### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) is a primary verb, denoting the act of emitting an odor. While its root meaning is simply "to smell" or "to scent," its usage, particularly in the Septuagint and the New Testament, is consistently associated with an *ill* or *foul* odor, leading to the common translation "to stink." This negative semantic range highlights a state of decay, corruption, or putrefaction, making it a word that evokes repulsion and the physical reality of decomposition. It implies an advanced stage of deterioration, beyond mere staleness, pointing to an irreversible process from a natural perspective.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the profoundly significant narrative of Lazarus's resurrection. In [[John 11:39]], as Jesus commands the stone to be removed from Lazarus's tomb, Martha objects, stating, "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." This single occurrence is exceptionally potent. Martha's statement is not merely a factual observation; it underscores the grim reality of Lazarus's death and the irreversible physical process of decay that had already set in. The four-day period was crucial in Jewish thought, as it was believed that the soul lingered near the body for three days, after which decomposition would be undeniable, eliminating any possibility of resuscitation. Thus, Martha's use of ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) highlights the absolute finality of Lazarus's death from a human perspective, amplifying the magnitude of the miracle Jesus is about to perform. It sets the stage for a demonstration of divine power that transcends all natural limitations and expectations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept conveyed by ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) is closely related to several other Greek terms and theological concepts. It stands in direct relation to νεκρός (nekros, `{{G3498}}`), meaning "dead," as it describes the physical state of a deceased body. It is also conceptually linked to φθορά (phthora, `{{G5356}}`), which signifies "corruption," "decay," or "perishableness," often used in contrast to "incorruption" (ἀφθαρσία, aphtharsia, `{{G861}}`). The idea of something being "rotten" or "corrupt" is captured by σαπρός (sapros, `{{G4550}}`), though ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) specifically focuses on the olfactory manifestation of that corruption. In a broader sense, it is antithetical to ζωή (zōē, `{{G2222}}`), "life," and ἀνάστασις (anastasis, `{{G386}}`), "resurrection," as its presence signifies the triumph of death and decay, which Jesus ultimately overcomes.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) in [[John 11:39]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark symbol of the pervasive reality and consequence of sin: death and physical decay. In the biblical worldview, death is not merely a natural process but the wages of sin ([[Romans 6:23]]). Martha's blunt declaration that Lazarus "stinketh" powerfully conveys the utter hopelessness of the situation from a human vantage point, emphasizing the complete victory of death. This grim reality, however, serves to magnify the glory and authority of Jesus Christ. By raising Lazarus from such an advanced state of decomposition, Jesus demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over death, decay, and the grave. He is revealed not merely as a healer, but as "the resurrection and the life" ([[John 11:25]]), capable of reversing the most definitive effects of mortality. The stench of death is overcome by the power of divine life, prefiguring Christ's own resurrection and His ultimate victory over the powers of death and Hades.
### Summary
The Greek verb ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) means "to emit an odor," specifically a foul one, leading to the translation "to stink." Its sole occurrence in the New Testament, in [[John 11:39]], is deeply significant. Martha's declaration that Lazarus "stinketh" powerfully underscores the undeniable reality of his death and physical decay after four days in the tomb. This stark detail serves to highlight the human inability to overcome death and, crucially, to amplify the miraculous power of Jesus Christ. The word ὄζω (ozō, `{{G3605}}`) thus functions as a dramatic backdrop against which Jesus's authority as "the resurrection and the life" is revealed, demonstrating His ultimate triumph over the most pervasive consequence of sin: death and its accompanying corruption.
TRV