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Bible Dictionaries
Abomination
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or 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 Genesis 43:32; Genesis 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 (PhÅ“nicians), Moabites, and Ammonites respectively ( 2 Kings 23:13 ); images and other paraphernalia of the forbidden cults ( Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 27:15 , and often in Ezk.); and the flesh of animals ritually taboo (see esp. Leviticus 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 ( Deuteronomy 13:14; Deuteronomy 17:4 and often), the practice of witchcraft and kindred arts ( Deuteronomy 18:12 ), gross acts of immorality ( Leviticus 18:22 ff.), falsification of weights and measures ( Proverbs 11:1 ), and ‘evil devices’ generally ( Proverbs 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 Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 19:7 , Ezekiel 4:14 , Isaiah 65:4 ).
A. R. S. Kennedy.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Abomination'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/a/abomination.html. 1909.
