What does the Bible mean by abomination?
Few words in Scripture carry more weight than "abomination" — it is God's own verdict on things He will not tolerate, and it covers everything from a carved idol to a crooked set of scales. The question is what exactly earns that verdict, and why the same word is used for both temple idolatry and ordinary business cheating.
What the Word Covers
The term is not narrow. It stretches across moral evil, unfit worship, and false gods alike:
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe word "abomination" is used in the Old Testament in reference to any iniquity as viewed by a holy God. It also designates what was unfit to be presented in the service of God, such as an animal with any sort of blemish being brought as a sacrifice... The divine service itself became an abomination to God when it had fallen into a mere outward observance or was joined with iniquity.
Idolatry Above All
One meaning dominates the Old Testament use. When the pagan nations' gods are named, the word for them is simply "abomination":
J. N. DarbyThe word "abomination" constantly occurs in the Old Testament, meaning an idol. It is connected with all that is degraded; and the moment man gives up belief in the true God, he is sure to degrade himself. If man does not look to something above himself, he will sink to that which is below him.
The Things God Hates
Proverbs gathers a short list, and it is striking how much of it concerns speech and attitude rather than carved images. Commentators note the list is meant to shape what we hate too:
Frank WallaceIn Proverbs there are seven things the Lord hates: "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." God expects His people to hate them too, and to make sure that first of all they are removed from our own lives.
Dishonesty in Ordinary Business
The word also lands on the shopkeeper. Israel was told that using one weight to buy and another to sell was abomination — and the label falls on the person, not only the practice:
Leslie M. GrantWeights and measures must be perfect and just. One pound is to be precisely one pound, one yard precisely one yard. Strict honesty in such things would lengthen the days of an Israelite in the land. More than this, those who violate such principles of honesty are called by God "an abomination to the LORD your God." God takes full account.
What Men Admire
Jesus turned the word on respectability itself when He answered the Pharisees who mocked Him. Their reputation among men counted for nothing before God:
William KellyThe intense selfishness of the heart naturally prefers its own care to that of God; from there comes a link of worldly sympathy with the men of this age. Let us therefore beware, for "what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God." No evil is more common in the religious world of our own day than in our Lord's. Ease, honour, influence, and position are valued as highly as ever, to the infinite damage of the truth.
It Spreads to Whoever Keeps It
Israel was forbidden to bring an abomination home, even for the gold on it. The warning is that the thing does not stay separate from its owner:
C. H. MackintoshTo bring an abomination into the house is to become like it! How very solemn! Do we fully understand it? The man who brought an abomination into his house became a cursed thing like it!
The Abomination of Desolation
The most famous use is Jesus' warning about a coming sign in Jerusalem. Reading "abomination" in its usual Old Testament sense settles what He meant:
W. W. Fereday"Abomination" is the Scripture title for an idol. Thus we read of "Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites," and "Chemosh the abomination of Moab" (1 Kings 11:5-7). It is, therefore, an idol set up in the holy place at Jerusalem. This has never happened in the past.
Summary
- Verdict. "Abomination" is God's own assessment of a thing — any iniquity seen by a holy God, and anything unfit to be brought into His service.
- Root. Its sharpest use is idolatry. Man refuses to look above himself, and so sinks below himself.
- Reach. The same word covers a proud look, a lying tongue, sowing discord, and a merchant's crooked scales — God takes full account of the small print.
- Reversal. What men rank highest can be what God ranks lowest; reputation, ease, influence and position are no defence before One who knows hearts.
- Result. An abomination is never kept at arm's length. Take it into your house and you become like it — which is why the only safe response is to detest it and let it go entirely.