Bible Thesaurus: Abomination

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Thesaurus

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... (2.) Every shepherd was "an abomination" unto the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). ... (Comp.
1 Macc. 1:57). This was the abomination of the desolation of Jerusalem. ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Detestation (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:11 and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their
flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination. (See JPS). ...
/d/detestation.htm - 8k

Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... Desolation, Abomination of. ... Luke 21:20), is interpreted of the eagles, the standards
of the Roman army, which were an abomination to the Jews. ...
/d/desolation.htm - 46k

Teeming (18 Occurrences)
... in the seas, and in the brooks, of any teeming creature of the waters, and of any
creature which liveth, which 'is' in the waters -- an abomination they 'are ...
/t/teeming.htm - 12k

Abominable (52 Occurrences)
... Exodus 8:26 And Moses said: 'It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the
abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God; lo, if we sacrifice the ...
/a/abominable.htm - 23k

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and
after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/z/zidonians.htm - 10k

Desolating (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:15 Whenever, therefore, ye may see the abomination of the desolation,
that was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ...
/d/desolating.htm - 8k

Milcom (8 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the
Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. ...
/m/milcom.htm - 9k

Crawling (20 Occurrences)
... guilty; (DBY). Leviticus 11:20 Every winged crawling thing that goeth upon
all four shall be an abomination unto you. (DBY). Leviticus ...
/c/crawling.htm - 12k

Swarming (19 Occurrences)
... See RSV NIV). Leviticus 11:20 All winged creeping things that go upon all
fours are an abomination unto you. (See JPS). Leviticus 11 ...
/s/swarming.htm - 12k

Bible Concordance

Abomination (78 Occurrences)

Matthew 24:15 "When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Mark 13:14 But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Luke 16:15 He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Revelation 21:27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 43:32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians, that ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians don't eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 46:34 that you shall say,'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:' that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 8:26 Moses said, "It isn't appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Yahweh our God. Behold, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and won't they stone us?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Leviticus 7:18 If any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Leviticus 7:21 When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which belong to Yahweh, that soul shall be cut off from his people.'"
(WEB ASV DBY RSV)

Leviticus 11:10 All that don't have fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:13 "'These you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:20 "'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:23 But all winged creeping things which have four feet, are an abomination to you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:41 "'Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 11:42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Leviticus 19:7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted;
(WEB ASV YLT RSV)

Leviticus 20:13 "'If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 20:23 And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for all these things have they done, and they became an abomination to me.
(DBY)

Leviticus 20:25 And ye shall make a separation between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean, and ye shall not make yourselves an abomination by beast, or by fowl, or by anything that creepeth on the ground which I have separated for you, declaring it as unclean.
(DBY)

Numbers 11:20 unto a month of days, till that it come out from your nostrils, and it hath become to you an abomination; because that ye have loathed Jehovah, who 'is' in your midst, and weep before Him, saying, Why is this? -- we have come out of Egypt!'
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 7:25 You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 7:26 You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Deuteronomy 12:31 You shall not do so to Yahweh your God: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Deuteronomy 13:14 then you shall inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in the midst of you,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Deuteronomy 17:1 You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a blemish, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 17:4 and it be told you, and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire diligently; and behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Deuteronomy 18:12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear men's clothing, neither shall a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 23:18 You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Yahweh your God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination to Yahweh your God. "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 24:4 her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahweh: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 25:16 For all who do such things, even all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 27:15 'Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' All the people shall answer and say,'Amen.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Judges 20:6 And I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed abomination and wantonness in Israel.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 13:4 All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Kings 23:13 The high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 88:8 You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can't escape.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Proverbs 3:32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 6:16 There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 20:10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 1:13 Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 41:24 Behold, you are of nothing, and your work is of nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 44:19 No one thinks, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, "I have burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals. I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination? Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 66:17 "Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating pig's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together," says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 2:7 I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat its fruit and its goodness; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among those who fall; in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 32:35 They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech; which I didn't command them, neither did it come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 44:4 And I send unto you all my servants, the prophets, rising early and sending, saying: I pray you, do not this abomination that I have hated --
(YLT)

