Mar 14:71 | RWP | e4.org | Curse ( αναθεματιζειν ). Our word anathema ( ανα, θεμα , an offering, then something devoted or a curse). Finally the two meanings were distinguished by αναθημα for offering and αναθεμα for curse. Deissmann has found examples at Megara of αναθεμα in the sense of curse. Hence the distinction observed in the N.T. was already in the Koine . has καταθεματιζειν , which is a απαξ λεγομενον in the N.T., though common in the LXX. This word has the notion of calling down curses on one's self if the thing is not true.

‏ Mark 14:71

Curse ( αναθεματιζειν ). Our word anathema ( ανα, θεμα, an offering, then something devoted or a curse). Finally the two meanings were distinguished by αναθημα for offering and αναθεμα for curse. Deissmann has found examples at Megara of αναθεμα in the sense of curse. Hence the distinction observed in the N.T. was already in the Koine. Mt 26:74 has καταθεματιζειν, which is a απαξ λεγομενον in the N.T., though common in the LXX. This word has the notion of calling down curses on one's self if the thing is not true.