In the Bible, the concept of "stinks" is often associated with decay, corruption, and the consequences of sin. The term is used both literally and metaphorically to describe situations that are offensive or displeasing to God and man.

Old Testament References

1. Exodus 7:18 · In the account of the plagues of Egypt, the Nile River is turned to blood, causing the fish to die and the river to stink. This event is a demonstration of God's power and judgment against the false gods of Egypt: "The fish in the Nile will die, the river will stink, and the Egyptians will be unable to drink its water."

2. Exodus 16:20 · When the Israelites gathered manna in disobedience to God's command, the leftover manna bred worms and stank. This serves as a lesson in obedience and trust in God's provision: "But they did not listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. So Moses was angry with them."

3. Isaiah 3:24 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of the judgment that will come upon the daughters of Zion due to their pride and haughtiness. Instead of sweet perfume, there will be a stench, symbolizing the reversal of their fortunes and the consequences of their sin: "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."

New Testament References

1. John 11:39 · In the account of Lazarus's resurrection, Martha expresses concern about the stench from the tomb, as Lazarus had been dead for four days. This highlights the reality of death and decay, setting the stage for Jesus' miraculous demonstration of His power over death: "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, 'Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days.'"

Metaphorical Use

The concept of "stinks" is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe moral and spiritual corruption. The stench of sin is offensive to God, and it serves as a warning to the faithful to live lives of holiness and righteousness.

Spiritual Implications

In a spiritual sense, the stench of sin is contrasted with the pleasing aroma of righteousness and obedience. Believers are called to be a "fragrant offering" to God, living lives that are pleasing to Him (Ephesians 5:2). The imagery of stench versus fragrance serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the beauty of a life devoted to God.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "stinks" serves as a vivid illustration of the effects of sin and disobedience. It underscores the importance of living in accordance with God's will and the transformative power of His grace to turn what is offensive into something beautiful and pleasing in His sight.

Since These Things are So, Suffer Me Awhile...
... Ye have the same cause which the Apostle had, to cut off occasion from them which
seek occasion, that they who by their stinks are suffocated, by your good ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 36 since these things.htm

There Is, Let us Say, a Certain Filthy Rookery in Hoxton...
... Long before the final quarrel (Hudge v. Gudge and Another), Gudge has succeeded
in persuading himself that slums and stinks are really very nice things; that ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 9 there is let.htm

And as we are Now Speaking of the Animals Sacrificed...
... that deity abstain from the flesh of goats because of some reverential and religious
scruple, another turn with disgust from pork, while to this mutton stinks? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/18 and as we are.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... hypocrite a saint indeed. The rotten egg, though underneath the hen, If
crack'd, stinks, and is loathsome unto men. Nor doth her warmth ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... it would seem to be quite inapplicable, for if it be a child that is dead he says,
"Maid, arise;" or if it be Lazarus, who by this time stinks, being four days ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

Letter of Martin Luther to Pope Leo X.
... At this day the name of the Court of Rome stinks in the nostrils of the world, the
papal authority is growing weak, and its notorious ignorance is evil spoken ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/letter of martin luther to.htm

Dedicatory
... At this day the name of the Court of Rome stinks in the nostrils of the world, the
papal authority is growing weak, and its notorious ignorance is evil spoken ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/dedicatory.htm

Even Now
... And there are some men of whom we are compelled to say, no matter how much
our love seeks to shield them, that their character stinks. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/even now.htm

Recommendation.
... that loveliness of the one may engage men into a loathing of the other, this dead
carion and stinking carcase of rotten morality, which still stinks in the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/recommendation.htm

Hypocrisy
... an item here which you usually forget, it is this"that despite of your profession
God abhors you, and if there is one man more than another who stinks in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/hypocrisy.htm

Stinks (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stinks (1 Occurrence). ... Martha, the sister of the dead,
says to him, Lord, he stinks already, for he is four days there. (DBY). ...
/s/stinks.htm - 6k

Stinkweed (1 Occurrence)

/s/stinkweed.htm - 6k

Stinking (1 Occurrence)

/s/stinking.htm - 7k

Already (171 Occurrences)
... John 11:39 Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says
to him, Lord, he stinks already, for he is four days there. (DBY YLT). ...
/a/already.htm - 36k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus