Many people today don’t believe that generational curses still exist. But before we explore that topic in depth, let’s first answer a foundational question: What exactly is a curse?
We briefly touched on this in our article on Galatians 3:13, where we explained what it means to be redeemed from the curse of the law. But let’s take a deeper look.
Definition of a Curse
According to the online dictionary, a curse is:
“A solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something.”
Biblically, however, a curse is not only a spoken utterance but also a judgment or punishment for sin. We see this clearly in Deuteronomy 28, where God outlines both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience:
“Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee.”
— Deuteronomy 28:45 (KJV)
This highlights that curses can be pronounced by God as divine consequences for rebellion.
Can Someone Else Curse You?
Yes—but it will not stand unless there is just cause.
Proverbs 26:2 says:
“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.”
This means that someone may try to curse you, but if there is no legal or spiritual ground for that curse, it won’t take effect.
Let’s look at two biblical examples:
1. Balaam and Israel – A Curse That Couldn’t Stick
When Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel (Numbers 22–25), he could not succeed because God had not found iniquity in them:
“Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”
“He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel…”
— Numbers 23:20–21
However, Balaam knew how to make them vulnerable. Revelation 2:14 reveals:
“…Balaam…taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”
This proves a curse only gains power when sin opens the door.
2. Gehazi – Elisha’s Servant Cursed for Greed and Deceit
“The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.”
— 2 Kings 5:27
Elisha cursed his servant Gehazi with generational leprosy—a curse that only stood because Gehazi sinned by lying and coveting the money from Naaman.
Generational Curses in Scripture
One of the clearest generational curses is found in Jacob’s declaration over his son Reuben:
“Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed…”
— Genesis 49:4
This curse had long-term effects. Reuben’s tribe consistently had low numbers in Israel’s censuses (Numbers 1 and 26). Yet later, we see Moses interceding to reverse the curse:
“Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.”
— Deuteronomy 33:6
This shows that a curse can be reversed—especially through repentance and intercession.
Types of Curses in the Bible (Deuteronomy 28)
Deuteronomy 28 lists many kinds of curses, including:
- Sickness
- Disease
- Poverty
- Miscarriage
- Barren womb or land
- Untimely death
- Mental confusion or madness
- Oppression
- Loss of possessions and family
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives a clear sense of how curses can manifest.
Sickness vs. Disease – What’s the Difference?
Understanding the distinction helps us see how curses operate:
- Disease can be medically diagnosed (e.g., cancer, diabetes).
- Sickness refers to symptoms or suffering with or without a diagnosis (e.g., chronic fatigue, unexplained pain).
You can have a disease without feeling sick—or feel sick without having a diagnosable disease.
This matters because some conditions passed through generations are not mere genetic traits—they may be the result of curses. But praise God, they are also covered under the redemptive work of Christ.
Final Thoughts: Are You Living Under a Curse?
If you’re battling issues that run in your family—poverty, sickness, barrenness, or cycles of destruction—it may be more than just “bad luck” or genetics. It could be a spiritual curse that needs to be broken.
But the good news is through repentance, faith, and obedience, you can break every curse and walk in freedom.