The term "loathed" in the Bible often conveys a strong sense of disgust or intense aversion. It is used to describe both human emotions and God's response to sin and disobedience. The concept of loathing is significant in understanding the nature of sin, repentance, and divine judgment.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "loathed" is "quts" or "taʿab," which can mean to abhor or detest. This term is frequently used in the context of Israel's relationship with God, particularly when the Israelites turn away from Him to follow other gods or engage in sinful practices.

For instance, in Leviticus 26:11, God promises His presence among the Israelites, saying, "I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not loathe you." This indicates that God's acceptance and favor are contingent upon Israel's obedience and faithfulness. Conversely, when Israel falls into idolatry and sin, God expresses His loathing for their actions, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 20:43, where the people are reminded of their past sins: "There you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of loathing is less frequently mentioned but is still present in the broader theme of sin and repentance. The Greek word "bdelusso" is used to describe a strong aversion or disgust. While the New Testament focuses more on the redemptive work of Christ, the idea of loathing is implicit in the call to repentance and the rejection of sin.

Revelation 3:16 provides a vivid metaphor of God's response to lukewarm faith: "So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth." This imagery conveys God's intense displeasure with half-hearted commitment and serves as a warning to believers to maintain fervent faith.

Theological Implications

The concept of loathing in the Bible underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a reminder that sin is not merely a mistake or a minor flaw but something that is deeply offensive to God. This understanding calls believers to a life of holiness and repentance, recognizing the gravity of sin and the need for divine grace.

Furthermore, the Bible's depiction of loathing highlights the transformative power of repentance. When individuals or nations turn back to God, there is a promise of restoration and renewed relationship. This is evident in passages like Ezekiel 36:31, where God promises to cleanse Israel: "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and abominations."

In summary, the biblical concept of loathing serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the transformative potential of repentance and divine grace.(imp. & p. p.) of Loathe.1602. gaal -- to abhor, loathe
... 1601, 1602. gaal. 1603 . to abhor, loathe. Transliteration: gaal Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-al') Short Definition: loathed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1602.htm - 6k

6962a. qut -- to feel a loathing
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to feel a loathing NASB Word Usage loathe (6),
loathed (1). 6962, 6962a. qut. 6962b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6962a.htm - 5k

Vile Ingratitude!
... We will not say that our character had become such that we were loathed by others,
but well we remember the time when we loathed ourselves; when we could say ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

The Evil and Its Remedy
... You had before loved your iniquities, but now you loathed them"and you loathed
yourselves; before, you had thought that your transgressions might easily be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the evil and its remedy.htm

Repentance
... inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw
the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ...
... And I remained without any appetite for incorruptible food"not because I was already
filled with it, but because the emptier I became the more I loathed it. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book three the story of.htm

Worship
... That God loathed them, and would not listen to the prayers which were made in them.
That the whole matter was a mockery and a lie in his sight. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon vi worship.htm

Christian David, 1690-1722.
... when they said that a man was justified by faith alone; and at last he lost his
way so far in this famous theological fog that he hated and loathed the very ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii christian david 1690-1722.htm

D. The Question as to Paying Tribute. Ch. 20:19-26
... Yes"? Then he would cease to be a popular idol, for the people loathed the
hateful oppression of Rome. Should Jesus say, "No"? Then ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the question as to.htm

Rhapsody
... REPENTENT ISRAEL. Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul loathed Zion?
why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody.htm

Immanuel! to Thee we Sing.
... Hallelujah! The sweetest Friend of man Thou art, Though many hate Thee in their
heart! The heart of Herod loathed Thee, Yet what art Thou? Salvation free! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/immanuel to thee we sing.htm

The Manna
... five thousand. The palates, unaccustomed to the stinging savours of the
garlic and the leeks of Egypt, loathed the light bread. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the manna.htm

Loathed (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Loathe. Multi-Version Concordance Loathed
(13 Occurrences). Leviticus 26:30 And I have destroyed ...
/l/loathed.htm - 10k

Loathe (19 Occurrences)
... 11:20 unto a month of days, till that it come out from your nostrils, and it hath
become to you an abomination; because that ye have loathed Jehovah, who 'is ...
/l/loathe.htm - 12k

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... nothing to eat but the manna day after day, no change, no flesh, no fish, no
high-flavoured vegetables, no luscious fruits...The people loathed the `light food ...
/k/kibroth-hattaavah.htm - 10k

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... nothing to eat but the manna day after day, no change, no flesh, no fish, no
high-flavoured vegetables, no luscious fruits...The people loathed the `light food ...
/k/kibrothhattaavah.htm - 10k

Loathes (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:45 You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her
children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands ...
/l/loathes.htm - 7k

Rejected (96 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:44 and also even this, in their being in the land of their enemies,
I have not rejected them, nor have I loathed them, to consume them, to break ...
/r/rejected.htm - 36k

Kicked (9 Occurrences)
... and they accept the punishment of their iniquity, because, even because, against
My judgments they have kicked, and My statutes hath their soul loathed, (YLT). ...
/k/kicked.htm - 9k

Loathing (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:45 Thy mother's daughter thou 'art', Loathing her husband and her sons,
And thy sisters' sister thou 'art', Who loathed their husbands and their sons ...
/l/loathing.htm - 8k

Loatheth (3 Occurrences)
... 16:45 Thou art the daughter of thy mother, that loatheth her husband and her children;
and thou art the sister of thy sisters, who loathed their husbands and ...
/l/loatheth.htm - 7k

Laughed (27 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY WBS). Job 30:1 And now, laughed at me, Have the younger in days than
I, Whose fathers I have loathed to set With the dogs of my flock. (YLT). ...
/l/laughed.htm - 14k

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