Ezekiel 8:17 Then he said to me, Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger: and behold, they put the branch to their nose.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 16:25 You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution.
(WEB JPS ASV)

Ezekiel 16:50 They were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Ezekiel 18:12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 22:11 One has committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law; and another in you has humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 33:26 You stand on your sword, you work abomination, and every one of you defiles his neighbor's wife: and shall you possess the land?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Daniel 9:27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate.
(Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 11:31 Forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt offering, and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 12:11 From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Malachi 2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the holiness of Yahweh which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Abomination

A term applied in Scripture to objects of great detestation. Idols and their worship were so named, because they robbed God of his honor, while the rites themselves were impure and cruel, De 7:25,26 12:31. The term was used respecting the Hebrews in Egypt, Genesis 43:32 Exodus 8:26, either because they ate and sacrificed animals held sacred by the Egyptians, or because they did not observe those ceremonies in eating which made a part of the religion of Egypt; and in Genesis 46:34, because they were "wandering shepherds," a race of whom had grievously oppressed Egypt.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

This word is used,

(1.) To express the idea that the Egyptians considered themselves as defiled when they ate with strangers (Genesis 43:32). The Jews subsequently followed the same practice, holding it unlawful to eat or drink with foreigners (John 18:28; Acts 10:28; 11:3).

(2.) Every shepherd was "an abomination" unto the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). This aversion to shepherds, such as the Hebrews, arose probably from the fact that Lower and Middle Egypt had formerly been held in oppressive subjection by a tribe of nomad shepherds (the Hyksos), who had only recently been expelled, and partly also perhaps from this other fact that the Egyptians detested the lawless habits of these wandering shepherds.

(3.) Pharaoh was so moved by the fourth plague, that while he refused the demand of Moses, he offered a compromise, granting to the Israelites permission to hold their festival and offer their sacrifices in Egypt. This permission could not be accepted, because Moses said they would have to sacrifice "the abomination of the Egyptians" (Exodus 8:26); i.e., the cow or ox, which all the Egyptians held as sacred, and which they regarded it as sacrilegious to kill.

(4.) Daniel (11:31), in that section of his prophecies which is generally interpreted as referring to the fearful calamities that were to fall on the Jews in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, says, "And they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." Antiochus Epiphanes caused an altar to be erected on the altar of burnt-offering, on which sacrifices were offered to Jupiter Olympus. (Comp. 1 Macc. 1:57). This was the abomination of the desolation of Jerusalem. The same language is employed in Dan. 9:27 (Comp. Matthew 24:15), where the reference is probably to the image-crowned standards which the Romans set up at the east gate of the temple (A.D. 70), and to which they paid idolatrous honours. "Almost the entire religion of the Roman camp consisted in worshipping the ensign, swearing by the ensign, and in preferring the ensign before all other gods." These ensigns were an "abomination" to the Jews, the "abomination of desolation."

This word is also used symbolically of sin in general (Isaiah 66:3); an idol (44:19); the ceremonies of the apostate Church of Rome (Revelation 17:4); a detestable act (Ezek. 22:11).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; a detestable behavior; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.

2. (n.) A cause of pollution or wickedness.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ABOMINATION

a-bom-i-na'-shun (piggul, to`ebhah, sheqets (shiqquts)): Three distinct Hebrew words are rendered in the English Bible by "abomination," or "abominable thing," referring (except in Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34) to things or practices abhorrent to Yahweh, and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion. It would be well if these words could be distinguished in translation, as they denote different degrees of abhorrence or loathsomeness.

The word most used for this idea by the Hebrews and indicating the highest degree of abomination is to`ebhah, meaning primarily that which offends the religious sense of a people. When it is said, for example, "The Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians," this is the word used; the significance being that the Hebrews were repugnant to the Egyptians as foreigners, as of an inferior caste, and especially as shepherds (Genesis 46:34). The feeling of the Egyptians for the Greeks was likewise one of repugnance. Herodotus (ii.41) says the Egyptians would not kiss a Greek on the mouth, or use his dish, or taste meat cut with the knife of a Greek.

