Abomination is a term widely used in the Bible to denote actions, behaviors, moral attitudes or objects that are intensely loathsome or detestable in the eyes of God. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Bible is replete with verses that categorically explain what counts as abomination and underscore the spiritual ramifications of participating in iniquitous acts that God strongly disapproves of. These messages are conveyed in a universal language that spans across centuries and cultural contexts, underscoring the enduring relevance of the concept of abomination.
What Constitutes Abomination in the Bible?
Abomination, in biblical context, extends beyond mere physical acts and penetrates the realm of thoughts, attitudes, and motives. The Bible expressly categorizes lying tongue, haughty eyes, 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 as abominable to God. It essentially encapsulates anything that defies God’s divine standards of righteousness, morality, and purity. Idolatry, dishonesty, sexual immorality, and unjust practices are among the typical manifestations of abomination.
Why Does God Denounce Abomination?
God detests abomination because it opposes His divine nature and His holy precepts. As a God of justice, righteousness, and love, He abhors any action, attitude or disposition that fosters evil, promotes injustice or fuels hatred. Abomination is the antithesis of His holy standard and stands in direct opposition to His divine commandments, thereby inciting divine displeasure and judgment. Love, truth, righteousness, justice, and fidelity are the qualities that God cherishes, and their contradicting actions are deemed as an abomination.
Who Are Affected by Abomination?
Abomination inevitably affects anyone who partakes in it. The Bible spells out clear spiritual consequences for those who engage in abominable practices, including alienation from God and forfeiture of His divine blessings. It precludes the individual from enjoying communion with God and ultimately leads to spiritual ruin. It not only affects individuals but also communities and societies that tolerate or embrace practices deemed as abominable. Extending the influence of abomination invariably compromises societal integrity and can lead to the collective suffering of God’s judgment. The Bible consistently warns against the spiritual dangers of abomination and urges repentance and return to righteousness.
When Does Abomination Occur?
Abomination can occur at any point when individuals or societies defy God’s commands and indulge in actions, attitudes, or practices that are detestable to Him. It is not confined to a specific time or place but is a persistent existential threat that can invade any situation where God’s divine standards are compromised. The Bible presents abomination as a recurring moral pitfall that can derail one’s spiritual journey and create a wide rift with God.
Where Are Warnings Against Abomination Found in the Bible?
Warnings against abomination are not confined to certain parts of the Bible but are dispersed across various books, signifying its central importance in biblical moral teachings. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible continuously echoes warnings against abomination, urging believers to steer clear of practices that incite God’s wrath and to cultivate a lifestyle that aligns with God’s divine standards. Anywhere immorality, Idolatry or injustice is addressed serves as a caution to avoid falling into the trap of abomination.
Below is our full list of bible verses on abomination (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Abomination
Proverbs 11:20
“20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.”
Related Themes: Lust Heart Pleasing God
Daniel 12:11
“11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
Related Themes: Rebuilding
Daniel 9:27
“27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
Related Themes: Rebuilding Sacrifice
Deuteronomy 23:18
“18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
Proverbs 15:26
“26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Proverbs 11:1
“1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”
Related Themes: Business Money Telling The Truth
Proverbs 15:8
“8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”
Revelation 21:27
“27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Proverbs 20:23
“23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.”
Related Themes: Business Honesty Dishonesty
Isaiah 1:13
“13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.”
Related Themes: Vanity
Mark 13:14
“14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:”
Leviticus 7:18
“18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.”
Romans 1:26-27
“26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
Deuteronomy 24:4
“4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”
Proverbs 6:16
“16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:”
Proverbs 6:16-19
“16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Proverbs 3:32
“32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.”
Related Themes: Friendship
Proverbs 21:27
“27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”
Luke 16:15
“15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
Related Themes: Business Hypocrisy Competition Heart
Genesis 43:32
“32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”
Deuteronomy 17:1
“1 Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
Related Themes: Killing
1 Kings 14:24
“24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.”
Deuteronomy 25:16
“16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
Deuteronomy 27:15
“15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.”
Related Themes: Creativity Omnipotence Idolatry
Proverbs 15:9
“9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Deuteronomy 12:31
“31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.”
Proverbs 8:7
“7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth
Isaiah 66:17
“17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.”
Proverbs 24:9
“9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.”
Related Themes: Foolishness
