judgment. The gospel redirects that seriousness toward the cross, where the ultimate “curse” fell on Christ, freeing believers from condemnation and reshaping their speech into instruments of blessing (Ephesians 4:29). Forms and Transliterations αναθεματιείς αναθεματιείτε αναθεματιζειν αναθεματίζειν ἀναθεματίζειν αναθεματίσαι αναθεματισθήσεται αναθεματιώ ανατεθεματισμένον ανεθεματισαμεν ανεθεματίσαμεν ἀνεθεματίσαμεν ανεθεματισαν ανεθεμάτισαν ἀνεθεμάτισαν ανεθεμάτισε ανεθεμάτισεν anathematizein anathematízein anethematisamen anethematísamen anethematisan anethemátisanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 14:71 V-PNAGRK: δὲ ἤρξατο ἀναθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύναι NAS: But he began to curse and swear, KJV: But he began to curse and to swear, INT: moreover he began to curse and to swear Acts 23:12 V-AIA-3P Acts 23:14 V-AIA-1P Acts 23:21 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 332 |
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