Stunk
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The term "stunk" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of unpleasant odors and their symbolic meanings are present throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, odors often carried significant symbolic weight, representing both physical and spiritual realities.

Symbolism of Odors in Scripture

1. Pleasant Aromas: In the Bible, pleasant aromas are often associated with offerings and sacrifices that are pleasing to God. For example, in Genesis 8:21 , after Noah offered burnt offerings to the Lord, it is written, "When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.'"

2. Unpleasant Odors: Conversely, unpleasant odors are frequently used to symbolize corruption, decay, and sin. In Isaiah 3:24 , the prophet Isaiah speaks of judgment upon the daughters of Zion, saying, "Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty." Here, the stench represents the consequences of their pride and sin.

3. Moral and Spiritual Decay: The imagery of stench is also used metaphorically to describe moral and spiritual decay. In Exodus 5:21 , the Israelites, oppressed by the Egyptians, say to Moses and Aaron, "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." The "stench" here symbolizes the Israelites' perceived disgrace and the increased burden placed upon them.

4. Death and Decay: The association of stench with death is evident in the account of Lazarus. In John 11:39 , when Jesus arrives at the tomb of Lazarus, Martha, the sister of the deceased, warns, "Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days." The physical decay of Lazarus' body is a stark reminder of the reality of death, which Jesus overcomes by raising Lazarus from the dead.

Theological Implications

The use of stench and unpleasant odors in the Bible often serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and the need for purification and redemption. Just as a foul odor is repulsive, so is sin in the sight of a holy God. The call to repentance and the promise of cleansing through Christ is a central theme in Scripture, offering hope and restoration to those who turn from their sinful ways.

Practical Application

For believers, the imagery of stench can serve as a reminder to live lives that are pleasing to God, characterized by righteousness and holiness. As the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:15 , "For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Christians are called to be a pleasing aroma to God, reflecting the character of Christ in a world often marked by moral and spiritual decay.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (imp. & p. p.) of Stink.

2. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Stink.

Library

The Plagues of Egypt
... whole land. 'And the fish that were in the river died, and the river stunk,
and there was blood through all the land of Egypt.'. The ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon x the plagues of.htm

Paul at Philippi
... they were leaves of the 'Book of Life' will be obliterated and unknown, and when
all the flashing cressets in Vanity Fair have smoked and stunk themselves out ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at philippi.htm

A Miracle of Grace
... used to tell of a wicked son who said be would not live in the same house that his
father had inhabited, for he said that every room in the house stunk of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a miracle of grace.htm

Formalities of Prayer: Conclusion
... Of confessions we have an example in: From all my transgressions deliver me. And
elsewhere: My wounds have stunk and been corrupt because of my folly. ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter xx formalities of prayer .htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... burial; but that I am not come to as yet, having got no further than to Mr. Badman's
death; but forasmuch as he must be buried, after he hath stunk out his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Life of Mr. William Vetch.
... It is said, his head swelled bigger than two heads, and his body stunk, so that
they were obliged to take him out in the night, and bury him incognito[263]. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr william 3.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... mercy on me! When I was at Damascus, I stunk so horribly like a blood-sucker,
that I became a terror to all thereabout. Yea, Ananias ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

Reprobation Asserted: Or, the Doctrine of Eternal Election and ...
... to Lazarus, 'Come forth'; yet the one obeyed, the other did not; though he that
obeyed was least in a capacity to do it, he being now dead, and stunk in his ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/reprobation asserted or the doctrine.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Thesaurus
Stunk (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (v.) imp. & pp of Stink. Multi-Version Concordance Stunk (1 Occurrence). Psalms
38:5 Stunk -- become corrupt have my wounds, Because of my folly. (YLT). ...
/s/stunk.htm - 6k

Stank (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Weak; worn out. 2. (vi) To sigh. 3. (imp.) Stunk. 4. (n.) Water retained
by an embankment; a pool water. 5. (n.) A dam or mound to stop water. ...
/s/stank.htm - 8k

Stunned (3 Occurrences)

/s/stunned.htm - 7k

Stung (1 Occurrence)

/s/stung.htm - 6k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 38:5 Stunk -- become corrupt have my wounds,
Because of my folly. (YLT NAS NIV). Psalms 49:13 This their ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Resources
Stunk: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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