What is an Abomination?
The word “abomination” is used over 100 times in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. An abomination refers to something that God finds highly detestable, deeply offensive, and abhorrent. In the Bible, practices, objects, and actions described as abominations include idolatry, child sacrifice, divination, eating unclean foods, pride, deceit, shedding of innocent blood, and sexual immorality.
The Hebrew word most often translated “abomination” in the Old Testament is tow’ebah. This word conveys the strongest repugnance and disapproval, as well as moral and ethical objection to an action or object. In the New Testament, the Greek word bdelugma is used for abomination. This word signifies that which is detestable and causes disgust and hatred.
Why Does God Abhor Certain Things?
God hates and rejects certain behaviors and practices because they go against His holy and righteous character. As the perfect, sinless, and supremely good Creator of the universe, God cannot tolerate wickedness, perversion, false worship, or impurity. That which rebels against His commands and pollutes His creation is an abomination in His sight.
God also detests things that lead people away from Him or cause them spiritual harm. Idolatry and occult practices displease God because they entice people to follow false gods and open themselves up to demonic influence. Sexual immorality goes against God’s intention for intimate relationships to take place only within the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. Sins like greed, deceit, and violence destroy relationships and communities. Pride is an abomination because it represents the desire to put oneself above God.
The Prophets Often Warned Against Abominations
The prophets of the Old Testament frequently warned the people of Israel against committing abominations before the Lord. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, Moses provides a list of detestable practices carried out by the surrounding nations which the Israelites must avoid:
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
The Israelites are sternly commanded to refrain from child sacrifice, witchcraft, fortune telling, and communing with the dead – all practices considered deeply abhorrent to God.
The prophet Jeremiah warned Judah against worshiping idols which “provokes [God] to anger” (Jeremiah 32:29-35). Ezekiel rebuked Israel for committing “abominations” such as idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder (Ezekiel 16:22). God declares that anyone who practices or defends such wickedness is also detestable in His sight (Isaiah 1:13, Revelation 21:27).
Abominations in the Law of Moses
The books of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers contain extensive laws given by God to regulate the behavior, diet, hygiene, and religious practices of the Israelites. Violating these laws often resulted in serious consequences or being “cut off” from the community.
The strongest prohibitions applied to actions described as abominations. Even coming into contact with an abomination could make one ceremonially unclean and unable to approach the tabernacle to worship.
Examples of abominations mentioned in the Law include:
– Eating unclean animals like pigs, shellfish, birds of prey, and reptiles (Leviticus 11).
– Engaging in sexual activities forbidden by God such as adultery, incest, bestiality, and homosexual acts (Leviticus 18:6-30).
– Cross-dressing or wearing clothing of the opposite sex (Deuteronomy 22:5).
– Practicing occult rituals like sorcery, necromancy, child sacrifice, divination, witchcraft (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
– Making idols, carved images, or sacred pillars (Deuteronomy 27:15).
– Offering defective, sick, or injured animals as sacrifices (Deuteronomy 17:1).
– Spreading false reports, unjust business practices, rigged weights and measures (Proverbs 11:1, 20:10,23).
– Eating animals that died naturally or were killed by wild beasts (Deuteronomy 14:21).
The severity of the punishment for an abomination showed how much God detested these sins. Even coming into casual contact with an abomination could result in exile from the community. The strongest prohibitions and consequences were reserved for idolatry and intentionally leading others away from the true God.
Abominations in Proverbs
The book of Proverbs also discusses actions and attitudes hated by God. Specific abominations mentioned in Proverbs include:
– Lying, deceit, and dishonest business practices (Proverbs 11:1, 12:22, 17:15).
– Pride and arrogance (Proverbs 6:16-17, 16:5).
– Evil plans, thoughts, and intentions (Proverbs 15:26, 16:12).
– Sacrifices offered with wrong motives (Proverbs 15:8).
– Unjust weights and measures (Proverbs 11:1, 20:10).
Proverbs makes it clear that God cares just as much about the inward condition of the heart as outward behavior. Pride, deceit, evil thoughts, and dishonest motives corrupt the inner person and distance them from God. Even acts of religious worship are despised by God when done with selfish or wicked intent.
Abominations in the New Testament
While the word “abomination” appears less frequently in the New Testament, several verses echo the deep hatred of sin found in the Old Testament. Revelation uses the word to describe the wickedness of the great prostitute Babylon and call God’s people to come out from her midst:
“And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.’” (Revelation 17:5)
The book of Revelation also ties abominations to idolatry, sexual immorality, and the coming judgment:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
In many ways, the New Testament echoes God’s abhorrence of sin found in the Old. Idolatry and sexual immorality remain deeply offensive to God. Deceit and pride also grieves the Spirit.
However, the New Testament shifts the focus from rule-keeping to heart change through the gospel. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit enables obedience that flows from love rather than duty. Followers of Jesus pursue holiness and reject abominations out of love for God and desire to walk in His ways.
How Should We Respond to “Abominations”?
1. Study God’s word to understand His perspective on sin and righteousness. Avoid cultural definitions of right and wrong.
2. Examine your heart and repent from anything offensive to God dwelling within.
3. Flee from environments, media, and relationships that tempt you towards abominations.
4. Pray for unbelievers caught up in sin, that they would repent and find new life in Christ.
5. Walk in holiness and obedience to God’s commands out of love and worship for Him.
6. Have compassion for struggling people without affirming or promoting sinful choices and lifestyles.
7. Do not judge unbelievers by biblical standards they do not yet embrace (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
8. Guard against self-righteousness and legalism. Remember you were saved by grace.
9. Trust the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to resist temptation and obey God’s word. Let holiness flow from inward renewal, not external coercion.
10. Find your identity in Christ alone. Refuse to let any sin define you or keep you from drawing near to God.
Conclusion
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God despises all that rebels against His character or leads people into spiritual harm and distance from Him. Actions described as “abominations” include idolatry, sexual immorality, deceit, violence, pride, and occult practices. As Christians, we must align our thinking and values with God’s perspective revealed in Scripture. At the same time, we are called to walk in grace and humility, leaving judgments to the Lord. Our motivation for pursuing holiness should flow from love and devotion to the God who saves us, not duty or self-righteousness. Above all, we can rejoice that God’s mercy reaches even those trapped in the worst of sins when they repent and believe the gospel.