In the biblical context, odours often refer to fragrances or aromas that hold significant spiritual and ceremonial importance. The use of odours in the Bible is closely associated with worship, sacrifice, and the presence of God. These fragrances are typically derived from spices, incense, and oils, which were integral to the religious practices of the Israelites.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, odours are frequently mentioned in relation to the tabernacle and temple worship. The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions for the preparation of sacred incense, which was to be burned before the Lord as a pleasing aroma. Exodus 30:34-38 outlines the specific ingredients for this incense, emphasizing its sanctity and the prohibition against using it for personal purposes: "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures... It is to be most holy to you."

The burnt offerings and sacrifices made by the Israelites were also described as producing a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord. This phrase signifies God's acceptance of the offerings and the worshiper's sincere devotion. Leviticus 1:9 states, "The priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

New Testament Significance

In the New Testament, the concept of odours takes on a more spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of fragrance to describe the spread of the Gospel and the believers' lives as a testimony to Christ. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul writes, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

Additionally, the gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus included frankincense and myrrh, both of which are aromatic substances. These gifts, as recorded in Matthew 2:11, symbolize the recognition of Jesus' kingship and foreshadow His sacrificial death.

Symbolism and Spiritual Application

Odours in the Bible often symbolize prayer and worship ascending to God. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are depicted as incense: "And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

The use of odours in Scripture underscores the importance of purity, holiness, and the believer's relationship with God. Just as the incense and offerings were to be pure and pleasing, so too are the lives and prayers of believers to be a fragrant offering to the Lord.

The Immortal Prayers of the Saints
... THE IMMORTAL PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS ". . . Golden vials full of odours, which are
the prayers of saints." " Rev.5:8. ... Golden vials full of odours . . .". ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 13 the immortal prayers.htm

Of Self-Annihilation
... sublimating the soul, and causing it to ascend unto God; therefore, in proportion
as the soul is melted and dissolved, in like proportion do odours issue from ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xx of self-annihilation.htm

In a Former Passage, Celsus had Spoken at Length on the Subject of ...
... the fortunes of men and cities, and concern themselves about mortal affairs, are
earth-spirits, who are given up to fleshly lust, blood, odours, sweet sounds ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxii in a former.htm

The Altar of Incense
... us what that meant. What could that rising cloud of sweet odours signify
but the ascent of the soul towards God? Put that into more ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the altar of incense.htm

The Phoenix
... Hence she collects juices and odours, which the Assyrian gathers from the rich wood,
which the wealthy Arabian gathers; which either the Pygm??an [2036] nations ...
/.../lactantius/of the manner in which the persecutors died/the phoenix.htm

Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades ...
... In sooth, the agency of blood pertains to some, that of odours to others.
If, before idols were in the world, idolatry, hitherto ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xi connection between covetousness and.htm

Rev. 5:To the End.
... elders worship at his feet; the church adores around,. With vials full of odours
rich,. and harps of sweetest sound. These odours are the pray'rs of saints,. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/65 rev 5 6 to the.htm

Will any one Say that Incense is Given to the Celestials...
... So then, if the gods also breathe and inhale odours enwrapt in the air that accompanies
them, it is not untrue to say that they live upon what is received from ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/28 will any one say.htm

Celsus, However, Suspecting that the Tendency of Such Teaching as ...
... we ought not to despise the opinion of those wise men who say that most of the
earth-demons are taken up with carnal indulgence, blood, odours, sweet sounds ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lx celsus however suspecting.htm

For Consider with Yourself which Disposition of Mind Will be More ...
... For it is probable that they, as being wicked creatures, and, as Celsus confesses,
addicted to blood, sacrificial odours, sweet sounds, and such like, will not ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxi for consider with.htm

Odours (8 Occurrences)
...Odours (8 Occurrences). ... (See JPS). Ezra 6:10 that they may present sweet odours to
the God of the heavens, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons. ...
/o/odours.htm - 9k

Beasts (241 Occurrences)
... the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the ...
/b/beasts.htm - 40k

Of (369523 Occurrences)

/o/of.htm - 8k

Odour (43 Occurrences)

/o/odour.htm - 20k

Vials (5 Occurrences)
... the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the ...
/v/vials.htm - 8k

Ointments (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and
wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses ...
/o/ointments.htm - 9k

Maid's (2 Occurrences)
... of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit,
six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other ...
/m/maid's.htm - 7k

Purifications (3 Occurrences)
... of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit,
six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other ...
/p/purifications.htm - 7k

Purifying (17 Occurrences)
... of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit,
six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other ...
/p/purifying.htm - 11k

Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... the women, twelve months--for so were the days of their anointing accomplished,
to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six month with sweet odours, and with ...
/a/ahasu-e'rus.htm - 15k

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