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ἀναθεματίζω

anathematízō

G332 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἀναθεματ- to dedicate to destruction, to curse, to declare under a ban

Definition

To place under a curse or solemn ban; to devote, set apart, or declare someone or something as accursed, usually with the implication of exclusion or destruction. The primary meaning is to declare something or someone as dedicated to destruction or irrevocably separated, typically through a public or formal pronouncement. In certain contexts, it can also mean to place under an oath with severe consequences for violation, or to call down a curse upon oneself or others when affirming truth.

Semantic Range

to declare accursed, to place under a solemn ban, to devote to destruction, to bind with an oath under penalty of curse, to swear with imprecation, to invoke a curse upon oneself or others

Root / Etymology

Formed from the noun ἀνάθεμα (anathema, 'that which is set up' or 'dedicated to destruction') plus the verbal suffix -ίζω, producing a causative or verbal sense. The root ἀνάθεμα derives itself from ἀνατίθημι ('to set up, dedicate').

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἀναθεματίζω appears mainly in Hellenistic Greek and the New Testament, not in classical Greek. In the New Testament, it is used in the context of formal public cursing or declaring someone under a ban—for instance, Peter's denial involves him swearing and 'anathematizing' himself if he is not speaking truly (Matt 26:74; Mark 14:71), invoking a curse upon himself as a guarantee of truth. The term reflects a practice known from earlier Israelite tradition (where Hebrew חֵרֶם, ḥērem, designated something totally devoted – often for destruction – to God), but in Greek, it took on both religious and juridical nuances. Its sense ranges from religious excommunication or banishment to swearing a self-imprecatory oath. Later Christian tradition and English translation often used 'curse' or 'anathema,' but the term's function was more specific—an irretrievable severance or dedication to destruction/exclusion. It is distinct from related terms such as καταράομαι (to curse), as it involves a more formal and ritualized pronouncement. Standard English translations often render it simply as 'curse,' but this may obscure the solemnity and irrevocability associated with the original term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνάθεμα; to declare or vow under penalty of execration:--(bind under a) curse, bind with an oath.

Root Family

ἀναθεματίζω (anathematizō) — to dedicate to destruction, to curse, to declare under a ban

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G332-03 ἀνεθεμάτισαν anethematisan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL bound themselves under a curse they declared accursed 2
G332-02 ἀνεθεματίσαμεν anethematisamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we have bound we declared under a curse 1
G332-01 ἀναθεματίζειν anathematizein V PRS ACT INF to curse to declare under a ban 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G332-01 Mark 14:71 ἀναθεματίζειν anathematizein V PRS ACT INF to curse to declare under a ban
G332-03 Acts 23:12 ἀνεθεμάτισαν anethematisan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL bound themselves under a curse they declared accursed
G332-02 Acts 23:14 ἀνεθεματίσαμεν anethematisamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we have bound we declared under a curse
G332-03 Acts 23:21 ἀνεθεμάτισαν anethematisan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have bound themselves under an oath they declared accursed
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