βδελύσσομαι

I abhor, detest

Definition

βδελύσσομαι expresses a strong emotional and moral revulsion, meaning to abhor, detest, or loathe something as utterly repulsive. It goes beyond simple dislike to convey a sense of disgust, often in a religious or ethical context. In Romans 2:22, Paul uses it to describe those who 'detest idols' yet commit sacrilege, highlighting a hypocrisy between professed belief and action. In Revelation 21:8, it describes the ultimate fate of those who are 'abominable' (βδελυκτοί, the related adjective), linking the feeling of abhorrence to God's final judgment against severe sin.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in contexts of divine judgment and moral inconsistency. In Romans 2:22, it critiques religious hypocrisy, while in Revelation 21:8, it categorizes a group of people deemed morally repugnant and excluded from the New Jerusalem. Its usage is exclusively in the passive or middle voice, emphasizing a state of being filled with revulsion or being regarded as detestable.

Etymology

Derived from the root βδελ-, which is onomatopoeic, imitating a reaction of disgust or nausea (like 'blah'). It is related to βδέλυγμα (bdelugma, G946), meaning 'abomination,' a term often used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) for idolatrous practices and ritually unclean things. This connection roots the word in concepts of ritual and moral pollution.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects human moral sentiment to God's holy character. It underscores that sin is not merely a mistake but something profoundly repulsive to a holy God, warranting severe judgment (Revelation 21:8). Understanding this intensity enriches reading by clarifying the seriousness of hypocrisy (Romans 2:22) and the biblical concept of 'abomination,' which signifies what is utterly incompatible with God's kingdom.

In the Greco-Roman and Jewish world, 'abhorrence' often had strong cultic or ritual dimensions, associated with idolatry and practices violating purity laws. The use in Romans 2:22 directly engages this Jewish cultural context regarding idols. The modern idea of 'dislike' is far weaker; βδελύσσομαι implied a visceral, almost physical reaction to something considered morally or spiritually defiling.

μισέω (miseō, G3404) — to hate, often implying active rejection or enmity, whereas βδελύσσομαι emphasizes disgust. ἀποστυγέω (apostugeō, G655) — to detest, very close in meaning but used only once (Romans 12:9). βδέλυγμα (bdelugma, G946) — the noun 'abomination,' the object or state that provokes abhorrence.

Word Details

Scripture References