Meaning of ‘ANATHEMA’
Due the misunderstanding that took a place when some people explained the word anathema based on the modern translation of it: cursed or condemning something as evil, even got extremely far when they assumed that I’m a “devil worshipper” ! , hence, I’m gonna quote from wikipedia explaining what the word “anathema” originally meant:
Anathema (Ανάθεμα), is a Greek word, meaning: something lifted up as an offering to the gods.
When the word was used in the Septuagint (Greek translation of Hebrew scripture) it was used to translate the Hebrew word 'herem' with which it therefore became associated. 'Herem' meant something 'forbidden' or 'off limits.' The Hebrew word was used in verses such as Leviticus 27:28 to refer to things offered to God, and hence 'off limits' to common (non-religious) use.
Because the Greek word 'anathema' meant things offered to God, it was used to translate the Hebrew word 'herem' in such contexts. Thus the meaning of the Greek word 'anathema,' under the influence of its association with the Hebrew word 'herem,' was eventually taken as meaning 'set apart,' (like 'herem' ) rather than 'an offering to god,' as it had meant in Greek, and eventually the word came to be seen as meaning 'banished' and to be considered beyond the judgment and help of the community. Unfortunately within the English language one does not find such a term. To use the term curse alone suggests dark powers and magical arts, which are forbidden in the Judeo-Christian societies in which the word was used.
The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. and hence a majority of scholars have treated the word anathema similarly, generally as meaning a thing accursed.
