The Hebrew word tsachănâh, represented by H6709, denotes ill savour or stench. It is derived from an unused root that means to putrefy. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the biblical text, making its single usage particularly significant.
The sole appearance of H6709 is in the book of Joel, in a prophecy describing God's deliverance of His people from a "northern army." God promises to drive this invading force into a "barren and desolate land." In this context of judgment and destruction, the text states, "and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things" Joel 2:20. The word powerfully illustrates the foul outcome of the defeated army, whose might is reduced to a putrid smell.
The meaning of H6709 is sharpened by several words used alongside it in its only context:
- H889 bᵉʼôsh (stink): Used in direct parallel with H6709 in Joel 2:20, this word emphasizes the offensive odor of decay. It also appears in contexts of judgment, such as the "stink of your camps" Amos 4:10 and the stench from carcasses after a battle Isaiah 34:3.
- H6723 tsîyâh (barren, drought, dry land): This describes the type of land where the army is driven to perish Joel 2:20. It consistently refers to a wilderness or solitary place, a land of drought and lifelessness (Jeremiah 2:6, Isaiah 35:1).
- H8077 shᵉmâmâh (desolate, devastation): Paired with H6723, this word reinforces the totality of the army's doom. It is frequently used to describe the ruin of lands and cities as a consequence of judgment (Isaiah 1:7, Jeremiah 34:22).
The theological weight of H6709 is concentrated in its vivid depiction of divine judgment.
- The Odor of Defeat: The "ill savour" is a tangible symbol of the final, ignominious end of a powerful force that opposed God's people. It represents the decay that follows arrogant pride.
- Consequence of Hubris: The prophecy in Joel 2:20 explicitly links this foul end to the army's own actions, stating its ill savour will rise "because he hath done great things." This frames the stench as the direct result of prideful ambition meeting divine justice.
- Symbol of Purification: By removing the northern army and turning it into a stench, God is depicted as purifying the land and delivering His people from an overwhelming threat. The ill savour is evidence of the threat's complete annihilation.
In summary, H6709 is a rare but potent term. As ill savour, its single appearance in Joel 2:20 offers a graphic sensory image of utter destruction. It functions as the climax of a divine judgment, where the pride of a mighty army is reduced to nothing more than a foul stench rising from a desolate wasteland, signifying the finality of God's victory over His enemies.
TRV