Among the objects described in the Old Testament as "abominations" in this sense are heathen gods, such as Ashtoreth (Astarte), Chemosh, Milcom, the "abominations" of the Zidonians (Phoenicians), Moabites, and Ammonites, respectively (2 Kings 23:13), and everything connected with the worship of such gods. When Pharaoh, remonstrating against the departure of the children of Israel, exhorted them to offer sacrifices to their God in Egypt, Moses said: "Shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians (i.e. the animals worshipped by them which were taboo, to`ebhah, to the Israelites) before their eyes, and will they not stone us?" (Exodus 8:26).

It is to be noted that, not only the heathen idol itself, but anything offered to or associated with the idol, all the paraphernalia of the forbidden cult, was called an "abomination," for it "is an abomination to Yahweh thy God" (Deuteronomy 7:25, 26). The Deuteronomic writer here adds, in terms quite significant of the point of view and the spirit of the whole law: `Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thy house and thus become a thing set apart (cherem = tabooed) like unto it; thou shalt utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is a thing set apart' (tabooed). To`ebhah is even used as synonymous with "idol" or heathen deity, as in Isaiah 44:19 Deuteronomy 32:16 2 Kings 23:13; and especially Exodus 8:22.

Everything akin to magic or divination is likewise an abomination to`ebhah; as are sexual transgressions (Deuteronomy 22:5; Deuteronomy 23:18; Deuteronomy 24:4), especially incest and other unnatural offenses: "For all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you" (Leviticus 18:27; compare Ezekiel 8:15). It is to be noted, however, that the word takes on in the later usage a higher ethical and spiritual meaning: as where "divers measures, a great and a small," are forbidden (Deuteronomy 25:14-16); and in Proverbs where "lying lips" (Proverbs 12:22), "the proud in heart" (Proverbs 16:5), "the way of the wicked" (Proverbs 15:9), "evil devices" (Proverbs 15:26), and "he that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous" (Proverbs 17:15), are said to be an abomination in God's sight. At last prophet and sage are found to unite in declaring that any sacrifice, however free from physical blemish, if offered without purity of motive, is an abomination: `Bring no more an oblation of falsehood-an incense of abomination it is to me' (Isaiah 1:13; compare Jeremiah 7:10). "The sacrifice of the wicked" and the prayer of him "that turneth away his ear from hearing the law," are equally an abomination (see Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 21:27; Proverbs 28:9).

Another word rendered "abomination" in the King James Version is sheqets or shiqquts. It expresses generally a somewhat less degree of horror or religious aversion than [to`ebhah], but sometimes seems to stand about on a level with it in meaning. In Deuteronomy 14:3, for example, we have the command, "Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing," as introductory to the laws prohibiting the use of the unclean animals (see CLEAN; UNCLEANNESS), and the word there used is [to`ebhah]. But in Leviticus 11:10-13, 20, 23, 41, 42, Isaiah 66:17; and in Ezekiel 8:10 sheqets is the word used and likewise applied to the prohibited animals; as also in Leviticus 11:43 sheqets is used when it is commanded, "Ye shall not make yourselves abominable." Then sheqets is often used parallel to or together with to`ebhah of that which should be held as detestable, as for instance, of idols and idolatrous practices (see especially Deuteronomy 29:17 Hosea 9:10 Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 13:27; Jeremiah 16:18 Ezekiel 11:18-21; Ezekiel 20:7, 8). It is used exactly as [to`ebhah] is used as applied to Milcom, the god of the Ammonites, which is spoken of as the detestable thing sheqets of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:5). Still even in such cases to`ebhah seems to be the stronger word and to express that which is in the highest degree abhorrent.

The other word used to express a somewhat kindred idea of abhorrence and translated "abomination" in the King James Version is piggul; but it is used in the Hebrew Bible only of sacrificial flesh that has become stale, putrid, tainted (see Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 19:7 Ezekiel 4:14 Isaiah 65:4). Driver maintains that it occurs only as a "technical term for such state sacrificial flesh as has not been eaten within the prescribed time," and, accordingly, he would everywhere render it specifically "refuse meat." Compare lechem megho'al, "the loaths ome bread" (from ga'al, "to loathe") Malachi 1:7. A chief interest in the subject for Christians grows out of the use of the term in the expression "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14), which see.

See also ABHOR.

