"an abomination, an abominable thing, Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; idolatry with all its pollution, Lk. 16:15; Rev. 17:4, 5; 21:27*"
Definition and meaning
an abomination, an abominable thing, Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; idolatry with all its pollution, Lk. 16:15; Rev. 17:4, 5; 21:27*
In the original Greek the word is written: βδέλυγμα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of bdelygma (G946) across the King James Bible.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,(whoso readeth, let him understand:)
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:
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.
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
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.
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Common questions
Strong's G946 (bdelygma) is a Greek word that means: an abomination, an abominable thing, Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; idolatry with all its pollution, Lk. 16:15; Rev. 17:4, 5; 21:27* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word bdelygma (G946) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G946 is bdelygma, a Greek word defined as: an abomination, an abominable thing, Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; idolatry with all its pollution, Lk. 16:15; Rev. 17:4, 5; 21:27*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
bdelygma is a Greek word found in the New Testament.