Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:Rottenness, in a biblical context, often refers to decay, corruption, or moral degradation. It is used metaphorically to describe the destructive effects of sin and the deterioration of spiritual and moral integrity. The term conveys a sense of something that was once whole and sound but has become spoiled and worthless.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 12:4 : "A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones." This verse contrasts the virtues of a noble wife with the detrimental effects of a shameful one. The imagery of "rottenness in his bones" suggests deep, internal decay, indicating how profoundly a lack of virtue can affect a person's life and well-being.
2.
Proverbs 14:30 : "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Here, rottenness is associated with envy, highlighting how destructive emotions can lead to spiritual and even physical decay. The verse emphasizes the importance of inner peace and contentment as a source of life and health.
3.
Habakkuk 3:16 : "I heard and my heart pounded; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled beneath me. Yet I must wait quietly for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us." In this passage, the prophet Habakkuk describes a visceral reaction to the impending judgment and calamity. The "decay" or "rottenness" in his bones symbolizes the overwhelming fear and anxiety in the face of divine judgment.
Theological Implications:Rottenness serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and moral failure. It illustrates how sin can infiltrate and corrupt the very core of a person's being, leading to spiritual death. The Bible often uses physical decay to symbolize the internal and spiritual corruption that results from turning away from God's commandments.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons:1.
Integrity and Virtue: The contrast between rottenness and integrity underscores the value of living a life of virtue and righteousness. Just as physical rottenness can destroy the body, moral corruption can erode one's character and spiritual health.
2.
Guarding the Heart:Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This highlights the importance of maintaining a pure and undivided heart to prevent the onset of spiritual rottenness.
3.
Repentance and Renewal: The Bible offers hope for those who have experienced spiritual decay through repentance and renewal.
Psalm 51:10 pleads, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This prayer reflects the possibility of restoration and healing through God's grace.
Conclusion:While the Bible uses the imagery of rottenness to depict the dire consequences of sin, it also points to the hope of redemption and renewal through faith and obedience to God. By understanding and heeding these lessons, believers are encouraged to pursue a life of holiness and integrity, avoiding the spiritual decay that comes from sin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ROT; ROTTENNESSrot, rot'-'-n-nes (verb raqebh, noun raqabh (riqqabhon,Job 41:27), with maq, "decay" (Isaiah 5:24), and `abhash, "shrivel" (soJoel 1:17 the Revised Version margin)): "Rottenness of the bones" (Proverbs 12:4;Proverbs 14:30Habakkuk 3:16) is ulceration (caries) of the bones, used as an example of an intensely painful disease. the King James Version, in addition, has "rot" inNumbers 5:21, 22, 27, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "fall away" (naphal), but a euphemistic paraphrase is in point (see the comms.). InJeremiah 38:11, 12 the King James Version has "old rotten rags" for melach, "rag" (the Revised Version (British and American) "wornout garments," a translation that specializes too far).
Greek
5356. phthora -- destruction, corruption... phthora Phonetic Spelling: (fthor-ah') Short Definition: corruption, destruction,
decay Definition: corruption, destruction, decay,
rottenness, decomposition.
...Strong's Hebrew
7538. raqab --rottenness, decay... 7537, 7538. raqab. 7539 .
rottenness, decay. Transliteration: raqab
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kawb') Short Definition:
rottenness.
...4716. maq -- decay,rottenness
... 4715, 4716. maq. 4717 . decay,rottenness. Transliteration: maq Phonetic Spelling:
(mak) Short Definition: putrefaction....rottenness, stink....
7539. riqqabon --rottenness, decay
... 7538, 7539. riqqabon. 7540 .rottenness, decay. Transliteration: riqqabon
Phonetic Spelling: (rik-kaw-bone') Short Definition: rotten....
7455. roa -- badness, evil
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition badness, evil NASB Word Usage evil
(10),rottenness (4), sad (1), sadness (1), ugliness (1), wickedness (2)....
Library
A Life for a Life
... Christ said that the followers of Him are the salt of the earth and it is that
salt that helps to take away therottenness of the world....
How the Kindly-Disposed and the Envious are to be Admonished.
... them. Whence it is written, Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh,
but envy therottenness of the bones (Proverbs 14:30)....
The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.4. A virtuous woman
is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is asrottenness in his...
"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because Sin,"
... searched. Many are like the sepulchres Christ speaks of,"without, painted
and fair,"within, no thing butrottenness and dead bones....
The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... Christians, the followers of Christ, He said, are the salt of the earth, and
it is that salt that takes away therottenness of the world....
John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... if the Lord Himself says, "But I am a worm and no man," [19] who will hesitate to
say what is written also in Job, "How much more is manrottenness, and the...
John Chapter ii. 4-Jan
... not visible. When withdrawn from the body, the latter is a mere carcase:
first, it in a manner preserves it fromrottenness. For...
1 John iv. 17-21
... The fear of God so wounds as doth the leech's knife; [2457] it takes away
therottenness, and seems to make the wound greater. Behold...
The Mediator --The Interpreter
... You have been forced to cry with Habakkuk, "When I heard, my belly trembled; my
lips quivered at the voice:rottenness entered into my bones." And God intended...
Religion --A Reality
... Men have made pretences of wondrous sanctity, whilst inwardly full ofrottenness;
and sinners have learned to argue with terrible logic: "They are none of them...
Thesaurus
Rottenness (9 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ROT;
ROTTENNESS. rot, rot'-'-n
... far).
Multi-Version Concordance
Rottenness (9 Occurrences). Proverbs 12
...Rot (15 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ROT;ROTTENNESS.... (See NAS). Hosea 5:12 Therefore
I am to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah likerottenness....
Rotten (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Hosea 5:12 Therefore I am to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah
likerottenness. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)....
Decay (18 Occurrences)
... soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward
dissolution or extinction; corruption;rottenness; decline; deterioration...
Root (54 Occurrences)
... a figurative sense, eg "root of the righteous" (Proverbs 12:3, 12); "root that beareth
gall" (Deuteronomy 29:18); "Their root shall be asrottenness" (Isaiah 5...
Bones (98 Occurrences)
... Thus the expression "rottenness of the bones" (Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 14:30) signifies
the feelings of a man whose wife causes him shame and confusion, or is...
Quiver (9 Occurrences)
...Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait
quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us....
Quivered (1 Occurrence)
...Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait
quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us....
Virtuous (5 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh
ashamed is asrottenness in his bones. (KJV JPS WBS YLT)....
Overcometh (12 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 3:16 I have heard, and my belly trembleth, At the noise have my lips quivered,
Rottenness doth come into my bones, And in my place I do tremble, That...
Resources
How can we experience true freedom in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat if I don't feel saved? | GotQuestions.orgRottenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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