Abomination is a strong, unequivocal word, but now one we hear often in modern conversations. Some would consider it archaic or extreme in the context of the Christian faith. Many have relegated it to the “fire-and-brimstone” days of sermons laden with eternal torment and legalistic standards for all who sat in the straight-backed pews.
Culture evolves, but God’s Word doesn’t change. Abomination is written of in the Bible without hedging or apology. The Holy Spirit inspired biblical writers to pen over one hundred verses that include that word (according to the ESV and NASB translations). The King James Version utilizes the word in some 140 verses. No surprise that most mentions of abomination occur in the Old Testament, but it does appear in the New Testament as well.
What Does 'Abomination' Mean in Scripture?
Luke 16:15, for instance, in the ESV reads, “And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” He, in this context, is Jesus addressing the Pharisees with whom He often used strong, unambiguous language. Specifically, here, His target is the false leaders’ love of money. The NASB translates the word in this verse as “detestable,” a synonym for abomination.
Matthew and Mark both record Jesus talking about “the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14). The context for this reference is Jesus’s response to the disciples’ questions regarding signs of the end of the age. “Abomination of desolation” is a specific prophetic term that appears in both the Old and New Testaments.
The other ESV New Testament reference is Revelation 17:3-5, where the word is mentioned twice: “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: 'Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.'" This imagery is clearly unequivocal and unapologetic. There are activities, attitudes, behaviors, and situations the Lord finds despicable.
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines abomination as “something regarded with disgust or hatred,” such as “Many consider war an abomination.” Biblically, in either Hebrew or Greek, an abomination is something that God loathes or hates. Abomination is often associated with idolatry, deception, lies, or sexual impurity, all of which are contradictory to God’s holy, righteous, and pure nature and His rightful position as the only Living and True God.
In Titus 1:15-16 ESV, the apostle Paul writes, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Several translations replace 'detestable' in this verse with 'abominable.'
Bible Verses That Mention 'Abomination'
You will see from the following list of twenty-five verses (all from the ESV) that an abomination is anything false or impure: false worship, false teaching, impure thinking, relationship, or behavior. God also finds arrogance, injustice, and the rejection of His laws abominable.
- Proverbs 12:22: Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
- Proverbs 28:9: If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- Proverbs 17:15: He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
- Proverbs 16:5: Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
- Proverbs 20:10: Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
- Proverbs 20:23: Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
- Proverbs 11:20: Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
- Proverbs 15:26: The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
- Proverbs 11:1: A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
- Proverbs 6:16-19: 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.
- Luke 16:15: And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
- Deuteronomy 24:4: Then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
- Deuteronomy 23:18: You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.
- Leviticus 18:22: You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
- Leviticus 20:13: If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
- Deuteronomy 22:5: A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.
- Proverbs 15:8: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
- Proverbs 21:27: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
- Proverbs 3:32: For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
- Revelation 21:27: But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
- Isaiah 1:13: Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
- Daniel 11:31: Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
- Daniel 12:11: And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
- Daniel 9:27: And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
- Mark 13:14: “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
What We Should Understand about Scripture's Use of "Abomination"
Certainly, the Lord has made it clear enough what He finds detestable or an abomination. His followers are not called to embellish, exaggerate, or deliver this message in cruel or harsh ways. The word “abomination” is hard enough to read, especially if applied to one’s own behaviors.
Jesus Christ died for all our sins, and those who repent from any of these listed may also find forgiveness at the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:1 warns, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” And 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Conversely, we must be careful not to eliminate these passages from our teaching because their strong message may offend some. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Our God is a God of love, and it was that love and mercy that moved the Father to send His Son, Jesus, to die for us (John 3:16). When the God of love and mercy indicates behaviors, attitudes, or situations He finds detestable or abominable, we should be careful to understand and respect His ways above our own, keeping our eyes on an eternal future secured in Christ for those who believe.
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