Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of "scented" often relates to the use of fragrances, perfumes, and aromatic substances, which hold both practical and symbolic significance throughout Scripture. The use of scents in the Bible is frequently associated with worship, anointing, and personal adornment, reflecting both the cultural practices of the ancient Near East and the theological themes of purity, holiness, and divine presence.
Worship and SacrificeScented offerings play a crucial role in the worship practices described in the Old Testament. The use of incense, a fragrant substance, is particularly prominent. In
Exodus 30:34-38, God provides Moses with a specific recipe for making sacred incense, which was to be used exclusively for worship in the Tabernacle: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures.'" This incense was to be burned before the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God as a pleasing aroma.
The concept of a "pleasing aroma" is recurrent in the sacrificial system. In
Leviticus 1:9, the burnt offering is described as "a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This phrase underscores the idea that the sacrifices, when offered with a sincere heart, were acceptable and delightful to God.
Anointing and ConsecrationScented oils were also used for anointing, a practice that signified consecration and the setting apart of individuals for divine purposes. In
Exodus 30:22-25, God instructs Moses to make a holy anointing oil with specific fragrances: "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil." This oil was used to anoint the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, marking them as holy.
The anointing of kings also involved the use of scented oils, as seen in the anointing of David by Samuel (
1 Samuel 16:13). This act symbolized the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the divine approval of the individual's role.
Personal Adornment and SymbolismIn addition to religious uses, scented oils and perfumes were part of personal grooming and adornment. Esther, in preparation to meet King Xerxes, underwent a beauty treatment that included "six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics" (
Esther 2:12). This reflects the cultural appreciation for fragrances as a means of enhancing beauty and status.
The Song of Solomon frequently references scents, using them as metaphors for love and desire. In
Song of Solomon 1:3, the beloved's name is compared to "perfume poured out," suggesting the allure and attractiveness of love.
Spiritual SymbolismIn the New Testament, the use of scented substances continues to carry spiritual symbolism. The Magi's gifts to the Christ child included frankincense and myrrh (
Matthew 2:11), both of which are aromatic and hold prophetic significance regarding Jesus' priestly and sacrificial roles.
Moreover, the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of fragrance to describe the spread of the Gospel and the believers' witness in the world. In
2 Corinthians 2:14-15, he 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."
Thus, the concept of "scented" in the Bible encompasses a rich tapestry of meanings, from the practical to the deeply spiritual, illustrating the multifaceted ways in which fragrances are woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Scent.
Greek
2238. heduosmon -- sweet smelling... mint. Neuter of the compound of the same as hedeos and osme; a sweet-
scented plant, ie Mint -- mint. see GREEK hedeos. see GREEK osme.
...Strong's Hebrew
81. abaqah -- powder... Word Origin fem. of abaq Definition powder NASB Word Usage
scented powders (1).
powder. Feminine of 'abaq -- powder. see HEBREW 'abaq. 80, 81. abaqah. 82 .
...7547. riqquach -- perfumery
... Word Origin from raqach Definition perfumery NASB Word Usage perfumes (1). perfume.
From raqach; ascented substance -- perfume. see HEBREW raqach. 7546, 7547...
4840. merqach -- spice, perfume
... Word Origin from raqach Definition spice, perfume NASB Word Usage sweet-scented
herbs (1). sweet. From raqach; a spicy herb -- X sweet. see HEBREW raqach....
Library
In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the...
... All around wave groves of feathery palms, rising in stately beauty; stretch gardens
of roses, and especially sweet-scented balsam-plantations, the largest...
The First Year --Society and Climate.
... When the west wind is blowing freshly, it is brought with most pleasant coolness
into the house through platted screens ofscented grass, on which water is...
The Coming of the Pharaoh
... The gardens, the storehouses and the wine-lofts felt unusual draft for the festivities,
and the great capital was decked andscented like a bride....
The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... They then placed beneath his hips a sheet which was a yard in width and three in
length, laid upon his lap bundles of sweet-scented herbs, and shook over the...
The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... I will have the steeds ready, and at early dawn we will ride forth, and leave a
sweet-scented billet to thank the lady for her courtesy, and to inform her of...
The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... On the day after, the same woman tookscented water to wash the Lord Jesus; and
after she had washed Him, she took the water with which she had done it, and...
Preface
... little mysticism. To-day the danger is that even the drawing-rooms are
scented with a mysticism that anathematizes science. At no...
Prayer and vigilance
... last, more than conqueror. It is no primrose path, no rose-scented dalliance.
From start to finish, it is war. From the hour in...
The Imagination.
... The imagination, that active agent of the senses, is the bee which, in its continual
excursions, gathers from the flower-cups the sweetscented dust from which...
Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps
... Beneath the might of fire, in slow decay Thescented tears of glowing nectar fall;
Lower and lower droops the candle tall And ever dwindling weeps itself away....
Thesaurus
Scented (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Scent. Multi-Version Concordance
Scented (2 Occurrences). Revelation 18:12 merchandise of
...Sweet-scented (2 Occurrences)
Sweet-scented. Sweetness, Sweet-scented. Sweetsmelling . Noah Webster's
Dictionary... Multi-Version Concordance Sweet-scented (2 Occurrences)....
Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Olive oil formed the base. This wasscented with "flowing myrrh....... Thescented oils
or ointments were kept in jars or vials (not boxes) made of alabaster....
Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... At a feast in ancient Egypt a guest was anointed withscented oils, and a
sweet-smelling water lily was placed in his hand or suspended on his forehead....
Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... At a feast in ancient Egypt a guest was anointed withscented oils, and a
sweet-smelling water lily was placed in his hand or suspended on his forehead....
Reed (41 Occurrences)
... It may have been the "scented calamus" (Axorus calamus) of Pliny (NH, xii.48), or
some other aromaticscented reed or flag, or, as some think, some kind of...
Sweetness (11 Occurrences)
Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... In Exodus 30:35 we have the first mention ofscented anointing oils.... Some perfumes
were powders (incense); others werescented oils or fats (ointments)....
Vine (76 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 18:5), "blossom"; nitstsah, either the blossom or half-formed clusters of
grapes (Genesis 40:10 Isaiah 18:5); cemadhar, "sweet-scented blossom" (Songs 2...
Lily (9 Occurrences)
... the expression "His lips are as lilies" (Songs 5:13) might imply a scarlet flower,
but more probably in oriental imagery signifies a sweet-scented flower; the...
Resources
Should a Christian wear perfume / cologne? | GotQuestions.orgScented: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
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