The term "Smelleth" does not appear in the canonical texts of the Bible, nor is it found in traditional biblical concordances or encyclopedias. However, the concept of smell and its significance is present throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing spiritual discernment, sacrifice, and the presence of God.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

1. Sacrificial Aroma: In the Old Testament, the aroma of sacrifices is frequently mentioned as pleasing to the Lord. This is seen in passages such as Genesis 8:21, where after the flood, Noah offers burnt offerings, and the Lord smells the pleasing aroma, leading Him to promise never to curse the ground again. The aroma of sacrifices symbolizes the acceptance of offerings and the restoration of fellowship between God and humanity.

2. Incense and Worship: The use of incense in worship is another significant aspect of smell in the Bible. In Exodus 30:34-38, God provides Moses with a specific formula for incense to be used in the Tabernacle, emphasizing its sacredness. The rising smoke of incense represents the prayers of the saints ascending to God, as seen in Revelation 5:8, where the prayers are described as "golden bowls full of incense."

3. Spiritual Discernment: The sense of smell is metaphorically used to describe spiritual discernment. In Philippians 4:18, Paul refers to the gifts from the Philippians as "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." This indicates that spiritual acts of kindness and generosity are perceived by God as a sweet-smelling aroma.

4. Christ as a Fragrant Offering: In Ephesians 5:2, Paul exhorts believers to "walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." Here, the sacrificial death of Christ is depicted as a pleasing aroma to God, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system and establishing a new covenant.

5. Corruption and Decay: Conversely, the Bible also uses the imagery of smell to denote corruption and decay. In John 11:39, when Jesus is about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha warns, "Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days." This highlights the reality of death and decay, contrasting with the life-giving power of Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of smell in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual realities. It underscores the importance of living a life that is a "pleasing aroma" to God, characterized by obedience, sacrifice, and love. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose life and death are the ultimate fragrant offering. Believers are called to emulate this sacrificial love, living lives that are spiritually fragrant and pleasing to God.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the sense of smell was highly regarded, and aromatic substances were used in religious, medicinal, and burial practices. The biblical emphasis on aroma and incense reflects these cultural practices, while also imbuing them with theological significance. The use of incense in the Tabernacle and Temple worship was not only a sensory experience but also a symbolic act of devotion and prayer.

Conclusion

While "Smelleth" as a term is not found in the Bible, the concept of smell permeates the Scriptures, offering rich insights into the nature of worship, sacrifice, and spiritual life. Through the imagery of aroma, the Bible communicates profound truths about the relationship between God and His people, the nature of Christ's sacrifice, and the call to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord.

Not with Doubting, but with Assured Consciousness, do I Love Thee. ...
... of my inner man: where there shineth unto my soul what space cannot contain, and
there soundeth what time beareth not away, and there smelleth what breathing ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi not with doubting.htm

To this is Added Another Form of Temptation More Manifoldly ...
... And yet we say not only, see how it shineth, which the eyes alone can perceive;
but also, see how it soundeth, see how it smelleth, see how it tasteth, see how ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxxv to this is.htm

Another Kind of Temptation is Curiosity, which is Stimulated by ...
... And yet we say not only, See how it shineth, which the eyes alone can perceive;
but also, See how it soundeth, see how it smelleth, see how it tasteth, see how ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxxv another kind of temptation.htm

Whether the Mode and Order of the Temptation were Becoming?
... xxxi), expounding Job 39:25, "He smelleth the battle afar off, the encouraging of
the captains and the shouting of the army," says: "The captains are fittingly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mode and order.htm

Death and Life in Christ
... The sacrifice smokes to heaven; Jehovah smelleth a sweet savor, and is pleased through
Christ the victim to accept the prayers, the offerings, and the persons ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

Meditations for the Sick.
... For as the camomile which is trodden groweth best, and smelleth most fragrant; and
as the fish is sweetest that lives in the saltest waters: so those souls are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for the sick.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle
afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... soul will be "exceeding sorrowful even unto death," yet before it, He is like Job's
war-horse, "he saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... Have you never seen the Christian when God is with him? He smelleth the battle
afar off, and he cries in the midst of the tumult, "Aha! aha! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

A Bundle of Myrrh
... And surely, beloved, Jesus Christ is very perfuming to his people. Does not he
perfume their prayers, so that the Lord smelleth a sweet savor? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a bundle of myrrh.htm

Smelleth (3 Occurrences)
...Smelleth (3 Occurrences). ... Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth
the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ...
/s/smelleth.htm - 7k

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 8:21 and Jehovah smelleth the sweet fragrance, and Jehovah saith
unto His heart, 'I continue not to disesteem any more the ground because of man ...
/f/fragrance.htm - 27k

Smelling (8 Occurrences)

/s/smelling.htm - 9k

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:27 and he cometh nigh, and kisseth him, and he smelleth the fragrance
of his garments, and blesseth him, and saith, 'See, the fragrance of my son 'is ...
/k/kisseth.htm - 10k

Disesteem (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 8:21 and Jehovah smelleth the sweet fragrance, and Jehovah saith unto His
heart, 'I continue not to disesteem any more the ground because of man ...
/d/disesteem.htm - 8k

Blesseth (55 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:27 and he cometh nigh, and kisseth him, and he smelleth the fragrance
of his garments, and blesseth him, and saith, 'See, the fragrance of my son 'is ...
/b/blesseth.htm - 22k

Smelled (3 Occurrences)

/s/smelled.htm - 7k

Soundeth (6 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 As oft as the trumpet 'soundeth' he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle
afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting. (ASV). ...
/s/soundeth.htm - 8k

Garments (232 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:27 and he cometh nigh, and kisseth him, and he smelleth the fragrance
of his garments, and blesseth him, and saith, 'See, the fragrance of my son 'is ...
/g/garments.htm - 37k

Noise (126 Occurrences)
... Job 39:25 At the noise of the trumpets he saith, Aha! and he smelleth the battle
afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. (DBY). ...
/n/noise.htm - 41k

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