In the Bible, the term "nostril" is often used in a literal sense to describe the physical part of the human body, but it also carries significant symbolic meaning. The nostrils are mentioned in various contexts, often relating to the breath of life, divine anger, and the power of God.

Creation and the Breath of Life

The nostrils are first mentioned in the context of creation. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This passage highlights the nostrils as the entry point for the breath of life, signifying the intimate act of God giving life to humanity. The breath of life is a divine gift, and the nostrils serve as the conduit through which this life-giving breath is imparted.

Divine Anger and Judgment

The nostrils are also associated with the expression of God's anger and judgment. In 2 Samuel 22:9 , it is described, "Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth." This vivid imagery portrays God's nostrils as a source of smoke, symbolizing His wrath and the impending judgment upon the wicked. Similarly, in Job 41:20 , the description of Leviathan includes, "Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds." This further emphasizes the association of nostrils with powerful and fearsome expressions of divine power.

Human Emotion and Frailty

In addition to divine attributes, nostrils are used to describe human emotion and frailty. In Isaiah 2:22 , it is advised, "Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?" This verse underscores the transient and fragile nature of human life, as the breath in one's nostrils is temporary and dependent on God's sustaining power. It serves as a reminder of human limitations and the futility of placing ultimate trust in mortal beings.

Symbol of Life and Vitality

The nostrils are also a symbol of life and vitality. In Ezekiel 37:5 , during the vision of the valley of dry bones, God declares, "This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life." Although the term "nostrils" is not explicitly mentioned, the concept of breath entering the body to bring life is reminiscent of the creation account, where the nostrils are the entry point for the divine breath.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the nostrils serve as a powerful symbol of life, divine power, and human frailty. They are a reminder of the life-giving breath of God, the righteous anger of the Almighty, and the transient nature of human existence. The imagery associated with nostrils in Scripture invites reflection on the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing both the dependence of creation on the Creator and the awe-inspiring power of the divine.1. (n.) One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares.

2. (n.) Perception; insight; acuteness.

3456. mukterizo -- to turn up the nose or sneer at
... disdain ( reject). Word Origin from mukter (nostril) Definition to turn up
the nose or sneer at NASB Word Usage mocked (1). mock. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3456.htm - 6k639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger
... 638, 639. aph. 640 . a nostril, nose, face, anger. Transliteration: aph
Phonetic Spelling: (af) Short Definition: anger. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/639.htm - 6k

5156. nachir -- a nostril
... a nostril. Transliteration: nachir Phonetic Spelling: (nekh-eer') Short Definition:
nostrils. ... From the same as nachar; a nostril -- (dual) nostrils. ...
/hebrew/5156.htm - 6k

How they be Deceived that Follow the Fervour of Spirit in ...
... and by some unto whom the fiend hath appeared in bodily likeness; that in what bodily
likeness the fiend appeareth, evermore he hath but one nostril, and that ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 4.htm

A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... 'Neath the poop's hollow arch was making sleep. Re-echo stertorous with nostril
wide. ... And said, "Why sing'st, with vocal nostril, dreams,. In such a crisis? ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/1 a strain of jonah.htm

The Avenging of the Saviour.
... called Burgidalla. And Titus had a sore in his right nostril, on account
of a cancer, and he had his face torn even to the eye. There ...
/.../unknown/the avenging of the saviour/the avenging of the saviour.htm

The Argument for Christian Practices Becomes all the Stronger...
... It is as much against nature to long after a flower with the head, as it
is to crave food with the ear, or sound with the nostril. ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter v the argument for.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... Blinded, with scarf and kerchief wrapped over mouth and nostril, the fleeing
party swept down upon the very heart of that stifling mystery. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

The Heir to the Throne
... The arch of the brow, and the conspicuous distance between it and the eye below,
the disdainful tension of the nostril and the drooping corners of the mouth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

The Destruction of Sennacherib
... And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide, But through it there roll'd not
the breath of his pride: And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the destruction of sennacherib.htm

Psalm II.
... shall have them in derision." Nothing of this however must be taken in a carnal
sort, as if God either laugheth with cheek, or derideth with nostril; but it is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ii.htm

Type of those Born under Scorpio.
... the following description: a maidenish countenance, comely, pungent, blackish hair,
well-shaped eyes, forehead not broad, and sharp nostril, small contracted ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxii type of those born.htm

1 Cor. I. 18-20
... And why hear we not with the nostril, and with the hearing smell?" If then, he being
in doubt about these things, and we unable to give the explanation of them ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 1 cor i.htm

Nostril (4 Occurrences)
... the anterior nares. 2. (n.) Perception; insight; acuteness. Multi-Version
Concordance Nostril (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:22 ...
/n/nostril.htm - 7k

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)

/n/nostrils.htm - 17k

Nosejewels
... East. It was a ring of from an inch to about three inches (in extreme cases)
in diameter, and was passed through the right nostril. ...
/n/nosejewels.htm - 8k

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
... East. It was a ring of from an inch to about three inches (in extreme cases)
in diameter, and was passed through the right nostril. ...
/n/nose-jewels.htm - 9k

Noses (4 Occurrences)

/n/noses.htm - 7k

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)
... The general coloration is tawny, but it is creamy white below and on the rump,
and has a narrow white line from above the eye to the nostril. ...
/g/gazelle.htm - 13k

Thrill (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A warbling; a trill. 2. (n.) A breathing
place or hole; a nostril, as of a bird. 3. (vt) To perforate ...
/t/thrill.htm - 7k

Anger (387 Occurrences)
... of 'aph (lit. "nostril," "countenance"), which is used some 45 times of
human, 177 times of Divine, anger (OHL). The word occurs ...
/a/anger.htm - 54k

Face (780 Occurrences)
... fas: In Hebrew the translation of three expressions: (1) panim (2) `ayin, literally,
"eye" and (3) 'aph, literally, "nose," "nostril," already noted under the ...
/f/face.htm - 47k

Polygamy
... THE MOGUL 1525-1857 A war steed coursed out the wind-swept north, Jarring the crags
with hoofs of fire, Snuffing far battle with nostril wide, Neighing the joy ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

What does the Bible say about nose rings / getting a nose ring? | GotQuestions.org

Nostril: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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