Blessing and Cursing

First "cursing". To be up high, in Hebrew arar, similar to the word "har" meaning "mountain". "To set apart" and detest that which sets out to diminish and dishonour God and Man.

A related word qalal is first used in Genesis 8:8 "to abate or lessen".
Cursing in English according to that etymology link is probably linked to a French word "curuz" — to swear, use angry words. Also note its closeness to another old German word "korren" — meaning a cur, from the words to growl.
First mention of the word Curse in scripture is in Genesis 3:14-17 — "Cursed was the serpent" (for its words about God and its deception of Eve) and "Cursed is the ground" (for Adam's sake). And so God created destruction, evil, breakdown, death on earth for Adam with those angry, passionate words, but also, looking forward to ultimate blessing, in Jesus.

And so, we come to the word Bless in English which comes from the German word "Blodison" — "To Honor, sprinkle with blood". To be down low. First found in old English Bibles, translating the Greek word "eulogein" — "To speak well of" involving word (logos) and action. The Hebrew word was "barak" — "to bend (the knee)" once again implying word and action and service.

Click here for the first mention of the word "blessing", fruitfulness and increase. And the culmination in Hebrews 10:22, of bodies washed with clean water (through outward Baptism), and Hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (by Christ's blood), through the inward assurance of faith.

So coming back to Adam and Eve, we see them blessed through the first shedding of innocent blood, when they were provided with skins to wear as clothing, as covering, and thus reflecting this coming, substitutionary blessing.

Great little article here by John Mackay, chatting about Abel. As Adam and Eve were vegetarians, Abel's flocks provided this clothing as well as a picture of sacrifice, humility, faith.

http://askjohnmackay.com/did-god-kill-animals-clothe-adam-and-eve-or-did-he-create-new-skins

Watched that movie "Invictus" last night, great movie (directed by Clint Eastwood) as regards human forgiveness, Nelson Mandela, and the Springboks, and the 1995 rugby world cup with its underlying musical theme, that famous old poem, by a chap who'd had a pretty tough old time.

"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate (i.e. what gets spoken): I am the captain of my soul."

Yes, by God's grace, let that be so.

Blessings all, Steve