תַּעָב

taʻâb /taw-ab'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto loathe, i.e. (morally) detest
KJV usage(make to be) abhor(-red), (be, commit more, do) abominable(-y)
Idioms & phrasesidiom utterly.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word taʻâb, represented by H8581, is a primitive root meaning to loathe or morally detest. It appears 22 times across 20 unique verses in the Bible. The term conveys a powerful sense of abhorrence and is used to describe actions, people, or objects that are considered abominable from a moral or spiritual standpoint.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H8581 is used to express abhorrence from both divine and human perspectives. The LORD is said to abhor the "bloody and deceitful man" Psalms 5:6 and His own people, Israel, when they provoke His wrath Psalms 106:40. Conversely, humans are shown to abhor those who speak with integrity Amos 5:10 or, in the case of Job, are themselves abhorred by their closest friends Job 19:19. The word also functions as a command, instructing the Israelites to "utterly abhor" any cursed thing Deuteronomy 7:26 but forbidding them from abhorring an Edomite or an Egyptian Deuteronomy 23:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the actions and objects that provoke such strong detestation:

  • H8441 tôwʻêbah (abomination): The noun form of H8581, this word describes something morally disgusting. It is used for things like a "false balance" Proverbs 11:1, the "sacrifice of the wicked" Proverbs 15:8, and is specifically what must not be brought into the house lest one become a cursed thing Deuteronomy 7:26.
  • H8130 sânêʼ (to hate): This term often appears alongside H8581 to express a complete rejection of evil. It is used in the command, "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil" Psalms 97:10 and by the psalmist who declares, "I hate and abhor lying" Psalms 119:163.
  • H2764 chêrem (cursed thing): This word defines an object that is doomed or devoted to utter destruction, which Israel was commanded to utterly abhor Deuteronomy 7:26. Bringing such an object into the camp of Israel would make the camp itself a curse Joshua 6:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8581 is centered on defining absolute moral and spiritual boundaries.

  • Divine Standard of Morality: The term establishes what is unacceptable to God. The LORD's abhorrence is directed at specific sins, such as idolatry 1 Kings 21:26, deceit Psalms 5:6, and Israel's spiritual "whoredoms" Ezekiel 16:25. This reveals a divine character that actively detests moral corruption.
  • Consequences of Abominable Behavior: Engaging in actions described as abominable leads to severe consequences. The Amorites were "cast out" for their abominable idolatry 1 Kings 21:26. The king in Isaiah is "cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch" Isaiah 14:19, signifying ultimate rejection and dishonor.
  • The Rejection of Idolatry: A primary focus of abhorrence is idolatry. King Ahab "did very abominably in following idols" 1 Kings 21:26, and Ezekiel describes Jerusalem as having "made thy beauty to be abhorred" through its multiplied spiritual "whoredoms" Ezekiel 16:25.

Summary

In summary, H8581 taʻâb is a potent term that goes beyond simple dislike to express a profound moral loathing. It functions as a key descriptor for the divine reaction to sin, particularly idolatry and injustice, and as a command for God's people to detest what is spiritually corrupt. The word draws a sharp line between the holy and the profane, illustrating the gravity of sin and the absolute moral standard set by God in scripture.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 17 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 2×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×

+ 5 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses).

2
Deuteronomy
1
1 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
4
Job
6
Psalms
2
Isaiah
2
Ezekiel
1
Amos
1
Micah

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.