Abomination has three distinct Hebrew words (piggul, to`ebhah, sheqets) are rendered in the KJV by "abomination," or "abominable thing," referring (except in Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34) to things or practices abhorrent to God, and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion. The New Testament equivalent of the noun is bdel-ug-ma, "detestable" or "idolatrous."
The word most used for this idea by the Hebrews and indicating the highest degree of abomination is to`ebhah, meaning primarily that which offends the religious sense of a people. When it is said, "They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians" (Genesis 43:32) this is the word used. The significance being that the Hebrews were repugnant to the Egyptians as foreigners, as of an inferior caste, and especially as shepherds. The feeling of the Egyptians for the Greeks was likewise one of repugnance. Herodotus says the Egyptians would not use the dish of a Greek, or taste meat cut with the knife of a Greek.
Among the objects described in the Old Testament as "abominations" or "detestable" in this sense are heathen gods, such as Ashtoreth (Astarte), Chemosh, Milcom, the "abominations" of the Zidonians (Phoenicians), Moabites, and Ammonites, respectively and everything connected with the worship of such gods.
"The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption--the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the people of Ammon" (2 kings 23:13).
When Pharaoh, remonstrating against the departure of the children of Israel, exhorted them to offer sacrifices to their God in Egypt, Moses said, "That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us?" (Exodus 8:26).
It is to be noted that, not only the heathen idol itself, but anything offered to or associated with the idol, all the paraphernalia of the forbidden cult, was called an "abomination."
"The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction" (Deuteronomy 7:25-26).
The Deuteronomy writer in clear terms explained the spirit of the whole law. To`ebhah is even used as synonymous with "idol" or heathen deity. Deuteronomy 32:16 says that foreign gods and idols are detestable to God. Everything akin to magic or divination is likewise an abomination to`ebhah; as are sexual transgressions especially incest and other unnatural offenses: "For for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled" (Leviticus 18:27).
"No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute. You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both" (Deuteronomy 23:17-18).
Leviticus 20 gives a comprehensive accounts of moral behaviors which are detestable to God. These includes adultery with another man's wife, sleeping with father's wife, sleeping with daughter-in-law, sex between the same gender, marrying both a woman and her mother, sexual relations with an animal by a man or a woman and marriage with own own sister.
In later usage, the word took a higher ethical and spiritual meaning encompassing the forbidden. Deuteronomy 25:14-16 prohibits dishonest weights and measures Do not have two differing measures. Our God detests anyone who deals dishonestly.
In the Book of Proverbs, lying lips, the proud in heart, the way of the wicked, evil devices, whoever justify the wicked, and he that condemned the righteous are an abomination in God's sight. The word of God also declared that any sacrifice, however free from physical blemish, if offered without purity of motive, is an abomination.
Isaiah 1:13-17 says that God detest meaningless offerings and celebrations. Such things are a burden to him. He will not listen to prayers of those whose hands are sullied with blood. Our deeds are deeds are evil in his sight. All he wants from us is to--- "Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
Another word rendered "abomination" in the KJV is sheqets or shiqquts. It expresses generally a somewhat less degree of horror or religious aversion than [to`ebhah], but sometimes seems to stand about on a level with it in meaning. In Deuteronomy 14:3, for example, as introductory to the laws prohibiting the use of the unclean animals and the word there used is to`ebhah. Sheqets is the word often used and applied to the prohibited animals.
The other word used to express a somewhat kindred idea of abhorrence and translated "abomination" in the KJV is piggul; but it is used in the Hebrew Bible only of sacrificial flesh that has become stale, putrid and tainted. It is a technical term for such state sacrificial flesh as has not been eaten within the prescribed time.
There are people who say that we are living under the New Covenant and therefore we no longer need the Old Testament. Christianity is not a new idea but a continuation of the religion of the Jews, Judaism. The Old Testament, which literally is Jewish history but a "preparation for the Gospel" (preparatio evangelica) followed by the "manifestation of the Gospel" (demonstratio evangelica) as revealed by Christ.
Under the New Covenant of the blood of Jesus, rituals like animal sacrifices are no longer required. There are rules of dress code, dietary laws, cultural and traditional things which are no longer relevant to us. Search this message for moral laws and Christian virtues. Mere knowledge only puff up. Make it a point to practically apply in your life.
