In the Bible, the concept of "stink" is often used metaphorically to describe moral corruption, divine judgment, or the consequences of sin. The term is employed to convey a sense of repulsion and decay, both in a physical and spiritual sense.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 34:30 · In this passage, Jacob expresses his concern about the potential repercussions of his sons' actions against the Shechemites. He says, "You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites." Here, "stink" is used to describe the damage to Jacob's reputation and the potential hostility from surrounding peoples due to the violent actions of his sons.

2. Exodus 5:21 · After Moses and Aaron's initial request to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, the Israelites' workload is increased, leading to their complaint: "May the LORD look upon you and judge you, for you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants." The term "stink" here reflects the Israelites' worsened standing and the increased animosity they face from the Egyptians.

3. Isaiah 3:24 · In a prophecy concerning the judgment of Jerusalem and Judah, Isaiah declares, "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." The "stench" symbolizes the reversal of fortune and the shame that will come upon the people due to their disobedience and idolatry.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "stink," the concept of spiritual corruption and moral decay is prevalent. The imagery of decay and repulsion is often associated with sin and the need for repentance and purification through Christ.

Theological Implications

In biblical theology, "stink" serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and disobedience. It illustrates how sin can lead to spiritual decay, damage relationships, and result in divine judgment. The imagery of stench and decay is a vivid reminder of the need for holiness and the transformative power of God's grace.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The use of "stink" in the Bible underscores the importance of maintaining a righteous life and the dangers of allowing sin to fester. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the cleansing power of God. Believers are encouraged to live lives that are pleasing to God, avoiding actions that would cause spiritual decay or bring dishonor to His name.

In summary, the biblical concept of "stink" is a multifaceted symbol of moral and spiritual corruption, serving as a warning against sin and a call to righteousness.1. (v. i.) To emit a strong, offensive smell; to send out a disgusting odor.

2. (v. t.) To cause to stink; to affect by a stink.

3. (n.) A strong, offensive smell; a disgusting odor; a stench.

3605. ozo -- to (emit a) smell
... to (emit a) smell. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ozo Phonetic Spelling:
(od'-zo) Short Definition: I stink, am offensive Definition: I stink, am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3605.htm - 6k

948. bdelussomai -- to detest
... Cognate: 948 -- properly, stink, become foul (abhorrent), detestable as ; "to strongly
detest something on the basis that it is abominable -- 'to abhor, to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/948.htm - 6k

887. baash -- to have a bad smell, to stink
... 886, 887. baash. 888 . to have a bad smell, to stink. Transliteration: baash
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-ash') Short Definition: foul. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/887.htm - 6k

2186b. zanach -- to stink, emit a stench
... to stink, emit a stench. Transliteration: zanach Short Definition: stench. ... root
Definition to stink, emit a stench NASB Word Usage emit a stench (1). ...
/hebrew/2186b.htm - 5k

4716. maq -- decay, rottenness
... rottenness, stink. From maqaq; properly, a melting, ie Putridity -- rottenness,
stink. see HEBREW maqaq. 4715, 4716. maq. 4717 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4716.htm - 6k

889. beosh -- stench
... Word Origin from baash Definition stench NASB Word Usage stench (3). stink. From
bo'r; a stench -- stink. see HEBREW bo'r. 888, 889. beosh. 890 . ...
/hebrew/889.htm - 5k

6292. piggul -- foul thing, refuse
... Or piggul {pig-gool'}; from an unused root meaning to stink; properly, fetid, ie
(figuratively) unclean (ceremonially) -- abominable(-tion, thing). ...
/hebrew/6292.htm - 6k

1201. Basha -- a king of Isr.
... NASB Word Usage Baasha (28). Baasha. From an unused root meaning to stink;
offensiveness; Basha, a king of Israel -- Baasha. 1200, 1201. Basha. 1202 . ...
/hebrew/1201.htm - 5k

890. boshah -- stinking or noxious weeds
... cockle. Feminine of b'osh; stink-weed or any other noxious or useless plant -- cockle.
see HEBREW b'osh. 889, 890. boshah. 891 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/890.htm - 6k

Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the ...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XXIV OF THE STINK OF LECHERY AND THE PERIL OF TOUCHING:
AND OF THE CURSEDNESS OF COVETOUSNESS: AND OF UNGODLY GLADNESS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxiv of the stink.htm

Jerusalem
... of the traditions give this reason, why they do not allow gardens in the city:
"They make no gardens or paradises in Jerusalem, because of the stink." The Gloss ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

Psalm XXXVIII.
... 8. "My wounds stink and are corrupt" (ver.5). Now he who has wounds is
not perfectly sound. Add to this, that the wounds "stink ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxviii.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... The Jews themselves stink in Marcellinus, and their writings stink as much amongst
all; and they labour under this I know not what singular misfortune, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/title page.htm

The Difficulty and Excellence of virginity; the Study Of
... For it must needs be that the soul which is not sprinkled with the words of Christ,
as with salt, should stink and breed worms, as King David, openly ...
/.../chapter i the difficulty and excellence.htm

The Gains of the Faithful Steward
... I know not"of that sort, that it was 'the heaviest fire insurance premium that had
been paid in the memory of man.' 'The money does not stink,' said the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the gains of the faithful.htm

First Greek Form.
... him by a single word, when the dead man had his blood corrupted, and when his body
was destroyed by the worms produced in it, and when it had the stink of a dog ...
/.../the report of pilate concerning our lord jesus christ/first greek form.htm

The Convicting Facts
... The world is full of all unrighteousness and wickedness, lust and immorality,
intemperance, cruelty, hatred; all manner of buzzing evils that stink and sting ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the convicting facts.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... Their slain also shall be cast out, and the stink of their carcases shall
come up, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/v isaiahs discourse.htm

And Jesus came to Bethany, and Found Him Already Four Days in the ...
... Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, My Lord, he hath come
to [24] stink for some time: he hath been [2622] four days dead. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxviii and jesus came.htm

Stink (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To emit a strong, offensive smell; to send out a disgusting odor. 2. (vt)
To cause to stink; to affect by a stink. ...Stink (11 Occurrences). ...
/s/stink.htm - 10k

Stench (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) 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. ...
/s/stench.htm - 10k

Foul (41 Occurrences)
... foul" (Isaiah 19:6) instead of the King James Version "They shall turn the rivers
far away," the English Revised Version "The rivers shall stink." WL Walker. ...
/f/foul.htm - 21k

Odour (43 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:21 And they said to them, Jehovah look upon you and judge, that ye have
made our odour to stink in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his bondmen ...
/o/odour.htm - 20k

Weightier (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to
stink and ferment; so a little folly is weightier than wisdom and honour. ...
/w/weightier.htm - 7k

Ferment (3 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink and ferment;
so a little folly is weightier than wisdom and honour. (DBY). ...
/f/ferment.htm - 7k

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:21 and say unto them, 'Jehovah look upon you, and judge, because ye have
caused our fragrance to stink in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his ...
/f/fragrance.htm - 27k

Drain (11 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS NAS RSV). Isaiah 19:6 and the rivers shall stink, and the streams of
Egypt shall be diminished and drain away: the reeds and sedges shall wither. ...
/d/drain.htm - 10k

Perfumer's (2 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause a perfumer's perfume To send forth a stink; The
precious by reason of wisdom -- By reason of honour -- a little folly! ...
/p/perfumer's.htm - 7k

Bade (27 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV RSV). Exodus 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade:
and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. (KJV JPS ASV RSV) ...
/b/bade.htm - 14k

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