In the biblical context, scents play a significant role in both the religious and cultural life of the people of Israel. Scents, derived from various spices, oils, and incense, are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing purity, worship, and divine presence.

1. Scents in Worship and Sacrifice

Scents are integral to the worship practices outlined in the Old Testament. The use of incense, a fragrant offering, is commanded by God as part of the sacrificial system. In Exodus 30:34-38, God provides Moses with a specific recipe for sacred incense, which includes spices like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. This incense is to be burned on the altar of incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The aroma is described as pleasing to the Lord, indicating His acceptance of the offering.

Leviticus 2:1-2 describes the grain offering, which includes oil and frankincense, as a "pleasing aroma to the LORD." This phrase is repeated throughout the sacrificial laws, emphasizing the importance of scents in the ritualistic expressions of faith and devotion.

2. Scents as Symbols of Purity and Holiness

Scents also symbolize purity and holiness. In the anointing of priests and kings, fragrant oils are used to set individuals apart for God's service. Exodus 30:22-25 details the composition of the holy anointing oil, which includes myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This oil is used to consecrate the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, marking them as holy.

The Song of Solomon frequently uses the imagery of scents to describe love and beauty. In Song of Solomon 1:3, the bride declares, "The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out." This poetic language highlights the allure and purity associated with scents.

3. Scents in Daily Life and Commerce

In addition to their religious significance, scents are part of daily life and commerce in biblical times. The trade of spices and perfumes is a lucrative business, as seen in the account of the Queen of Sheba, who brings spices and gold to King Solomon (1 Kings 10:2). The value of these aromatic goods underscores their importance in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Proverbs 27:9 states, "Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul." This proverb reflects the everyday appreciation of scents as sources of joy and comfort.

4. Scents in Eschatological Imagery

In the prophetic and eschatological literature, scents are used to depict the future restoration and glory of God's people. Isaiah 60:6 envisions a time when nations will bring gold and frankincense to Jerusalem, proclaiming the praises of the Lord. This imagery connects the use of scents with the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His kingdom.

Revelation 5:8 describes the prayers of the saints as golden bowls full of incense, symbolizing the ongoing intercession of believers before the throne of God. This imagery reinforces the enduring significance of scents as a representation of worship and divine communion.

In summary, scents in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as symbols of worship, purity, and divine presence, while also playing a practical role in the cultural and economic life of the biblical world.3464. muron -- ointment
... anointing-oil, ointment. 3464 an ointment made of olive oil (1637 ) and
other spices (scents). Word Origin a prim. word Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3464.htm - 7k7381a. riach -- to smell, perceive odor
... Word Origin denominative verb from reach Definition to smell, perceive odor NASB
Word Usage accept (1), delight (2), scents (1), smell (3), smelled (2 ...
/hebrew/7381a.htm - 5k

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... But the dog and horse take no account of the ointment, whilst in the case of those
whose perceptions are more rational, applying girlish scents to their persons ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm

The Second Difference Between Meditation and Contemplation.
... contemplation is like to one smelling the perfumed water distilled from all those
flowers: for the latter in one smell receives all the scents together, which ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v the second difference.htm

Then
... The lamp and its radiance, scents and ointments and the quality diffused by
them,"and the word produced by the mind; and cleverly discusses generation from ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 then.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... earth is its perfect finishing; growth of all kinds of plants, the up-springing
of tall trees, both productive and unfruitful, flowers' sweet scents and fair ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... The eyes are for colors, the ears for sounds, the nose for scents, the tongue
for flavors, the touch for heat and cold, for hard and soft. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/savonarola the ascension of.htm

Love of Religion, a New Nature.
... Consider how certain scents, which are too sweet or too strong, or certain tastes,
affect certain persons under certain circumstances, or always,"and you ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xiii love of religion.htm

Hymn Before Meat
... On the twain Thou didst bestow Leafy bowers in pleasaunce fair: Where spring's scents
for aye did blow, And four stately streams did flow O'er meads pied with ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iii hymn before meat.htm

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

Fragrance.
... As the rose scents the evening air, so a pure life scatters a sweet Christian
influence and a knowledge of God throughout the world. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/fragrance.htm

The Precious Ointment.
... We, as Christian, are a sweet odor unto God in Christ Jesus. Everything you do for
Jesus scents the air around the throne of God with a sweet fragrance. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/the precious ointment.htm

Scents (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Scents (1 Occurrence). Job 39:25 As often as the
trumpet sounds he snorts,'Aha!' He smells the battle afar ...
/s/scents.htm - 6k

Scent (6 Occurrences)
... odor." "Scent" of the water in Job 14:9 is poetic for "contact with." (3) The Wisdom
of Solomon 11:18 the King James Version has "filthy scents of scattered ...
/s/scent.htm - 10k

Scepter (28 Occurrences)

/s/scepter.htm - 18k

Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... purposely scented; clothing as well as the body was perfumed (Psalm 45:8 Songs
3:6; Songs 4:11); couches and beds were sprinkled with savory scents (Proverbs 7 ...
/p/perfumer.htm - 11k

Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... purposely scented; clothing as well as the body was perfumed (Psalm 45:8 Songs
3:6; Songs 4:11); couches and beds were sprinkled with savory scents (Proverbs 7 ...
/p/perfume.htm - 38k

Calamus (5 Occurrences)
... The Latin for cane, Hebrew Kaneh, mentioned (Exodus 30:23) as one of the ingredients
in the holy anointing oil, one of the sweet scents (Cant. ...
/c/calamus.htm - 9k

Scented (2 Occurrences)

/s/scented.htm - 7k

Hunter (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who hunts wild animals either for sport or for food; a huntsman. 2.
(n.) A dog that scents game, or is trained to the chase; a hunting dog. ...
/h/hunter.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.org

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