ΒΔΕΛΥΓΜΑ
The term bdelygma (βδέλυγμα), deeply rooted in negative connotations, expresses intense aversion and disgust, particularly within religious and moral contexts. In the Old and New Testaments, it signifies not merely something unpleasant, but something abhorrent to God, frequently associated with idolatry, impurity, and moral corruption. Its lexarithmos (485) suggests a completeness in the concept of revulsion and judgment.
Definition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, βδέλυγμα initially means “that which causes disgust, aversion, defilement.” The word derives from the verb βδελύσσομαι, meaning “to feel disgust, aversion, abhor.” Its usage in classical Greek is relatively rare, but it gains significant weight in religious literature, especially in the Septuagint (LXX) translation and the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, βδέλυγμα is extensively used to translate the Hebrew term תּוֹעֵבָה (*to'evah*), which refers to anything detestable or abominable in the eyes of God. This includes idolatrous practices (e.g., sacrifices to false gods), sexual perversions, injustice, and other moral transgressions. It is not merely a personal dislike, but a divine condemnation.
In the New Testament, the word retains this theological intensity. It is primarily known from the phrase “abomination of desolation” (βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως) in the Gospels of Matthew (24:15) and Mark (13:14), which refers to the prophecy in Daniel (9:27, 11:31, 12:11) and denotes an event or person that will cause ultimate sacrilege and destruction. In Revelation, βδέλυγμα is associated with Babylon the Great, the harlot, as a symbol of absolute corruption and idolatry.
Etymology
Cognate words include the verb βδελύσσομαι (to feel disgust, aversion), the adjective βδελυρός (disgusting, repulsive), and βδελυκτός (that which is to be abhorred). All these words share the same root and convey the sense of intense loathing and aversion, whether on a physical, moral, or religious level.
Main Meanings
- That which causes intense disgust or loathing — The primary, general meaning, referring to anything physically or aesthetically repulsive.
- Idolatrous practice or object — In the Old Testament (LXX), it frequently refers to acts of worship or objects that are abhorrent to Yahweh, such as sacrifices to false gods.
- Religious impurity or defilement — Anything that violates the laws of ritual purity, rendering a person or place unclean before God.
- Moral perversion, sin, or wickedness — Actions or behaviors that are morally corrupt and contrary to divine will, such as injustice, homosexuality (Leviticus), or pride.
- The "abomination of desolation" — A specific prophetic concept from the Book of Daniel, referring to an event or person that will cause great sacrilege and destruction, with eschatological significance.
- Anything detestable or abhorrent to God — The broader theological meaning, encompassing every act, thought, or state that opposes God's holiness and righteousness.
Philosophical Journey
The trajectory of the word βδέλυγμα is inextricably linked to the evolution of religious thought, from a general sense of revulsion to a central theological term.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages highlight the powerful theological meaning of βδέλυγμα:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΒΔΕΛΥΓΜΑ is 485, from the sum of its letter values:
485 decomposes into 400 (hundreds) + 80 (tens) + 5 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΒΔΕΛΥΓΜΑ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 485 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 8 | 4+8+5 = 17 → 1+7 = 8. The Octad, a number often associated with regeneration and completeness. In the case of βδέλυγμα, it may signify the utter nature of revulsion or the fullness of judgment that follows impurity. |
| Letter Count | 8 | 8 letters. The Octad, which here may symbolize the full extent of defilement or the ultimate judgment brought by abomination. |
| Cumulative | 5/80/400 | Units 5 · Tens 80 · Hundreds 400 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | B-D-E-L-Y-G-M-A | Blasphemous Deeds Ensnare Living Souls, Yielding Grievous Misery, Abomination. |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 5C · 0D | 3 vowels (e, y, a) and 5 consonants (b, d, l, g, m). This ratio may emphasize the material, 'heavy' nature of βδέλυγμα, which is tangible and visible in sin. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Venus ♀ / Virgo ♍ | 485 mod 7 = 2 · 485 mod 12 = 5 |
Isopsephic Words (485)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (485) that further illuminate the meaning of βδέλυγμα:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 59 words with lexarithmos 485. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Bauer, W., Danker, F. W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Lust, J., Eynikel, E., Hauspie, K. — Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint. Revised Edition. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2003.
- Kittel, G., Friedrich, G. — Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-1976.
- Metzger, B. M. — A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994.
- Bruce, F. F. — The Book of Daniel. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1985.