The Bible uses aromas to symbolize offerings, worship, and even character. Today, we will uncover the importance of aroma in Scripture and how it connects to living a life pleasing to God.
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What Does The Bible Say About Aroma
Genesis 8:21
The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
This verse emphasizes the importance of a pleasing aroma to God. It conveys how God’s sense of smell is significant in his interaction with humanity. Despite the wickedness of the human heart, the pleasing aroma from Noah’s sacrifice led God to make a covenant, showing His mercy and refusal to destroy everything again.
Exodus 29:18
Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.
Here, burning the ram on the altar is referred to as a pleasing aroma and a food offering to the Lord. This verse highlights the significance of offering sacrifices to God as a form of worship and a means to please Him.
Leviticus 1:9
The priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
Similar to the previous verse, this highlights the burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It demonstrates the importance of the aroma associated with sacrificial offerings and its effect on divine favor.
Leviticus 2:2
He is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
This verse refers to the burning of a grain offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. It symbolizes giving the best portion to God as an act of worship and adoration.
Leviticus 26:31
I will turn your cities into ruins and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will take no delight in the pleasing aroma of your offerings.
This verse reveals that when God is displeased with His people, He will no longer find delight in the pleasing aroma of their offerings. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and a righteous heart in worship.
Numbers 15:10
Offer wine as a drink offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
This verse indicates that offering wine as a drink offering is seen as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It portrays how various forms of offerings can bring delight to God.
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
This verse speaks metaphorically about believers being the pleasing aroma of Christ to God. It suggests that as followers of Christ, our lives should emit a fragrance that represents His character and spreads the message of salvation to others.
Ephesians 5:2
And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Here, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is described as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. It emphasizes the selfless act of Christ’s love and presents it as a pleasing aroma to God.
Philippians 4:18
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
In this verse, the gifts sent by the Philippians to Paul are described as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, and pleasing to God. It signifies the value of generosity and kindness as acts of worship.
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
This verse encourages believers to engage in acts of kindness and generosity. It suggests that such actions are sacrifices that please God, reflecting the pleasing aroma motif seen throughout the Bible.
Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
This verse utilizes imagery to describe prayer and worship as a fragrant offering. It illustrates the importance of heartfelt prayer and surrender as acts that are pleasing to God.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Here, believers are encouraged to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, which are holy and pleasing to God. It emphasizes the idea that a transformed life lived in obedience to God is the ultimate act of worship.
Psalm 34:1
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
This verse expresses the psalmist’s dedication to continually praising the Lord. It reflects the idea that a constant attitude of gratitude and praise is a pleasing aroma to God.
Psalm 40:6
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Here, it is understood that God is not primarily concerned with outward sacrifices alone but desires a genuine heart and obedience. It suggests that true worship involves more than religious rituals.
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
These verses highlight that God desires righteousness, mercy, and a humble heart more than external offerings. It stresses the importance of personal character and integrity in worship.
Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
This verse uses the imagery of perfume and incense to depict the joy that comes from sincere friendship and heartfelt advice. It suggests that uplifting and encouraging words can be a pleasing aroma to the soul.
Song of Solomon 1:3
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!
This verse uses aromatic imagery to portray the attractiveness and desirability of someone’s name, comparing it to the pleasing fragrance of perfumes. It illustrates the captivating power and impact of a good reputation.
2 Samuel 23:1-2
These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
In these verses, David’s words are described as being inspired and anointed by the Spirit of the Lord. It signifies the powerful impact of David’s psalms and his poetic expressions being a pleasing aroma to God.
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
This verse portrays believers as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession, spreading the aroma of the knowledge of Him wherever they go. It signifies the influence believers can have in spreading the gospel and representing Christ.
Ruth 1:14
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
This verse depicts the emotional scene where Orpah decides to part ways with her mother-in-law Naomi, while Ruth chooses to stay with her. It showcases Ruth’s loyalty and commitment, which can be seen as a pleasing aroma to God.
1 Kings 10:10
And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
These verses describe the Queen of Sheba’s extravagant gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones to King Solomon. It highlights the value and richness of the spices, creating a sensory connection to pleasing aromas.
Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
This verse speaks of perfuming a bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. It serves as a metaphorical expression of sensuality but can also symbolize delight and beauty associated with pleasing fragrances.
Revelation 8:3-4
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
These verses depict an angel offering incense and the prayers of God’s people before His throne. It portrays the prayers of the saints as a pleasing aroma to God, symbolizing their communion and relationship with Him.
Psalm 141:5
Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
This verse portrays the rebuke of a righteous person as oil on the head, symbolizing its soothing effect. It suggests that correction and discipline, when done with a righteous heart, can be a pleasing aroma to God.