κατάρα
katára
G2671 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An invocation of misfortune, harm, or divine retribution upon someone or something; a pronounced curse. In biblical and broader Koine usage, the term denotes both the act of cursing (calling down harm) and the resulting state or burden of being under a curse. It may refer to explicit maledictions, legal or ritual pronouncements of doom, or the general condition of being accursed.
Semantic Range
pronounced curse, imprecation, the state of being accursed, curse as a legal or ritual pronouncement, invocation of harm or divine retribution
Root / Etymology
Compound of κατά (down, against, intensive use) and ἀρά (prayer, imprecation, curse), indicating the intensification of a curse; literally 'down-curse' or 'imprecation against.' The sense is stronger than ἀρά alone.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἀρά (ara) denotes a prayer or wish, often with maleficent intent—a curse. κατάρα, with the intensive prefix κατά-, strengthens this sense, denoting a pronounced, often formal or ritual curse. In Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, κατάρα frequently translates Hebrew אָלָה ('alah, oath/curse) and קְלָלָה (qelalah, curse), conveying both legal and supernatural overtones: one can be placed under a curse or utter a curse. In the New Testament, κατάρα denotes the state of being under divine condemnation or imprecation (cf. Gal 3:10, James 3:10), often in legal-religious settings. English 'curse' reflects most but not all nuances, sometimes losing the sense of formal or divine pronouncement. Contrasts with εὐλογία ('blessing'), and is more specific than general usage of ἀρά. The idea of bearing a curse in a judicial or covenant context is particularly with covenantal violation (see Deut 27–29 LXX).
Translation Consistency
‘Curse’ is the most natural, common word that covers the full SILEX range (a pronounced imprecation, the act of cursing, and the state of being accursed). It fits both legal/ritual and ordinary uses, and is clearer and more idiomatic than alternatives like ‘pronounce’ or ‘imprecate,’ ensuring consistent, readable rendering across all forms of G2671.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά (intensive) and ἀρά; imprecation, execration:--curse(-d, ing).
Root Family
κατάρα (katara) — curse, imprecation, pronounced doom, invocation of harm
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2671-03 |
κατάρας | kataras | N GEN F SG |
a curse | of a pronounced curse | of a pronounced curse | 3 |
G2671-01 |
κατάρα | katara | N NOM F SG |
curse | pronounced curse | pronounced curse | 2 |
G2671-02 |
κατάραν | kataran | N ACC F SG |
a curse | a pronounced curse | a curse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2671-02 |
Galatians 3:10 | κατάραν | kataran | N ACC F SG |
a curse | a pronounced curse | a curse |
G2671-03 |
Galatians 3:13 | κατάρας | kataras | N GEN F SG |
curse | of a pronounced curse | of a pronounced curse |
G2671-01 |
Galatians 3:13 | κατάρα | katara | N NOM F SG |
curse | pronounced curse | pronounced curse |
G2671-03 |
Hebrews 6:8 | κατάρας | kataras | N GEN F SG |
a curse | of a pronounced curse | of a pronounced curse |
G2671-01 |
James 3:10 | κατάρα | katara | N NOM F SG |
cursing | pronounced curse | pronounced curse |
G2671-03 |
2 Peter 2:14 | κατάρας | kataras | N GEN F SG |
of a curse | of a pronounced curse | of a pronounced curse |