25 Bible Verses about Curses (With Commentary)

Feeling weighed down by the notion of curses in your life? It’s a concern many share, seeking solace and answers. This article delves into Biblical scriptures that tackle the topic of curses, offering insights and guidance for those affected.

Read on to unearth spiritual truths and liberate yourself from the chains of fear.

Curses for Disobedience

Deuteronomy 28:15-20

"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me."

God gave Israel clear rules: obey and be blessed or disobey and face curses. Deuteronomy 28:15-20 is a stern warning from God about the high cost of not following His commands. If the Israelites turned away from Him, they would suffer terrible consequences like sicknesses and failing crops.

These verses are stark; they show how serious God is about obedience. The passage lists hardships like confusion, wasted efforts, and an inability to succeed as direct results of disobedience.

It reminds us that our choices have real outcomes in life, especially when it comes to heeding God’s word.

Galatians 3:10

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

Galatians 3:10 warns that relying only on following the law brings a curse. It tells us we must obey everything in God’s commandments to avoid this curse. Not just some things, but all of them.

This verse makes it clear—breaking even one rule can put you under a curse.

Deuteronomy 27:15

"Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen."

“Deuteronomy 27:15 warns against creating idols, something God hates. It says you’re cursed if you make a graven or molten image in secret. This rule was clear for the Israelites to follow.

Making an idol meant turning your back on God’s commandments.

Mount Ebal played a big part in this. That’s where people would hear about the blessings and curses linked to obeying or disobeying God’s laws. The twelve tribes of Israel listened to these warnings there.

This verse reminds us about fair punishment for sinful actions.”.

Leviticus 26:14-16

"But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it."

Leviticus 26:14-16 warns Israel about the serious consequences of disobeying God. If they ignore His commands, harsh curses will come their way. They’ll face terror, diseases, and failed crops.

Their enemies will defeat them easily. God describes these punishments to show how important it is to follow His laws.

People must choose between blessings for obedience or curses for turning away from Him. Leviticus 26 lays out this choice clearly. It’s all about listening to God and living right by Him—or facing scary outcomes if they don’t.

The message is straightforward: obey and be blessed; disobey and suffer the consequences.

Malachi 3:9

"Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation."

Malachi 3:9 delivers a stark warning—steal from God, and you’re under a heavy curse. Picture an entire nation trembling as they realize they’ve been pocketing what’s meant for the Almighty.

They aren’t just slipping coins into their robes; they’re withholding tithes and offerings due to Heaven. It goes beyond mere theft; it’s like cheating the Creator of the universe.

This verse isn’t just ancient history; it stirs up debates today. Some folks say Christians who skip tithing are asking for trouble, while others argue that grace frees us from such curses.

But one thing is clear: Malachi connects with Deuteronomy 28, painting disobedience in severe shades of doom. The lesson stands—the blessings we seek hinge on honoring our debts to God.

Curses in the Old Testament

Genesis 3:14-19

"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

God spelled out curses in Genesis 3:14-19, starting with the serpent. He told it that from now on it would crawl on its belly and eat dust. This curse also held a promise—the coming of one who would crush the serpent’s head.

The woman received her own consequences; she would face pain during childbirth, yet even this came with a blessing disguised within—her role in bringing new life.

For Adam, his curse was toilsome labor. He’d sweat for his food as the ground became full of thorns and thistles. But amid these hardships, there was hope too—a future where hard work can yield fruit despite the struggle.

Here we see that even in punishment, God’s mercy shines through—the curses are not just penalties but also carry seeds of future blessings.

Numbers 22:6

"Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed."

Balak, a king in the Old Testament, feared the people of Israel. He sent messengers to Balaam, asking him to curse these people. But God had other plans. He told Balaam not to go around throwing curses because those whom God blesses cannot be cursed by anyone else.

The story unfolds in Numbers 22:6 and shows a powerful truth – curses have no effect on those protected by God’s blessing. It turns out that anyone trying to curse someone under God’s care is actually inviting trouble upon themselves.

This part of scripture sends out a clear message about spiritual warfare and the protection offered by obedience to our Lord’s commandments.

2 Samuel 16:12

"It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day."

Shimei cursed King David, hurling insults and stones with rage. It was a tough time for David, forced to flee from his son Absalom’s rebellion. This scene unfolds in 2 Samuel 16:12, where Shimei’s anger stems from Saul losing the throne to David.

Despite the harsh words and thrown rocks, something unexpected happened — God turned those curses into blessings because of His love for David. The king’s reaction is humbling; he sees this as possibly God’s will and hopes for mercy instead of striking back at Shimei.

1 Kings 2:8-9

"And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood."

King David warned his son Solomon about Shimei, the man who cursed him. This happened when David was very sad and weak. He told Solomon to remember what Shimei did and not let him go unpunished.

David said that Shimei should be punished for his harsh words against a king chosen by God. Solomon knew he had to act on his father’s advice about Shimei’s curse. It showed how serious it is to speak badly of God’s anointed leader, especially when they’re down.

