Brief overview of βδελυκτός (G947: bdeluktós)

1. Overview

βδελυκτός (bdeluktós), pronounced “bde-luk-TOS,” is a Greek adjective that carries a meaning closely related to detestation, something that is abominable or loathsome. The word is derived from the verb βδελύσσομαι (bdelússomai), which means “to abhor” or “to detest.” Therefore, bdeluktós refers to something that is considered deeply offensive, particularly in a moral or religious sense. The term is used in the New Testament to describe actions, attitudes, or objects that are abhorrent to God, particularly those associated with idolatry or moral corruption. In essence, bdeluktós signifies something that is so detestable that it evokes a strong reaction of revulsion.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines bdeluktós as “detestable, abominable.” The lexicon highlights the word’s usage in contexts where something is viewed as repulsive, particularly in religious or moral terms. BDAG emphasizes that the term is often applied to acts or objects that are fundamentally opposed to divine holiness, especially those associated with idolatry or extreme moral decay.

Thayer’s Lexicon similarly defines bdeluktós as “abominable, detestable.” Thayer’s explains that the term is used in the New Testament to describe things that are repulsive to God, particularly in a moral or spiritual sense. The lexicon notes that bdeluktós is often used in conjunction with idolatry, where the term underscores the severity of the offense in the sight of God.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary concurs with BDAG and Thayer’s, defining bdeluktós as “abominable, detestable.” Vine’s further elaborates that the word is often used to describe practices or objects that are particularly loathsome to God, especially in the context of idolatry and moral corruption.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) also provides insight into the classical usage of bdeluktós, where it is used to describe something that is abhorred, particularly in a religious or ceremonial context. The term often appears in classical literature to describe things that are ritually impure or offensive to the gods.

Biblical references:

• Titus 1:16: “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable (bdeluktós), disobedient, unfit for any good work.” In this verse, bdeluktós is used to describe those whose actions are fundamentally opposed to the will of God, making them abominable in His sight.
• Revelation 21:8: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable (bdeluktós), as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Here, bdeluktós describes those whose lives are marked by actions that are utterly abhorrent to God, leading to their ultimate judgment.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, bdeluktós is used to describe something that is abhorred, particularly in a religious or moral context. Here are three examples:

• Euripides’ “Medea”: In this tragedy, actions that defy the gods and moral law are depicted as detestable, reflecting the kind of abhorrence captured by bdeluktós in later texts.
• Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”: The character of Oedipus, after discovering the truth about his origins, considers himself to be an abomination, a sentiment that aligns with the meaning of bdeluktós.
• Plato’s “Republic”: Plato uses terms related to bdeluktós to describe behaviors and practices that are utterly opposed to the ideal state, particularly those that are morally corrupt.

Support our Israeli friends

Use code: FOG20 for a 20% discount.

Learn More

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

4. Summary

The Greek adjective bdeluktós (G947) is a potent term used in the New Testament to describe something that is considered abominable 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 revulsion. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s all emphasize the word’s connection to idolatry and moral corruption, highlighting its usage in contexts where something is profoundly offensive to divine holiness. While bdeluktós appears primarily in religious texts, the concept of something being detestable was also prevalent in classical Greek literature. In summary, bdeluktós serves as a strong condemnation of actions or practices that are abhorrent to God, particularly those that defile what is holy.