Brief Overview of βδέλυγμα (G946: bdélygma)

1. Overview

βδέλυγμα (bdélygma), pronounced “bde-LIG-ma,” is a Greek noun found in the New Testament that is often translated as “abomination” or “detestable thing.” The word carries a strong connotation of something that is profoundly offensive or repulsive, especially in a moral or religious sense. The term is derived from the Greek verb βδελύσσομαι (bdelússomai), meaning “to abhor” or “to detest.” Thus, bdélygma refers to something that is considered loathsome or detestable, particularly in the eyes of God. It is used in biblical texts to describe acts, objects, or practices that are abominable, especially those that are associated with idolatry or extreme moral corruption.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines bdélygma as “a detestable thing, an abomination,” and emphasizes its usage in contexts where something is viewed as repugnant, particularly in religious or moral settings. BDAG notes that the word is often associated with idolatry or actions that are utterly abhorrent to God. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, the term is used to describe the “abomination of desolation,” a phrase that evokes a sense of extreme sacrilege.

Thayer’s Lexicon elaborates on bdélygma by explaining that it refers to anything that excites disgust or abhorrence, particularly when related to idolatry or gross immorality. Thayer’s emphasizes that in the New Testament, the term is often used to condemn practices that are contrary to the holiness and righteousness of God.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary concurs with BDAG and Thayer’s, describing bdélygma as something that is detestable, particularly in the sight of God. Vine’s highlights the word’s connection to idolatrous practices, noting that it is used to describe objects or actions that are considered a severe violation of divine commandments.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides a broader classical context for bdélygma, where it is used to denote something repulsive or loathsome, often in a ceremonial or religious context. The LSJ lexicon emphasizes that the term was used to describe acts or objects that were ritually impure or offensive to the gods.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 24:15: “So when you see the abomination (bdélygma) of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).” This verse uses bdélygma to refer to an object or event of extreme sacrilege that desecrates a holy place.
• Revelation 21:27: “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable (bdélygma) or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Here, bdélygma describes actions or people that are morally repugnant and unworthy of entering the New Jerusalem.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, bdélygma and its cognates are used to describe something that is abhorred, particularly in a religious or ceremonial context. Here are three examples:

• Homer’s Iliad: While bdélygma does not appear in Homer’s works, the concept of something being abhorred or detestable in a religious context is present, particularly in how certain actions are seen as offensive to the gods.
• Sophocles’ Antigone: In this tragedy, actions that defy divine law are depicted as detestable, echoing the kind of abhorrence captured by bdélygma in later texts.
• Herodotus’ Histories: Herodotus occasionally references practices that are considered abhorrent by different cultures, particularly in the context of religious observances, which aligns with the usage of bdélygma to describe actions that are abominable.

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These examples from classical literature show how the concept of something being detestable or abominable, especially in a religious sense, was a significant theme even before the New Testament usage of bdélygma.

4. Summary

The Greek noun bdélygma (G946) is a powerful term used in the New Testament to describe something that is considered an abomination or detestable, particularly in the eyes of God. Rooted in the verb bdelússomai, meaning “to abhor,” the term carries a strong sense of moral or religious repulsion. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s all highlight the word’s connection to idolatry and moral corruption, emphasizing its usage in contexts where something is profoundly offensive to divine holiness. While bdélygma appears primarily in religious texts, the concept of something being detestable was also present in classical Greek literature. In summary, bdélygma serves as a stern warning against actions or practices that are abhorred by God, particularly those that defile what is holy.