Anathema

which literally means a thing suspended, is the equivalent of the Hebrew word signifying a thing or person voted. Any object so devoted to Jehovah was irredeemable. If an inanimate object, it was to be given to the priests, ( Numbers 18:14 ) if a living creature or even a man, it was to be slain. ( Leviticus 27:28 Leviticus 27:29 ) The word anathema frequently occurs in St. Pauls writings, and is generally translated accused. An examination of the passages in which it occurs shows that it had acquired a more general sense as expressive either of strong feeling, ( Romans 9:3 ) or of dislike and condemnation. ( 1 Corinthians 12:3 ; 16:22 ; Galatians 1:9 )