In Greek this verb means to smell or give off an odor—either sweet fragrance or stench, depending on context. The New Testament's sole use is striking: in John 11:39, Martha objects to opening Lazarus's tomb with the blunt words, 'Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.' The Greek verb conveys the harsh reality of decomposition. Translators often render it 'he smells' or 'he stinks' (Spanish 'hiede'), not softening the physical fact that makes Jesus' resurrection miracle all the more astonishing.