LITERATURE

Commentators at the place Rabbinical literature in point. Driver; Weiss; Gratz, Gesch. der Juden, IV, note 15.

George B. Eager

ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

des-o-la'-shun: The Hebrew root for abomination is shaqats, "to be filthy," "to loathe," "to abhor," from which is derived shiqquts, "filthy," especially "idolatrous." This word is used to describe specific forms of idolatrous worship that were specially abhorrent, as of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:5, 7); of the Moabites (1 Kings 11:7 2 Kings 23:13). When Daniel undertook to specify an abomination so surpassingly disgusting to the sense of morality and decency, and so aggressive against everything that was godly as to drive all from its presence and leave its abode desolate, he chose this as the strongest among the several synonyms, adding the qualification "that maketh desolate" (Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11), Septuagint bdel-ug-ma er-e-mo-se-os. The same noun, though in the plural, occurs in Deuteronomy 29:17 2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 66:3 Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 7:30; Jeremiah 13:27; Jeremiah 32:34 Ezekiel 20:7, 8, 30 Daniel 9:27 Hosea 9:10; Zechariah 9:7. The New Testament equivalent of the noun is bdel-ug-ma = "detestable," i.e. (specially) "idolatrous." Alluding to Daniel, Christ spoke of the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15 Mark 13:14).

1. The Historical Background:

Since the invasion of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, the Jewish people, both of the Northern and of the Southern kingdom, had been without political independence. From the Chaldeans the rulership of Judea had been transferred to the Persians, and from the Persians, after an interval of 200 years, to Alexander the Great. From the beginning of the Persian sovereignty, the Jews had been permitted to organize anew their religious and political commonwealth, thus establishing a state under the rulership of priests, for the high priest was not only the highest functionary of the cult, but also the chief magistrate in so far as these prerogatives were not exercised by the king of the conquering nation. Ezra had given a new significance to the Torah by having it read to the whole congregation of Israel and by his vigorous enforcement of the law of separation from the Gentiles. His emphasis of the law introduced the period of legalism and finical interpretation of the letter which called forth some of the bitterest invectives of our Saviour. Specialists of the law known as "scribes" devoted themselves to its study and subtle interpretation, and the pious beheld the highest moral accomplishment in the extremely conscientious observance of every precept. But in opposition to this class, there were those who, influenced by the Hellenistic culture, introduced by the conquests of Alexander the Great, were inclined to a more "liberal" policy. Thus, two opposing parties were developed: the Hellenistic, and the party of the Pious, or the Chasidim, chacidhim (Hasidaeans, 1 Maccabees 2:42; 7:13), who held fast to the strict ideal of the scribes. The former gradually came into ascendancy. Judea was rapidly becoming Hellenistic in all phases of its political, social and religious life, and the "Pious" were dwindling to a small minority sect. This was the situation when Antiochus Epiphanes set out to suppress the last vestige of the Jewish cult by the application of brute force.

2. Antiochus Epiphanes:

Antiochus IV, son of Antiochus the Great, became the successor of his brother, Seleucus IV, who had been murdered by his minister, Heliodorus, as king of Syria (175-164 B.C.). He was by nature a despot; eccentric and unreliable; sometimes a spendthrift in his liberality, fraternizing in an affected manner with those of lower station; sometimes cruel and tyrannical, as witness his aggressions against Judea. Polybius (26 10) tells us that his eccentric ideas caused some to speak of him as a man of pure motive and humble character, while others hinted at insanity. The epithet Epiphanes is an abbreviation of theos epiphanes, which is the designation given himself by Antiochus on his coins, and means "the god who appears or reveals himself." Egyptian writers translate the inscription, "God which comes forth," namely, like the burning sun, Horos, on the horizon, thus identifying the king with the triumphal, appearing god.

