In the Bible, the sense of smell is often associated with both physical and spiritual dimensions. It is used metaphorically to describe the pleasing or displeasing nature of sacrifices, offerings, and even the moral state of individuals or nations.

Sacrifices and Offerings

The sense of smell is prominently featured in the context of sacrifices and offerings. In the Old Testament, the aroma of burnt offerings is frequently described as "a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This phrase underscores the idea that the sacrifices, when offered with a sincere heart, are acceptable and pleasing to God. For instance, in Genesis 8:21 , after Noah offered burnt offerings following the flood, it is written, "When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.'"

Similarly, in Leviticus, the phrase "a pleasing aroma to the LORD" is repeated numerous times in the context of various offerings (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17). This repetition emphasizes the importance of the heart and intent behind the offerings, rather than the mere ritualistic act.

Metaphorical Use

The sense of smell is also used metaphorically to describe moral and spiritual conditions. In 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life." Here, Paul uses the metaphor of aroma to describe the impact of the Gospel and the presence of believers in the world. To those who accept the message of Christ, believers are a life-giving fragrance, while to those who reject it, they are an odor of death.

Divine Displeasure

Conversely, the Bible also speaks of odors that are displeasing to God, symbolizing sin and rebellion. In Isaiah 65:5 , God expresses His displeasure with hypocritical worship, saying, "They say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long." This imagery conveys God's rejection of insincere worship and self-righteousness.

Symbol of Restoration and Blessing

In the prophetic literature, the sense of smell is sometimes used to symbolize restoration and blessing. In Hosea 14:6-7 , the restoration of Israel is described with the imagery of fragrance: "His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. They will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine, and his renown will be like the wine of Lebanon." Here, the pleasant fragrance symbolizes the beauty and prosperity that will come with God's blessing and restoration.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the sense of smell serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual realities. It reflects the nature of human offerings to God, the moral and spiritual state of individuals and communities, and the divine response to human actions. Whether as a pleasing aroma or a displeasing odor, the imagery of smell in Scripture invites believers to consider the sincerity and purity of their worship and lives before God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Smell.

2. (n.) The act of one who smells.

3. (n.) The sense by which odors are perceived; the sense of smell.

3750. osphresis -- the sense of smell, smelling
... the sense of smell, smelling. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: osphresis
Phonetic Spelling: (os'-fray-sis) Short Definition: the sense of smell ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3750.htm - 6k

2238. heduosmon -- sweet smelling
... sweet smelling. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: heduosmon Phonetic
Spelling: (hay-doo'-os-mon) Short Definition: mint, peppermint Definition: mint ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2238.htm - 6k

2175. euodia -- fragrance
... sweet smelling. From a compound of eu and a derivative of ozo; good-scentedness,
ie Fragrance -- sweet savour (smell, -smelling). see GREEK eu. see GREEK ozo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2175.htm - 6k

5674. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, +
shave, cause to (make) sound, X speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away ...
/hebrew/5674.htm - 6k

Third Sunday in Lent
... "To God for an odor of a sweet smell [for a sweet-smelling savor].". 4.
This expression Paul takes from the Old Testament. There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday in lent.htm

John Chapter xvi. 13
... appropriate places; as, in the mortal flesh of all animals there is in one place
sight, in another hearing, in another taste, in another smelling, and over the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcix john chapter xvi.htm

A Friend for the Sorrowful
... When anyone in that land went to a feast, the master of the house used to kiss him,
and say, 'The Lord be with you,' and put some sweet smelling oil on his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter vii a friend for.htm

Of the Outer Limbs of Man, and their Use.
... Moreover, in this, though a single member, three offices are placed: one, that of
drawing the breath; the second, that of smelling; the third, that the ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap x of the outer limbs.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "Then Shall the Kingdom ...
... For there is nothing of which we have perception by the body, but by the five folded
gate, either by the sight, or the hearing, or the smelling, or the tasting ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xliii on the words.htm

Ephesians iv. 25-27
... And what again, when neither the foot nor the eye shall know how to distinguish,
but all shall depend upon the smelling, as, for example, whether a drug be ...
/.../homily xiv ephesians iv 25-27.htm

Chapter v.
... 5. I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers
with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.5. I rose up to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

Simon's Explanation of the Three Last Books of the Pentateuch.
... In like manner, the third book is Leviticus, which is smelling, or respiration.
For the entire of that book is (an account) of sacrifices and offerings. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xi simons explanation of the.htm

Although the Jew, Then, May Offer no Defence for Himself in the ...
... of taste which can make use of living bread that has come down from heaven, and
that giveth life unto the world; and so also a sense of smelling, which scents ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii although the jew.htm

Whether the Five Exterior Senses are Properly Distinguished?
... for sound is caused by percussion and commotion of air: and we find natural immutation
by alteration, in odor which is the object of "smelling"; for in order ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the five exterior senses.htm

Smelling (8 Occurrences)
...Smelling (8 Occurrences). ... Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said, Lord, by
this time the body will be smelling, for he has been dead four days. (BBE). ...
/s/smelling.htm - 9k

Sweet-smelling (14 Occurrences)
Sweet-smelling. Sweetsmelling, Sweet-smelling. Swell . Multi-Version
Concordance Sweet-smelling (14 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/s/sweet-smelling.htm - 10k

Evil-smelling (2 Occurrences)
Evil-smelling. Evils, Evil-smelling. Evil-speakers . Multi-Version
Concordance Evil-smelling (2 Occurrences). Job 31 ...
/e/evil-smelling.htm - 6k

Smelling-flower (1 Occurrence)
Smelling-flower. Smelling, Smelling-flower. Smells . Multi-Version
Concordance Smelling-flower (1 Occurrence). Song ...
/s/smelling-flower.htm - 6k

Smell (77 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing
be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? ...
/s/smell.htm - 34k

Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... scent. 2. (n.) The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a
sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance; aroma. 3 ...
/p/perfume.htm - 38k

Plants (70 Occurrences)
... for you make men give a tenth of all sorts of sweet-smelling plants, but you give
no thought to the more important things of the law, righteousness, and mercy ...
/p/plants.htm - 27k

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. (WEB). ...
/f/fragrance.htm - 27k

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:13 And sweet-smelling plants, and perfumes, and wine, and oil, and
well crushed grain, and cattle and sheep; and horses and carriages and servants ...
/p/perfumes.htm - 30k

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... At a feast in ancient Egypt a guest was anointed with scented oils, and a
sweet-smelling water lily was placed in his hand or suspended on his forehead. ...
/p/perfumer.htm - 11k

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Smelling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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