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In the Bible, smells hold significant symbolic and practical importance, often associated with worship, sacrifice, and divine presence. The sense of smell is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating its role in religious rituals and daily life.

Sacrificial Offerings

The aroma of sacrifices is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing the acceptance of offerings by God. InGenesis 8:21, after Noah offers burnt offerings, 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.'" This passage highlights the connection between a pleasing aroma and divine favor.

The Levitical laws further emphasize the importance of aroma in sacrifices.Leviticus 1:9 states, "The priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." The repeated mention of a "pleasing aroma" underscores the idea that the sensory experience of smell is integral to the sacrificial system, symbolizing the acceptability of the offering to God.

Incense in Worship

Incense is another significant element associated with smell in the Bible, often used in worship and the tabernacle.Exodus 30:7-8 describes the use of incense: "And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come." The fragrant incense represents the prayers of the people ascending to God, as seen inPsalm 141:2, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

Symbolism of Smell

Smells in the Bible also carry symbolic meanings beyond the literal sense. In2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul uses the metaphor of aroma to describe the spread of the knowledge of Christ: "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. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life."

This passage illustrates how the metaphor of aroma is used to convey the impact of the Gospel, being both life-giving and a sign of judgment, depending on the response of the hearer.

Anointing and Perfumes

Anointing with oil and the use of perfumes are also significant in biblical narratives. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is described with imagery of fragrance, as inSong of Solomon 1:3, "The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you." This poetic use of smell conveys beauty, love, and attraction.

In the New Testament, the anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume by Mary inJohn 12:3 is a notable event: "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." This act of devotion and the resulting fragrance symbolize honor and preparation for Jesus' burial.

Corruption and Decay

Conversely, unpleasant smells are associated with corruption and decay. InIsaiah 3:24, a prophecy of judgment includes the imagery of stench: "Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding." This contrast between fragrance and stench serves as a metaphor for the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

In summary, smells in the Bible are rich with meaning, serving as symbols of divine acceptance, worship, love, and judgment. They are integral to the sensory experience of faith and the expression of spiritual truths.

With the Allurements ofSmells, I am not Much Concerned. ...
... Book X Chapter XXXII With the allurements ofsmells, I am not much concerned.?
With the allurements ofsmells, I am not much concerned....

Port of Spain
... The road leads on past the Custom-house; and past, I am sorry to say, evilsmells,
which are too common still in Port of Spain, though fresh water is laid on...

The Races --A Letter
... might be going on therein but I was deterred, first by the thought that much of
the speech might not be over edifying, and next by thesmells, especially by...

Will any one Say that Incense is Given to the Celestials...
... which to breathe? do they inhale and respire currents of air so that the
qualities of differentsmells can penetrate them? But if...

The Evolution of Language
... its nervous system extends throughout the whole space covered by the line; its
environment, in short, is not only what it hears, sees,smells, touches, tastes...

Motives to Holy Mourning
... 7:38). Her tears were more fragrant and odoriferous than her ointment.
The incense, when it is broken,smells sweetest. When the...

Canticles 4:12 the Lord's Garden.
... not. As in the day of Noah's sacrifice, Hesmells a sweet odour and is
refreshed. It is very wonderful, very mysterious! Believers...

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... of its father." And now the yellow leaves are falling, and are heaped about the
feet of the limes, and fall through the warm damp air, thatsmells of dying...

Restoration of Peter.
... Boat after boat put out from shore; and as the familiar sights andsmells and sounds
awakened slumbering instincts and stirred old associations, Peter with...

Alive unto God.
... way, will not tempt us. We must, in passing through the world, encounter
foulsmells, hideous sights, dirty roads. But we can turn...

Smells (2 Occurrences)
...Smells (2 Occurrences). Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!'
Hesmells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting....

Smell (77 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To have a particular tincture or smack of any quality; to savor; as, a report
smells of calumny. 6. (vi) To exercise the sense of smell....

Oak-tree (11 Occurrences)
... high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every branching tree, and
under every thick oak-tree, the places where they made sweetsmells to all...

Oft (18 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!' Hesmells the battle
afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting....

Branching (12 Occurrences)
... high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every branching tree, and
under every thick oak-tree, the places where they made sweetsmells to all...

Ha (8 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!' Hesmells the battle
afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting....

Catches (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!' Hesmells the
battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. (See NIV)....

Aha (11 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!' Hesmells the battle
afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting....

Smelling (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Smell. 2. (n.) The act of one whosmells. 3. (n.) The sense
by which odors are perceived; the sense of smell. Multi-Version Concordance...

Savor (51 Occurrences)
... by the adjective "sweet." It stands for the smell of sacrifices and oblations, in
agreement with the ancient anthropomorphic idea that Godsmells and is...

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