Abomination in the Bible

Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff on 02/19/2024
Abomination in the Bible

Abomination Definition in the Bible

In the Bible, the term "abomination" is used to refer to something detestable, morally repugnant, or offensive in the eyes of God. The concept is found in both the Old and New Testaments, and the specific instances and contexts in which the term is used vary.

In the Old Testament, for example, certain actions, behaviors, or practices are described as abominations. These can include idolatry, various forms of immorality, and practices associated with pagan religions. Leviticus 18 and 20, for instance, list various sexual prohibitions and other moral laws, stating that engaging in these actions is an abomination before God.

In the New Testament, the term is also used, but the focus often shifts to matters related to hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and rejecting the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke 16:15, Jesus says, "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."

An "abomination" in English is that which is especially deplorable, repugnant, sinful, corrupt, or depraved. Things referred to as abominations in the Bible often may imply that which is prohibited or corrupted according to Christian doctrine. Abomination relates very closely to the idea of sin as that which we are commanded to refrain from participating in or encouraging. Discover further context of abomination in the Bible from the collection of scripture below!

Top 10 Verses About Abomination in the Bible

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 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

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.

Proverbs 17:15 - He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

Proverbs 28:9 - If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Proverbs 16:5 - Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Matthew 24:15 - “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

Proverbs 20:10 - Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

Read more Bible verses related to abomination in the collection of scriptures below: 

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
5 A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.
18 You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.
4 then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the LORD. Do not bring sin upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
18 If any meat of the fellowship offering is eaten on the third day, the one who offered it will not be accepted. It will not be reckoned to their credit, for it has become impure; the person who eats any of it will be held responsible.
22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Your Daily Verse - Proverbs 12:22
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.
10 Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.
23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’standing where itoes not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
12 “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both of them are to be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads.
13 “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
20 My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.