The meaning of “תּוֹעֵבַה”
Understanding tôwʻêbah reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or תֹּעֵבַה tôʻêbah (to-ay-baw'); feminine active participle of תַּעָב abominable (custom, thing), abomination. - proper...
תּוֹעֵבַה
or תֹּעֵבַה tôʻêbah (to-ay-baw'); feminine active participle of תַּעָב abominable (custom, thing), abomination. - properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence - especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 46:34 | “That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. ” Word: תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah) | |
| Leviticus 18:29 | “For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.” Word: תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah) | |
| 1 Kings 14:24 | “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.” Word: תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah) | |
| 2 Chronicles 34:33 | “And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. ” Word: תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah) | |
| Psalms 88:8 | “Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.” Word: תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Abomination
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Abomination, detestable thing
The Hebrew toevah (תּוֹעֵבָה) means abomination—something morally disgusting to God. Idolatry, injustice, and sexual immorality are called abominations, utterly incompatible with holiness.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Abomination, detestable thing
The Greek bdelugma (βδέλυγμα) denotes something abhorrent. Jesus spoke of the 'abomination of desolation' (Matthew 24:15), and 'that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God' (Luke 16:15).