[Greek] ἀνάθημα (anathēma), [Latin] devovere, [Latin] devotio: something laid up, something made anathema, something set apart, votive offering, gift dedicated to God, something cursed, something set aside for destruction, curse, oath, what is spoken, curse of excommunication; Lk. 21:5, Acts 23:14, 1Cor.12:3, 1Cor. 16:22, Gal.1:8
Bronze figurines offered to the gods of Olympia (8th to 7th century BC)
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means something offered to a deity. The later meaning of this term means something delivered up to divine wrath (brought under a curse.) Gifts were offered to the gods in order to seek their favor or to appease their wrath. Such items included gold cups, trinkets, figurines, garments, garlands, and inscriptions. Socrates mentions that written inscriptions (scrolls and stone tablets) were placed at the temple to proclaim and publicize those who were excommunicated. This was a public form of anathema.
Old Testament: This term means something offered for sacrifice, something dedicated to destruction (brought under a curse), and something perforated (net). Such examples include a cursed object, objects set apart, extermination, sacred offering, burnt offerings, and objects brought to the temple. What comes under the ban is removed from human affairs and given up to destruction. Judith dedicated, as a votive offering to God (Jud.16:19). All humans that are doomed to lose the right be redeemed; they must be put to death (Lev.27:28). You shall not retain anything that is doomed (Deut.13:17). Whatever is under the ban in Israel shall be theirs (Ezek.44:29). From the spoil the men took sheep and oxen, the best of what had been banned, to sacrifice to the Lord (1Kgs.15:21). At the jubilee it shall be released as sacred to the Lord (Lev.27:21). Till I repudiated the holy gates, put Jacob under the ban (Isa.43:28).
New Testament: This term means making a votive offering, placing oneself under a curse, and denoting the object of a curse. Paul states that it would be a contradiction to curse Jesus, delivering Him up to destruction by God. One, who does not love the Lord and who preaches another gospel, is to be cursed. Paul is willing to put himself under a curse in his self-sacrifice for the sake of others. Curses and oaths can also be related. Failure to uphold an oath or solemn vow before God has the significance of placing a curse of the oath breaker.
Scripture:
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!” Gal. 1:8
It is a serious matter to propagate a theology that counters the gospel message.
“While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings.” Lk.21:5
Votive offerings are those item offered up to God.
“They went to the chief priests and elders and said, ‘We have bound ourselves by a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.” Acts 23:14
Oaths taken before God are very serious. The one who fails such an oath brings a curse upon him.
Conclusion:
Anathema, anathematize, devotional, devotion
I suppose it is human nature for man to have offered things to the gods in to order gain their favor or to appease their wrath. This is bribery in any age. It was interesting to learn that written plaques of excommunication were placed nearby to publicly proclaim someone’s excommunication.
The Old Testament culture develops the idea of “under the ban”, meaning to set aside from human affairs. Covenants and oaths were important between man and between God. Man had continued to break these oaths, yet God still remained faithful. Oftentimes, this comes with God’s recrimination. The New Testament further develops the notion of placing oneself under a curse.
In later times, this term becomes a means by which Church officials excommunicate heretics from the faith. In more recent times, this term is used primarily to mean someone or something detested or shunned.