What Does Leviticus 3:5 Mean in the King James?
And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew calls the rising scent an “aroma of rest”: the offering becomes not only smoke, but a fragrance of settled acceptance before the LORD.
THE MEANING
The offering is placed upon what is already ascending, over wood set on the fire; each layer belongs to the act. What rises is called an aroma of soothing and rest, a fragrance received by the LORD.
THE ROOT
נִיחֹחַ
nîḥōaḥ
GROWS FROM
נוח
nûaḥ
To rest, settle, or come to repose.
The word translated “sweet” is tied to the root for rest and settling, so the phrase carries more than pleasant scent: it is an aroma of soothing or repose. The verse describes the offering’s fragrance through the language of settled reception before the LORD.
ALSO GROWS
nûaḥ: To rest or settle.
נוּחַ
This verb makes the root’s sense of repose audible within the description of the offering’s aroma.
menûḥāh: Rest or a resting place.
מְנוּחָה
This related noun shows how the root can name not just settling, but a state or place of rest.
הִקְטִירוּ
hiqṭîrû
GROWS FROM
קטר
qāṭar
To make smoke or send up incense.
The verb translated “burn” names the making of smoke, not combustion in the abstract. Its root also appears in the language of incense, linking the fire’s work to the fragrance that rises from the offering.
ALSO GROWS
qəṭōret: Incense.
קְטֹרֶת
Incense is material made to rise as fragrant smoke, bringing out the sensory force carried by “burn.”
qiṭṭēr: To burn incense or offer it as smoke.
קִטֵּר
This related verb shows the root’s association with smoke rising as an offering.
THE PATTERN
In Scripture, an offering that rises in smoke is described as a fragrance received by God.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.THE THREAD
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.Genesis uses the same Hebrew phrase, רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ (rēaḥ nîḥōaḥ), translated “sweet savour” here. Its root in נוח (nûaḥ), rest or settle, connects the offering’s rising fragrance with the language of soothing repose.
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