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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Matthew 24:15 - 24:15
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Abomination of desolation (βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως)
The cognate verb, βδελύσσομαι, means to feel a nausea or loathing for food: hence used of disgust generally. In a moral sense it denotes an object of moral or religious repugnance. See 2Ch 15:8; Jer 13:27; Eze 11:21; Dan 9:27; Dan 11:31. It is used as equivalent to idol in 1Ki 11:17; Deu 7:26; 2Ki 23:13. It denotes anything in which estrangement from God manifests itself; as the eating of unclean beasts, Lev 11:11; Deu 14:3; and, generally, all forms of heathenism. This moral sense must be emphasized in the New Testament use of the word. Compare Luk 16:15; Rev 17:4, Rev 17:5; Rev 21:27. It does not denote mere physical or aesthetic disgust. The reference here is probably to the occupation of the temple precincts by the idolatrous Romans under Titus, with their standards and ensigns. Josephus says that, after the burning of the temple the Romans brought their ensigns and set them over against the eastern gate, and there they offered sacrifices to them, and declared Titus, with acclamations, to be emperor.