When Antiochus Epiphanes arose to the throne, Onias III, as high priest, was the leader of the old orthodox party in Judea; the head of the Hellenists was his own brother Jesus, or, as he preferred to designate himself, Jason, this being the Greek form of his name and indicating the trend of his mind. Jason promised the king large sums of money for the transfer of the office of high priest from his brother to himself and the privilege of erecting a gymnasium and a temple to Phallus, and for the granting of the privilege "to enroll the inhabitants of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch." Antiochus gladly agreed to everything. Onias was removed, Jason became high priest, and henceforth the process of Hellenizing Judea was pushed energetically. The Jewish cult was not attacked, but the "legal institutions were set aside, and illegal practices were introduced" (2 Maccabees 4:11). A gymnasium was erected outside the castle; the youth of Jerusalem exercised themselves in the gymnastic art of the Greeks, and even priests left their services at the altar to take part in the contest of the palaestra. The disregard of Jewish custom went so far that many artificially removed the traces of circumcision from their bodies, and with characteristic liberality, Jason even sent a contribution to the sacrifices in honor of Heracles on the occasion of the quadrennial festivities in Tyre.

3. The Suppression of the Jewish Cult:

Under these conditions it is not surprising that Antiochus should have had both the inclination and the courage to undertake the total eradication of the Jewish religion and the establishment of Greek polytheism in its stead. The observance of all Jewish laws, especially those relating to the Sabbath and to circumcision, were forbidden under pain of death. The Jewish cult was set aside, and in all cities of Judea, sacrifices must be brought to the pagan deities. Representatives of the crown everywhere enforced the edict. Once a month a search was instituted, and whoever had secreted a copy of the Law or had observed the rite of circumcision was condemned to death. In Jerusalem on the 15th of Chislev of the year 145 aet Sel, i.e. in December 168 B.C., a pagan altar was built on the Great Altar of Burnt Sacrifices, and on the 25th of Chislev, sacrifice was brought on this altar for the first time (1 Maccabees 1:54, 59). This evidently was the "abomination of desolation." The sacrifice, according to 2 Maccabees was brought to the Olympian Zeus, to whom the temple of Jerusalem had been dedicated. At the feast of Dionysus, the Jews were obliged to march in the Bacchanalian procession, crowned with laurel leaves. Christ applies the phrase to what was to take place at the advance of the Romans against Jerusalem. They who would behold the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place, He bids flee to the mountains, which probably refers to the advance of the Roman army into the city and temple, carrying standards which bore images of the Roman gods and were the objects of pagan worship.

Frank E. Hirsch

ABOMINATION, BIRDS OF

Leviticus 11:13-19: "And these ye shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the osprey, and the kite, and the falcon after its kind, every raven after its kind, and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind, and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture, and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat." Deuteronomy 14:12-18 gives the glede in addition.

Each of these birds is treated in order in this work. There are two reasons why Moses pronounced them an abomination for food. Either they had rank, offensive, tough flesh, or they were connected with religious superstition. The eagle, gier-eagle, osprey, kite, glede, falcon, raven, night-hawk, sea-mew, hawk, little owl, cormorant, great owl, horned owl, pelican and vulture were offensive because they were birds of prey or ate carrion or fish until their flesh partook of the odor of their food. Young ostriches have sweet, tender flesh and the eggs are edible also. In putting these birds among the abominations Moses must have been thinking of grown specimens. (Ostriches live to a remarkable age and on account of the distances they cover, and their speed in locomotion, their muscles become almost as hard as bone.)

There is a trace of his early Egyptian training when he placed the stork and the heron on this list. These birds, and the crane as well, abounded in all countries known at that time and were used for food according to the superstitions of different nations. These three were closely related to the ibis which was sacred in Egypt and it is probable that they were protected by Moses for this reason, since they were eaten by other nations at that time and cranes are used for food today by natives of our southeastern coast states and are to be found in the markets of our western coast. The veneration for the stork that exists throughout the civilized world today had its origin in Palestine. Noting the devotion of mated pairs and their tender care for the young the Hebrews named the bird chacidhah, which means kindness. Carried down the history of ages with additions by other nations, this undoubtedly accounts for the story now universal, that the stork delivers newly-born children to their homes; so the bird is loved and protected.

One ancient Roman writer, Cornelius Nepos, recorded that in his time both crane and storks were eaten; storks were liked the better. Later, Pliny wrote that no one would touch a stork, but everyone was fond of crane. In Thessaly it was a capital crime to kill a stork. This change from regarding the stork as a delicacy to its protection by a death penalty merely indicates the hold the characteristics of the bird had taken on people as it became better known, and also the spread of the regard in which it was held throughout Palestine. The hoopoe (which see) was offensive to Moses on account of extremely filthy nesting habits, but was considered a great delicacy when captured in migration by residents of southern Europe.

