"The abomination of desolation": the meaning of the words of the prophet Daniel

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

"The abomination of desolation" is a phrase that occurs repeatedly in Holy Scripture. To interpret this phrase, you need to familiarize yourself with the events associated with it, as well as with the etymology of the first of the two words. Versions about the meaning of the "abomination of desolation" will be discussed below.

Etymology

In the traditional sense, the word "abomination" is something very repulsive, something that causes an involuntary shudder. However, in the Tanakh and the Mishnah, written in Hebrew, it is often used in a different sense. There it signifies an idol. Therefore, a number of researchers believe that the book of the prophet Daniel means “immovable abomination”, that is, a statue for worship.

Another group of scientists is inclined to believe that the ancient Roman god Jupiter was called this word with the intention of distortion. In Hebrew, "abomination" is written as βδέλυγΜα, this word is close in spelling to Baalshamem - "lord of heaven." This could be following the prescription that the names of idols, which for the Jews, in fact, was the statue of Jupiter, can be pronouncedonly in a distorted or abbreviated form.

The first three references to the phrase under study are found in the Book of Daniel, where he recounts his apocalyptic visions.

Daniel's "Abomination of Desolation"

Christian tradition refers him to the great biblical prophets. He was a descendant of a noble family of Jews and, as a teenager, was together with his fellow tribesmen in Babylonian captivity. There he received a Chaldean education and was called to serve at court.

As it is said in the Bible, Daniel was given a gift from God - to understand and interpret dreams, this is what he became famous for. The two most famous episodes of his life are the miraculous escape from the lions in the den and the unraveling of the meaning of the words written on the wall with a mysterious hand at Belshazzar's feast.

Among others, Daniel made prophecies about the "abomination of desolation". He says that she will appear on the wing of the sanctuary, the daily sacrifice will be stopped, and this will last 1290 days, and then the predetermined final death will befall the devastator. What does it mean? An explanation will be given below.

Antiochus Epiphanes

This Greek king in 170 B. C. e, in order to restore order in Jerusalem, he sent troops there, and the rebellion was brutally suppressed, and the city was plundered. After that, relying on loyal-minded priests, he moved on to violent Hellenization. The Jerusalem temple was turned by him into the sanctuary of Zeus. In front of everyone, he personally slaughtered a sacrificial pig on the altar.

Behind thisfollowed by persecution of the Jews, which was accompanied by torture and public executions. City fortifications were torn down, and severe persecution contributed to the fact that a new uprising broke out, led by the Maccabees. The organization of a new campaign against the Jews was prevented by the death of Epiphanes in 164 BC. e.

It is these events that are known as the "abomination of desolation", and Daniel prophesied about them.

The First Book of Maccabees

It says that an "abomination" was erected on the altar of burnt offering. The altar of burnt offering in Judaism is understood as one of the main objects of the religious service held in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple. According to the Bible, several miraculous phenomena were associated with this item:

• The altar was constantly burning with fire, but despite this, it was never damaged.
• It was located in the open air, but the fire was never extinguished by rain.
• The column of smoke rising from the altar went vertically to the sky, and the wind never carried it away.
• The smell of burning flesh never came from him.

For the Jews, the desecration of this sacred object was truly an abomination. The book of Maccabees says that they destroyed the "abomination" erected by Antiochus Epiphanes in Jerusalem over the altar of burnt offering, and surrounded the sanctuary with high walls, as before. As stated above, this, along with the destruction of the ravager, was also spoken of in Daniel's prophecy.

Interpretations of Daniel and the Maccabees

As the interpreters of the Holy Scriptures suggest, in the two indicated sources “abomination” is interpreted literally, that is, either as an “idol” in general, or as a statue of Zeus (Jupiter). Which in both cases was a great insult to the faithful Jews.

Here it would be appropriate to recall one of the biblical commandments calling not to create an idol for yourself, that is, a statue of a pagan god. Thus, Antiochus Epiphanes violated the fundamental foundations of the Jewish faith.

In Matthew

There Jesus on the Mount of Olives speaks of the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel. In his sermon, he recalls his prediction. As it was found out, they refer to the establishment of a statue of the supreme pagan god, which the Greeks called Zeus, and the Romans Jupiter, in the Jewish temple.

What does the Son of God mean when he says the words about the abomination of desolation in the holy place, given in the Gospel of Matthew? They were spoken about 200 years after the events described. Thus, Jesus prophesied that in the future in the Jerusalem temple at a certain time something similar would happen again. Most Bible interpreters believe that the Savior was referring to the coming of the Antichrist.

Prophecy of Jesus

In it he tells his disciples: "When you see the abomination of desolation, about which Daniel prophesied, and which stands where it is not supposed to, let those who are, flee to the mountains." Jesus then gives the following instructions. Those who are on the roof should not go downstairs to get anything.from your home. And those in the field don't have to go back to get their clothes.

Woe will be pregnant and lactating in those days. Everyone will need to pray that this flight does not happen in winter, because then there will be such a strong sorrow, which has not yet been from the very beginning of creation and which will not be after. Jesus goes on to point out that if the Lord had not reduced the number of these days, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of those he chose, he shortened those terrible days.

The Son of God warns: “If anyone tells you that Christ is here or there, do not believe him. As false prophets and false christs will arise, signs and wonders will be given by them to deceive even the elect, if possible. I said everything in advance, and you beware. At the same time, the words of the Savior are mysterious, and they need to be understood. And he himself says about them: “He who reads, let him understand.”

What's the point?

According to the exegetes, it is as follows. Speaking of the “abomination of desolation” to witnesses of his earthly life, Jesus did not have in mind any one specific event. The Holy Fathers come to the conclusion that a demonic personality is meant - the Antichrist, who must come at the end of time. Therefore, Christ demands to leave a terrible place, since in case of delay in flight, death will come. It is necessary to pray that no unfavorable circumstances prevent a quick outcome.

There are times and circumstances when the earthly homeland needs to be immediately abandoned for the sake of the heavenly homeland. When it is said thatyou need to pray that the flight does not happen in winter, we are talking about the cold of the Apocalypse, from which the hearts freeze.

But in the midst of anger, Jesus also remembers mercy. He says that the Lord will shorten these days for the elect, that is, for those who accept Christ. For those who have been promised that "a remnant will be saved." The chosen ones of God cry out to him day and night, and the Lord answers their prayers.

These chosen ones include all who remain faithful to him in trials. No matter what happens around, God is always there. He is the absolute master of time and history. He will shorten the time of trials, he will save from all despair, salvation is always his main and last word.

Thus, the expression "the abomination of desolation" is mentioned in the Holy Scripture both literally and figuratively. In the first case, this is a pagan statue installed in a Jewish temple, and in the second, those trials that await everyone during the coming of the Antichrist, but their time will be shortened in the name of the true believers.