Brief Overview of ἀνάθεμα (Strong’s G331:)

ἀνάθεμα (anathema) is a Greek noun that primarily means:

1. A Thing Dedicated to Destruction: Originally, it referred to something consecrated to a deity and thus set apart, often with the implication of being destroyed or set aside.
2. A Curse or Excommunication: In later usage, it came to mean a curse or a person who is excommunicated or accursed, especially in religious contexts.

The term can denote both a physical object set aside for destruction and a person or entity condemned or anathematized.

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Detailed Overview with Concordances

1. BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature):

• BDAG defines ἀνάθεμα as “a thing devoted to God” or “a curse.” It notes the term’s use in the context of something set aside for destruction as a religious offering. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to refer to something or someone cursed or excommunicated from the community of believers.

2. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek-English Lexicon):

• LSJ describes ἀνάθεμα as “a votive offering” or “a thing devoted to destruction.” The lexicon explains its use in both the sense of a physical offering dedicated to a deity and as a curse or excommunication in later Greek and early Christian literature.

3. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines ἀνάθεμα as “a curse” or “a person or thing accursed.” He elaborates on its use in the context of something or someone dedicated to destruction or excommunication, particularly in religious contexts where it denotes a severe form of condemnation.

4. Strong’s Concordance:

• Strong’s Concordance lists ἀνάθεμα as G331 and defines it as “a curse” or “an accursed thing.” It highlights the term’s application to objects set aside for destruction and its metaphorical use to denote someone who is under a curse or excommunicated.

Summary:
ἀνάθεμα (anathema) originally referred to something dedicated to destruction as a votive offering. Over time, its meaning evolved to include a curse or excommunication. BDAG, LSJ, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, and Strong’s Concordance all acknowledge its dual usage, encompassing both the literal sense of a devoted object and the metaphorical sense of a cursed person or entity. The term thus conveys a sense of both physical and spiritual separation or condemnation.