The announcement of a temporal loss or of eternal loss as a punishment for sin made by God Himself or by one speaking in the name of God; as in Genesis 3, and Deuteronomy 11. It may mean also the wishing of evil to a person from a sentiment of hatred or the like, against that person, or from a natural resentment on account of some offense deserving punishment. It was a widespread belief in antiquity that malediction no less than benediction was efficacious of itself, when uttered by one in authority (Numbers 22; Genesis 9:27). For a son to utter a malediction against his parents was a crime punishable with death (Exodus 21; Leviticus 20; Proverbs 20; 30).
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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