Moses said, “It isn’t appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. Behold, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, won’t they stone us?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 26. The abominations, and so forth That is, the things they worship for gods: oxen, rams, and so forth It is the usual style of the Scriptures to call all idols and false gods, abominations; to signify how much the people of God ought to detest and abhor them. Challoner.—The Egyptians adored the stars, and even the vilest creatures, on account of some advantage which they derived from them. Cicero, N. Deor. i. They sometimes sacrificed animals; though, at first, “they offered only prayer and incense.” Macrob. Satur. i. 7. Genesis 43:16. Their belief in the transmigration of souls, perhaps, induced them to abstain from the immolation of beasts. Calmet.