Biblical Curses Against Those Who Curse Israel
The concept of curses against those who curse Israel is rooted in biblical promises and warnings, though the Bible also records instances of curses pronounced against Israel for disobedience. Divine maledictions, such as those against the serpent (Genesis 3:14) and Cain (Genesis 4:11), are described as carrying their effect with them [2].
One foundational text for the idea of blessings and curses related to Israel is found in Genesis, where God tells Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3). This promise establishes a divine covenantal relationship where the treatment of Abraham and his descendants has direct consequences from God.
However, the biblical narrative also details numerous curses pronounced against Israel itself due to covenant disobedience. The Law, particularly in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, outlines extensive curses that would befall Israel if they violated the terms of their covenant with God [5, 12]. These curses included dispersion to the ends of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:64) [6], plagues and pestilence (Leviticus 26:24-25; Deuteronomy 28:21) [3], and other forms of suffering [10]. For example, Deuteronomy 27:15-26 lists twelve curses, including those against idolatry, dishonoring parents, and perverting justice [8]. The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite cursed Israel, stating, "For the Lord will smite Israel as a reed is shaken in the water" (1 Kings 14:15) [7, 9]. Isaiah also prophesied tribulations for Israel, which he described as curses [11], and declared, "I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult" (Isaiah 43:28) [1].
Prophetical curses, such as those pronounced by Noah against Canaan (Genesis 9:25) or Jacob against Simeon and Levi (Genesis 49:7), are understood not as expressions of human passion or revenge, but as predictions [2]. In the prophetic literature, there is also a reversal of these curses. For instance, Zechariah 12:4 suggests that the madness, blindness, and panic threatened against Israel for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:28) will, in the "day of the Lord," be turned against Israel’s enemies [4]. This indicates a future divine provision where God's protective gaze will be upon His people [4].
Sources
- Isaiah “Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.” -- Isaiah 43:28”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Curse — Denounced by God against the serpent (Gen. 3:14), and against Cain (4:11). These divine maledictions carried their effect with them. Prophetical curses were sometimes pronounced by holy men (Gen. 9:25; 49:7; Deut. 27:15; Josh. 6:26). Such curses are not the consequence of passion or revenge, they are predictions. No one on pain of death shall curse father or mother (Ex. 21:17), nor the prince of his people (22:28), nor the deaf (Lev. 19:14). Cursing God or blaspheming was punishable by death (Lev. 24:10-16). The words "curse God and die" (R.V., "renounce God ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Plague or Pestilence, The — Inflicted by God -- Eze 14:19; Hab 3:5. One of God's four sore judgments -- Eze 14:21. Described as noisome -- Ps 9:13. Israel threatened with, as a punishment for disobedience -- Le 26:24,25; De 28:21. Desolating effects of -- Ps 91:7; Jer 16:6,7; Am 6:9,10. Equally fatal day and night -- Ps 91:5,6. Fatal to man and beast -- Ps 78:50; Jer 21:6. Sent upon The Egyptians. -- Ex 12:29,30. Israel for making golden calf. -- Ex 32:35. Israel for despising manna. -- Nu 11:33. Israel for murmuring at destruction of Korah. -- Nu 16:46-50. Israel fo”
- Zechariah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zechariah 12:4: 12:4 Madness, blindness, and panic were among the curses threatened against Israel for covenant disobedience (Deut 28:28). The day of the Lord will witness a reversal as these curses are turned against Israel’s enemies (see 2 Kgs 7:6-7). • watch over (literally open my eyes): The open eyes of God represent divine provision for those in desperate need (see Gen 16:13-14; 21:19-21).”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 9:11: all-- (Psa 14:3; Rom 3:12). the curse . . . and . . . oath . . . in . . . law--the curse against Israel, if disobedient, which God ratified by oath (Lev. 26:14-39; Deu 27:15-26; Deu. 28:15-68; Deu. 29:1-29).”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 4:27: 4:27 scatter you: One of the curses directed against Israel if it violated the terms of the covenant was the dispersion of the people to the ends of the earth (28:64). This judgment later came to pass repeatedly, especially when the Assyrians occupied the northern kingdom in 722 BC, when the Babylonians conquered Judah in 605–586 BC, and when Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 62a.39:13: The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite cursed Israel in the following terms: “For the Lord will smite Israel as a reed is shaken in the water” (I Kings 14:15). Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: This too is for a blessing, as Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6)? The curse with which Ahijah the Shilonite cursed the Jewish people is more effective than the blessing with which Balaam the wicked blessed them.”
- Deuteronomy (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Deuteronomy 27:15: In Deu 27:15-26 there follow twelve curses, answering to the number of the tribes of Israel. The first is directed against those who make graven or molten images of Jehovah, and set them up in secret, that is to say, against secret breaches of the second commandment (Exo 20:4); the second against contempt of, or want of reverence towards, parents (Exo 21:17); the third against those who remove boundaries (Deu 19:14); the fourth against the man who leads the blind astray (Lev 19:14); the fifth against those who pervert the right of orphans and widows (Deu ”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 20a.13: The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite cursed Israel in the following terms: “For the Lord will smite Israel as a reed is shaken in the water” (I Kings 14:15). Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: This too is for a blessing, as Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6)? The curse with which Ahijah the Shilonite cursed the Jewish people is more effective than the blessing with which Balaam the wicked blessed them.”
- Micah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Micah 6:13: 6:13-16 I will wound you! This phrase introduces all of the curses that God had promised to bring upon the disobedient and rebellious people of Israel (see Deut 28:15-68).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 3:1: removes from Jerusalem... This entire section is explained in Tractate Chagigah (14a): Isaiah cursed Israel [i.e., prophesied tribulations for them] with eighteen curses, yet he was not satisfied until he said, (verse 5) “The youth shall behave haughtily against the old, and the base against the honorable.””
- 2 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Chronicles 34:24: 34:24 the curses written in the scroll: See Deut 27:14-26; 28:15-68. Curses in a covenant stipulate what will happen to those who are unfaithful to the covenant, as Israel and Judah were in their covenant with the Lord. These curses included exile.”