Topical Encyclopedia
The term "odious" is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or repulsive. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are detestable or abominable in the sight of God and man. The concept of being odious is closely associated with sin and moral corruption, which are contrary to the holiness and righteousness that God desires from His people.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 30:21-23 : "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food, an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress." In this passage, the "unloved woman who marries" is often interpreted as an odious or contentious woman, whose presence and behavior can cause great distress and disruption.
2.
Proverbs 11:22 : "Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." While the word "odious" is not directly used here, the imagery conveys the idea of something valuable being made repulsive by inappropriate behavior or lack of wisdom.
3.
Proverbs 27:15-16 : "A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand." The contentious woman is often seen as odious due to her quarrelsome nature, which is likened to an incessant annoyance.
Theological Implications:In the biblical worldview, being odious is not merely about external actions but is deeply rooted in the heart's condition. The Bible emphasizes that God detests sin and unrighteousness, which are odious in His sight. This is evident in passages that speak of God's hatred for idolatry, injustice, and immorality. For instance,
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things that are detestable to the Lord, including haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:From a moral and ethical standpoint, the concept of being odious serves as a warning against behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's commandments. Believers are called to live lives that are pleasing to God, characterized by love, humility, and righteousness. The New Testament further emphasizes this in passages like
Ephesians 5:1-2 : "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."
Practical Application:In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to examine their lives and rid themselves of any odious traits or behaviors. This involves a process of sanctification, where believers seek to align their lives with the teachings of Scripture and the example of Christ. Through prayer, study of the Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, individuals can grow in holiness and avoid becoming odious in the eyes of God and others.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not frequently use the term "odious," the concept is woven throughout Scripture as a reminder of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. By understanding what is considered odious, believers can strive to cultivate virtues that reflect the character of Christ and bring glory to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Hateful; abhorrent; as, an odious vice.
2. (a.) Causing or provoking hatred, repugnance, or disgust; offensive; disagreeable; repulsive; as, an odious sight; an odious smell.
Greek
4767. stugetos -- hateful... [4767() describes what is
odious (repulsive, disgusting
... From a derivative of an obsolete
apparently primary stugo (to hate); hated, ie
Odious -- hateful.
...2190. echthros -- hostile
... From a primary echtho (to hate); hateful (passively,odious, or actively, hostile);
usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan) -- enemy, foe....
Strong's Hebrew
887. baash -- to have a bad smell, to stink... root Definition to have a bad smell, to stink NASB Word Usage acts disgustingly
(1), became foul (3), become foul (2), become
odious (2), grow foul (1), made (1
...8130. sane -- to hate
... enemy, foe, be hatefulodious, utterly. A primitive root; to hate (personally) --
enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r),odious, X utterly. 8129, 8130. sane. 8131...
7381b. reach -- scent, odor
... Word Origin from the same as ruach Definition scent, odor NASB Word Usage aroma
(43), aromas (1), fragrance (9),odious* (1), scent (1), smell (3)....
Library
Of Serapion the Deacon on Whose Account John BecomesOdious to his...
... Book VI. Chapter IV."Of Serapion the Deacon on whose Account John becomes
Odious to his Clergy. Being such in disposition and...
The Misery of them who have and Prize Not
... The one are moreodious and, less sensible; more foolish, and more vicious: the
senses of the other are exceeding keen and quick upon them; yet are they not so...
Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... God. Upon our fall from God, our nature becameodious to him; no vermin
is soodious to us as the human nature was to God. When...
The Eternity and Unchangeableness of God.
... Paul thinks it anodious comparison, to compare present crosses to eternal glory:
"I think them not worthy to be compared," saith Paul, Romans 8:18....
That There is a Malignant Party Still in the Kingdom.
... We would join heartily in the desire of many, that these and other such likeodious
names of different parties and factions were taken away, but we cannot join...
The Misery of Your Fall Ariseth Naturally from the Greatness of...
... For to sin against infinite love; is to make oneself infinitely deformed: to be
infinitely deformed, is to be infinitelyodious in His eyes who once loved us...
Objections Considered.
... constitution and government of the moral world; and those who may deem them unsound,
will have to give some more solid reason than anodious epithet, before...
The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... If we do mark what is done in many (might I not say, in most?) companies, what is
it but one telling malicious stories of, or fasteningodious characters upon...
Another Archbishop
... Incomparably the mostodious of these cliques were those of the clergy, who seemed
to hesitate at no moral humiliation which would further their ambitious plans...
The Third Part.
... Even to Judas he saith, That thou doest, doe quickely; soodious is dulnesse unto
him: what else mooved him to ordaine, that the necke of the consecrated Asse...
Thesaurus
Odious (9 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Hateful; abhorrent; as, an
odious vice.
2
... smell. Multi-Version Concordance
Odious (9 Occurrences).
...Stench (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me, to make meodious
to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites....
Realized (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Hire (48 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
20000 (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Zoba (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were becomeodious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the...
Naharaim (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves
odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of...
Resources
How should a Christian view fascism? | GotQuestions.orgOdious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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