Bible Verses about Cursing

In the tapestry of human emotions and expressions, the act of cursing stands out as a vivid thread, sometimes dark and sometimes light, but always impactful. It's a practice as old as language itself, one that has the power to both harm and define. Yet, what does the Bible—the spiritual cornerstone for millions—have to say about this potent form of expression? It seems that Scripture doesn't merely gloss over the topic but addresses it head-on, highlighting its complexities, consequences, and contrasting nature to blessing.

In the Biblical narrative, cursing is a theme that weaves itself in and out of stories and laws, prophecies and wisdom literature. From the early prohibitions in the Ten Commandments that warn against taking the Lord’s name in vain, to the impassioned Psalms that poetically describe the weight of curses, the Bible leaves no stone unturned. The Law, exemplified by the Book of Deuteronomy, outlines specific curses for disobedience, while historical accounts like the rebuilding of Jericho come with their own curses. Even the New Testament doesn’t shy away from the subject. In the Epistle of James, the author grapples with the paradox of the human tongue, capable of both blessing God and cursing humans who are made in God's image.

More than a compilation of rules or tales, the Bible delves deep into the implications of cursing. It presents a vision of a world where words have weight, where they can bind or free, create or destroy. Curses are never neutral—they come with repercussions, whether immediate or delayed. However, as potent as they are, they are not final. Christ, according to the New Testament, has redeemed us from the eternal curse, showcasing the transformative power of grace over any spoken word of condemnation. It's a reminder that, while the impact of cursing is real and significant, it's not beyond redemption.

Profane Language

Exodus 20:7

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

Leviticus 19:12

"You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord."

Matthew 12:36-37

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Ephesians 4:29

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Colossians 3:8

"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."

Cursing as a Sin

Leviticus 24:15-16

"And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death."

Numbers 22:6

"Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."

Matthew 5:22

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to hell of fire."

James 3:9-10

"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

1 Peter 3:9

"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."

Curses in the Bible

Genesis 3:14-19

"The Lord God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. [...] To the woman he said, 'I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.' And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, "You shall not eat of it," cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.'"

Genesis 4:11-12

"Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."

Genesis 9:25

"He said, 'Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.'"

Genesis 12:3

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'"

Exodus 22:28

"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people."

Leviticus 20:9

"'For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.'"

Numbers 5:21-22

"'May the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh fall away and your body swell.'"

Numbers 22:6

"'Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.'"

Deuteronomy 11:28-29

"'And a curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.'"

Deuteronomy 27:15-26

"'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'"

Joshua 6:26

"Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, 'Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.'"

Judges 9:57

"And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal."

1 Samuel 17:43

"And the Philistine said to David, 'Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods."

Nehemiah 13:25

"And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, 'You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.'"

Proverbs 3:33

"The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous."

Isaiah 24:6

"Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left."

Jeremiah 17:5

"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'"

Daniel 9:11

"'All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.'"

Malachi 3:9

"You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you."

Matthew 25:41

"'Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."'"

Mark 11:21

"And Peter remembered and said to him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.'"

Galatians 1:8-9

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Revelation 22:3

"'No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.'"

A Prayer for Blessing

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humbled hearts, acknowledging Your power, wisdom, and unchanging love. We confess that we often fall short of Your glory, sometimes even using our words to curse rather than to bless. We know that the tongue has the power to build up or tear down, and we seek Your guidance to align our words with Your will.

Lord, we pray for deliverance from the curses that arise from disobedience, the bitterness of unforgiving hearts, and the weight of harmful words—whether they are spoken by us or against us. Transform us so that we no longer use our words to curse but to uplift, to bring forth blessings rather than suffering.

As we navigate the complexities of life, let us not forget Your sacrifice, Jesus, that freed us from the ultimate curse of sin. Remind us to rely on Your grace and to be instruments of that grace in the world. Bless us so that we may be a blessing to others, echoing Your unceasing love and unbreakable promises.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.