Bible Encyclopedias
Detestable, Things

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dē̇ -tes´ta -b 'l , (שׁקּוּץ , shiḳḳūc ; שׁקץ , sheḳec , synonymous with תּועבהּ , tō‛ēbhāh , "abomination," "abominable thing"): The translation of shiḳḳucı̄m in Jeremiah 16:18; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 7:20; Ezekiel 11:18 , Ezekiel 11:21; Ezekiel 37:23; a term always applied to idol-worship or to objects connected with idolatry; often also translated "abomination," as in 1 Kings 11:5 , 1 Kings 11:7 ( bis ); Jeremiah 4:1; Ezekiel 20:7 , Ezekiel 20:8 , Ezekiel 20:30 . Sheḳec , translated "abomination," is applied in the Scriptures to that which is ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 7:21 ), creatures forbidden as food, as water animals without fins or scales in Leviticus 11:10-12 , birds of prey and the like (Leviticus 11:18 ), winged creeping things (Leviticus 11:20 , Leviticus 11:23 ), creeping vermin (Leviticus 11:41 f). Compare also Isaiah 66:17 . By partaking of the food of the animals in question one makes himself detestable (Leviticus 11:43; Leviticus 20:25 ). Similarly the idolatrous appurtenances are to be held in detestation; nothing of the kind should be appropriated for private use (Deuteronomy 7:26 ). See ABOMINATION .