דֵּרָאוֹן (de.ra.on)
de.ra.on
abhorrence
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun derā’ôn denotes a strong feeling of aversion or abhorrence. It describes an intense emotional rejection of something viewed as repulsive or detestable. This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in prophetic contexts that describe judgment.
In Isaiah 66:24, it characterizes the fate of those who rebelled against God. The text states their corpses will become food for worms and birds, a sight that causes "derā’ôn" or abhorrence to all mankind. The term captures the visceral disgust felt by observers at the finality of divine judgment.
Its rarity underscores the severity of the situation it describes. Unlike general words for hatred, derā’ôn implies a reaction to something so vile that it provokes revulsion. Translators typically render it as "abhorrence" or "detestation," preserving the sense of moral repugnance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word derā’ôn captures a deep, visceral reaction to what is morally repulsive. It goes beyond simple dislike or disagreement. This term describes a profound sense of abhorrence that arises when one witnesses the final consequences of turning away from God. In Isaiah 66:24, it paints a stark picture of judgment where the sight of rebellion’s end causes revulsion to all humanity.
For your faith, this word serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice. It is not meant to frighten you into fear, but to highlight the beauty of God’s mercy. Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate evil forever. The fact that such abhorrence exists shows that God cares deeply about righteousness and the well-being of His creation.
Understanding this intensity helps us appreciate the grace offered to us. We are not left to face this abhorrence alone. Through Christ, we are invited into a relationship where shame is replaced with honor and contempt with love. This perspective encourages us to live in gratitude for the deliverance God provides, trusting in His justice while resting in His compassion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ abhorrence of1×
- an abhorrence1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/דִרְא֥וֹן1×
- דֵרָא֖וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 66:24
“They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
This verse uses the word to describe the visceral revulsion all people will feel when witnessing the final, irreversible consequences of rebellion against God.
-
Daniel 12:2
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
While the Hebrew text here translates to 'shame and everlasting contempt,' it conceptually aligns with derā’ôn by describing the eternal state of disgrace for those who reject God's light.