"to curse, to wish evil to, imprecate evil upon, Mk. 11:21; Lk. 6:28; Rom. 12:14; Jas. 3:9; in NT pass. to be cursed, Mt. 25:41*"
Definition and meaning
to curse, to wish evil to, imprecate evil upon, Mk. 11:21; Lk. 6:28; Rom. 12:14; Jas. 3:9; in NT pass. to be cursed, Mt. 25:41*
In the original Greek the word is written: καταράομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kataraomai (G2672) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
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Common questions
Strong's G2672 (kataraomai) is a Greek word that means: to curse, to wish evil to, imprecate evil upon, Mk. 11:21; Lk. 6:28; Rom. 12:14; Jas. 3:9; in NT pass. to be cursed, Mt. 25:41* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word kataraomai (G2672) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2672 is kataraomai, a Greek word defined as: to curse, to wish evil to, imprecate evil upon, Mk. 11:21; Lk. 6:28; Rom. 12:14; Jas. 3:9; in NT pass. to be cursed, Mt. 25:41*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kataraomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.