What is an abomination?

Answer

An abomination is something that causes hatred or disgust. In biblical terms, an abomination is something that God detests or hates because it is offensive to Him and His character.

The Hebrew words translated as “abomination” are frequently linked to practices such as idolatry and false deities (Deuteronomy 17:2-5;27:15;29:17;Isaiah 66:3;Jeremiah 32:34;Ezekiel 5:9;Ezekiel 11:18;Hosea 9:10). For instance, in 1 Kings 11:5, the god Molech is referred to as “the abomination of the Ammonites” (ESV). The NIV translates it as “the detestable god of the Ammonites.” The essence is that God abhors the falsehood, impurity, and wickedness associated with these pagan deities.

Scripture also condemns occult practices as abominations, along with child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 18:9-12;20:18;2 Chronicles 28:3). Other actions considered abominable by God include ungodly sexual relations like homosexuality and adultery (Leviticus 18:22-29;20:13;Deuteronomy 24:4), cross-dressing «The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. », (Deuteronomy 22:5), and offering imperfect sacrifices «Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. », (Deuteronomy 17:1), engaging in dishonest business practices.Ss dealings (Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 20:10,23), wickedness «The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.», (Proverbs 15:9,26) «The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: But the words of the pure are pleasant words.», (Proverbs 15:9,26), injustice «He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, Even they both are abomination to the LORD.», (Proverbs 17:15), turning a deaf ear to God’s instruction «He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination.», (Proverbs 28:9), and hypocritical offerings from the unrepentant (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:13). Most of the references to that which is abominable or detestable come in God’s Law in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, in prophecies declaring God’s judgment against Israel, and in Proverbs.

Proverbs 6 contains a list of seven things that God calls an abomination: “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” (Proverbs 6:16-19; ESV).

In Luke 16:15 Jesus tells the Pharisees, “What is exalted among men is an abomiNation in the sight of God” (ESV). The context of Jesus’ statement is a rebuke of the Pharisees’ love of money. He had just been teaching that a person cannot serve two masters and that serving God and serving money are mutually exclusive (verses 13–14). The Pharisees responded with ridicule, showing the blindness of a heart that revels in what God calls an abomination.

Titus 1:16 says that false teachers may “claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.” Jesus and Daniel both predicted the abomination of desolation that would corrupt the holy place of the temple (Matthew 24:15;Daniel 9:27). Also related to the end times, the whore of Babylon is pictured as holding “a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries” «And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: », (Revelation 17:4). She is said to be the mother of all the abominations on earth «and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. », (Revelation 17:5) and identified as “the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (verse 18). This city with all of its loathsome acts will be destroyed (verses 16–17).

From idolatry to unfair scales to ungodly sexual relationships to wickedness of various kinds, abominations separate people from God. Really, all sin (missing the mark of God’s perfection) can be considered an abomination. All sin separates us from God and is detestable to Him (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 15:9). God’s detestation of sin makes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross even more remarkable. It was at the cross that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21). As He suffered and died for our sin, Jesus could relate to the psalmist: “I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people” «But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. », (Psalm 22:6). Jesus bore our abominations upon Himself and bestowed upon us the gift of His righteousness in return. All who place their trust in Him will be saved.