A term applied in Scripture to objects of great detestation. Idols and their worship were so named, because they robbed God of his honor, while the rites themselves were impure and cruel, Deuteronomy 7:25,26 12:31 . The term was used respecting the Hebrews in Egypt, Genesis 43:32 Exodus 8:26 , either because they ate and sacrificed animals held sacred by the Egyptians, or because they did not observe those ceremonies in eating which made a part of the religion of Egypt; and in Genesis 46:34 , because they were "wandering shepherds," a race of whom had grievously oppressed Egypt.