Detestation, in the biblical context, refers to the profound abhorrence or loathing of certain practices, objects, or behaviors that are considered offensive or abominable to God. This concept is frequently encountered in the Old Testament, where God explicitly outlines what is deemed detestable, often in the context of maintaining holiness and purity among His people.

Old Testament Context

The Hebrew word often translated as "detestable" or "abomination" is "תּוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah). This term is used to describe actions or things that are repugnant to God, often because they violate His covenant or moral order. The Book of Leviticus, for instance, contains numerous laws that identify specific practices as detestable. Leviticus 18:22 states, "You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination." This verse highlights the prohibition of homosexual acts, which are considered contrary to the natural order established by God.

Idolatry is another significant area where detestation is emphasized. In Deuteronomy 7:25-26, God commands the Israelites to destroy the carved images of other nations, stating, "You must burn up the carved images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. And you must not bring an abomination into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction."

Moral and Ethical Detestations

The concept of detestation extends beyond ritualistic or ceremonial laws to encompass moral and ethical behaviors. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things that are detestable to God, including "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."

These verses underscore the importance of integrity, truthfulness, and peace within the community of believers. The detestable nature of these actions is rooted in their capacity to disrupt the harmony and righteousness that God desires for His people.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not use the term "detestable" as frequently as the Old Testament, the concept remains relevant. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:26-27, echoes the Old Testament's stance on sexual immorality, describing certain behaviors as "shameful" and "unnatural." Additionally, in Revelation 21:8, those who practice detestable things are listed among those who will face the second death: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

Theological Implications

The biblical teaching on detestation serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the call for His people to live set apart from the practices of the world that are contrary to His will. It emphasizes the need for discernment and obedience in the life of a believer, encouraging a lifestyle that reflects God's standards of purity and righteousness. The detestable acts are not merely cultural taboos but are seen as violations of the divine order, warranting serious consideration and avoidance by those who seek to honor God.(n.) The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence; loathing.946. bdelugma -- a detestable thing
... abomination. From bdelusso; a detestation, ie (specially) idolatry --
abomination. see GREEK bdelusso. (bdelugma) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/946.htm - 7k8263. sheqets -- detestation, detestable thing
... 8262, 8263. sheqets. 8264 . detestation, detestable thing. Transliteration:
sheqets Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-kets) Short Definition: detestable. ...
/hebrew/8263.htm - 6k

Whether Venial Sins are Removed by the Sprinkling of Holy Water ...
... 2]), no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin,
but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether venial sins are removed.htm

Whether the Whole of this Life is the Time for Contrition?
... I answer that, As stated above ([4829]Q[3], A[1]), there is a twofold sorrow in
contrition: one is in the reason, and is detestation of the sin committed; the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the whole of this.htm

Touching Certain Forms of Immediate Acts, &C. ...
... hell, but rather to fix upon affections contrary to their present disposition; and
in case of new faults committed, let their contrition or detestation of sin ...
/.../chapter ii touching certain forms.htm

Of Scrupulosity Arising from Certain Inward Temptations. ...
... She may do well also, by words or outward gestures, to signify her renouncing and
detestation of them, as in a temptation of blasphemy let her pronounce words ...
/.../chapter ix of scrupulosity arising.htm

Whether the Damned Blaspheme?
... state. I answer that, As stated above ([2417]AA[1],3), detestation of the
Divine goodness is a necessary condition of blasphemy. Now ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the damned blaspheme.htm

Whether for the Justification of the Ungodly There is Required a ...
... to justice. Now to withdraw from sin and to draw near to justice, in an act
of free-will, means detestation and desire. For Augustine ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether for the justification of 2.htm

Whether an Angel Can be the Subject of Penance?
... Secondly, penance is taken as a virtue, and in this way its act consists in the
detestation of evil done, together with the purpose of amendment and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel can be 3.htm

Whether Sins are the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... Hence it follows that sins are the remote matter of Penance, as a matter,
not for approval, but for detestation, and destruction. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins are the proper.htm

Translated by the Rev. ...
... of dislike, it is certainly proper to cease from an unjust dislike, while if its
bad character comes plainly out, instead of the detestation entertained for it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter i translated by the.htm

A Statement in vindication of the Doctrine of the Apostles as ...
... by Christ what He promised with respect to the extension of His own worship through
all the nations, and with respect to the detestation and subversion of ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxii a statement in vindication.htm

Detestation (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike;
abhorrence; loathing. Multi-Version Concordance Detestation (5 Occurrences). ...
/d/detestation.htm - 8k

Ash'toreth (3 Occurrences)
... Ash'toreth (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess
of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the detestation of the Ammonites. ...
/a/ash'toreth.htm - 7k

Detestable (121 Occurrences)
... Similarly the idolatrous appurtenances are to be held in detestation; nothing of
the kind should be appropriated for private use (Deuteronomy 7:26). ...
/d/detestable.htm - 39k

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh the detestation of
Moab, in the mount that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestation of ...
/a/ammonites.htm - 43k

Osprey (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:13 And these ye shall have in detestation among the fowls; they shall
not be eaten, they are a detestable thing: the great vulture, and the ...
/o/osprey.htm - 8k

Outcry (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A vehement or loud cry; a cry of distress, alarm,
opposition, or detestation; clamor. 2. (n.) Sale at public auction. ...
/o/outcry.htm - 22k

Loathing (6 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Loathe. 2. (n.) Extreme disgust; a feeling of aversion, nausea, abhorrence,
or detestation. Multi-Version Concordance Loathing (6 Occurrences). ...
/l/loathing.htm - 8k

Infamous (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last
degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption. ...
/i/infamous.htm - 7k

Things (10975 Occurrences)
... Similarly the idolatrous appurtenances are to be held in detestation; nothing of
the kind should be appropriated for private use (Deuteronomy 7:26). ...
/t/things.htm - 10k

Reprobate (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One morally abandoned and lost. 5. (vt) To disapprove with detestation or
marks of extreme dislike; to condemn as unworthy; to disallow; to reject. ...
/r/reprobate.htm - 11k

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