שִׁקּוּץ
disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
Definition
The Hebrew word שִׁקּוּץ (shiqqûwts) denotes something utterly detestable, disgusting, or abominable. It most frequently refers to idols and the practices of pagan idolatry, which are presented as repulsive to God (e.g., 1 Kings 11:5, 7). In some contexts, it describes the physical idols themselves as 'detestable things' (2 Kings 23:13, 24). The term can also extend to morally or ritually filthy actions that provoke divine disgust, as seen in Isaiah 66:3, where improper sacrifices are equated with abomination.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 26 times, predominantly in the historical and prophetic books. It is used in contexts condemning idolatry, especially the worship of foreign gods introduced by Israel's kings, such as Solomon (1 Kings 11:5, 7) and later removed by Josiah (2 Kings 23:13, 24). Prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 4:1) and Isaiah (Isaiah 66:3) employ it to denounce both physical idols and the corrupt religious practices of the people. The usage consistently conveys strong moral and religious revulsion, marking what is incompatible with covenant faithfulness.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁקַץ (shāqats, H8262), meaning 'to detest,' 'to abhor,' or 'to be filthy.' This root conveys a sense of intense loathing. שִׁקּוּץ is a noun form indicating the object or concept that provokes such disgust. Cognates in related Semitic languages carry similar meanings of abomination or pollution, underscoring the word's association with profound impurity and rejection.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines the boundary between holiness and profanity in Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. It encapsulates God's perspective on idolatry—not merely as a theological error but as a spiritually filthy and repulsive act that breaches the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:17). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches Bible reading by revealing the depth of God's hatred for sin and idolatry, highlighting the call for exclusive worship and purity. It connects to key doctrines of God's holiness, sin, and the need for repentance.
In its ancient Near Eastern setting, שִׁקּוּץ was a potent term for the idols and practices of surrounding nations (e.g., Canaanite, Ammonite, Moabite gods). These were not seen as neutral religious options but as spiritually contaminating 'detestable things' that defiled the land and people. This cultural understanding of ritual and moral pollution is more holistic than modern, often privatized, views of sin, emphasizing communal and tangible consequences.
תּוֹעֵבָה (tôʿēbâ, H8441) — a broader term for 'abomination,' often used for violations of ritual or moral law, including but not limited to idols. פִּגּוּל (piggûl, H6292) — specifically refers to 'detestable' or unclean sacrificial meat. שֶׁקֶץ (sheqets, H8263) — a closely related noun with overlapping meaning, also denoting a detestable thing, often in ritual contexts.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →