Dict: easton - Anathema

easton:

Anathema @ anything laid up or suspended; hence anything laid up in a temple or set apart as sacred. In this sense the form of the word is anath(ee)ma, once in plural used in the Greek New Testament, in kjv@Luke:21:5, where it is rendered "gifts." In the LXX. the form anathema is generally used as the rendering of the Hebrew word herem, derived from a verb which means

(1) to consecrate or devote; and

(2) to exterminate. Any object so devoted to the Lord could not be redeemed kjv@Numbers:18:14; kjv@Leviticus:27:28-29); and hence the idea of exterminating connected with the word. The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. It had a wide range of application. The anathema or herem was a person or thing irrevocably devoted to God kjv@Leviticus:27:21-28); and "none devoted shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to death" (27:29). The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction kjv@Numbers:21:2-3; kjv@Joshua:6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In kjv@Deuteronomy:7:26 an idol is called a herem = anathema, a thing accursed. In the New Testament this word always implies execration. In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled kjv@Acts:23:12-14, 21). "To call Jesus accursed" anathema ( kjv@1Corinthians:12:3) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. If any one preached another gospel, the apostle says, "let him be accursed" kjv@Galatians:1:8-9); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed. In kjv@Romans:9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing. It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people. The anathema in kjv@1Corinthians:16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."