Blessings and Curses

In the Bible, blessing is pronouncing something good over someone, which — if done in the correct way — ensures that this good thing genuinely happens to that person. The word “blessing” describes the words that are spoken in the act of blessing someone. However, it can also be used to indicate the result of the act of blessing, in the sense of “happiness”. Cursing is the opposite of blessing, that is, to speak doom over someone, causing that doom to actually occur.

In ancient Israel and the surrounding nations, people were convinced that the fate of individuals and nations was influenced by supernatural forces. For the Israelites, this was the God of Israel, but powers such as Satan also had an influence. The course of your life was (partly) dependent on these powers: they could make a person’s life happy or miserable.

The depiction of blessings and curses in the Bible has its roots in this way of thinking.

In the Bible, blessings and curses do not usually have any power in and of themselves, that is, purely by being spoken. Usually they are only effective when spoken by people who have the authority to do this, such as God, prophets or priests, and if they are spoken at the right time, in the right place and at the right occasion.

The ultimate source of power is God himself. A blessing or a curse only works, according to the Bible, if God is in agreement with it (see for example Numbers 22:2–24:9). If God so desires, a blessing or a curse can be repealed as well (see for example 1 Samuel 14:24-45).

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