תּוֹעֵבַה (to.e.vah)
to.e.vah
abomination
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 67 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun toʿēḇah describes something that is deeply repulsive or disgusting, functioning as a strong term for abomination. It appears frequently in Proverbs and the prophetic books like Jeremiah, where it captures both ritual impurity and moral wickedness. The word carries the weight of something so offensive that it provokes visceral rejection.
Its meaning shifts depending on context, covering everything to unclean foods and idolatrous practices to ethical failures like dishonest scales or violent behavior. In Deuteronomy 14:3, for instance, it marks dietary laws that set Israel apart, while Proverbs 11:1 uses it to condemn false weights as an offense against divine order. This dual use shows how the ancient Israelites saw no sharp line between physical cleanliness and moral integrity.
The term derives from a root meaning "to loathe" or "to abhor," emphasizing the emotional response of disgust rather than just legal status. Translators often render it as "abomination," but this English word can sometimes feel abstract; the Hebrew conveys a concrete sense of revulsion toward things that violate covenant boundaries, whether through idol worship or social injustice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word toʿēḇah describes something that provokes deep revulsion or disgust. It is not merely a legal label but a visceral reaction to what violates covenant boundaries. In ancient Israel, this term covered a wide range of issues, from eating forbidden foods to engaging in idolatry or social injustice. The word reminds us that God cares about both ritual purity and moral integrity, seeing no sharp line between physical cleanliness and ethical behavior.
For your faith life, this word invites you to consider what truly offends God. It is not just about following rules but about cultivating a heart that rejects what harms relationships with God and others. When you encounter situations that feel wrong or repulsive, remember that God shares this view. He desires a community marked by holiness and justice, where people treat one another with dignity and respect.
Understanding toʿēḇah helps you appreciate the seriousness of sin in Scripture. It shows that God is not indifferent to evil but actively opposes it. This awareness can deepen your gratitude for God’s grace, which forgives and transforms those who turn away from such practices. Let this word encourage you to pursue a life that honors God in both thought and action.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 67 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ abominations10×
- [is] [the] abomination of10×
- [is] an abomination7×
- [are] [the] abomination of7×
- according to/ [the] abominations of5×
- an abomination4×
- and/ [is] an abomination of3×
- the/ abomination2×
- [is] an abomination of2×
- <the> abomination of2×
- the/ abominations of1×
- into/ an abomination1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת12×
- תוֹעֲבַ֛ת4×
- תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת3×
- וְ/תוֹעֲבַ֖ת3×
- תוֹעֵבָ֥ה2×
- תוֹעֵבָ֖ה2×
- תוֹעֲבַ֥ת2×
- תּוֹעֵבָֽה\׃2×
- תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה2×
- כְּ/תֹֽעֲבוֹת֙2×
- הַ/תּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת2×
- הַ/תּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת2×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 18:29
“‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.
This verse links the doing of abominations to being cut off from the people, showing the severe communal and spiritual consequences of violating covenant boundaries.
-
Deuteronomy 7:25
You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
Here, idolatrous images are called an abomination because they lead Israel into snare-like compromise with pagan worship, highlighting God’s jealousy for exclusive devotion.
-
Deuteronomy 14:3
You shall not eat any abominable thing.
This reference marks dietary laws as an abomination when violated, illustrating how physical practices set Israel apart and reflect their distinct identity as God’s people.
-
Leviticus 18:22
“‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.
This verse uses the term to describe sexual immorality that violates created order, showing the word’s application to personal conduct that defiles the community.