Nehemiah 13:2

"Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing."

Nehemiah 13:2 reveals a powerful act of God—He changed Balaam’s curse into a blessing for the Israelites. Despite the Ammonites and Moabites not welcoming them, this verse shows that no curse can withstand God’s will.

It celebrates His protection over His people and highlights divine sovereignty. The story in Nehemiah is a testament to how God can transform ill intentions and bring good to those who trust in Him, flipping curses on their head.

Redemption from Curses

Galatians 3:13

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

Galatians 3:13 delivers powerful news—Christ has freed us from the law’s curse. He did this by becoming a curse for us. It’s like he took all the bad that was meant for us and put it on himself.

The Bible says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” That means Jesus took our place, so we wouldn’t have to face those curses.

This verse changes everything. We’re no longer stuck trying to obey a huge list of laws to be right with God. Instead, because of what Jesus did, we can have eternal life and not fear any curse from breaking the law.

This gift is huge—it’s grace in action!

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Romans 8:1 brings hope to those feeling trapped by their past wrongdoings. It says there’s no condemnation for people who are in Christ Jesus, because they live according to the Spirit, not just the flesh.

This verse stands out as a promise of freedom – if you’re with Jesus and follow His ways, curses from sin don’t hold you down.

The message is clear: choose life in the Spirit and break free from the chains of generational curses. You’ll find peace through faith in Christ and a life dedicated to God. Trust that by being in Jesus, you step into a world where forgiveness reigns over fault, where mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 3:10

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

James 3:10 tells us our words have power. We can use the same mouth to praise God and then turn around to say mean things about others. It’s like sweet water and bitter water coming from the same place, which just doesn’t make sense.

Our tongues can be hard to control and can cause a lot of trouble if we’re not careful.

The Bible says that swearing, cursing, or any bad language is wrong. Instead, it teaches us to focus on Christ so our words are good and helpful. If we fill our minds with right thoughts, gracious speech will follow naturally.

That’s important because what we say should show love for God and for people too.

2 Peter 2:14

"Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

2 Peter 2:14 warns us about people whose eyes are full of sin. They can’t stop doing wrong, and they lead others astray. Their hearts train in greed, and they live under God’s curse.

The Bible calls them cursed children because they chase after evil things without stopping.

This verse shows us how serious it is to keep on sinning. Those who do might face tough consequences. It talks about the trap of constant wrongdoing and how it can lead to destruction.

The message is clear: stay away from a life full of sin that brings curses upon oneself.

Colossians 2:14

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

Jesus did something amazing for us—He took all our wrongs and nailed them to the cross. Colossians 2:14 tells us that our debt list, with all its rules we couldn’t follow, was wiped out because of Him.

It’s like He crossed out every mistake we’ve made. Now imagine a world where everything you owe is paid in full; that’s what Jesus offers.

This verse shows how Jesus beat sin and bad stuff by giving up His life. Before, things were written down against us, kind of like a big bill hanging over our heads. But Jesus grabbed that bill and tore it up on the cross.

We’re free now, no longer trapped by those old mistakes! This means we can start fresh without looking back at what held us down.

The Power of Words

Proverbs 26:2

"As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come."

A curse without cause won’t come to rest. It’s like a sparrow darting through the sky; it flies on, never landing where it’s not meant to. Proverbs 26:2 tells us this truth. Don’t fear false curses or superstitions—unless you’ve earned them, they have no power over you.

This verse is wisdom against unfounded fears. Think of Christ and how He handles the curse we deserve. Just as a bird doesn’t worry about groundless threats, neither should we stress over baseless harm.

This teaching pushes back against myths and urges us to trust divine justice more than empty words.

Ecclesiastes 10:20

"Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter."

Beware of cursing others, even in secret. Ecclesiastes 10:20 warns that your whispers might be carried away by birds. Imagine what you say behind closed doors flying off to be heard by unintended ears.

This verse tells us to guard our words, for they wield power.

Your thoughts are powerful too—so keep them positive. Speaking ill about the king or the rich in private could backfire. The Bible cautions us through this verse: speak life, not death.

Words shape reality and can boomerang with unexpected consequences. Be mindful and speak blessings instead of curses.

Matthew 5:44

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies. It says we should do good to those who hate us. We must bless the ones who curse us and pray for people who are mean to us. This teaches not to seek revenge but show kindness instead.

Following this verse can be tough, but it’s important. It asks us to talk nicely about those who speak badly of us. Luke 6:27 also talks about this, telling us loving our enemies is key.

It helps spread mercy and forgiveness just like Jesus did.

Proverbs 6:2

"Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth."

You’ve been caught by the words of your mouth, says Proverbs 6:2. This verse teaches about the dangers of making promises you can’t keep. It tells us to be careful with our commitments, especially when they involve taking risks for others.

If you say too much or agree quickly without thinking, it’s like a trap. You might end up in trouble because of what you said.

The Bible warns that your own words can become a snare for you—like birds flying right into a net without realizing it. Speaking negative things over yourself or others is risky business; those words could end up causing harm just as easily as they were spoken.

