Word Study for G948 (βδελύσσω)

bdelýssō /bdel-oos'-so/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a (presumed) derivative of (to stink)

Meaningto be disgusted, i.e. (by implication) detest (especially of idolatry)

KJV usageabhor, abominable.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bdelýssō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word bdelýssō, represented by G948, derives from a term meaning "to stink." It conveys a sense of being disgusted with something, leading to its definition as to detest or abhor, particularly in the context of idolatry, or to be abominable. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, making each occurrence significant.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of G948 highlight severe spiritual failings. In Romans 2:22, it is used to expose hypocrisy: "thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?". Here, it describes a person who outwardly professes disgust for idolatry while engaging in other profane acts. In Revelation 21:8, the word appears in a list of those who will face the "second death," identifying "the abominable" alongside the fearful, unbelieving, murderers, and others whose part is in the lake of fire.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words help clarify the context and meaning of G948:

G1497 eídōlon (idol): This word, meaning "an image (i.e. for worship)...a heathen god," is the direct object of the verb in Romans 2:22. The act of abhorring idols is central to the verse's meaning.
G2416 hierosyléō (commit sacrilege): Defined as being "a temple-robber (figuratively)," this word is set in direct contrast to abhorring idols in Romans 2:22, illustrating the hypocrisy of condemning one sin while practicing another.
G1496 eidōlolátrēs (idolater): Meaning "an image-worshipper," this term describes a person engaged in the worship of idols. This group is listed alongside "the abominable" G948 as facing judgment in Revelation 21:8.
G571 ápistos (unbelieving): This term for one who is "without Christian faith" appears immediately before "the abominable" in the list of the condemned in Revelation 21:8, linking a state of being detestable with faithlessness.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G948 is demonstrated in its specific applications.

The Condemnation of Hypocrisy: Its use in Romans 2:22 underscores that a professed outward detestation of sin, such as idolatry, is meaningless if contradicted by other sinful actions like committing sacrilege.
A Condition for Judgment: Revelation 21:8 categorizes being abominable not merely as an act but as a character state worthy of the "second death." It is listed with other grave sins such as murder G5406, sexual immorality G4205, sorcery G5332, and falsehood G5571.
Defining Revulsion to Idolatry: The word's core meaning of disgust is specifically applied to idolatry. This highlights the profound spiritual offense that idol worship represents, an act to be abhorred.

Summary

In summary, G948 is a potent, though rare, term in scripture. It signifies a deep revulsion and is used to describe both a hypocritical attitude toward sin and a state of being that results in ultimate judgment. Its connection to idolatry and its inclusion in the list of the damned in Revelation 21:8 mark it as a word of serious theological consequence.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Perfect Middle Participle Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Vocative Singular Masculine 1×

Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Vocative: Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Middle Or Passive: Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans and Revelation (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

Romans

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.