ABOMINATION (פִּגּ֣וּל, שִׁקֻּ֖ץ, שֶׁ֖קֶץ, תﯴעֵבָ֥ה, four words, from three roots; in the LXX frequently tr. βδέλυγμα, G1007, which is also used in the NT in Matthew 24:15 ASV; Mark 13:14 KJV; Luke 16:15 KJV; Revelation 17:4, 5; 21:27). The four words (see below) cover whatever is repugnant to God (esp.) and man in the realm of religion and morality.

1. פִּגּ֣וּל, used of sacrificial flesh which was more than three days old and therefore putrid (Lev 7:18; 19:7; cf. Ezek 4:14), and of a certain type of stew associated with heathen practices, possibly made of swine’s flesh or including blood (Isa 65:4).

2. שִׁקֻּ֖ץ is used in a derisory manner of the heathen deities Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:5, 7; 2 Kings 23:13) and of heathen practices generally (Isa 66:3; Jer 4:1; 7:30; 13:27; etc.).

3. שֶׁ֖קֶץ (related to 2 above) is a cultic term designating any kind of creature (or the flesh thereof) which cannot be touched or eaten without incurring ceremonial defilement (Lev 11:10ff.; Isa 66:17).

4. תﯴעֵבָ֥ה is by far the most commonly used word, esp. in Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Ezekiel, and covers a wide variety of practices and objects which are regarded as loathsome, including anything which violates established custom (Gen 43:32; 46:34; Deut 22:5; etc.); of sexual irregularities (Lev 18:22; etc.); of idols (Deut 7:25, 26; 27:15; cf. 2 Kings 23:13, where שִׁקֻּ֖ץ is used of Ashtoreth and Chemosh and תﯴעֵבָ֥ה of Milcom). The most frequent use concerns idolatrous or unworthy practices of various kinds including child sacrifice (Deut 12:31; 2 Kings 16:3); the worship of alien gods (Deut 13:14; 17:4); the eating of unclean food (14:3); the practices of necromancy and wizardry (18:10-12); the prayer of the disobedient (Prov 28:9). It is used of sacrifices (15:8) and the burning of incense (Isa 1:13) offered by the ungodly. It describes such moral abuses as false weights and measures (Deut 25:13-15; Prov 11:1); double-dealing and violence (3:28-32); haughtiness, lying, false witness, and troublemaking (6:16-19); evil thoughts (15:26); arrogance (16:5); the misuse of power (16:12); the inversion of justice (17:15); scoffing (24:9); etc. In short, anything which dishonors God, or violates His commandments, or is in any way unworthy of those who profess to follow Him is described as an abomination.