רֵיחַ (re.ach)
re.ach
smell
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun re‘ach denotes a physical smell or odor, serving as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew word re‘ach (H7381). Its usage is extremely limited in the biblical text, appearing only once in the Book of Daniel within the royal court narrative.
In Daniel 3:27, the term describes the lack of any offensive scent on the three men who survived the fiery furnace. The sources highlight this specific instance to show that re‘ach refers to a tangible, sensory experience rather than a metaphorical fragrance. The absence of burning odor serves as concrete evidence of their physical preservation.
Although rare, this single occurrence anchors the word’s meaning in a dramatic historical event. It connects the Aramaic section of Scripture back to the broader biblical concept of aroma, emphasizing that the smell here is literal and observable by the king’s officials.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word re‘ach simply means a physical smell or odor. In the Bible, it is rarely used as a metaphor for spiritual favor. Instead, it describes what the nose actually detects in the air. This literal usage reminds us that God cares about our tangible, everyday experiences.
In Daniel 3:27, King Nebuchadnezzar’s officials noticed something strange. Three young men had walked through a blazing furnace, yet there was no smell of burning on their clothes or hair. This absence of a harsh odor proved they were physically preserved by God’s power.
When you face trials that feel overwhelming, remember this story. God can protect you in the midst of fire. His presence brings peace that defies natural logic. You are never alone when circumstances seem impossible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] smell of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/רֵ֣יחַ1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 3:27
The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies. The hair of their head wasn’t singed. Their pants weren’t changed. The smell of fire wasn’t even on them.
The term re‘ach describes the literal absence of a burning odor on the three men, serving as physical proof that God preserved them from harm.