An aroma; God is pleased by the aroma of sacrifice, whether a literal sacrifice or the figurative offering of Christian service is a picture of its acceptability to him. Bad smells can indicate physical decay or the results of judgment. To be a stench to someone is to be held in contempt or hated by that person.

Genesis 8:21

The aroma of sacrifice

See also

Leviticus 1:9; 2:2; 3:5; 4:31; 6:15,21; 8:21; 23:13,18
Numbers 15:14,24
Numbers 18:17; 28:2; 29:2

offerings to be made for unintentional breaking of the LORD's commandments

Exodus 30:7-8

See also

Substances to create a pleasing smell

Exodus 30:22-29,34-38; 35:28; 37:29; 40:26-27
Numbers 4:16
2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11
Leviticus 26:31
Ezekiel 8:11-13; 20:27-29

The aroma of sacrifice is not always pleasing to God

Ephesians 5:2

Jesus Christ was the supreme fragrant offering

Ezekiel 20:41

God accepts his people as fragrant incense

See also

Hosea 14:5-6
2 Corinthians 2:14-16

A pleasing aroma depicts acceptable Christian service

See also

Philippians 4:18
Songs 1:2-3; 4:16-5:1

Fragrance associated with the expression of love

See also

Psalms 45:8

The beloved's garden is an image of her body.

Songs 1:12-13; 3:6; 4:10-11; 5:13; 7:8
John 12:3
John 11:39

A bad smell

See also

Indicating decay

Exodus 16:20

Manna soon smelled bad if kept. This meant the Israelites had to trust God afresh for each day's supply.

Exodus 7:18,21

As the result of God's judgment

Isaiah 34:3

The first plague on Egypt, which made the Nile smell bad:

Amos 4:10
Isaiah 3:24; 19:6
Joel 2:20

As a picture of the results of judgment

Genesis 34:30
Exodus 5:21

As a figurative cause of contempt or hatred

1 Samuel 13:4
2 Samuel 10:6

The word "offence" is from a Hebrew root-word meaning "to smell bad":

2 Samuel 16:21

pp 1Ch 19:6

Psalms 115:4-6

Idols cannot smell

See also

Deuteronomy 4:28

See also

4490 ointment
4498 ploughing
5173 outward appearance
6142 decay
6206 offence
7388 kinsman-redeemer
7402 offerings
7434 sacrifice
8768 idolatry