What Is an Abomination?

In the Bible, an abomination refers to anything that deeply offends God and provokes His righteous anger. The Hebrew word often translated as “abomination” (to‘evah) implies something loathsome or detestable in God’s sight (see Proverbs 6:16-19). It’s not just cultural distaste but a moral and spiritual violation against God’s holy character.

1. Idolatry (Worship of False Gods or Images)

Idolatry was the primary abomination that stirred God’s jealousy (Exodus 20:3-5). It represents a breach of the First Commandment and a rejection of God’s exclusive lordship. Idolatry also introduces spiritual adultery and invites God’s judgment.

Deuteronomy 27:15
“Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord…”

This shows that idol-making and worship are spiritually detestable and bring a curse.

Deuteronomy 32:16-17 
“They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods… They sacrificed to demons, not to God…”

The worship of false gods led Israel to forsake the true God and incurred His wrath.

Idolatry violates the covenant relationship with God by substituting the Creator with created things (Romans 1:25).

2. Sexual Immorality—Specifically Homosexual Acts

The Bible condemns same-sex relations as sinful and abominable because they deviate from God’s design for human sexuality, which is intended to reflect the complementary union of male and female in marriage.

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 he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.”

These commands affirm the created order and the sacredness of sexual relations within heterosexual marriage (Genesis 1:27-28). Such sins disrupt God’s moral law and community purity.

3. Cross-Dressing (Wearing the Opposite Gender’s Clothing)

God prohibits cross-dressing as it confuses the divinely ordained distinctions between male and female. It represents a rejection of God’s intentional design for gender identity.

Deuteronomy 22:5
“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man… all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.”

This command protects the symbolic order God established in creation and guards against moral and social disorder (Genesis 1:27).

4. Defective or Dishonest Offerings

God requires holiness and integrity in worship, including offerings. Sacrificing imperfect animals or bringing offerings gained through sinful means is abhorrent to Him.

Deuteronomy 23:18
“You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog… for both are an abomination to the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 17:1 
“You shall not sacrifice… an animal with any defect… for that is an abomination to the Lord your God.”

Worship must be sincere, pure, and respectful. God’s holiness demands that we honor Him with the best, reflecting our devotion (Malachi 1:6-14).

5. The Ultimate Abomination: The Abomination of Desolation

This is a future prophetic event described in Daniel and referred to by Jesus, involving the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Antichrist during the end times.

Matthew 24:15 
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…”

This event symbolizes ultimate rebellion against God and signals the beginning of great tribulation before Christ’s return (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

An abomination in Scripture is not merely about cultural offense but about violating God’s holy nature and moral order. Idolatry, sexual immorality, gender confusion, dishonesty in worship, and the prophesied desecration of the temple are all profound offenses to God.

God calls His people to live in holiness, honoring Him in body, spirit, and worship (1 Peter 1:15-16). Recognizing and avoiding abominations aligns us with God’s will and pleases Him.

May the Lord guide and strengthen you to live in His holiness and truth.

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