The term "abominated" in the context of the Bible refers to something that is detested or regarded with intense aversion, often due to its association with idolatry, immorality, or practices contrary to the laws and commandments of God. The concept of abomination is frequently encountered in the Old Testament, where it is used to describe actions, objects, or practices that are considered offensive to God.

Old Testament Usage

1. Idolatry and False Worship: One of the most common uses of the term relates to idolatry. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of surrounding nations, which were considered abominations. For example, Deuteronomy 7:25-26 states, "You must burn up the images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. And you must not bring an abomination into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction."

2. Moral and Ritual Purity: Certain behaviors and practices are labeled as abominations due to their violation of moral or ritual purity. Leviticus 18:22 declares, "You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination." This reflects the broader Levitical code, which outlines various practices considered detestable.

3. Dishonest Practices: Abomination is also used in the context of ethical conduct, particularly in business and justice. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This highlights the importance of integrity and fairness in dealings.

4. Dietary Laws: Certain animals and foods are described as abominations in the dietary laws given to Israel. Leviticus 11:10-12 lists various sea creatures that are considered unclean and therefore abominable: "But anything in the seas or rivers that does not have fins and scales, whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water, is detestable to you. They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently used the term to call out the sins of Israel and other nations. Ezekiel, for instance, condemns the abominations committed in Jerusalem, which include idolatry and social injustices. Ezekiel 8:6 records God's words: "Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing here, driving Me far from My sanctuary? But you will see even greater abominations."

New Testament Context

While the specific term "abominated" is less prevalent in the New Testament, the concept persists, particularly in the denunciation of hypocrisy and false teachings. Jesus refers to the "abomination of desolation" in Matthew 24:15 , a prophetic reference to Daniel's writings, indicating a future event of profound sacrilege.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The concept of abomination in the Bible underscores the holiness and moral standards expected by God from His people. It serves as a warning against adopting practices that are contrary to divine commandments and highlights the importance of maintaining purity in worship, ethics, and daily living. The repeated emphasis on abominations reflects the seriousness with which God views actions and attitudes that are incompatible with His nature and covenant.(imp. & p. p.) of Abominate.

Letters of the Council of Sardica to the Churches of Egypt and of ...
... We were not ignorant, but the fact was well known to us, even before we received
the letters of your piety, that the supporters of the abominated heresy of the ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter iii letters of the council.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... But I detested and abominated such filthy mysteries, [86] and answered "that, even
if the garland was of imperishable gold, I would still not permit a fly to ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

Samson's Admonitory Fall.
... her. For this is to be hated and abominated by those who fear God. Footnotes:
[474] Judges 13:25. [475] Lit. "know thy measure.". ...
/.../two epistles concerning virginity/chapter ix samsons admonitory fall.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... all shepherds are abominations to the Egyptians; do you think, therefore, that Solomon
would compare an Egyptian princess to the very thing which she abominated ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

Serapion, Bishop of Antioch.
... [3788]. That ye may see also that the proceedings of this lying confederacy, [3789]
to which is given the name of New Prophecy, is abominated among the whole ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/serapion bishop of antioch.htm

To the Rev. Joseph Jowett
... the Highest. Yet now, strange to say, this once abominated personage is
spoken of with no slight degree of respect. People, with ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev joseph jowett 2.htm

John xix. 16-18
... And now they laid the cross upon Him as a malefactor. For even the wood
they abominated, and endured not even to touch it. This ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxv john xix 16-18.htm

The Eleventh Book Shows that the Title of "Good" is Due, not to ...
... But if he thinks that the conception expressed by the term "good" belongs to God
the Father only, he is to be abominated for his impiety, reviving as he does ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the eleventh book.htm

Of Restraining the Pleasures of the Senses.
... he who shall be given up to these things, either will have no property, or, if he
shall have any, he will expend it, and afterwards live a life to be abominated ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lxii of restraining the pleasures.htm

Of the Synod Held at Antioch, which Deposed Eustathius, Bishop of ...
... George, bishop of Laodicea in Syria, one of the number of those who abominated the
term homoousios, assures us in his Encomium of Eusebius Emisenus, that they ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxiv of the synod held.htm

Abominated (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abominated (4 Occurrences). Job 9:31 Then in corruption
Thou dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me. (YLT). ...
/a/abominated.htm - 7k

Abominate (10 Occurrences)

/a/abominate.htm - 9k

Chooseth (19 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 49:7 Thus said Jehovah, Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One, To the despised
in soul, To the abominated of a nation, To the servant of rulers: 'Kings see ...
/c/chooseth.htm - 12k

Abominating (1 Occurrence)

/a/abominating.htm - 6k

Dip (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 9:31 Then in corruption Thou
dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me. (YLT). ...
/d/dip.htm - 14k

Spared (45 Occurrences)
... brought. (YLT RSV NIV). Job 30:10 They have abominated me, They have kept far
from me, And from before me have not spared to spit. (YLT). ...
/s/spared.htm - 20k

Corruption (37 Occurrences)
... their filthiness: (See NIV). Job 9:31 Then in corruption Thou dost dip me,
And my garments have abominated me. (YLT). Job 17:14 If ...
/c/corruption.htm - 21k

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