רֵיחַ (re.ach)
re.ach
aroma
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 46 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word re’ach denotes a scent, odor, or aroma that is emitted by something. Derived from the root for "wind" or "breath," it literally suggests a smell carried on the air. In the Old Testament, this term appears in contexts ranging from the sweet fragrance of ripening fruit to the unpleasant stench of decay, capturing any olfactory impression that rises upward.
Its most significant theological usage occurs in the phrase re’ach nichoaḥ, meaning "a soothing aroma" or "pleasing smell." This technical term describes God’s acceptance of sacrifices offered on the altar. When the smoke of grain, burnt, or peace offerings rose, it was described as a re’ach nichoaḥ, signaling that the offering was acceptable to Him (Leviticus 1:9; Numbers 15:3).
While often linked to ritual worship, the word also appears in poetic and narrative settings with rich emotional weight. Isaac blesses Jacob by saying his scent is like the field which the Lord has blessed (Genesis 27:27), associating the aroma with divine favor and vitality. Similarly, Song of Solomon uses re’ach to describe the intoxicating fragrance of loved ones, highlighting its capacity to convey intimacy and delight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word re’ach describes a scent carried on the wind, rising from the earth toward the sky. In Scripture, this physical reality becomes a powerful picture of spiritual connection. When smoke from an offering rose as a pleasant aroma, it signaled that God received the gift with favor. This imagery reminds us that our acts of worship and obedience are not lost in the air but are seen and valued by Him.
Beyond the altar, this word captures moments of deep personal blessing. Isaac’s blessing upon Jacob linked the scent of his clothing to a field blessed by God, suggesting that divine favor brings life and vitality. It also appears in intimate poetry, where fragrance symbolizes delight and closeness between loved ones. These uses show that God cares about the tangible details of our lives.
Whether in ritual or relationship, re’ach points to a God who is present and responsive. We do not worship a distant deity but One who notices the offerings we bring and the hearts behind them. This assurance invites us to live with confidence, knowing that our lives, when offered to Him, become a sweet fragrance that draws near to His heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 46 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an odor of19×
- to/ an odor of14×
- and/ [the] odor of2×
- [the] smell of2×
- [the] odor of2×
- to/ odor1×
- odor/ our1×
- odor/ its1×
- odor1×
- from/ [the] scent of1×
- and/ aroma/ its1×
- [is] like/ [the] smell of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֵֽיחַ\־7×
- רֵ֥יחַ7×
- רֵ֣יחַ6×
- לְ/רֵ֣יחַ5×
- לְ/רֵ֥יחַ4×
- לְ/רֵ֤יחַ4×
- רֵ֤יחַ3×
- וְ/רֵ֥יחַ2×
- רֵיחֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- רֵיחֵ֗/נוּ1×
- רֵ֚יחַ1×
- רֵ֑יחַ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 8:21
Yahweh smelled the pleasant aroma. Yahweh said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake because the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living thing, as I have done.
This verse marks a turning point where God’s acceptance of Noah’s sacrifice leads to a covenant promise, showing that re’ach signifies divine favor and mercy.
-
Leviticus 1:9
but he shall wash its innards and its legs with water. The priest shall burn all of it on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Here the term establishes the standard for acceptable worship, indicating that the burnt offering fully satisfies God’s requirement for atonement.
-
Genesis 27:27
He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said, “Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Yahweh has blessed.
The scent of Jacob’s clothes evokes the blessing of a fruitful land, linking physical aroma to spiritual vitality and divine provision.