בָּאַשׁ
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
Definition
The Hebrew verb בָּאַשׁ (bâʼash) primarily means 'to stink' or 'to emit a foul odor,' describing literal physical decay, as when the Nile's fish died and caused the river to stink (Exodus 7:21) or when manna spoiled (Exodus 16:20). Figuratively, it extends to mean 'to become odious' or 'to be offensive,' describing actions or reputations that become morally repugnant. For instance, Jacob feared his sons' violence would make him 'stink' among the Canaanites (Genesis 34:30), and the Israelites worried Moses would make them 'abhorred' in Egypt (Exodus 5:21). This dual usage connects physical corruption with social and spiritual offense.
Biblical Usage
בָּאַשׁ is used 16 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in narrative contexts describing consequences. Its literal use appears in Exodus with the plagues (Exodus 7:18, 7:21, 8:14) and spoiled manna (Exodus 16:20, 16:24). Its figurative use, meaning to become odious or loathsome, occurs in Genesis 34:30, Exodus 5:21, and 1 Samuel 13:4. The pattern shows it often follows an act that provokes a strong negative reaction, whether from decay or ethical failure.
Etymology
בָּאַשׁ is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related to the noun בְּאֹשׁ (be'osh, H887b), meaning 'stench.' Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic and Aramaic, with similar meanings of bad smell, indicating a shared linguistic root for the concept of foul odor.
Semantic Range
This word theologically illustrates the principle that sin and rebellion have corrupting consequences that extend beyond the individual, affecting communities and relationships with God. The figurative use shows how moral failure can make one 'odious' or 'abhorred,' reflecting the breakdown of covenant harmony. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the Bible's concrete imagery for sin's repulsive nature, as seen when Israel's actions made them a 'stench' to others.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a foul smell was strongly associated with death, decay, and divine judgment, as seen in the plague narratives. Socially, to 'stink' among one's neighbors meant a complete loss of honor and standing, a serious consequence in a shame-based society. This differs from modern casual use, as it carried weighty implications for reputation and survival.
שָׁקַץ (shâqats, H8262) — to detest or abhor, focusing on ritual impurity rather than odor; תּוֹעֵבָה (tôʻêbâh, H8441) — abomination, a strong term for something morally repugnant, often in a religious context.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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