Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Abomination
Subjects in this Topic:
ABOMINATION.—Four Hebrew words from three different roots are rendered in EV [Note: English Version.] by ‘abomination’ and, occasionally, ‘abominable thing.’ In almost all cases (for exceptions see Gen_43:32; Gen_46:34) the reference is to objects and practices abhorrent to J″ [Note: Jahweh.] , and opposed to the moral requirements and ritual of His religion. Among the objects so described are heathen deities such as Ashtoreth (Astarte), Chemosh, Milcom, the ‘abominations’ of the Zidonians (Phœnicians), Moabites, and Ammonites respectively (2Ki_23:13); images and other paraphernalia of the forbidden cults (Deu_7:25; Deu_27:15, and often in Ezk.); and the flesh of animals ritually taboo (see esp. Lev_11:10 ff. and art. Clean and Unclean). Some of the practices that are an ‘abomination unto J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ,’ are the worship of heathen deities and of the heavenly bodies (Deu_13:14; Deu_17:4 and often), the practice of witchcraft and kindred arts (Deu_18:12), gross acts of immorality (Lev_18:22 ff.), falsification of weights and measures (Pro_11:1), and ‘evil devices’ generally (Pro_15:26 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ).
One of the four words above referred to (piggûl) occurs only as a ‘technical term for stale sacrificial flesh, which has not been eaten within the prescribed time’ (Driver, who would render ‘refuse meat’ in Lev_7:18; Lev_19:7, Eze_4:14, Isa_65:4).
A. R. S. Kennedy.