In the Bible, the concept of "stinking" is often used metaphorically to describe moral corruption, decay, or the consequences of sin. The term is employed in various contexts, both literal and figurative, to convey the idea of something offensive or repugnant to God and man.

Old Testament References

1. Physical Decay and Death: In the Old Testament, the term "stinking" is sometimes used to describe the physical decay associated with death. For instance, in the account of the death of Lazarus, Martha expresses concern about the odor after four days in the tomb: "Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, 'Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days'" (John 11:39). Although this specific verse is from the New Testament, it reflects the cultural understanding of decay present in the Old Testament as well.

2. Moral and Spiritual Corruption: The prophets often used the imagery of stench to describe the moral and spiritual corruption of Israel. In Isaiah 3:24, the prophet warns of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness: "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" . This passage highlights the reversal of fortune and the shame that comes with turning away from God.

3. Consequences of Disobedience: In the context of the covenant, disobedience to God's commandments is often associated with a stench. In Exodus 5:21, the Israelites complain to Moses and Aaron, saying, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you, for you have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials, putting a sword in their hand to kill us" . Here, the term "stench" symbolizes the negative perception and hostility they faced due to their circumstances.

New Testament References

1. Spiritual Death and Resurrection: The New Testament continues the theme of stench in the context of spiritual death and resurrection. The account of Lazarus, as mentioned earlier, serves as a powerful illustration of Jesus' authority over death and decay. The stench of Lazarus' tomb underscores the reality of death, which Jesus overcomes through His divine power.

2. Moral Filth and Sin: The New Testament writers also use the concept of stench to describe the moral filth associated with sin. 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" . This passage highlights the dual nature of the gospel message, which is life-giving to believers but a reminder of judgment to those who reject it.

Theological Implications

The imagery of stinking in the Bible serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for spiritual renewal. It underscores the importance of living a life pleasing to God, free from the corruption and decay that sin brings. The contrast between the stench of sin and the fragrance of righteousness is a recurring theme, encouraging believers to pursue holiness and the transformative power of Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stink.

2. (a. & n.) from Stink.

891. beushim -- stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes
... beushim. 892 . stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes. Transliteration: beushim
Phonetic Spelling: (be-oo-sheem') Short Definition: ones. Word Origin pl. ...
/hebrew/891.htm - 6k

890. boshah -- stinking or noxious weeds
... 889, 890. boshah. 891 . stinking or noxious weeds. Transliteration: boshah
Phonetic Spelling: (bosh-aw') Short Definition: stinkweed. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/890.htm - 6k

Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the ...
... Nothing soothly is more perilous, fouler and more stinking for man than to put
his mind on woman's love, and desire her as blissful rest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxiv of the stink.htm

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"
... what a base nature, what abominable and brutish spirits must possess men, that they
apprehend a sweetness and fragrancy in these corrupt and stinking works of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii for they that.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... first listen to what thou sayest in the Psalm, "Let my prayer be set forth in Thy
sight as incense." [2689] When then not incense, but a stinking smoke arises ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... This alonely I can say grossly, and as in a sum, of the which all we (our hurt is
the more) have experience, the devil to be a stinking sentine of all vices; a ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/the second sermon in the.htm

If the Scorpion, Swinging his Tail in the Air...
... tail in the air, still reproach us with having a murderer for our God, I shall shudder
at the altogether foul breath of blasphemy which comes stinking from his ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter vii if the scorpion.htm

In Every Sinful Man and Woman that is Bound in Deadly Sin...
... thing that they say or do is best; and therefore they will have no counsel of another
who is better and abler than they; and this is a foul stinking pride; for ...
/.../chapter i in every sinful.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... living under, did call for at our hands? Alas! our grapes are but wild
and stinking. Wherefore (and who can think it strange, if ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

Here, it May be Said, My Book Ends Just Where it Ought to Begin. . ...
... Now, the case for this particular interference was this, that the poor are pressed
down from above into such stinking and suffocating underworlds of squalor ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 46 here it may.htm

A Mournful Exclamation and Lamentable Moan to God for the Small ...
... thee, who art our God. We all forsake thee, the Fountain of Living Waters,
for the stinking Dirt of the World. 217. O we children of ...
/.../chap xxii a mournful exclamation.htm

That in the Time of this Work a Soul Hath no Special Beholding to ...
... And because that ever the whiles thou livest in this wretched life, thee behoveth
always feel in some part this foul stinking lump of sin, as it were oned and ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fortieth chapter.htm

Stinking (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stink. 2. (a. & n.) from
Stink. Multi-Version Concordance Stinking (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/stinking.htm - 7k

Cockle (1 Occurrence)
... kok'-'-l (King James Version margin "stinking weeds," the Revised Version, margin
"noisome weeds"; bo'shah, from Hebrew root ba'ash, "to stink"; batos): "Let ...
/c/cockle.htm - 8k

Fetid (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having an offensive smell; stinking.
Multi-Version Concordance Fetid (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes ...
/f/fetid.htm - 6k

Reputation (12 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth
a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom ...
/r/reputation.htm - 11k

Apothecary (4 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth
a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom ...
/a/apothecary.htm - 9k

Abhor (23 Occurrences)
... (1) Translated in the Old Testament from the following Hebrew words amongst others:
(ba'ash), "to be or to become stinking" (1 Samuel 27:12 2 Samuel 16:21); (ga ...
/a/abhor.htm - 14k

Stinks (1 Occurrence)

/s/stinks.htm - 6k

Stink (11 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth
a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom ...
/s/stink.htm - 10k

Stinketh (5 Occurrences)

/s/stinketh.htm - 8k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth
a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

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Stinking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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