ὀσμή
osmē
aroma
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ὀσμή (osmē) is translated to "aroma." It is the scent or fragrance something emits, which can be pleasant or unpleasant. In the six instances it appears in the Bible, ὀσμή typically pertains to the fragrance of incense or other smells. The occurrences of ὀσμή in the Bible often carry symbolic meaning. It can represent worship, prayers, or sacrifices being lifted up to God. For example, in Revelation, the prayers of the saints on earth rise as an ὀσμή to God. As a symbol, ὀσμή underscores the idea that spiritual actions or intentions have an impact beyond the material realm. It suggests that our choices, prayers, and sacrifices have real effects in the world, and that these can be pleasing or displeasing to God.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
2 Corinthians 2:14Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:16to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:16to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Ephesians 5:2Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Philippians 4:18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.