UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: destroyed, destruction, desolation

Semantic entry: 20.41

Semantic domains: Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill

Subdomains: Destroy

Definition: suffering destruction, with the implication of being deserted and abandoned

Sense 2: an abomination which desolates, a horrible thing which defiles

Semantic entry: 53.38

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Defile, Unclean, Common

Definition: (a fixed phrase derived from Hebrew, literally: the detestable thing of desolation) an abomination (either an object or an event) which defiles a holy place and thus causes it to be abandoned and left desolate

Notes: In translating βδέλυγμα, it may be necessary in some languages to use a phrase such as ‘that which God detests’ or ‘that which God hates’ or even ‘that which causes God’s anger.’ The term ἐρημώσεως may then be translated as ‘that which causes people to abandon’ or ‘that which causes something to be deserted.’ The entire phrase may then be translated in some languages as ‘that which God detests and which causes something to be abandoned’ or ‘… left desolate.’

Collocations: τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως