Lexical Summary ruach: Spirit, wind, breath Original Word: רוּחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance accept, smell, touch, make of quick understanding A primitive root; properly, to blow, i.e. Breathe; only (literally) to smell or (by implication, perceive (figuratively, to anticipate, enjoy) -- accept, smell, X touch, make of quick understanding. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee riach. Brown-Driver-Briggs [רִיחַ] verb denominative Hiph`il (?),smell, perceive odour; -Imperfect3masculine singular יָרִיחַ Job 39:25, יָרַח 1 Samuel 26:19 2t.; וַיָּ֫רַח Genesis 8:21; 3masculine plural יְרִיח֑וּן Psalm 115:6, יְרִיחֻ֑ן Deuteronomy 4:28, etc.; Infinitive construct הָרִיחַ Exodus 30:38, etc.; — smell, with accusative Genesis 8:21; Genesis 27:27 (JE), 1 Samuel 26:19; absolute Deuteronomy 4:28; Psalm 115:6; metaphor בּהֲרִיחוֺ אֵשׁ Judges 16:9, יָרִיחַ מִלְחָמָה Job 39:25 the horse scenteh battle; with ב Exodus 30:38; Leviticus 26:31 (both P); metaphor = delight in Amos 5:21; Isaiah 11:3 (probably dittograph BrMP 202). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 7306 (רוּחַ) functions as a verb whose basic sense is “to smell, scent, breathe, perceive by scent, accept with delight.” In Scripture the verb is applied to human experience, animal instinct, idolatrous impotence, and—most significantly—the Lord’s gracious or displeased response to sacrificial worship. By tracing each occurrence, one sees a unified, Spirit-wrought testimony to Yahweh’s personal engagement with His covenant people and to the future Messiah who “will delight in the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:3). Range of Meaning in Canonical Context 1. Sensory perception: literal smelling of odors by people or animals (Genesis 27:27; Job 39:25). Key Old Testament Occurrences • Genesis 8:21 – After the flood, “When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of man…’.” The verb underscores God’s gracious acceptance of Noah’s burnt offering and inaugurates a universal covenant of preservation. Theological and Redemptive Themes 1. Sacrificial Aroma and Divine Pleasure: From Noah to the tabernacle, the verb links atoning blood and ascending incense with God’s favorable disposition, foreshadowing Christ’s self-offering, “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Cultic and Liturgical Dimensions The tabernacle incense (Exodus 30) and whole-burnt offerings served as olfactory symbols of prayer and devotion rising to heaven. The exclusivity of the formula protected Israel from syncretism and reminded worshipers that holiness touches every sense. New-covenant worship retains the essence: “the prayers of the saints” ascend like incense (Revelation 8:4), and believers themselves become a “pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Christological and Eschatological Horizons Isaiah 11:3 situates רוּחַ within the Spirit-endowed ministry of the Branch from Jesse. His perfect delight in Yahweh secures righteous rule and universal peace. The post-resurrection church, indwelt by the same Spirit, is commissioned to spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14), anticipating the new creation where curses have ceased and worship is eternally accepted. Implications for Worship and Ministry • Guard the purity of corporate worship; self-styled innovations risk becoming a stench before God. Forms and Transliterations אָרִ֔יחַ אָרִ֖יחַ אריח בַּהֲרִיח֣וֹ בהריחו וַהֲרִיח֖וֹ וַיָּ֛רַח וַיָּ֣רַח והריחו וירח יְרִיחֻֽן׃ יְרִיחֽוּן׃ יָרִ֣יחַ יָרַ֣ח ירח יריח יריחון׃ יריחן׃ לְהָרִ֣יחַ להריח ’ā·rî·aḥ ’ārîaḥ aRiach ba·hă·rî·ḥōw bahariCho bahărîḥōw lə·hā·rî·aḥ lehaRiach ləhārîaḥ vahariCho vaiYarach wa·hă·rî·ḥōw wahărîḥōw way·yā·raḥ wayyāraḥ yā·raḥ yā·rî·aḥ yaRach yāraḥ yaRiach yārîaḥ yə·rî·ḥun yə·rî·ḥūn yeriChun yərîḥun yərîḥūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 8:21 HEB: וַיָּ֣רַח יְהוָה֮ אֶת־ KJV: And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; INT: smelled the LORD smelled Genesis 27:27 Exodus 30:38 Leviticus 26:31 Deuteronomy 4:28 Judges 16:9 1 Samuel 26:19 Job 39:25 Psalm 115:6 Isaiah 11:3 Amos 5:21 11 Occurrences |