Remember this lesson from Proverbs: watch your words and don’t let them tie you down!

James 4:11

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."

James 4:11 tells us not to talk badly about each other. It reminds us that our words have power, and we should use them carefully. Talking down about someone else can be as bad as cursing God’s creations—both are wrong.

This Bible verse is clear: don’t use your mouth for both blessing and cursing. It’s like trying to get fresh and salty water from the same spring; it just doesn’t work.

Our tongues can be tough to control, but James 4:11 urges us to try harder. Speaking evil of others shows a lack of love and humility. The verse isn’t just advice—it’s a warning to live by God’s commandments with respect for others.

Our speech reflects what’s in our hearts; let yours show kindness instead of curses.

Warnings Against Cursing

Romans 12:14

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

Romans 12:14 tells us to bless the people who give us trouble. That’s tough, but it changes how we react when others are mean. Instead of getting back at them with curses, God wants us to show love and say good things.

This verse is all about breaking free from a cycle of anger. We don’t pass on bad feelings; we leave those behind and choose kindness instead.

Being nice to someone who hurts you isn’t natural—it can be one of the hardest parts of being a Christian. But this verse calls for something special—blessing our enemies rather than cursing them out of spite or pain.

It’s like flipping the script on what most people would do; it shines light in dark places and brings out that big-hearted spirit Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount.

James 3:9-12

"Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

James 3:9-12 tells us that our words have real power. We use the same mouth to praise our Lord and curse people, who are made just like Him. That should not be! Can a fountain shoot both fresh and bitter water? Of course not.

And neither can we rightly bless God while cursing others who are in His likeness. Our tongues shouldn’t swing between blessing and cursing—it’s as mixed up as a fig tree bearing olives or a grapevine with figs.

It just doesn’t make sense.

We need to speak life into each other, lifting hearts rather than crushing them with our words. As believers, let’s stick to using language that builds up, showing love and respect for all of God’s creation.

This means no more saying one thing but doing another—our call is to stay true through what we say and do, recognizing everyone’s worth as an image bearer of the divine.

1 Peter 3:9

"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

Don’t return insults with more insults or pay back bad behavior with worse. Instead, 1 Peter 3:9 teaches to give blessings in place of curses. It’s about showing kindness even when others are mean to you.

By doing this, we live the way God wants us to and can expect His blessings.

The verse leads by example, pushing us towards loving our enemies and being good to those who hate us. It steers clear of gossip and calls for a life filled with mercy and positivity.

Following this direction sets believers on a path away from returning evil for evil, nurturing a heritage that favors blessing over cursing.

Psalm 10:7

"His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity."

Psalm 10:7 paints a harsh picture. It talks about mouths spewing curses, lies, and threats. This verse shows us the damage done by harmful words. Evil speech can crush spirits and spread pain like wildfire.

God sees this wickedness and doesn’t ignore it. Psalm 10:7 is a reminder of the dark side of human nature. But it’s also a call to choose our words carefully—to build up, not break down.

Proverbs 3:33

"The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just."

Proverbs 3:33 shows us that our choices matter. If we choose to do bad things, bad outcomes often follow. It tells us that God does not bless the home of someone who acts wickedly.

But those who live right and are fair get His favor.

This verse is like a clear sign, pointing out two very different roads. One road leads to trouble because it’s marked with wrong actions; the other shines bright with good choices, attracting blessings like a magnet.

On this path, people find peace and goodness in their lives because they choose what’s right.

Conclusion

Understanding curses through Bible verses guides us. It shows the consequences of disobedience and the power of our words. Scriptures offer hope for breaking free from curses, highlighting God’s mercy and protection.

Remember, blessings thrive where curses once loomed—choose your words wisely and live by His commandments.

FAQs

1. What are Bible verses about curses?

Bible verses about curses discuss the consequences of disobedience to God’s commandments, like in Genesis 3:15 after the Fall, and offer guidance on how to protect oneself with spiritual armor.

2. Can we find teachings on curses in the New Testament?

Yes, the New Testament sheds light on dealing with evil — Jesus Christ himself was tempted by the devil but stood firm using words from Holy Scripture.

3. Does the Bible say anything about overcoming a curse?

Indeed, it does! By following Jesus’ sayings and living in obedience — for example, loving your enemies as advised in the gospels of Matthew — we can overcome any curse and receive mercy from God.

4. Are there specific prayers or actions in the Bible to break curses?

The Armor of God described by Apostle Paul provides a blueprint for living righteously; wearing things like the breastplate of righteousness helps keep us safe from harm.

5. Why does obedience play a role in avoiding curses according to biblical views?

In biblical studies, obedience is key because it aligns us with God’s will — just as Jesus forgave sinners which kept him free from sin and curse.

6. How can studying Bible verses help me understand more about blessings versus curses?

Engaging deeply with scriptures like John 3:16 shows us that through belief in our Savior we gain access to grace and forgiveness rather than falling under a curse.