A. Noun.
Rêyach (רֵיחַ, Strong's #7381), “savor; smell; fragrance; aroma.” Of the 61 appearances of this word, 43 refer specifically to sacrifices made to God and appear in Genesis-Numbers and Ezekiel. This word refers to the “scent or smell” of a person or thing: “And he [Jacob] came near, … and he [Isaac] smelled the smell of his raiment …” (Gen. 27:27). In Song of Sol. 1:12 rêyach signifies the “fragrance” of perfume and in Song of Sol. 2:3 the “fragrance” of a flower.
This word is used of a bad “smell” in Exod. 5:21: “… Because ye have made our savor to be abhorred [have made us odious] in the eyes of Pharaoh.…” Most frequently rêyach is used of the “odor” of a sacrifice being offered up to God. The sacrifice, or the essence of the thing it represents, ascends to God as a placating “odor”: “And the Lord smelled a sweet [NASB, “soothing”] savor …” (Gen. 8:21—the first occurrence of the word).
B. Verb.
Rûach (רוּחַ, Strong's #7306), “to perceive, enjoy, smell.” Gen. 8:21 is the first occurrence: “And the Lord smelled a sweet savor.…” The word appears about 14 times.
With over 400 entries, this timeless classic is THE reference guide to Old Testament Greek words for English readers. It explains the meaning of the original Hebrew with the added dimension of the context of the word.Wikipedia
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