καταράομαι

kataráomai /kat-ar-ah'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
Meaningmiddle voice from κατάρα; to execrate; by analogy, to doom
KJV usagecurse.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kataráomai, represented by G2672, means to execrate or, by analogy, to doom. As a verb, it is defined as "to curse." It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, often highlighting a sharp contrast between worldly actions and divine commands.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2672 is used to convey both human and divine pronouncements. Believers are explicitly commanded to bless those who curse them, a teaching found in both Matthew's and Luke's gospels (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28). Paul reiterates this principle, instructing the Roman church to "bless, and curse not" Romans 12:14. James uses the word to point out the hypocrisy of using the tongue to both bless God and curse men, who are made in God's image James 3:9. The term is also used to describe an act of divine authority, as when Jesus cursed the fig tree Mark 11:21 and in the final judgment, where some are declared cursed and sent into everlasting fire Matthew 25:41.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the actions and attitudes surrounding cursing:

  • G2127 eulogéō (to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless): This is the direct antonym of G2672 and is the commanded response to being cursed. It is used in direct opposition in verses like "bless them that curse you" (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28).
  • G25 agapáō (to love): This is the foundational command given to believers regarding their enemies, encompassing the more specific instruction not to curse them Matthew 5:44.
  • G3404 miséō (to detest; by extension, to love less): This word for "hate" is used alongside "curse" to describe the negative actions of others that believers are called to overcome with good Matthew 5:44.
  • G4336 proseúchomai (to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship): This is another prescribed action for believers to take on behalf of those who curse or mistreat them Luke 6:28.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G2672 is primarily seen in its contrast with Christian ethics and its connection to divine authority.

  • The Christian Response: The most frequent use of G2672 is to set up a counter-intuitive command for believers. Instead of returning a curse, they are to bless, demonstrating a higher, grace-filled standard of conduct (Romans 12:14, Luke 6:28).
  • The Power of Speech: James uses the word to teach on the immense power and contradiction of the tongue. The ability to both bless God and curse men reveals a deep spiritual problem that must be addressed James 3:9.
  • Divine Judgment: The word is not limited to human interactions. It is used to describe a final, authoritative declaration of doom from God upon the unrighteous, underscoring His ultimate power over destiny Matthew 25:41.

Summary

In summary, G2672 is a potent word that signifies execration or doom. While it can describe human malice, its primary role in the New Testament is to serve as a foil for the Christian ethic of blessing one's enemies. It powerfully illustrates the moral discipline required of believers, the spiritual danger of the tongue, and the finality of divine judgment.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms.

  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Vocative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Vocative
Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Passive Deponent
Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Matthew (2 verses).

2
Matthew
1
Mark
1
Luke
1
Romans
1
James

Verse Explorer

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