Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "stench" is often used metaphorically to describe the repugnant nature of sin, corruption, and divine judgment. The term is employed to convey the idea of something offensive and detestable in the sight of God and man.
Old Testament References1.
Moral and Spiritual Corruption: In the Old Testament, stench is frequently associated with moral decay and spiritual corruption. For instance, in
Isaiah 3:24, the prophet Isaiah warns the people of Judah about the consequences of their pride and vanity: "Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty." Here, the stench symbolizes the shame and degradation that will result from their sinful behavior.
2.
Divine Judgment: The imagery of stench is also used to depict the severity of God's judgment. In
Exodus 7:18, during the first plague in Egypt, the Nile River is turned to blood, causing the fish to die and the river to stink: "The fish in the Nile will die, the river will stink, and the Egyptians will be unable to drink its water." This stench serves as a physical manifestation of God's displeasure and a warning to the Egyptians.
3.
Decay and Death: In the context of decay and death, stench is used to describe the physical reality of decomposition. In the account of the death of Lazarus, Martha expresses concern about the odor after four days in the tomb: "Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days" (
John 11:39). This highlights the natural process of decay, which is often used as a metaphor for the spiritual decay resulting from sin.
New Testament References1.
Spiritual Death: The New Testament continues to use the imagery of stench to describe spiritual death and separation from God. In
2 Corinthians 2:15-16, Paul contrasts the aroma of Christ with the stench of death: "For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life." Here, the stench represents the rejection of the Gospel and the resulting spiritual death.
2.
Hypocrisy and False Teaching: The stench of hypocrisy and false teaching is another theme in the New Testament. In
Revelation 3:16, the church in Laodicea is warned about their lukewarm faith: "So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth." Although the term "stench" is not explicitly used, the imagery of being vomited out conveys a similar sense of repulsion and rejection.
Symbolism and Theological ImplicationsThe use of stench in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It underscores the idea that sin is not only offensive to God but also leads to spiritual decay and death. The imagery of stench calls believers to repentance and a renewed commitment to holiness, reminding them of the sweet aroma of a life lived in obedience to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To stanch.
2. (n.) A smell; an odor.
3. (n.) An ill smell; an offensive odor; a stink.
4. (n.) To cause to emit a disagreeable odor; to cause to stink.
Greek
3605. ozo -- to (emit a) smell... stink, am offensive. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to (emit a) smell
NASB Word Usage
stench (1). to smell, stink. A primary
...946. bdelugma -- a detestable thing
... 946 (from 948 , derived from , "to reek withstench") -- properly, what emits a
foul odor and hence is (); (figuratively) as a (like when people refuse to hear...
Strong's Hebrew
889. beosh --stench...stench. Transliteration: beosh Phonetic Spelling: (be-oshe') Short Definition:
stench.
Word Origin from baash Definition
stench NASB Word Usage
stench (3). stink
...2186b. zanach -- to stink, emit astench
... to stink, emit astench. Transliteration: zanach Short Definition:stench.... root
Definition to stink, emit astench NASB Word Usage emit astench (1)....
6709. tsachanah -- astench
... astench. Transliteration: tsachanah Phonetic Spelling: (tsakh-an-aw') Short Definition:
smell.... From an unused root meaning to putrefy;stench -- ill savour....
Library
"I was Delivered from the Enemy by the virtue of Christ's Passion"
... AFTER this the Fiend came again with his heat and with hisstench, and gave me much
ado, [285] thestench was so vile and so painful, and also dreadful and...
Then, after all These Things, the Heavens Will not Give their Dew....
... will not give their dew, the clouds will not give their rain, the earth will refuse
to yield its fruits, the sea shall be filled withstench, the rivers shall...
An Exhortation to Mourning and Confession of Sins for Christ is...
... 58. If you have confessed at the call of Christ the bars will be broken, and every
chain loosed, even thestench of the bodily corruption be grievous....
In Urging Repentance St. ...
... Thus did that woman in the Gospel, and wiped out thestench of her sin; thus did
she wash away her fault, when washing the feet of Jesus with her tears. 67....
"All was Closed, and I Saw no More. " "For the Folly of Feeling a...
... And anon a light smoke came in the door, with a great heat and a foulstench....
I asked them that were with me if they felt anystench....
How one in the Province of the Northumbrians, Rose from the Dead...
... depths below. Moreover, astench, foul beyond compare, burst forth with the
vapours, and filled all those dark places. "Having stood...
About the Young Man who Killed the Maiden.
... hateful in appearance, all black, and his clothing exceedingly filthy; and he led
me away to a place where there were many chasms, and a greatstench and most...
To Gregory xi
... For, breathing thestench of the life of many rulers whom you know yourself to be
incarnate demons, they fell into the worst of fears, so that they did like...
The Avenging of the Saviour.
... Then there was a greatstench in that city from the corpses of those dead
men. And their kings feared with a very great fear even...
Pythagoras Taught, Accordingly, that He had Himself Been...
... may agree with your gentleness and innocence; for you can draw forth from the dung
heap within your breast alike the odour of roses and thestench of corpses...
Thesaurus
Stench (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Stench (12 Occurrences).
... 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one
a
stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life.
...Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... Text would have to be considered as tiqqun copherim (a correction of the scribes)
for 'appi, "my face." Or read "They cause theirstench (zemoratham) to come...
Stems (31 Occurrences)
Step (41 Occurrences)
Odious (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:21 and they said to them, "May Yahweh look at you, and judge, because you
have made us astench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes...
Offensive (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:21 and they said to them, "May Yahweh look at you, and judge, because you
have made us astench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes...
Odor (46 Occurrences)
... John 11:39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was
dead, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is astench, for he has been dead...
Officials (229 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:21 and they said to them, "May Yahweh look at you, and judge, because you
have made us astench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes...
Task (37 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one astench from death to death; to the other
a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (See NIV)....
Remove (173 Occurrences)
... John 11:39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was
dead, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is astench, for he has been dead...
Resources
What is Kinism? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian wear perfume / cologne? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a solemn assembly in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgStench: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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