In biblical terminology, the term "accursed" refers to something or someone that is under a curse or divine judgment. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, where it is often associated with objects, individuals, or groups that have fallen out of favor with God due to disobedience or sin.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "accursed" is "cherem," which denotes something devoted to destruction or set apart for God, often in the context of judgment. One of the most notable examples is found in the book of Joshua. When the Israelites conquered Jericho, they were instructed to devote the city to destruction, and all that was in it was considered accursed (Joshua 6:17): "Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to destruction for the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent."

The concept of being accursed also extends to individuals who violate God's commands. Achan, for instance, took some of the accursed things from Jericho, bringing trouble upon Israel and himself (Joshua 7:1): "But the Israelites acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was devoted, and the LORD’s anger burned against the Israelites."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "anathema" is used to convey the idea of being accursed. The Apostle Paul uses this term in his epistles to express the severity of turning away from the true Gospel. In Galatians 1:8-9 , Paul writes: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!"

Paul's use of "anathema" underscores the gravity of distorting the Gospel message and the spiritual peril it poses. The term is also used in 1 Corinthians 16:22 : "If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!"

Theological Implications

The concept of being accursed in the Bible is closely tied to the holiness and justice of God. It serves as a warning against disobedience and a call to remain faithful to God's commandments. The accursed status is not merely a label but a reflection of one's standing before God, often resulting in severe consequences.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the accursed are those who have rejected God's covenant, whether through idolatry, disobedience, or false teaching. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the accursed as those who have chosen a path contrary to God's will, leading to divine judgment.

Conclusion

The biblical understanding of "accursed" is a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. It highlights the importance of faithfulness to God's Word and the dire consequences of turning away from His truth.Deuteronomy 21:23
His body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that your land be not defiled, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 6:17
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 2:7
And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 65:20
There shall be no more there an infant of days, nor an old man that has not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Nave's Topical Index

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... when it says that whoever leads a blind man astray in the way is accursed. ... who are
an offshoot of the knowledge which is falsely so called, [writing] to ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm

In Order to Forearm the Orthodox against the Stratagems of the ...
... It would have been sufficient to say, "Accursed be he who saith that Christ is a ...
the fulness of the Father's Godhead"for there are gods, so called, alike in ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi in order to.htm

Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
... Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in ... soon widowed of her one
husband, so lived long ... of that people, he was accounted accursed by sentence ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 10 nor because i.htm

Avoid the Deadly Errors of the Docet??.
... 809] the worshippers of a man, whom also the prophet Jeremiah pronounces accursed.
[810] Flee also the impure Nicolaitanes, falsely so called, [811] who are ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter xi avoid the deadly errors.htm

Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ...
... 4. When David was at Bahurim, a place so called, there came ... still more in his reproaches,
and called him a ... of the land as an impure and accursed wretch; and he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the insurrection.htm

The Fruits of the Spirit.
... indirect, has Christendom been raised up out of the accursed slough into ... not to any
prudential calculations, combined experiences, or so-called philosophies of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vi the fruits of.htm

Concerning the Posterity of Adam, and the Ten Generations from Him ...
... not to be extreme in his wrath to him; but he made him accursed, and threatened ... with
his wife, built a city, named Nod, which is a place so called, and there ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the posterity.htm

His Past Work.
... and the blessed sufferer on the accursed tree, there ... of that which even cruel Rome
called the intermediate ... blessed hands who had lovingly touched so many weary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/i his past work.htm

Introduction
... It is called "man's righteousness" (Job 33:26) because it was ... Yes, so vital did the
Apostle Paul, under the guidance ... let him be accursed" (Gal.1:8). Alas, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/1 introduction.htm

Its Basis
... must mean the righteousness of Christ: so called, because it ... upon Him, condemned
Him for them; and so the justice ... God delivered Him up to the accursed death of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

What are the essentials of the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

What are false apostles? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God judge the sin of Achan so severely? | GotQuestions.org

Accursed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus