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βδέλυγμα

bdélygma

G946 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An object or act regarded as detestable, loathsome, or repugnant; particularly one that is ritually or morally abhorrent within a specific cultural or religious context. In Greek literature and the Septuagint, often used for practices or objects forbidden or condemned, especially in relation to idolatrous worship or prohibited conduct. The term may be applied generally to signify strong disgust or specifically to denote ritual defilement or cultic offense.

Semantic Range

object of detestation, act or object considered loathsome, ritual abomination, cultic offense, idol or idolatrous practice, that which provokes disgust or revulsion, forbidden conduct in religious context

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb βδελύσσω (bdelyssō), meaning 'to feel loathing, to abhor.' The formation with the neuter noun suffix -μα indicates an abstract or concrete object of abomination. No direct borrowing from Semitic languages is evident, but the usage in the Septuagint regularly mirrors Hebrew תּוֹעֵבָה (toʿevah).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βδέλυγμα is rare, with the more common adjective βδελυκτός ('hated, abominable') appearing more frequently. In Hellenistic and especially Septuagintal usage, βδέλυγμα becomes the standard rendering for Hebrew תּוֹעֵבָה, referring to cultic defilement, idol worship, or practices considered anathema to Israelite law. In the New Testament, the word is used for that which is abhorrent to the Deity, including practices, idols, or profanations (e.g., 'the abomination of desolation'). English translations usually render βδέλυγμα as 'abomination,' but the Greek bears a stronger connotation of ritual, religious, or moral loathing, not merely general distaste. Unlike related terms like ἀκαθαρσία ('impurity') and μιασμός ('pollution'), βδέλυγμα focuses on the active, repulsive nature of the offense. The word rarely refers to persons and is almost always linked to acts or objects perceived as especially contaminating or offensive, particularly in a sacred context.

Translation Consistency

primary "abomination" 6 occurrences

bdélygma most commonly and idiomatically translates as “abomination” in English Bibles; it captures both the ritual/cultic sense and general sense of something detestable or loathsome, and so works as a single, natural base word for all forms of this lemma.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from βδελύσσω; a detestation, i.e. (specially) idolatry:--abomination.

Root Family

βδέλυγμα (bdelygma) — object of loathing, abomination, detestable thing, ritual offense

Root βδελ- to feel loathing, to abhor

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G946-01 βδέλυγμα bdelugma N ACC N SG abomination a loathsome abomination a loathsome abomination 4
G946-02 βδελυγμάτων bdelugmaton N GEN N PL abominations of detestable things of abominations 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G946-01 Matthew 24:15 βδέλυγμα bdelugma N ACC N SG abomination a loathsome abomination a loathsome abomination
G946-01 Mark 13:14 βδέλυγμα bdelugma N ACC N SG abomination a loathsome abomination a loathsome abomination
G946-01 Luke 16:15 βδέλυγμα bdelugma N NOM N SG is abomination a loathsome abomination a loathsome abomination
G946-02 Revelation 17:4 βδελυγμάτων bdelugmaton N GEN N PL of abominations of detestable things of abominations
G946-02 Revelation 17:5 βδελυγμάτων bdelugmaton N GEN N PL abominations of detestable things of abominations
G946-01 Revelation 21:27 βδέλυγμα bdelugma N ACC N SG abomination a loathsome abomination a loathsome abomination
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