See also ABOMINATION; BIRDS, UNCLEAN.

Gene Stratton-Porter

BIRDS OF ABOMINATION

See ABOMINATION, BIRDS OF.

DESOLATION, ABOMINATION OF

See ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION.

Greek

946. bdelugma -- a detestable thing
... Word Origin from bdelussomai Definition a detestable thing NASB Word Usage
abomination (3), abominations (2), detestable (1). abomination. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/946.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

8441. toebah -- abomination
... 8440, 8441. toebah or toebah. 8442 . abomination. Transliteration: toebah or
toebah Phonetic Spelling: (to-ay-baw') Short Definition: abominations. ...
/hebrew/8441.htm - 6k

8262. shaqats -- to detest, make detestable
... abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, utterly. A primitive
root; to be filthy, ie (intensively) to loathe, pollute ...
/hebrew/8262.htm - 6k

8442. toah -- a wandering, error
... abominable custom, thing, abomination. Feminine active participle of ta'ah; mistake,
ie (morally) impiety, or (political) injury -- error, hinder. ...
/hebrew/8442.htm - 6k

6292. piggul -- foul thing, refuse
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition foul thing, refuse NASB Word Usage offense
(1), offensive thing (1), unclean (1), unclean meat (1). abomination,. ...
/hebrew/6292.htm - 6k

8263. sheqets -- detestation, detestable thing
... abomination. From shaqats; filth, ie (figuratively and specifically) an idolatrous
object -- abominable(-tion). see HEBREW shaqats. 8262, 8263. sheqets. 8264 ...
/hebrew/8263.htm - 6k

887. baash -- to have a bad smell, to stink
... A primitive root; to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally -- (make to)
be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink ...
/hebrew/887.htm - 6k

8251. shiqquts -- detested thing
... Word Origin from the same as sheqets Definition detested thing NASB Word Usage
abominable idols (1), abomination (4), abominations (5), detestable (1 ...
/hebrew/8251.htm - 6k

Library

And what Pollution or Abomination could have Flowed from This...
... Book VII. 42 And what pollution or abomination could have flowed from
this� [4973] And what pollution or abomination could have ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 and what pollution or.htm

Concerning the Abomination of the Sacred Rites of the Great Mother ...
... Book VII. Chapter 26."Concerning the Abomination of the Sacred Rites of
the Great Mother. Concerning the effeminates consecrated ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 concerning the abomination of.htm

Of the Harmony Subsisting Between the Three Evangelists in their ...
... In like manner, what Matthew states thus, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination
of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxvii of the harmony subsisting.htm

Worship
... Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and
sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon vi worship.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth
the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

Of the Holy Martyrs Juventinus and Maximinus.
... He began by polluting with foul sacrifices the wells in the city and in Daphne,
that every man who used the fountain might be partaker of abomination. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xi of the holy martyrs.htm

Whether God is a Cause of Sin?
... Objection 2: Further, it is written (Wis.14:11): "The creatures of God are turned
to an abomination; and a temptation to the souls of men." But a temptation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is a cause.htm

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and ...
... So I went in and saw; and behold every similitude of creeping things, and abomination
of beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, were pourtrayed upon ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x what the rulers.htm

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... When we reach v.15 a clear allusion is made to the Man of Sin: "When ye therefore
shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

Things Unknown
... the Spirit of God, and are unrenewed, I would remind you of that passage which says,
concerning the wicked, "Even his prayer shall be abomination;" and if your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/things unknown.htm

Subtopics

Abomination

Abomination of Desolation

Abomination to God: Adultery

Abomination to God: Idolatry

Abomination to God: Incest

Abomination to God: Lying With a Woman in Her Menses

Abomination to God: Offering Children in Sacrifice

Abomination to God: Offering Seed to Molech

Abomination to God: Sodomy

Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy

Abomination to God: The Hire of a Whore and Price of a Dog, As a Consecrated Gift