to‘eba , "abomination"
Generally translated as "detest," "abhor," or "loathe," the root of this word occurs 118x (spread over 112 verses) in the OT; it nominal form is often translated "abomination," or "detestable practices" (NIV; generally speaking, the NIV is not very good at translating this Hebrew word, omitting the word altogether from the sentence, e.g., at Lev 18:27).
The verb speaks of what is hateful in the sight of the person, whether humans or God. Egyptians, e.g., find it a to‘eba to eat with the Hebrews (Gen 43:32) or to socialize with shepherds (Gen 46:34). So would, Moses says to Pharaoh, the sacrifices the Hebrews offer to God be "detestable" the Egyptians (Exo 8:26). Most of the references to the word, both verb and noun, however, has God as their subject. Here are some of the things that God abhors (i.e., they are an abomination to Him):
Homosexuality and bestiality, Lev 18:22-25,
Incestrous relationships, Lev 20:11-23,
Idolotrous practices of the pagans, Deut 7:25-26; 12:31; 13:15; 2 Ki 23:13; 2 Chron 28:3;
Unclean food, Deut 14:3,
Defective sacrifices and sacrfices brought with evil intent, Deut 17:1; Prov 21:27
Pagan worship, including worship of the celestrial objects, child-sacrifices, divination, sorcery, interpretation of omens, witchcraft, casting of spells, necromancy (consulting the dead), idols and the crafting of idols, Deut 17:2-5; 18:9-12; 27:15; 32:16; 2 Ki 16:3; Ezr 9:1; Jer 32:35; Eze 5:9; 11:18;
Cross-dressing, Deut 22:5 (see commentary on the verse),
Shrine prostitution, and the offering to God the proceeds of prostitution, Deut 23:18, 1 Ki 14:24
Remarriage by a man of the wife he had divorced and who had since been widowed or divorced by her second husband, Deut 24:4,
Dishonest or differing weights and measures, Deut 25:15-16; Prov 11:1; 20:10; 20:23;
Perverse and proud persons and their ways, Prov 3:32; 11:20; 12:22; 15:8-9; 15:26; 16:5;
Injustice, esp., acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent, Prov 17:15;
Prayers, offerings and rituals of a lawless person, Prov 28:9; Isa 1:13.
Additionally, Prov 6:16-19 has this to say:
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Open TWOT on to'eba.
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