In the context of the Bible, the term "odorous" is often associated with fragrances, scents, and aromas that hold significant spiritual and symbolic meanings. The Bible frequently references odors in relation to offerings, worship, and the presence of God, emphasizing the importance of pleasing aromas in both literal and metaphorical senses.

Fragrant Offerings and Sacrifices

The concept of odorous offerings is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. In the Book of Exodus, God provides detailed instructions for the construction of the altar of incense, which was to be placed before the Ark of the Covenant. The incense burned on this altar was a "fragrant offering" to the Lord. Exodus 30:7-8 states, "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 aroma of burnt offerings is also described as pleasing to God. In Leviticus 1:9 , the burnt offering is said to produce "an aroma pleasing to the LORD." This indicates that the physical act of sacrifice, accompanied by the rising smoke and scent, was a means of worship and atonement, symbolizing the people's devotion and obedience to God.

Symbolism of Odors in Worship

Odors in the Bible are not limited to physical scents but also carry symbolic meanings. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, uses the metaphor of fragrance to describe the sacrificial love of Christ. Ephesians 5:2 reads, "And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." Here, the odorous nature of Christ's sacrifice is likened to the pleasing aroma of offerings, signifying the ultimate act of love and redemption.

Spiritual Implications of Odors

The Bible also uses odors to convey spiritual truths and the condition of the human heart. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 , Paul speaks of believers as the "aroma of Christ" to God, spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere. This passage highlights the dual nature of spiritual fragrance: to those being saved, it is the fragrance of life, but to those perishing, it is the smell of death. This illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel and the distinct responses it elicits.

Odors in Eschatological Contexts

In the prophetic and eschatological literature, odors are sometimes used to describe the future restoration and glory of God's kingdom. Isaiah 11:3 speaks of the Messiah, saying, "He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear." The Hebrew word translated as "delight" can also imply a sense of smell, suggesting an intuitive and discerning perception akin to the sense of smell.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, odorous elements serve as powerful symbols of worship, sacrifice, and spiritual truth. They underscore the importance of purity, devotion, and the transformative power of God's presence, inviting believers to live lives that are a pleasing aroma to the Lord.(a.) Emitting a sweet odor or scent; fragrant; sweet-smelling.2464. chelbenah -- gum (a type used in incense)
... galbanum. From cheleb; galbanam, an odorous gum (as if fatty) -- galbanum. see HEBREW
cheleb. 2463, 2464. chelbenah. 2465 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2464.htm - 6k

The Traitors
... Now the sky was as clear and blue as a sapphire and the little wind was burdened
with odorous scents from the clean-washed pastures of Israel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxviii the traitors.htm

Expatriation
... borders were again riotous with growth. The place Kenkenes came upon was
most tempting, odorous and cool. He rolled his mantle for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

For the Sake of a Nation.
... They had better stomachs than hearts. The odorous onions of Egypt made more
lasting impressions than this tender, patient, planning God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm

I am So Glad, Dearest Celine
... fervent Catholics think our ways are exaggerated, and that"with Martha"we ought
to wait upon Jesus, instead of pouring out on Him the odorous ointment of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/xx i am so glad.htm

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... weight containing nearly twelve ounces avoirdupois] of ointment of pure nard, very
precious [Nard was a liquid perfume distilled from some odorous plant or ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

How a Soul in Charity Makes Progress in It.
... of conscience which come from the divers lights and apprehensions which he casts
into our hearts, with salutary movements, by which, as by odorous and vital ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how a soul.htm

Or the Gods of Heaven Should be Said to be Ungrateful If...
... should slay a hundred oxen, and as many ewes with their lambkins, the poor man burn
a little incense, and a small piece of some odorous substance,"will it ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/12 or the gods of.htm

S. Mary Magdalene
... Thy great decays restored might be. Thy curious vanities and rare. Odorous ointments,
kept with care. And dearly bought,"when thou didst see. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxix s mary magdalene.htm

When Thou Feelest Thyself Most Indisposed to Prayer Yield not to ...
... The life of the Church is the highest life. Its office is to pray. Its prayer life
is the highest life, the most odorous, the most conspicuous. ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter iii when thou feelest.htm

Epistle xxxv. To Leontius, Ex-Consul.
... a Gallic bishop, having seen at Constantinople, a piece of the true cross which
had been sent thither by Helena, from the knots of which an odorous liquid with ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxv to leontius ex-consul.htm

Odorous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Emitting a sweet odor or scent; fragrant;
sweet-smelling. Multi-Version Concordance Odorous (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/odorous.htm - 6k

Odors (8 Occurrences)

/o/odors.htm - 9k

Frankincense (22 Occurrences)
... (Hebrews lebonah; Gr. libanos, ie, "white"), an odorous resin imported from Arabia
(Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). ...
/f/frankincense.htm - 19k

Fragrant (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Affecting the olfactory nerves agreeably; sweet
of smell; odorous; having or emitting an agreeable perfume. ...
/f/fragrant.htm - 16k

Apothecaries (2 Occurrences)
... buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David,
and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odorous and divers ...
/a/apothecaries.htm - 7k

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)
... buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David,
and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odorous and divers ...
/s/sepulchres.htm - 12k

Odor (46 Occurrences)

/o/odor.htm - 22k

Divers (36 Occurrences)
... buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David,
and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odorous and divers ...
/d/divers.htm - 20k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David,
and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odorous and divers ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Odorous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus