Abomination
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Abomination in the Bible?
Three distinct Hebrew words are rendered in the English Bible by 'abomination', or 'abominable thing', referring to things or practices abhorrent to Yahweh, and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this concept clarifies the strict boundaries of ritual purity and ethical conduct established in the Hebrew Bible, revealing how ancient Israelites distinguished their religious identity from surrounding cultures.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Abomination. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Abomination in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Abomination clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Abomination." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/abomination/